HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260118 119 Van Dam Exterior Modification SSPF LetterBoard of Directors
C. 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
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
Bookkeeper
112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org
March 10, 2026
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Design Review Commission
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 119 Van Dam Street – Exterior Alterations
Dear Tamie:
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the application for exterior
alternations and new construction at 119 Van Dam Street.
The house at 119 Van Dam Street is an example of the Free Classic subtype of the Queen
Anne style. It is a “contributing building” to the West Side Historic District listed on
National Register of Historic Places and is located in an Architectural Review District.
The Foundation does not believe that the documentation provided demonstrates that the
original clapboard siding underneath the existing aluminum siding is beyond repair and
requires wholesale replacement. As stated in our previous letter dated January 22, 2024,
the Foundation encourages the owners to remove the existing aluminum siding to assess
the condition of the original cladding and if possible, restore it. Original details may be
uncovered, such as the window trim and decorative shingles in the gable. The Foundation
does not support the wholesale replacement of the wood clapboard siding with fiber cement
siding. Selective replacement in-kind of damaged wood clapboard found to be damaged
beyond repair is recommended.
This property is eligible for the New York State Historic Homeownership Tax Credit,
which provides a state income tax credit equal to 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenses
associated with repair, maintenance, and upgrades to historic homes, including the cost of
restoring the exterior cladding.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
C. Christopher Armer Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Dennis Gosier, Applicant
Julia Destino, Planner, City of Saratoga Springs