HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230032 Crescent & Jefferson Site Plan SCPB Letter
50 WEST HIGH STREET (518) 884-4705 PHONE
BALLSTON SPA, NY 12020 (518) 884-4780 FAX
SARATOGA COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
TOM L. LEWIS JASON KEMPER
CHAIRMAN DIRECTOR
May 31, 2023
Susan Barden, Principal Planner
City of Saratoga Springs City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Sent via email to: susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org
Re: SCPB Referral Review #23-31 - Site Plan Review - Liberty Affordable Housing,
Inc.
A proposed multi-family project consisting of 212 affordable units with associated site
work on the 30.3-acre parcel within the parcel's newly created Urban Residential-4
District.
Location: Crescent Ave./CR-22 & Jefferson St. (Spa State Park/Hemlock Trail & NYS
Lands/Horsetrack)
Tax Map #: 179.-5-8
Zoning: Urban Residential-4
The Saratoga County Planning Board reviewed and approved the Zoning Map
Amendment from RR-1 to UR-4 for this parcel on September 15, 2022.
The Saratoga County Planning Board reviewed and approved the Comprehensive Plan
Map Amendment to Core Residential Neighborhood-2 (CRN-2) for this parcel on
November 17, 2022.
Received Site Plan Review Referral by the City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board on
February 14, 2023.
Notified City of Saratoga Springs Planning Department needed Area Variance referral
for Height Variance.
Received updated Referral for Area Variance by City of Saratoga Springs Zoning Board
of Appeals on March 13, 2023.
The Saratoga County Planning Board agreed there was No Significant County-wide or
Intercommunity Impact posed by the relief request for the height area variance at their
meeting on March 16, 2023. At that time, staff had noted future site plan review items
related to sewer loading and traffic impact should include any updated studies that
would be the most current to the size and scope of this proposal.
Reviewed Area Variance by the Saratoga County Planning Board on March 16, 2023.
Received notification of decision (approval) of the City of Saratoga Springs ZBA for the
Area Variance from their meeting on May 8, 2023.
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Reviewed Site Plan by the Saratoga County Planning Board on May 18, 2023.
Decision: Request Additional Information.
With referral review material received on February 14 and March 13, 2023 it was
noted that there were no updated sewer loading information, City of Saratoga Springs
Engineering Office technical reviews received, or traffic study updates before the SCPB
met on May 18, 2023.
From what the SCPB Board had received, there were concerns that the 2019 Traffic
Analysis was only for 192 units and not the full build out of 212 units. The dates of
the study were performed in February, 2019 and may not accurately reflect traffic
counts for this area.
The study also indicated that “residents of the apartment complex can access the
Capital District Transportation Authority system via a bus stop associated with the
Saratoga Visitors Trolley route provided at the casino.” The Saratoga Visitors Trolley
line (#875) is a seasonal line, only available July to September, as per CDTA. This
information should be updated to accurately reflect this site, currently, as not being
serviced full-time by CDTA.
The SCPB noted that parking was shown in the set back on the site plan closest to
Bunny Lake Drive. The City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board should determine if a
waiver will be provided for portions of those spaces as part of the UDO or if changes to
the plan are needed.
In verifying that the Saratoga County Water Sewer District #1 has not seen anything
on this project yet, the applicant will need to submit all their plans for review and
approval to them. This includes a report outlining flows and loads - and they will likely
need DEC approval as well, as it is above the 2,500 gpd threshold where they need to
approve it. Bill Bills at 518-664-7396, ext 5308 is the contact person for this review
process.
Please provide any additional site plan updates, ACOE verifications, SWPPP updates,
as well.
Please contact the Saratoga County Planning Board if you have any questions regarding
this matter.
Sincerely,
_____________________________________
Kimberly Lambert, Community Development and Planning Specialist
Authorized Agent for Saratoga County
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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.