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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230216 118 Woodlawn Special Use Permit Public Comment (7)June 13, 2023 To: Saratoga Springs Planning Board From: Michael Stoneback 149 Woodlawn Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-583-3900 mstoneba@i-iycap.rr.com I am sending this letter to you via Julie Slovic, 122 Woodlawn Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY. I am unable to attend this meeting personal having just been released from rehabilitation following very invasive surgery and have not fully recovered. I am extremely opposed to EC Woodlawn Van Dam Property, LLC's proposal for 118 and 121-125 Woodlawn Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY to convert this property to a "Private Social Club." I have attached a `Bullet Point" observation of the entire "Social Club" proposal for the subject property. My history and background for making these observations: 1. Owner of 149 Woodlawn Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY from 1988 to present 2. I have had full-time involvement on local real estate sales, valuation and financing from 1977 to 2018. 3. I have appeared numerous times before the Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals in the 1980's giving "expert witness" testimony 4. I am extremely familiar with Woodlawn Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods. As I have previously stated, I am very opposed to this proposal and my "bullet Points" gives my opinion of the flaws in their proposal. Please feel free to contact me. Michael Stoneback Michael Stoneback 149 Woodlawn Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 My interpretation of EC Woodlawn Van Dam Property, LLC's proposal to convert 118 and 121-125 Woodlawn Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY to a "Private Social Club." ***from the Saratoga Springs zoning code definitions: a "Private Social Club" ... but not including clubs organized primarily of profit OR to render a service which is customarily carried on as a business. It appears that this "Social Club" is acting as a bar/restaurant of which Saratoga Springs has many in its commercial districts, not residential neighborhoods. This DEFINITION alone should render this proposal in violation of the zoning codes. • Property purchased in 2022, this appears to be a self-imposed hardship • Given the limited number of available parking spots, is the maximum members, guests and staff limited to the "one for every 500 sq. ft. of space" that "UDO" gives as a parking space guideline? After that, they start using the limited available street parking that is normally used by RESIDENTS. • Woodlawn Avenue is residential on both the NORTH and SOUTH sides of this property • Their application words: This "Private Social Club" will provide another amenity to local residents. Are all of the local residents business people who will join and use this club? And, HOW will this club benefit local children? • The previous church saw major use only on Sundays and religious holidays. How is this the same neighborhood impact as a 5-7 days a week "Private Social Club"? • They use the Ft. Orange Club in Albany as a comparable usage. I have visited the Ft. Orange Club and this property will NEVER compare to the Ft. Orange Club. (google Ft. Orange Club, Albany to verify for yourself) • THEIR WORDS —this usage "changes the character of the neighborhood from residential to commercial." How is this beneficial to local residential residents, especially CHILDREN? • The barbershop is NOT at 115 Woodlawn Avenue, it is on Van Dam Street. There was a barbershop there in the early 1970's. • The building at 38 Van Dam Street used to be a warehouse with the attendant truck traffic. The current retail use is much more neighborhood "friendly." • Even though Van Dam Street is high traffic, it is still mainly residential with only two current non-residential uses. • This proposed use in no way enhances the current residential neighborhoods and may hurt current property values.