DRB approves motel mini‑splits; proposed Victorian building units approved pending license and building-department sign-off

The Saratoga Springs Development Review Board on Aug. 6 approved the exterior HVAC mini‑split units already installed on the motel at 198 South Broadway and conditionally approved a proposed installation of additional mini‑split condensers on a nearby Victorian building, contingent on a signed license agreement (or equivalent easement) with the adjacent property owner and a building-department sign‑off.

Applicant (owner) Chindamo (spelled in the record) presented documentation and a draft license agreement dated July 16 that would authorize hotel equipment and improvements within a courtyard that technically sits on the neighboring parcel. City staff reviewed the draft agreement and said the document appears to be an appropriate form of license to allow the equipment to be maintained on the adjacent parcel, but the building department asked that the license be explicit about the new equipment to be installed and include a marked schedule showing exact locations and items.

The board’s approval included explicit conditions: (1) the license/easement authorizing the proposed units on the Victorian building must be finalized and acceptable to the city; (2) conduit and any vertical runs for the condensers must be routed inside the building rather than exposed on the exterior; and (3) exterior units should be painted to match the building where appropriate. Board members noted that the courtyard location is not publicly visible and that, as proposed, the motel units already installed are preferable to exterior conduit runs.

Board members and city counsel emphasized that the DRB’s approval does not supersede New York State building or fire-code requirements; the applicant must obtain required building permits and the license or easement must be finalized before building-department permits can issue. The building department also requested an addendum or schedule to the license agreement listing the proposed new equipment and precise locations rather than relying only on language about previously installed features.

The DRB chair made a motion to approve the Victorian-building installation pending building-department approval of an appropriate license/easement, and the board recorded that the motel-mounted units already installed were approved as submitted. The motion passed unanimously on the record; the board added a condition that all conduit be run on the interior of the building. The DRB chair said administrative staff could finalize details and that the approved items could be moved to a future consent or administrative approval once the legal documentation is complete.

Public comment: none specific to the motel mini‑splits at the time of the motion. The board asked the applicant to provide the finalized legal document to staff; staff said the draft will need a schedule describing which items are included so the building department can verify compliance.

Next steps: applicant to finalize and submit the license/easement addendum (with a labeled equipment schedule and locations) and then obtain building‑department permits confirming interior conduit runs and compliance with applicable codes.