The building, originally constructed in the 1880s and dramatically remodeled in the 1950s, has architectural elements from both periods and is on the Saratoga Heritage Resources Inventory.

In addition, the two-story, mixed-use structure is located in the Village and must conform to restrictive design guidelines in order to fit with its surroundings.

Now, owner Gin Lee is taking on those issues with his proposal to add onto the existing 3,380-square-foot building with 875 feet of commercial space on the first floor, a three-car garage and another apartment on the second floor, in addition to the two apartments that already exist.

While Saratoga planning commissioners weren't against the idea of Lee making those changes, they had a host of questions and issues that they felt were unresolved at the Jan. 22 commission meeting. The commissioners ultimately decided to send the plan back to staff for redesign and in the meantime hold a study session with the developer, where they would comment on a revised conceptual design in an informal setting.

The study session is scheduled for Feb. 12; the second planning commission hearing on the item is Feb. 26.

"This is a very sensitive area. We are dealing with a very small lot with a huge building," Commissioner Mike Garakani said about the 4,772-square-foot parcel. Garakani said the proposed design for the front and side of the building did not resemble any other buildings in the area.

"I think we have a real treasure in our Village," added Commissioner Jill Hunter, "and I would like to see that treasure maintained and even made more beautiful."

Hunter said architect Warren Heid had neglected to use the city's Village Design Guidelines in his plans, and the guidelines are a "marvelous" document that took a group of citizens three years to complete.

The guidelines "provide guidance and control on remodels in the Village area," Tom Sullivan, community development director, later said. While Heid had stated that the guidelines were not absolute, Sullivan said the city gives applicants "a push" toward following the document.

The question facing commissioners, however, is which style to preserve. While the building resembles a 1950s-style "box," some of the original 19th-century elements remain, such as thick limestone walls from a local quarry that were later built over.

Commissioners wrestled with the two choices, deciding to make a determination at the study session.

"We tried to make that a special starting point—preserving the limestone," Heid said. But the Saratoga Historic Preservation Commission, which had reviewed the project, "seemed to accept the fact that we're maintaining the 1950s look" because the building "was so amazingly modified in the '50s," Heid said.

Some commissioners, however, evidently did not like Heid's decision to maintain the more modern look along with exposing and preserving the limestone walls.

"I really don't like it the way it is," Commissioner Lisa Kurasch said, pointing to a proposed cut-out section and a "false roof" in the proposed design.

Commissioners also had questions about lot coverage and landscaping for a sidewalk along the building, which they wanted to address at the study session.

"It's my opinion that the design is going to be harmonious in the Village," Heid said. "I'm not trying to destroy the Village—I'm trying to enhance it, as I have done for many years."