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Design review board conditionally approves demolition for Stewart's redevelopment at 177 S. Broadway
Summary
After months of review, the Design Review Board approved Stewart's request to demolish a historically significant building at 177 S. Broadway, conditioning the demolition on further approvals and post‑demolition commitments from the developer.
The Saratoga Springs Design Review Board on Jan. 29 voted to allow Stewart's proposed demolition at 177 South Broadway, conditioning the approval on further steps including planning approvals and measures to salvage historic materials.
The board, which had earlier found the building to have historic or architectural significance, said Stewart's submitted documentation satisfied the ordinance's requirements except for one provision asking the applicant to demonstrate efforts to find a purchaser who would preserve the structure. The board said the applicant's circumstances — Stewart's does not own the property and had limited ability to place the property on the open market — made strict compliance with that section impractical.
At the meeting, Libby Clark, counsel for the applicant, said Stewart's provided additional documentation of contacts with potential buyers and letters addressing relocation and redevelopment possibilities. Clark and Ryan Rebedu of Stewart's told the board the company could not list the property for sale but had pursued buyers who operate in similar spaces.
The board framed its decision as conditional: it found the post‑demolition redevelopment plan to be “acceptable” as professional evidence that the site will be redeveloped but stressed that “acceptable” did not mean the plan was fully approvable as submitted. Members required the applicant to obtain all necessary planning‑board and design‑board approvals for the redevelopment plan before any demolition permits are issued.
Other conditions the board adopted require Stewart's to make reasonable efforts to salvage building materials and architectural components for reuse and to supply performance guarantees as needed. The board also noted it would expect a more refined design and placement of the replacement structure when Stewart's returns for final review.
Board Chair Tammy Enger said the board was balancing preservation priorities with the applicant's circumstances and that the conditional approval enables the board to retain control over the timing and conditions of demolition while the applicant advances the redevelopment plan.
Stewart's representatives said they expect to continue design work and to return for the remaining approvals the board required.
(Ending) The board's conditional approval allows Stewart's to proceed only after it secures required planning approvals and meets the board's salvaging and redevelopment conditions. Stewart's and city staff will coordinate the next steps and schedule subsequent reviews as required.
