The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About20220502 Proposed Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance Correspondance -�- ��'�``.�� `�� "r�'�,�� SARATOGA COUNTY PLANNING BOARD �� ,�'r'�'"�', ,,,�} `� ��"}�� '7f�'f ��y�:�� TOM L.LEWIS JASON KEMPER i p ' � � ;� ' � ,5r� �.l y'�" j}'l�� `�' � �'�� CHAIRMAN DIRECTOR �.�� ,; : -4� �-� --��""_��,r: � y } .� � ��_..� �.� �C��. .��, ��+.�s.�.�. � /�/`/ �Li� June 8, 2022 Dillon C. Moran, Commissioner of Accounts City of Saratoga Springs City Hall 474 Broadway, Suite 14 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Re: SCPB Referral Review #22-60 - Zoning Text Amendment - City of Saratoga Springs Proposed amendments to the City's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), including 1) removal of uses from the City's Greenbelt which have been identified as inappropriate uses, 2) the establishment of clear criteria by which City land use boards can maintain rural character in the Greenbelt, 3) adopting enhanced means of stream and wetland protection and, 4) amending the land disturbance activity permit. Location: City-wide Received from the City of Saratoga Springs City Council on May 5, 2022. Reviewed by the Saratoga County Planning Board on May 19, 2022. Decision: Approve w/comment Comment: The Saratoga County Planning Board reviewed the proposed text amendments (1-4) of the recently adopted Unified Development Ordinance at its May meeting during which there was an extended discussion of the proposed changes. The SCPB recognizes the City Council's authority and responsibility associated with legislative actions precipitating land use regulations. Board and staff also note the legislative body's role to, with regularity, review and update as necessary those various land use regulations and associated guiding documents. One principal point of the Board's discussion centered around the fact that the City's Comprehensive Plan was approved/adopted in 2 015 and the process to create the UDO began in 2016 and ended with its adoption five years later, in December of 2021. To reach that point of adopting the UDO involved a lengthy process of public meetings, hearings, public input and comment. That depth of public review and discussion is not as apparent in the submission of the subj ect amendments to adopted land use body. Without delving into the depths or details of the individual proposed amendments or putting the SCPB into a position of advocate or judge, a general point of inquiry was made as to why the City (in general) does not let the UDO run its course for some elapsed time and at that point consider amendments, if needed, and where deemed to be necessary or more helpful? 50 WEST HIGH STREET (518)884-4705 PHONE BALLSTON SPA, NY 12020 (518)884-4780 FAX Based upon the information within the referral submitted, various members of the SCPB asked (with attention on the short 5-month period of use following implementation of the adopted UDO)just what are the justifications for the proposed removal of certain uses and parcels. The City of Saratoga Springs has long expressed its concern and intention for protection and preservation of the Gateway. The 2015 Comprehensive Plan notes that "[t]he Country Overlay Area depicts a desired `greenbelt' around the urban core which defines and shapes the `Country' in the `City in the Country'vision of this comprehensive plan." It is recognized that in some manner or another, for all land use applications there will be that necessary oversight by the City Planning Board. Under the adopted UDO, land use proj ects will continue to come under City Planning Board review and the standard processes involving the consideration of design standards, the continued standards and requirements for a special use permit, or the detail well-noted for a site plan review by the City Planning Board. The Comprehensive Plan further states that "[t]he Country Overlay map does not put any restrictions or additional requirement s in place, but serves an illustrative purpose only." Much discussion was also had related to the extended stream and wetland protections afforded the City Planning Board that appears to go beyond the review and permitting authorities already in place through state and federal standards and regulations. This amendment alone seems to call for development of a greater statement of rationale and substantiation under SEQR involving critical engineering input to back the parameters proposed. This discussion would seem particularly important as there would be an ultimate impact on the amount of an owner's useable land. While the authority exists for the legislative body to enact amendments to the governing regulation of land use in the City, the adoption of the foundational document for such regulation followed in short time by amendments - with no more than six months of limited exercise - may appear contrary to the goal of many months (and even years) of input, review, comment, hearing and discussion that could be of naught without ever seeing the true results of implementation. Sincerely, �, o � � � � �� ,.:��— ,f �� - �. _�� _�� Michael Valentine, Sr. 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-