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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230216 118, 121-125 Woodlawn Special Use Permit Public Comment (7)7/20/23, 12:19 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=17095&tz=America/New_York 1/4 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 Thu, Jul 20, 2023 11:43 AM Susan B. Barden, AICP Principal Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-3550 ext. 2493 From: "Beau Breslin" <bbreslin@skidmore.edu> To: "Susan Barden" <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2023 5:19:56 AM 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. 7/20/23, 12:19 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=17095&tz=America/New_York 2/4 Dear Ms. Barden, I would like to express my concerns about the proposed project at 118 Woodlawn. Please share my message with all members of the Planning Board. Specifically, I have six concerns. 1. Whether the use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The applicant states that “this use is not in conflict with its neighbors.” The presence of “entertainment…drinks and light lunch and dinner service to members and their guests” is not similar to anything in this neighborhood. The proximity of other businesses south of Van Dam should not justify this sort of enterprise on the north side of Van Dam, which is wholly a residential neighborhood (except for Regal Barbers). Plus, the property is not vacant. 2. Whether the use will affect public health, safety or welfare. The applicant hardly addresses this. Traffic and parking are already a problem in that area. If this project goes forward, it is very difficult to see how an ambulance could get up Woodlawn. The intersection of Woodlawn and Van Dam is already dangerous for pedestrians. The traffic report submitted by the applicant seems to have little basis in reality. The applicant simply has not met the burden of proof on this item. 3. Whether the use will affect the density and intensity of the property and whether the use is compatible with the character of the neighborhood. There is nothing like this in our neighborhood. It is a residential area with families, people walking with dogs or strollers, kids walking and riding bikes, and so on. An establishment that serves alcohol until 11:00 PM is very much contradictory of that spirit. The traffic and parking mess this will exacerbate is also inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood. We will literally have to drive and walk in a different direction to avoid the hazards of that corner. Being close to other zoning districts should be no justification. A lot our neighbors love living near Broadway, but we did not choose to live on Broadway for a reason. To suggest that a private club with alcohol is akin to a religious setting is not rational. I am worried that allowing this social club opens the door to the possibility of other, similar establishments. Please don’t alter the character of our quiet, lovely neighborhood. 4. Whether there is safe and efficient pedestrian and vehicular access, circulation and parking. This is the most obvious non-debatable problem. The traffic there is already a problem. The applicant wants to accommodate 200 members but proposes to offer only 20 parking spots. Our neighborhood simply cannot accommodate such an influx of vehicles. 5. What is the increased demand on the infrastructure, public facilities and services? The issue of water drainage is already a challenge in that area. The newspapers show regular problems in area bars. More bars requires more police – in a neighborhood where the behavior that requires police and the presence of police is unusual. This goes back to item 2 above as well. The presence of police is not consistent with character of the neighborhood. 7/20/23, 12:19 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=17095&tz=America/New_York 3/4 6. What is the impact on the environmental and natural resources on the site? In our neighborhood, we already hear the noise down on Broadway and Caroline. We hear Skidmore students walking home late at night, often intoxicated. We do not need more noise and more drunken people walking around our family-based residential neighborhood. In conclusion, I believe this proposal does not satisfy the criteria. I am confident that such a project would harm our neighborhood. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, William Breslin 100 State St. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Beau Breslin (he/him) Joseph C. Palamountain Jr. Chair in Government Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY A Constitution for the Living: https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=21274 7/20/23, 12:19 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=17095&tz=America/New_York 4/4 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. 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