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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 UDO Text Amendment Public Comment (3)6/29/23, 3:03 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=16100&tz=America/New_York 1/3 From :Susan Barden <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Subject :Fwd: Comment Proposed UDO Amendment for Homeless Shelter Buffer To :Julia Destino <julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org> Zimbra julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org Fwd: Comment Proposed UDO Amendment for Homeless Shelter Buffer Thu, Jun 29, 2023 02:04 PM Please upload to UDO text amendment on the PB agenda. Thanks! Susan B. Barden, AICP Principal Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-3550 ext. 2493 From: "Gail Riley" <grpi93@yahoo.com> To: "Susan Barden" <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2023 1:20:11 PM Subject: Comment Proposed UDO Amendment for Homeless Shelter Buffer 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. Dear Members of the Planning Board,  I attended the Planning Board meeting on Thursday 06/22/2023 where the proposed amendment to the UDO for a 1000 ft buffer between a homeless shelter and a school was discussed.  Although I am truly grateful that Mark gave me the opportunity to speak at the meeting, I decided to send you an email so you could review in more detail my thoughts on the setback and comments made during the meeting. The 1000 ft setback recommendation was made by members of the Saratoga Springs Homeless Task Force, who were appointed by the Mayor and/or City Council commissioners.  This recommendation did not come lightly and was a result of much discussion during months of meetings and public hearings.  Members of the Task Force are volunteers, including local experts on the subject of homelessness, who have put a lot of time and effort into coming to a thoughtful decision after considering different viewpoints and the best interest of all parties.   The "justification" for the buffer has already been provided to the Task Force, including data on the number and types of emergency calls to the existing shelter 6/29/23, 3:03 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=16100&tz=America/New_York 2/3 (eg potential drug overdoses, etc) which would cause disruptions and potential lock-downs and/or shelter-in-place of schools. The agendas are published ahead of time, are open to the public, and contain a public comments period.   In fact, Patti Morrison of the Planning Board did attend the task force meeting on April 20, 2023 and immediately objected to a proposed alternative location for the homeless shelter stating this is a "No-go for the neighbors that live there, I being one of them" (Reference: Patti Morrison @ the 32:57 min mark of April 20, 2023 Homeless Task Force meeting discussion on an alternative location of the old NAPA building vs the William Street location behind Saratoga Central Catholic School).   The 1,000 ft buffer comes from smart Community Planning and from reviewing logical setbacks of compatible establishments.   Unfortunately, a low barrier homeless shelter likely will have people who struggle with drug addictions and will not exclude sex offenders.  Common sense and simple logic would imply that the buffer from a school to a homeless shelter that can potentially house drug addicts and registered sex offenders should be the same 1,000 ft buffer as required by law for Drug Free School Zones and Sex Offender residency as detailed below: - Sex Offender - 1,000 feet (reference The Official New York State Sex Offender Registry - NY DCJS, FAQ #13 If an individual is under parole or probation supervision, state law may limit them from living within 1,000 feet of a school or other facility caring for children - Drug Free School Zone -   1,000 feet (reference:  Drug-Free School Zone Implementation Manual | Office of Justice Programs (ojp.gov), PAGE 5-6 "These geographic zones are generally determined to be the area which can be defined by measuring 1000 feet in all directions from the edge of the school property (its perimeter). Within such zones, there is increased law enforcement activity and swifter prosecution with greater penalties for all drug- related offenses." I have not personally seen the proposal in front of the Planning Board.  If the Applicant was not clear on how the 1,000 ft should be measured, then in my opinion, it would be appropriate feedback for the Planning Board to ask for clarification.   I do feel planning board members should be mindful about giving their personal opinions on issues and to simply say that a buffer is not necessary is not a valid response.   I am thankful and appreciative of the work the Homeless Task Force did in listening to parental concerns, and counter-opinions, when they voted in favor of the buffer.   Please note that the Task Force never said a shelter is NOT needed; the discussion has been centered around an appropriate location for the shelter that can serve the needs of the un-housed and the community. Thank you again for your dedication to Saratoga and your volunteer hours on the Planning Board.   We need people that care.  I hope you can understand that my comments and thoughts are coming from a place of caring about the well-being of my child and other children of the community, as well as finding a location to properly serve the needs of the un-housed in our community. Thank you Gail Riley Parent of School Age Child  6/29/23, 3:03 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=16100&tz=America/New_York 3/3 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. If you have received this e-mail in error, please delete it and notify the sender by return e-mail. Thank you for your cooperation.