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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230216 118, 121-125 Woodlawn Special Use Permit Public Comment (2)7/19/23, 1:59 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=17022&tz=America/New_York 1/2 From :Susan Barden <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Subject :Fwd: 118 Woodlawn To :Julia Destino <julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org> Zimbra julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org Fwd: 118 Woodlawn Wed, Jul 19, 2023 10:44 AM Public comment for 118 Woodlawn SUP. Susan B. Barden, AICP Principal Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-3550 ext. 2493 ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "Rosemary Ratcliff" <rhratcliff@hotmail.com> To: "Susan Barden" <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 9:39:58 PM Subject: 118 Woodlawn 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 Ms Barden, My family and I live at 107 State Street and oppose the special use permit for a “social club” at 118 Woodlawn. The crux of what the Planning Board faces is whether the proposed use is both appropriate for an exception to the permitted residential requirements and also fundamentally consistent with the intent behind the UDO. As a neighbor, I cannot see any justification for the Board to do so. This is a solidly residential neighborhood on the edge of which 118 Woodlawn sits. The small parking area is surrounded by homes on all sides, as is 118 Woodlawn. To expand the use of the facility into a commercial operation increasing traffic and parking is undesirable and inconsistent with the use, zoning and character of the neighborhood and inconsistent with the requirements of the UDO. (What association or organization would be operating this club? We have heard it is an individual who is funding this business venture for profit.) To permit a restaurant and bar, at which alcohol and late night social activity is intended, is doubly wrong and inconsistent with the permitted uses in this neighborhood and unquestionably inconsistent with the surrounding residential neighbors. The few pre-existing, nonconforming businesses in the UR-3 should not be a basis for creating more nonconforming exceptions and negatively impacting the residential area. And equating a 7/19/23, 1:59 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=17022&tz=America/New_York 2/2 restaurant/bar and social club with a tiny barber shop and a some-time dress shop is wrong. Would the Board approve a bar in this location? A restaurant serving alcohol? Should the Board permit a use that will undoubtedly cause much transient traffic and parking by nonresidents, potentially back up traffic at the intersection when social or club events begin or end and the “members” and guests are all arriving or leaving, and subject the neighbors to new limits on entry and exit to our own neighborhood from Van Dam? We say no: these are impositions on the residents of this neighborhood and would change both the character and the safety of this residential area. We believe this is inconsistent with the spirit AND the letter of the city’s own rules. We strongly object and ask the Board do its duty by holding fast to the objectives and requirements of the UDO so that Saratoga Springs can retain its residential neighborhoods intact, and prevent their erosion by the creep of commercial activity and the associated traffic. And do not let a restaurant and bar (by another name) take root among the houses of this quiet neighborhood. Thank you for your service, Rosemary Ratcliff 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.