Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford is leading a controversial effort to loosen development rules in the city’s historic and architectural districts.
Meanwhile a Stewart’s Shops executive is using his influence and connections to help limit the historic city’s preservation policies, according to a story in the Times Union.
“Patty Morrison, who has emerged as a leading community opponent of Safford’s proposed amendments to the 299-page Unified Development Ordinance, provided the Times Union with a May 3 email she received from Stewart’s Director for Real Estate Chuck Marshall,” the paper reported August 11th.
“In it, he lists his recommendations to the city to amend specific portions of the ordinance that deal with adding height to buildings and demolition of what Morrison argues are architecturally and historically significant buildings.”
Marshall served as a city commissioner last year and was chair of the Saratoga Springs Planning Board in 2024.
Among his recommendations are the removal of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation as a consultant on demolitions. The non-profit Foundation was founded in 1977 and is dedicated to preserving the architectural, cultural, and landscape heritage of the Spa City.
Among its many roles, the Foundation purchases, stabilizes, and rehabs endangered historic properties to save them from demolition.
Among their projects has been a long-neglected 1851 house at 65 Phila Street, which was recently stabilized and restored before be placed on the market. They have also acquired two endangered 1870s worker cottages on Clinton Street as part of a multi-phase revitalization.
The Foundation does not hold legal regulatory power, but acts as expert advisors to the city’s Design Review Board, a seven-member municipal board appointed by the mayor to enforce historic and architectural district regulations.
Stewart’s Shops Feud
The current dispute stems from an 2024 ordinance to “encourage appropriate and orderly physical development” which added rules for the demolition of historic buildings. To avoid “demolition by neglect” its requirements include attempting to find a buyer before demolishing a structure.
“That same year the ordinance was passed, the city’s Design Review Board rejected Stewart’s application to demolish a century-old home [at 28] Lincoln Avenue to expand its South Broadway location,” according to the Times Union.
“It based its decision on demolition standards in the architectural district, where the house stands. Stewart’s sued and won in state Supreme Court, reversing the city’s decision. But before it can be torn down, the board has to approve the design of the new Stewart’s structure that would replace it,” the paper said.
Before developers or homeowners present plans to the city, the Foundation leads an independent analysis of new constructions, exterior renovations, and signage in designated historic districts to ensure compliance with Historic District Design Guidelines.
The foundation submits written advisory opinions and public comment during seven-member Design Review Board’s meetings.
A common misconception is that the foundation opposes all modern development. Foundation Executive Director Samantha Bosshart recently emphasized that the organization’s goal is to manage community growth.
The Foundation accepts modernization, but seeks to ensure changes do not erase the overall character and historical integrity of the historic districts, she said.
Mayor John Safford and the Stewart’s executive Chuck Marshall has been arguing that the Design Review Board and the Foundation hold too much power.
You can learn more about Stewart’s Shops efforts in Saratoga Springs here.
Read more about Historic Preservation in New York State.
Photo: 28 Lincoln Avenue in Saratoga Springs.
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