HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250456 65 Phila St Area Variance Public CommentOutlook
Letter from Andy Williams and Leslie LeBon
From Andy Williams <awilliamsny@gmail.com>
Date Wed 6/18/2025 1:09 PM
To Mark Graham <Mark.Graham@saratoga-springs.org>
1 attachment (424 KB)
FINAL 65 Phila Street Zoning Variance Objection.pdf;
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Hi Mark, attached letter, PDF. I submitted via the website, but also sending to you, just in case. Please
confirm receipt, thanks!
Thank you,
Andy Williams
6/18/25, 2:35 PM Mail - Mark Graham - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGIxYTcxODdiLTE4ZmUtNDdlMy05MTNlLTA4ZjY5NTFhMDAzMQAQAP4U%2F8q4RbdHiPtSIjaovP…1/1
Andy Williams and Leslie LeBon
June 18, 2025
To: Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals
From: Andy Williams, Leslie LeBon, and adjacent and nearby property owners
Re: Application for Area Variance, 65 Phila Street, File# 20250456
We are the owners of 14 Lafayette Street, directly adjacent to 65 Phila Street along its north
property line. Along with the adjacent neighbors listed below, we strongly object to the
applicant’s request for an area variance to increase lot coverage by 27.5% (this is the
actual increase from the 40% allowed to the 51% proposed) for a rear addition and a
two-story, two-car garage with office.
While we welcome the continued renovation of 65 Phila Street, it is vital to preserve the
open space, and the quiet and historic character of our neighborhood. We urge the Board to
deny the project as proposed for the following reasons:
1. Out of Scale and Character
According to the City of Saratoga Springs Guidelines for Construction in the Historic District:
“A secondary/accessory building should be distinct from, and smaller in scale
than, the primary structure... it should not visually compete with the primary
structure.”
The proposed garage footprint (686 sq. ft.) would be unusually large — nearly 70% of the
main house’s current footprint (988 sq. ft.) — with a bathroom and office above. This is
excessive for a small lot and out of character for the neighborhood. If an office is needed, it
could reasonably be accommodated within the addition to the main house.
2. Excessive Lot Coverage
The proposed construction and paved driveway would consume nearly all open space on the
property, adversely affecting neighborhood aesthetics and green space. The application
attempts to justify this by showing photos of prior overdevelopment on Phila Street — a
precedent we believe should not continue. Let’s protect the remaining trees and open /
green areas.
3. Threat to Mature Trees
Four significant trees on our property border the north side of applicant’s lot. The proximity
of the proposed garage would endanger these trees, harming both the neighborhood’s
character and our property’s enjoyment.
14 Lafayette Street | Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | Phone: (917) 854-8118 | Email: awilliamsny@gmail.com
Andy Williams and Leslie LeBon
4. Water Runoff Concerns
As one of the lowest property among its neighbors, adding extensive hardscape to 65 Phila
would likely exacerbate runoff issues onto Phila Street — a serious consideration for the city.
5. Inaccurate Application Photo
The aerial photo submitted with the application inaccurately depicts the proposed structures
as much smaller and farther from our property line than shown in the actual plans. Relying
on this image could lead to a false impression of the project’s true scale and impact.
In Summary:
We respectfully request that the Zoning Board deny the area variance and require the
applicants to comply with current zoning limits to preserve the integrity of our historic
neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Andy Williams & Leslie LeBon
Property Owners, 14 Lafayette Street
Neighbors Supporting This Objection:
● Anthony & Michelle Harrington — 18 Lafayette Street — (770) 823-1850
● David Lewis — 12 Lafayette Street — (518) 466-0154
● Peter Lopatka — 15 Lafayette Street — (646) 483-8231
● Lafayette St, LLC — 20 Lafayette Street — (646) 483-8231
● Bill Justice & Bob Black — 11 Lafayette Street — (859) 619-4441
14 Lafayette Street | Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | Phone: (917) 854-8118 | Email: awilliamsny@gmail.com