20210471 Unified Development Ordinance Preservation Foundation Letter Sa�-ato �a Springs
Preservation Foundation
�-�/- ' October 19, 2021
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-., Meg Kelly, Mayor
'��'� John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts
�.` Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance
Robin Dalton, Commissioner of Public Safety
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Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works
Dear City Council,
Since 2016 the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has regularly reviewed and
Boa�•aor�i�•e�to�•s consistently provided comments regarding the proposed Unified Development Ordinance
Aaam Fa�ro (UDO). The City of Saratoga Springs has expended significant resources,money and time,
Pres�aent to develop the proposed UDO. The UDO was developed by Camiros, a professional
consulting group with extensive experience with planning, zoning, and urban design;
vt��neleFun���eno reviewed b the rofessional cit lannin staff that has formal education ex ertise and
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experience warking in our city; and included community input. The Foundation
Linda L.xa�ey understands that it is near impossible to draft an ordinance that will result in all interested
Secretary
parties being pleased with every aspect of the proposed UDO.
Dmitriy Yermolayev
Treasur� The mission of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is to preserve and enhance
T��anyBia�r the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs. The Foundation's
Jaime But1�r review of the proposed UDO focused primarily on items related to the preservation of the
Steven Dodds
Gio�anna�°o�-�io city's historic resources.
Julia Dunn
san�raFoX �e Foundation offers its support of the UDO as presented understanding that this
James Gold
Jot�n xaner document is meant to be dynamic and can change in the future as needed.
Richard King
st�nen x�e �e Foundation in articular is leased with chan es that allow for historic carria e
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sam�tnaNass houses/barns of listed historic properties on the local, state, or national historic register or
�orotnyxog�rs-Bu11is �e listed or eligible for listing as contributing properties to the historic district to be
Sheila Sperling
7ason n,omas adaptively reused as dwellings. Historic carriages/barns are important historic resources
vtaaay zanett� that the Foundation has long-identified as endangered. Over time these structures have
deteriorated because owners are unwilling to invest in buildings that cannot be used. The
James xettlewell Foundation is hopeful that this provision in the UDO will allow for many of the historic
Emeri�us carriage houses/barns to be preserved. While the Foundation would ha�e preferred to ha�e
the language be less restrictive, this provision is a good starting point.
Executive Director
samantna Bossnart In addition,the Foundation is pleased with the reduced m�imum building heights allowed
in UR-1,UR-2,UR-3 districts from 60'to 40',which should help to reduce extreme height
differences within historic areas of our city. The Foundation is also pleased building
heights far the NC and UC districts are limited to the ROW width or 50' or 70'respectively
whichever is lower. The UDO also encourages height variations and articulated facades
and cornice treatments in Commercial Mixed-Use Districts,discouraging uniform building
heights and appearances.
The Foundation supports the design standards in 4.4.C.1 and the list ofprohibited materials
in 4.4. C2.. The Foundation also supports the increased review of fences or walls that are
visible from the public right-of-way, excluding alleys.
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Saiatoga Spiuigs,NI 12866
(518)587-5030
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The Foundation is also particularly pleased to see that in historic districts a notice of
approval by the Design Review Board will be posted onsite. The Foundation has long
advocated for onsite noticing as a way to inform the public of projects that have gone
through the appropriate review process as well as to raise awareness of work that may be
undertaken without proper review and approval. This provision is particularly important
because in the past year,there has been a substantial increase in the amount of work that is
being done without proper approvals.
While not all of the Foundation's comments provided were not incorporated into the UDO
as it had hoped, there are substantial improvements throughout the UDO that will help to
preserve and enhance the historic resources of our wonderful community. Therefore, the
Foundation supports the City Council approving the UDO with the understanding that this
ordinance will continue to be reviewed and modified as improvements are identified.
Sincerely,
�� / , �,�i'rs��i.¢'�R D
Adam N. Favr (�Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Tamie Ehinger, Chair,Design Review Commission
Amanda Tucker, Senior Planner
Susan Barden,Principal Planner