HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250385 624 N Broadway UUC Demolition & Construction SSPF Letter #3Board of Directors
Michele M. Funiciello
President
Christopher Armer
Vice President
Linda L. Harvey
Secretary
Stephen Kyne
Treasurer
Tiffany Blair
Molly Brindle
Joseph DeLeva
Steven Dodds
Giovanna D’Orazio
James Gold
John Haller
Alex Kammler
Vincent LaTerra
Samantha Nass
Michelle Paquette-Deuel
Sheila Sperling
Jason Thomas
Roger Woody
James Kettlewell
emeritus
Staff
Samantha Bosshart
Executive Director
Dianne Winter
Development Director
Stephanie Hadley
Administrative Assistant
Patricia Herrick
Bookkeeper
September 10, 2025
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Design Review Board
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 624 North Broadway - New Construction
Dear Tamie:
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the most recent submissions for the
proposed new construction at 624 North Broadway.
The Foundation was disappointed with the superficial exterior design changes and continues to
vocally oppose the design of the proposed four-unit building. The design is attractive but is
better suited for an urban mixed-use setting.
North Broadway was historically developed, with a few exceptions, as a wide street with stately
single-family residences of a variety of styles on large lots. The mass, scale, and height are
proportionate to the lot size. The proposed design is in stark contrast to the context of the
historic neighborhood.
North Broadway has several multi-unit buildings that are adaptively reused single-family
residences. The Foundation strongly recommends that the building have a single-family
residential appearance to be in-keeping with the character of North Broadway, similar to the
condominiums at 46 Union Avenue. In addition, the Foundation has significant concerns about
the overall mass and setback of the proposed building. The entrance to the garage should face
the alley, not Rock Street. Lastly, the proposed materials, fiber cement panels and steel railings,
are inappropriate and inconsistent with the building materials of North Broadway.
The Design Review Board’s responsibility is to “protect and enhance the landmarks and historic
districts which represent distinctive elements of the City's historic, architectural and cultural
heritage as well as “ensure the harmonious, orderly and efficient growth and development of
the City.” It is NOT to ensure that the highest rate of economic return, which appears to be the
primary goal of the applicant. It may be necessary for the applicant to seek multiple zoning
variances to achieve a successful design.
The Foundation hopes that the Design Review Board will ensure that North Broadway retains
its special character.
Sincerely,
Michele Funiciello Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Artem Golynkin – Omni Build, Applicant
George Olsen, Architect
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Owner
Susan Barden, Administrator OPED, City of Saratoga Springs
Julia Destino, Planner, City of Saratoga Springs 112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org