HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250531 172 Caroline St Lot 2 Demolition and Construction Public CommentOutlook
Online Form Submittal: Land Use Board Agenda Public Comment
From noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com>
Date Sun 8/10/2025 2:35 PM
To Mark Graham <Mark.Graham@saratoga-springs.org>; Mark Graham <Mark.Graham@saratoga-springs.org>
Land Use Board Agenda Public Comment
SUBMIT COMMENTS REGARDING CITY PROJECTS
Thank you for submitting your comments. Your feedback will be forwarded to the
City's Planning Department and Land Use Board members. NOTE: Comments
submitted later than 12:00 noon on the day before the Land Use Board meeting
may not be reviewed prior to their meeting. All comments will be added to the
project file in the Planning Department.
Land Use Board Design Review Board
Name Erica Chambers
Email Address ericachambers@lathampool.com
Business Name Field not completed.
Address 215 Nelson Ave
City Saratoga Springs
State NY
Zip Code 12866
Phone Number 518-331-1838
Project Name 172 Caroline St Lot 2 Demolition and Construction
Project Number 20250531
Project Address 172 Caroline St Lot 2
Comments Please see the attached document for the associated
letter/comments to the Board.
Attach Photo (optional)Comments on 172 Caroline Lot 2.pdf
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Re: 20250531 172 Caroline St Lot 2 Demolition and Construction
Dear Design Review Board,
Thank you for considering public comments when contemplating your decisions regarding this
planned brand new home in our historic district.
Regarding the demolition of the historical garage associated with 172 Caroline Street, while I am
not an expert to understand the significance, it is my belief that it cannot be considered distinct
from the original property, as the subdivision of the lot is self-created; they were unified until a
developer came in and subdivided this beautiful lot without any intention of living or
contributing positively to our neighborhood.
If the Board does consider the garage significant in the end, my hope is that the current plan will
be scrapped, and a new home structure and design will be presented to match the existing
architectural design of the garage. Otherwise, to be blunt it will just look weird. Should it not be
deemed significant and the garage demolished, I have a few comments regarding the proposed
plan.
I appreciate that the design seems to be somewhat in keeping with the smaller homes across
the street. (The proposal is ~3,400 sq. ft. while the three similarly designed homes are around
2,700, 2,500, and 2,000 sq. ft.). If this square footage is approved, it would be the largest home
on that side of the street of that block (barring the red home with a much larger lot next door),
and the second largest home on that block that is not a multiple family home: the design, whilst
it makes an attempt at consistency, seems unburdened by this distinction. It will be a significant
fixture (both in height and footprint) in our neighborhood which is predominately homes with
lovely and intricate details and design elements, and this design as it stands today is lacking in
this regard. In addition, when walking around the neighborhood, it seems rare to see so many
mismatched windows and windows this small, for a home this large.
To be honest, I’d rather something completely modern by a prominent architectural firm in this
space, making new and distinct history in our neighborhood, than a cosplay of history.
While I may seem critical, I am genuinely pleased that someone is wanting to live in our
beautiful neighborhood, and to embrace its historical charms, as opposed to strip as much as
charm possible to turn a profit like the developer of 172 Caroline, and the new pending owner
who has indicated a wish to create a full time Airbnb.
Thank you,
Erica Chambers
Examples of homes of this size in the neighborhood (details according to Zillow):
1) 151 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
3,745 Sq Ft (7,840 Square Feet Lot)
2) 126 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
3,048 Sq Ft (.39 Acre Lot)
3) 193 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
3,515 Sq Ft (9,147 Square Feet Lot)
4) 159 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
3,300 Sq Ft (0.34 Acres Lot)