Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Elects Offices, New Board Members, and Proposes Expansion of Historic District

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY: Four new members were elected to the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting held on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at The Arts Center’s Dee Sarno Theater.
The new members, elected to a three-year term, are Edmond DeRocker, Principal Designer and owner of DeRocker Design Associates located in Glens Falls; Mike Ingersoll, Founding Principal of The LA Group, Landscape Architecture and Engineering, P.C.; Dr. Susan Sharp, a pathologist at Bellevue Woman’s Hospital; and Jere Tatich, Founding Principal of Elan Planning, Design & Landscape Architecture, PLLC.
Elected to serve as officers of the Foundation were Douglas Kerr, President; Chris Armer, Vice President; Stewart Hatch, Treasurer; and Leslie Mechem, Secretary.
 
At the meeting, the Foundation announced that it had petitioned the City to expand the local Historic Zoning District to include portions of the Broadway Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places that are not currently included in the City designated historic district. Inclusion of a property in the City’s historic district provides protection from inappropriate alterations and unwarranted demolitions. The City’s Design Review Commission has jurisdiction over exterior changes to historic properties within City designated historic districts.
The proposed expansion includes: portions of Carriage House Lane, Clement Avenue, Clinton Street, First Street, Fourth Street, Greenfield Avenue, State Street, and Woodlawn Avenue (see map). “These streets have some of Saratoga Springs’ most beautiful residences. They are worthy of preservation for future generations” said Douglas Kerr, the Foundation President. “Inclusion in a local historic district protects the homeowner’s investment in the historic character of their property and the neighborhood” said Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director. The Foundation will ask the City Council at its next meeting to refer the proposal to the City’s Planning Commission for an advisory opinion.
Also at the meeting, the Foundation thanked Christine Carsky, former president, and Gretchen Marcell for their years of service on the Board. The Foundation is pleased that the following board members are returning: Margo Beck, Geoff Bornemann, Susan Davis, Tamie Ehinger, Michele Funiciello, Dave Godette, Cheryl Gold, Matthew Jones, Richard Kline, Jim Sasko, Charles Wheeler, Jr., and Joanna Schneider Zangrando.
Following the Annual Meeting of Membership and Board of Directors, Sara Griffen, President of Olana Partnership, spoke about the preservation of Olana, the home of Frederick Church, one of America’s most important artists, a student of Thomas Cole, and a major figure in the Hudson River School of landscape painting.