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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230216 118 Woodlawn Special Use Permit Public Comment (9)6/20/23, 12:35 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=15635&tz=America/New_York 1/3 From :Susan Barden <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Subject :Fwd: 118 Woodlawn Ave To :Julia Destino <julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org> Zimbra julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org Fwd: 118 Woodlawn Ave Tue, Jun 20, 2023 11:51 AM Please add to Woodlawn Ave. SUP. Thanks!! Susan B. Barden, AICP Principal Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-3550 ext. 2493 From: "John Henry" <jh12866@icloud.com> To: "Susan Barden" <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Cc: "Julie" <slovicjulie@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2023 3:57:02 PM Subject: 118 Woodlawn Ave CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City network. Please contact IT Support if you need assistance determining if it's a threat before opening attachments or clicking any links. Susan: We reside at 157 Woodlawn Ave and want to submit this comment to the Planning Board in opposition to the application for a special use permit and site plan being considered for 118 Woodlawn Ave (the church building) and the parking area across the street. We do not believe that either the special use permit or the site plan approval should be granted. First, it does not appear that the proposed use complies with the City's UDO. The owner is a for profit LLC named EC Woodlawn Van Dam Property, LLC, not a not-for-profit club or organization and no club or organization has been identified as the user. As such, the proposed use does not satisfy the UDO's definition of a private club since there is no such club and only a for profit LLC identified as the applicant. The UDO's definition--"A facility operated by an organization or association for a common purpose, such as, but not limited to, a meeting hall for a fraternal or social organization or a union hall, but not including clubs organized primarily for-profit or to render a service which is customarily carried on as a business. 2. Standards a. No more than 30% of the gross floor area may be used as office space for the private/social club. b. Private/social clubs are permitted to serve meals and alcohol on the premises for members and their guests only. c. Sleeping facilities are prohibited. d. Private/social clubs leased or used as reception facilities must comply with the 6/20/23, 12:35 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=15635&tz=America/New_York 2/3 requirements for reception facilities, and must receive any approvals required of a reception facility."--has not been met. Likewise, the description of the facility is essentially that of a bar and restaurant; i.e., one to "render a service which is customarily carried on as a business" and does not fall within the UDO. The matter should be referred to the code enforcement officer/building inspector for a determination as to the allowability of the proposed use under the UDO prior to any action by the Planning Board. Since the applicant does not meet the threshold requirement of the UDO, the application should not be considered. Moreover, the proposed use as a club serving alcohol and meals clearly does not fit within the neighborhood. The neighborhood is plainly residential and should remain that way. The only nearby commercial uses, a barbershop and a dress shop, are consistent with the area--but a use that will have many people drinking and parking on that corner plainly does not fit. The applicant claims that the area is part of the "downtown core" but that is clearly not the case as any such entertainment and alcohol serving uses cease several blocks away and the area has all transitioned to residential at that point. As such, the grant of a special use permit does not fall within the goals of the City's comprehensive plan. The building could easily be repurposed to residential use, consistent with the neighborhood, as several other former churches in town have been repurposed. In the event that a special use permit is granted any such permit needs to be conditioned, including imposing hours of operation limitations on an alcohol-serving establishment that is located in a residential area. We are very concerned with patrons emptying out into the street and parking lot at late hours. The use should be capped at 9:00 p.m. or earlier. The number of parking spaces should also be capped in order to prevent overcrowding of the lot and the church building. In short, the applicant is proposing to build an eating and drinking "club" in a residential neighborhood and should not be allowed to do so. The city would clearly not allow a bar to be built there and the fact that the patrons may be members of a "club" doesn't provide any comfort to the neighbors. Thanks John Henry & Karen Sosler 157 Woodlawn Ave Saratoga Springs, NY Confidentiality/Privilege Notice: This e-mail communication and any files transmitted with it contain privileged and confidential information from the City of Saratoga Springs and are intended solely for the use of the individual(s) or entity to which it has been addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or taking any other action with respect to the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. 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