HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190604 Cluett House McMahon Corr 6-15-20 June 8, 2020
Mark Torpey kit_ MIN 'Lill
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Chair, Saratoga Springs Planning Board2020
City Hall Lley,
473 Broadway
Saratoga Springs,NY 12866
Re: 20190604 Cluett House Bed and Breakfast
Dear Planning Board Members:
This letter is to emphasize my personal view that the most important consideration is that initial
approval of the SUP for Cluett House Bed and Breakfast should be temporary in duration. I
think the suggested restrictions in the group letter are reasonable, but more important to me is
stressing that approval should be temporary since this is the initial approval of the first bed and
breakfast in a low density UR-1 neighborhood. There is simply no reason why the Planning
Board should not be able to re-visit the decision if problems arise. Also, in her decision, Judge
Crowell seemed to want hard data on why putting a bed and breakfast in this neighborhood is not
a good idea. Temporary approval will allow data, positive or negative, to be collected and
assessed.
Sincerely,
Jill P. McMahon
2 First St.
Saratoga Springs,NY 12866
e-mail: jillpmcmahon@gmail.com
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Mark Torpey
Chair, Saratoga Springs Planning Board ,
City Hall
473 Broadway
Saratoga Springs,NY 12866
Re: 20190604 Cluett House Bed and Breakfast
Dear Planning Board Members:
I just wanted to thank you all for your very difficult work on the Cluett House SUP application.
My connection was poor, so I was unable to take part and could only follow bits of what was
said, but my sister informed me real-time.
My personal feeling is that given the apparent circumstances the decision arrived at was likely
the best the neighborhood could expect. That said, I agree with my sister's observation that
knowing they would receive some kind of approval, Mr. Toohey and his clients loaded their
plate with expanded operational details that they previously shied away from elaborating on in
earlier meetings. Not my idea of being neighborly, but it is what it is.
Last, in the bigger picture that I tend to look at and which is the Board's job, it is disappointing
to see that the City was not more supportive of its own board. You are supposed to be of value
to and utilized by the City for your expertise in planning ahead. I find the lack of a more
vigorous defense of your decision by the City in the legal action that was before Judge Crowell
sadly puzzling.
In the 4 years ahead, we will be observing not only what occurs at Cluett House but if, in
approving it, the door is now perceived as wide open for more SUP applications in this UR-1
neighborhood.
Thank you again for your expertise and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jill P. McMahon
2 First St.
Saratoga Springs,NY 12866
e-mail: jillpmcmahon@gmail.com