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Home My WebLink About20210564 Weibel Plaza PUD Amendment Correspondance (2) �,�� • ' Dillon Moran ,. � A t � �� ' `` �r C�MMISSI�NER �, � = � �, ~�� FFICE �F ��MMISSI�NER �F A�C�LTNTS � � '�-' � ,� �.w�-�" ' �= 474 Broadway �ity Hall �tac Cannors � �. ,,., . 3' `"` �� " . -.. Sarata a S rYn s �Tew Yark 1�86� DEPUTY C�MM�SSI�NER ,� �- � � P � � � _��, c� �- �� ►- t- �� . � . � .��.� �' . '�c� �� Telephone 51 S-5 8 7--�5�o `��RAs�� January 1 a, 2�23 Crty of Saratoga Sprin�s Planning Board C�ty Hall 474 Broadway Saratoga Spr�ngs,NY 12SG6 Dear P�ar�nir�g Board: The �ity Council is ir�receipt of yaur Jurie �,2�22 Advxsor��pinion�n connectxon wit�i the �eibel P1aza PUD amer�dment applicatian. Thar�you for the findings and SU��St1�I15�T�V1C��t�. The Planrii�g Baard's opinion is v�e�l received and understaod. Hav�e�er, I arn askirig the Board to re�visit and clarify one finding in the Adv�sory�pinion as offered in such correspondence. Specifically, I need clarity an the Planning Board's �nding that"the addition�f the new use-- `�Varehouses, Distributian Plants a.r�d'�Vholesale Establishrnents' [is] incansistent v�ith the Cornmunity M�x�d Use�CMU� designatiox�in the Compreher�sive P�ar�." The corifusion stems initially from the Ad�isory�pinian rendered on this matter in August 21, 2�21, seeking the same defined use to be added to the PLTD, where the Plannin� Board"Issued an u.nfav�rabie opinion on the requested text amendment to include "Warehouses, Distributior�Plants and�holesale Establis�rrients"upon Site Plar�Revxew approval v�th�n the PUD use schedule, The Board faund that the current PLJD language does nat camport with the Community Mixed Use(CMU} desi�natxon in th��omprehensive Plan and therefore additional language would�eed to b�included r'n the P�ID�hat reflects the �ransec�--4 �Irba�.�eighborhood{IT--4� or �'ransect—5 Neighborhood Cente� �'I�'-S} design standar�ds vvithi�the Zoni�g�r�dr'r�ance." �Emphas�s added.} It appears from the current appiication materials that the applicant took t�at recommendatian and revised the prapased P�D amendment to specifically include the exact existir�g desig�elements in those transect zones, Ha�ing revised th�e a�nended lar�guage as suggested for compliance in the August 21, 2�21 Advisary�pir�ion, does that render the use cansistent�rith t�ie �ompreher�si�e Plan? The other co�s�ng aspect of this find�ng is that, at the time of the Advisory �pir�ian, it appears t�he City Zoning �rd�nance contained a�are�iouse D�strict which was wholly with�n t�ie Cammu�ity Mixed�Jse area of the Comprehensive Plan. A f nding that a warehouse use is contrary to t.he Comprehensive Plan wau�d have seemingiy meant that the entire 'V�are�iouse Distri.ct wou�d ha�e been cor�trary to the �omprehensive Plan. Even under the current UD�, exter�si�ely e�aluated after the 2�1 S �omprehensxve P�an revisians, warehouses appear ta remain a perm�tted use vvithin the Light Industrial �Ind-L} I)istrict, wh.�ch is still withir�the �ommunity Mixed Use area of the Compre�ensive P1an. A precedent that warehouses are contrary to the �ornprehensi�e Plan�MU district would seem to render e�en the nevv UD� Ind-L challen�eable on the basis of inconsistency with the �omprehens��e Plan, I lastly note that a review of the minutes fram the Jur�e 9�and 23rd Planr�ir�g Board did not shed�ight ar�the basis for this fndirig. In fact, the discussion specifically on the �arehause Use o�the application cammences in the June 9, 2�2� Plar�ing Board�ideo minut� at the 1 hour 31 minute rnark. Whi1e during the course of this discussio�certain concerns were �o�ced by some Planning Baard Members in connection vvith zoning vvhich permits warehouses, the minutes at the 1 haur 51 m�nute mark seern to reflect the Planning Boaxd was preparing a resolut�on�or a positxve recommendation on this use,with sorne accompanying suggestions to rernediate concerns. It appears to be concerns related more closely to Site Plan than the Comprehensive P1an which resulted in this det�rminatian, i.e. size of buxxdin�,traffic generated, street scape and pedestrian�ralkability, In light of the abave, I respectfuily request that the Plar�nin�Board pro�ide further support andlor clarification for this particu�ar find�rig so that the City Cour�cil can more fully evaluate the Weibel P�aza PUD Arnendments before taking action. I thank you for your consideration of this request ar�d continued support a�d assistance in evaluating�he applications for legislative changes�thiri the �ity. Resp�ctfully yours, R �. Di11o�Moran Cornrnissiarier of Aecounts