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Home My WebLink About20181099 18.059 96-116 Ballston Ave Townhomes Correspondance NEWYORK Parks' Recreation, STATE OF � eor OPPORTUNITY and Historbic Preservation ANDREW M.CUOMO ROSE HARVEY Governor Commissioner December 20, 2018 Ms. Kirsten Dymond Assistant Archaeologist Curtin Archaeological Consulting Inc 61 Rowland Street Ballston Spa, NY 12020 Re: DEC Ballston Avenue Townhouses Finely St & Ballston Ave, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga county, NY 18PR08059 Dear Ms. Dymond: Thank you for requesting the comments of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). We have reviewed the project in accordance with the New York State Historic Preservation Act of 1980 (Section 14.09 of the New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law). These comments are those of the OPRHP and relate only to Historic/Cultural resources. They do not include potential environmental impacts to New York State Parkland that may be involved in or near your project. Such impacts must be considered as part of the environmental review of the project pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (New York Environmental Conservation Law Article 8) and its implementing regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617). Based upon this review, it is the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's opinion that your project will have no impact on archaeological and/or historic resources listed in or eligible for the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. If further correspondence is required regarding this project, please be sure to refer to the OPRHP Project Review (PR) number noted above. Sincerely, Michael F. Lynch, P.E., AIA Director, Division for Historic Preservation Division for Historic Preservation P.O.Box 189,Waterford, New York 12188-0189•(518)237-8643•www.nysparks.com SARATOGA COUNTY PLANNING BOARD TOM L.LEWIS JASON KEMPER CHAIRMAN DIRECTOR 17 1 December 27, 2018 Bradley Birge, Director Community and Economic Development City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 RE: SCPB Referral Review #18-148A & B-Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review-Ballston Ave Partners, LLC Proposed development of 18 townhouse units on a 1.37-acre parcel created from merger of 3 existing building lots. Proposal includes construction of private access road, driveways and sidewalks. Project area is within the service district for the City water and sewer. Location: 96 Ballston Avenue (NYS Route 50) and Received from the City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board on November 27, 2018. Reviewed by the Saratoga County Planning Board on December 20, 2018. Decision: Approve Comment: The Saratoga County Planning Board previously reviewed a referral submitted in May/June 2016 for area variances associated with what was then being planned for twenty-two (22) townhome units under UR-2 Zoning District regulations and standards. While our formal response was that there was no significant county or intermunicipal impacts from what was being proposed, the SCPB recommended that the appellant petition the city council for a zone change. The applicant, however, was not interested due to the timing involved with the city's review and adoption of its comprehensive plan. This agency again reviewed and approved in January 2017 a zone change and map amendment proposed for the same property, going from UR-2 to T-5, as earlier recommended. We recognize the area of the proposed residential development to be abutted by a large commercial plaza on the west within busy commercial traffic corridors servicing commercial/retail uses on the way to and from the core of downtown Saratoga Springs by way of Ballston Ave, Lincoln Avenue, and South Broadway. The immediate area has been and is now under further redevelopment in areas of older-stock housing on Spa Drive and Lincoln Ave. as well as upgraded commercial uses linking Broadway 50 WEST HIGH STREET (518)884-4705 PHONE BALLSTON SPA, NY 12020 (518)884-4780 FAX -1- and Route 50. With access to Broadway and public transportation and CDTA shelter/stops on both sides of Ballston Avenue and along with the points addressed above, we have reviewed the proposed use under the standards for a special use permit and its site plan and provide a recommendation of approval (see standards for review noted just below). REVIEW STANDARDS FOR SUP: 1. To what extent is the use in harmony with, promotes the general purposes and intent of the Comp Plan, zoning. ord., and health, welfare and safety of city/residents. 2. Neighborhood compatibility, impacts on community character (adjoining properties), density. 3. Impacts of use on vehicular congestion and parking. 4. Impacts on infrastructure and services. 5. Impacts on long-term economic stability and community character. In regard to the site plan, we commend the (common sense of) use of a right-out only egress from the project site north onto Ballston Avenue utilizing a main entrance off Finley Street. The prospect of using sidewalks along the alley at rear/east side of property for sidewalk access was looked upon favorably with the only question being whether that use is in any sort of public easement/ROW and if that use prohibits or impedes any other connection between Lincoln Avenue and Finley Street. The proposed density of the project supported by public infrastructure in a changing environment and the creation of a new pedestrian- friendly development that may meet the needs of different market are welcome provisions. e Michael Valentine, Senior Planner Authorized Agent for Saratoga County DISCLAIMER: Recommendations made by the Saratoga County Planning Board on referrals and subdivisions are based upon the receipt and review of a "full statement of such proposed action" provided directly to SCPB by the municipal referring agency as stated under General Municipal Law section 239. A determination of action is rendered by the SCPB based upon the completeness and accuracy of information presented by its staff. The SCPB cannot be accountable for a decision rendered through incomplete or inaccurate information received as part of the complete statement. -2- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Environmental Permits, Region 5 A k 232 Golf Course Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885 IMNIIIIIIIIIIIIN Phone: (518) 623-1240 • Fax: (518) 623-3603 Website: www.dec.ny.gav NIW Basil Seggos LETTER OF NO JURISDICTION Commissioner ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT December 19, 2018 Melanie Musarra Environmental Design Partnership 900 Route 146 Clifton Park, NY 12065 Re: Proposed Townhouse Development 96-116 Ballston Tax Map ID#: 178.26-1-39, 40 and 46 City of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County Dear Ms. Musarra: The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has determined that your proposal to develop the above-described parcels in the city of Saratoga Springs is not likely to result in the take of threatened or endangered species. This determination is based on the information submitted by your office on December 18, 2018.and reviewed by staff from the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Though Karner blue butterflies (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) and Frosted elfins (Callophrys Trus) occur in the vicinity, there is no suitable habitat on or near these parcels for either species. Therefore, no permit is required at this time pursuant to the implementing regulations (6NYCRR Part 182) of the New York State Endangered Species Act (Article 11-0535). Be advised that any changes in location, expansion of the footprint of the project, modifications of the scope, or changes in the timing of proposed actions that are not identified in the submission referenced above may trigger DEC authorization. Please reinitiate contact with this office if such activities are contemplated. Please note that this letter does not relieve you of the responsibility of obtaining any necessary permits or approvals from other agencies or local municipalities. Sincerely, Com- Beth Magee Deputy Regional Permit Administrator