The local Historic Zoning District in Saratoga Springs could soon see some expansion and include several new portions of property in the downtown area, if all goes as planned. The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation announced at its Tuesday, Jan. 12 meeting, that it has petitioned the city to expand the Broadway Historic District to include properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places but not currently included in the City designated historical district.
The proposed expansion, which Mayor Scott Johnson has agreed to put before the City Council, includes portions of Carriage House Lane, Clement Avenue, Clinton Street, First Street, Fourth Street, Greenfield Avenue, State Street and Woodlawn Avenue. Some of the more recognizable residences affected are a cluster of homes facing the Skidmore soccer field.
These streets have some of Saratoga Springs’ most beautiful residences. They are worthy of preservation for future generations, said Douglas Kerr, foundation president.
Properties included in the city’s historic district are protected from inappropriate alterations and unwarranted demolitions, said Samantha Bosshart, the foundation’s executive director. For exterior changes to historic properties, the city’s Design Review Commission would have jurisdiction over what would be allowed. Changes include roof repairs, which have to use the original material, changing the appearance of a front porch or building an addition. Paint color is never regulated.
Bosshart said several homeowners are concerned with what will happen to their property rights should the expansion be approved. She said they don’t want to acquire the additional review layer and be told what they can and can’t do to the exterior of their house. She said the final decision is that of the Council’s and that it will act in what it believes is in the best interest of residents.
`We are optimistic that there will be this expansion,` said Bosshart.
The process will take several months to unfold. The foundation had to submit an application to the mayor. Then the issue will be put before the City Council for a vote on whether or not they want to pursue it. If they decide they do want to study the option of expansion further, it will be sent to the Planning Board for advisory opinion, then to the County for an advisory opinion and then back to the City Council where it will hold a public hearing and take a vote.
`There are 43 property owners and some own more than one lot. There are about 34 contributing buildings and seven to 10 non-contributing buildings in question, so there is much opportunity for public discussion and opinion,` said Bosshart.
A contributing building is a structure that adds something to the architecture and heritage of a district and is taken into consideration when a district is nominated for the National Register. A non-contributing building is a structure that has been altered in such a way that it no longer resembles what it originally looked like. Bosshart said protecting buildings that contribute to the character of a historic district is important.
`If you look at Saratoga and what makes it so special today, it’s its historic downtown and buildings and we have to protect that,` said Bosshart. `Unlike other upstate communities that have lost some of the beautiful downtown fabric, Saratoga’s is intact and attracts residents, attracts visitors, tells the history of the community. Once a building is gone, it’s not really there to tell that story anymore.`
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