HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250591 24 Fifth Ave Facade Change SSPF LetterBoard of Directors
Christopher Armer
President
Sheila Sperling
Vice President
Tiffany Blair
Secretary
Kira Karbocus
Treasurer
Molly Brindle
Joseph DeLeva
Steven Dodds
Michele Funiciello
James Gold
Alex Kammler
Stuart Kaufman
Vincent LaTerra
Nicole Messier-Marino
Samantha Nass
Michelle Paquette-Deuel
Ellen Sheehan
Jason Thomas
Roger Woody
James Kettlewell
emeritus
Staff
Samantha Bosshart
Executive Director
Dianne Winter
Development Director
Stephanie Hadley
Administrative Assistant
Patricia Herrick
October 29, 2025
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Design Review Board
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 24 Fifth Avenue – Carriage House Exterior Alterations
Dear Tamie,
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the application to make exterior
alterations to the carriage house at 24 Fifth Avenue.
The house at 24 Fifth Avenue was built in 1899. The carriage house appears on the 1909
Sanborn Map and is marked as a stable. The 1950 and later Sanborn Maps note that the
same structure was used for automobiles. The 1900 Sanborn Map does not extend that far
east. However, the carriage house was most likely built at the same time as the house as
the original property extended to Spring Street, which today is Madison Avenue and in
1899 the main transportation used was horses not automobiles. Both structures are
contributing buildings to the East Side Historic District listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Per the Windows and Doors Historic District Design Guidelines, “doors are among the
most significant character-defining features of a building. They help to identify the style
and period of the building. Every effort should be made to maintain and preserve these
important features.”
• Every effort should be made to preserve original or historic doors as well as the
associated functional and decorative features including door frames, sills, heads,
jambs and moldings. Do not alter/enclose important architectural features such as
existing sidelights or transoms.
• Deteriorated or missing pieces should be replicated with materials that match the
original.
• The location, size and shape of original or historic doorway openings should be
maintained
• Relocating or altering an original door opening is discouraged, particularly on a
primary façade.
• Replacement doors should match the existing in material and design or should be
based on historic evidence. If no historic evidence is available, the doors should
match the design and material of the architectural style and period of the historic
building.
• The addition of new door openings on primary facades is discouraged
• Contemporary materials and designs are discouraged on historic and contributing
structures.
112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org
The Foundation does not support the removal of the hayloft door and enlargement of the
opening. as it is not in keeping with the historic district design guidelines. Every effort
should be made to retain the appearance of the hayloft opening. Also, regarding the
replacement of the only two remaining original windows, it does not appear, based on the
information provided, that the windows are beyond repair.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Christoper Amer Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Tim & Lisa Higgins, Owner
Nathan Violette, Balzer & Tuck Architecture
Julia Destino, Planner, City of Saratoga Springs