HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230593 400 Louden Sketch Plan Narrative
38 High Rock Avenue, Suite 3 | P.O. Box 272 | Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | 518.450.4030
Proposed New Church for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs (UUCSS)
400 Louden Road, Saratoga Springs, NY
The UUCSS is under contract to purchase a ±5.01-acre parcel on Louden Road for the construction of a
new church. Of the ±5.01-acre parcel, ±3.08 acres are in a “conservancy” which does not allow for any
construction nor development, leaving ±1.93 acres for the actual church and related site development.
Most of the site (the primary development area) is within the City of Saratoga Springs, however the road
frontage is in the Town of Wilton. The land area within the City is zoned Rural Residential (RR). Churches
are an allowed use in the RR Zoning District with special use permit and site plan approval. The land area
proximate to Louden Road is in the Town of Wilton and zoned R-1 Residential.
The site is a vacant parcel and supports a mix of mature trees and brushland that is intermixed on the
lot. Topography on the site slopes away from Louden Road at a gentle slope of approximately 4.5% from
a high elevation of 306 mean sea level (MSL) to a low point of 286 MSL within the developable area.
Soils consist of deep sands with a moderate to rapid percolation rate. Groundwater is deeper than 80
inches.
A right-of-way (ROW) exists parallel to the City/Town boundary for a municipal water line that is
reportedly abandoned. The ROW is oriented in an east/west direction. While no construction of
structures are apparently allowed within the ROW, driveway crossings and surface development for
parking is allowed.
Municipal sewer and water services are available in Louden Road to serve the site. Wastewater
generated from the site will be serviced by a six-inch force main, operated by Saratoga County Water
Authority, runs along the northern side of Louden Road. Wastewater would be fed through a lateral pipe
connected to a grinder pump, as the force main is not gravity fed.
The UUCSS proposes to construct a 2-story ±8,844 square foot (4,422 square feet per level) church
which includes a worship space, entry/multi-use breakout space, kitchen, and restrooms on the main
level and a “walk-out” lower level which includes a pastor’s office, general office space, multi-use
meeting/classroom space and a mechanical room. An access drive from Louden Road is proposed with a
one-way drop-off/vehicular arrival loop. An open “green space” within the loop is proposed for outdoor
use/events. Parking for 64 cars is proposed. Development will proceed in phases, as finances allow, with
the church and majority of parking (50 spaces) in the first phase. A small ±24-foot by 24-foot seasonal
open-air pavilion and the balance of parking (14 spaces) is proposed for future phases. If allowed by the
City, a secondary means of vehicular exit is proposed from the parking lot by constructing a one-way
driveway within the water line ROW to Bog Meadow Run.
Stormwater is proposed to be managed on-site by a combination of “green infrastructure” practices.
The moderate to rapid percolation rate of the sandy soils will allow for infiltration of stormwater at the
sources of generation. Parking lot stormwater will be accommodated by grass swales, infiltration
38 High Rock Avenue, Suite 3 | P.O. Box 272 | Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | 518.450.4030
trenches, and infiltration basins. A portion of the “green space” within the one-way loop road will
support a rain garden. Additional infiltration/detention practices, such as rain gardens, will be located
down gradient from the seasonal pavilion as well as the main church building to accommodate roof and
other paved surface generated stormwater.
A permanent vegetated 200-foot buffer area will be maintained between the proposed church and
seasonal pavilion south property line and the parcels south property boundary. This area is a dedicated
“conservation area” that is deed restricted. The actual distance between the church building and
seasonal pavilion to the south property line is ± 250 feet.
The UUCSS congregation currently consists of approximately 125 parishioners. Weekly services occur on
Sundays between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. Average attendance at the Sunday service in 2023 is ±67 with
a range between 45 to 89 people depending on the season of the year.
The Church employs one full-time minister and three part-time staff including an administrative
assistant, housekeeper, and music director.
Other weekly activities include evening committee meetings and other small groups between 6:00 pm
and 9:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. Average attendance is 10 to 15 people per group. In addition,
occasional Saturday weekday events occur during the year such as an annual plant sale, church suppers,
weddings, and funeral services.
The future proposed seasonal pavilion is intended for outdoor services (weather permitting) and small
group gatherings. No use of the pavilion is proposed for later than 9:00 pm.
Potential parish growth is anticipated to be relatively low, estimated at no more than 5% per year.