HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200174 269 Broadway Mixed Use Public Comment (6) September 30, 2020
Susan Barden r 1
Principal Planner 1
City of Saratoga Springs 0 2 2020
474 Broadway •
Saratoga Springs, NY12866y
Dear Ms. Barden,
Please allow us to introduce ourselves. We are the HOA Board members of Park Place
Homeowners Association (HOA)located at 268 Broadway,which consists of 51 residential and
commercial units.We listened to the Sketch Site Plan presented at the April 30th Planning
Board Meeting (App#20200174 269 Broadway Mixed Use Commercial Building)and have
several concerns for your consideration.
Traffic/Parking/Public Safety-We are concerned with the current traffic conditions and are
interested in what a traffic study will show. Broadway is already heavily trafficked with large
trucks producing significant noise and pollution. Parking is currently a problem, especially on
school afternoons when parents pick up their children from SPA Catholic and on Sundays when
St. Peter's is holding mass. Traffic is currently backed up here from 3:30-5:30 daily and more
so during track season.The increased traffic on Broadway and Hamilton will increase risk for
students and the general public.
Aesthetics-On the application the applicant answered "Yes"to 3 extremely important questions
regarding the Historic places, sensitive for archaeological sites and its proximity to officially
designated scenic and aesthetic resources. We hope the Board will consider the impact a
building of this size and magnitude will have on the historic and aesthetic character of this
neighborhood. Having no setbacks on any side is visually unappealing and does not appear to
"fit in".The public sidewalk should NOT be encroached for the safety of the public and for the
ability of DPW to clear snow. The building at 268 Broadway has setbacks on the 1 st/2nd floors
as well as on the top floors which made the building fit in with the neighboring buildings.
Necessity- Has a recent analysis been conducted on the business need of office/retail space of
this magnitude?After COVIDI9 the likelihood of more people working from home is more
probable as is the possibility of some retailers/restaurants closing.We need to keep current
building space occupied.
Water/Aquifer-The applicant indicated that the project site is located over, or immediately
adjoining a primary, principal or sole source aquifer(Principal Aquifer).What impact will
excavating for a 2 level underground garage have on the aquifer?There is a reason this city is
named Saratoga Springs. We need to protect our springs.
Civic Area-We advise you to carefully examine the civic area as proposed. Covered open
areas are susceptible for people spending the night. When 268 Broadway first initially opened
we needed to make numerous calls to the police department regarding people spending the
night in the garage tunnel area.
We are interested in participating in the review and decision making process and submissions
associated with environmental impact issues(EIS's), intensity of land use, consideration of
historic resources, population demographics, socioeconomic projections, housing resources,
location and impact to educational facilities, and conformance with the City's Comprehensive
Plan,the extent to which the use is in harmony with and promotes the general purposes and
intent of the Comprehensive Plan,the density, intensity and compatibility of the use with the
neighborhood and community character,safe and efficient pedestrian and vehicular access,
circulation and parking, existing and future demand on infrastructure, public facilities and
services, the environmental and natural resources of the site and neighboring lands including
any potential erosion,flooding or excessive light, noise, vibration and the like and the long-term
economic viability of the site, neighboring properties and districts.Additionally,the HOA has
interest in Site Plan submissions, special use permitting issues, and all items referred to the
Design Review Commission, City Council, or any other body, agency or department.
The Park Place HOA recognizes the substantial investment and effort being undertaken by the
developer and the City and we look forward to future discussions as we work together to keep
Saratoga Springs a place where everyone wants to live,work and play. Contact
information:email- mf347pp@gmail.com
Respectfully,
Park Place HOA:
7141
Maree Fox, Secretary
Dr. Robert Sponzo, Director
Donna Hellman, Director
.cc Plannning Board Members-Mark Torpey, Jamin Totino, Sara Boivin, Lexie Bonitatibus,
Kerry Mayo,Todd Fabozzi, Ruth Horton, Shawna Jenks
Design Review Commission Members-Tamie Ehinger, Karen Cavotta, Ellen M. Sheehan,
Leslie DiCarlo, Chris Bennett, Rob DeBoff, Steve Rowland, Ken Ritzenberg
Jennifer Merriman