20210471 Unified Development Ordinance SSPF Letter Saratoga Spring-,
Preservation Foundation
June 3, 2019
"`�]�j'� Mr. Bradley Birge
F O R.(-7'e Administrator of the Office of Planning and Economic Development
PR E s E RV A T l O N City of Saratoga Springs
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs,NY 12866
»,
VIA EMAIL
RE: City of Saratoga Springs UDO Technical Review and Approaches Report
Dear Brad,
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation appreciates the opportunity to comment
Board of Directors on the Saratoga Springs Unified Development Ordinance Technical Review+
Adam N.Favro Approaches Report that was prepared by Camiros and presented to the public on May 22.
President The Foundation believes that sustaining our city's prosperity and growth is
James Gold interdependent with preserving its rich architectural heritage. Historic preservation plays
Vice President a critical role in the economic vitality of our city, which is evidenced by the findings of
the 2018 economic impact study of historic preservation -"Saratoga Springs—Enhancing
Linda Harvey Opiteck the Values through Historic Preservation"by nationally recognized economic analyst
Secretary
Donovan Rypkema.
Dmitriy Yermolayev
Treasurer In the Foundation's initial letter date October 11, 2016, several issues were identified that
Caroline Cardone could be addressed through the UDO process.Two of those issues include the use of
Brennan Drake accessory structures since many are vacant and deteriorated because they are not able to
Sandra Fox be used and the building heights within and adjacent to architectural and historic review
John[caller
Liz Israel districts to allow for greater height variation and to relate to the context of adjacent
Samantha Kercull buildings. The Foundation is pleased with the recommendations that the consultant has
Douglas Kerr
Richard King made that allow the use of accessory structures and change the regulations of building
Cindy Spence heights. The Foundation is also pleased that there is discussion of having provisions to
allow for a classic sign designation to preserve specific historic and/or unique signs
James Kettlewell within the city.
emeritus
However,the Foundation identified the following key issues that it feels should also be
Executive Director addressed in the UDO.
Samantha Bosshart
• In 2001 the City adopted"A Working Plan for Historic Preservation in Saratoga
Membership& Springs." This document set forth several important goals deemed essential to
Programs Director
Nicole Babie the community's continued vitality. A number of plans and policies were listed
in the Camiros report,but this one was not. Goals and objectives of this plan
should be implemented where possible.
• In light of the increased number of demolitions of contributing buildings located
within historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places,but not
located in a local review district, a demolition-delay ordinance should be
adopted. The 75%UDO draft included provisions for demolition-delay. The
Foundation is hopeful that those will remain in place.
• When these contributing structures are demolished,the in-fill structures that are
constructed often are insensitive to the neighborhood context—the structures are
not appropriate in height, scale,mass, or style. The UDO should incorporate
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contextual design guidelines for historic districts listed on the National Register
of Historic Places that currently have no review as an interim measure until these
areas can be successfully incorporated into a local architectural or historic review
district.
• The Foundation also recommends improvements be made regarding notifications
of pending applications and approvals through signage at the property,to inform
neighboring property owners.
• In recent years,there has been an increase in the number of construction projects
that have taken place without proper approvals. The ordinance should
incorporate significant financial penalties for those who do work without
appropriate approvals.
• While the NYS Property Maintenance Code can address demolition-by-neglect,
serious consideration should be given to the adoption of a demolition-by-neglect
ordinance as well as significant financial penalties for those who fail to meet the
requirements of the NYS Property Maintenance Code and the local vacant
building registry ordinance, to discourage the continued deterioration of
buildings. A demolition-by-neglect ordinance should address both primary
buildings and accessory structures such as carriage houses and stables.
• It is important that the local historic districts be expanded to match the
boundaries of the historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic
Places as outlined in"A Working Plan for Historic Preservation in Saratoga
Springs."However,this will require that it be an important long-term goal of the
City of Saratoga Springs and the Design Review Commission and a
comprehensive education effort. The Foundation is willing to work with staff and
the Design Review Commission on this initiative. The Foundation recommends
that the process to allow building owners to voluntarily seek inclusion in a local
historic district—such as was done by the owners of 199 and 200 Woodlawn
Avenue -be incorporated into the ordinance.
• Streetscape details such as the following features: streets, pedestrian walks and
curbs,driveways and off-street parking, fences,utilities, trash enclosures and
mature trees and landscaping are important to the historic districts,yet currently
there is no review for many of these items. The Foundation recommends the city
review these details within historic districts.
• For the incentive districts there is discussion of creation of a fee in lieu. This fee
typically goes towards open space. The Foundation requests that historic
preservation be considered as an applicable use of the fees.
• It is unclear if any administrative approvals for exterior changes within historic
districts will be allowed. The Foundation may have concerns if that is the case.
Thank you again for the opportunity to comment at this initial phase of the UDO process.
We look forward to providing more specific comments in the future,as draft zoning
language becomes available.
Sincerely,
Adam N. Favro antha Bosshart44
444/
President xecutive Director
Cc: Meg Kelly,Mayor
Tamie Ehinger,Design Review Commission Chair