HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260199 209 Nelson Ave. Equipment Install - Solar Array 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
April 22, 2026
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Design Review Commission
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 209 Nelson Avenue – Solar Panel Installation
Dear Tamie:
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the application for solar panel
installation at 209 Nelson Avenue.
The Colonial Revival style residence, built c. 1926 – 1927, is a contributing building of the
East Side Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It is disappointing to learn that the City of Saratoga Springs Building Department issued a
permit for the installation of 22 solar panels without Design Review Board approval. Per
the Alternative Energy Systems Historic District Guidelines, solar panels should be
installed in a manner that limits negative visual impacts to the building and from the public
right-of-way and other installation locations be thoroughly explored.
The Foundation typically recommends that solar panels be less visible from the public-
right-of-way. Taking into consideration that solar panels are reversible, the Foundation
thinks that it is unfair to ask the homeowner to remove panels at their own expense when
the City of Saratoga Springs issued the permit in error.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
C. Christorpher Armer Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Helen Schwarz-Lawton, Owner
112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org