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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230216 118, 121-125 Woodlawn Special Use Permit Public Comment (18)11/17/23, 11:38 AM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=22353&tz=America/New_York 1/3 From :Susan Barden <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Subject :Fwd: 118 Woodlawn Special Use Permit Comments To :Julia Destino <julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org> Zimbra julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org Fwd: 118 Woodlawn Special Use Permit Comments Wed, Nov 15, 2023 04:46 PM This one too... Susan B. Barden, AICP Principal Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-3550 ext. 2493 From: "Gary Hasbrouck" <gman62happy@gmail.com> To: "Susan Barden" <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 11:31:00 PM Subject: 118 Woodlawn Special Use Permit Comments 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. Public Comment - Project #2023021 Special Use Permit 118 Woodlawn Ave From: Gary Hasbrouck 36 State Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Dear Planning Board Members, Public speaking is a nerve-racking experience. I agree. Subming comments in wring is the most effecve way of communicang thoughts and observaons. I firmly believe the only way this project can be successful and protect the neighborhood is through condioning any approval on wrien and verbal asserons of the applicant. That said, certain condions created by this unique project may not be able to be migated through planning measures. 11/17/23, 11:38 AM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=22353&tz=America/New_York 2/3 Parking and traffic flow are 2 concerns which may be out of the applicant ’s control. Woodlawn Ave, State Street, Alger Street, Vermont Street and North Broadway, in that order, will be the most affected public streets where on street parking will be stressed. I think it is prey obvious that 118 Woodlawn occupancy capacity of 84-118 guests will max out the 32 private parking spots and fill any parking voids on Woodlawn, State and Alger with only a 60% of capacity turnout. More importantly, Bolster Alley has no “no parking ” signs which will allow members and their guests to parally block the alley without fear of ckets from parking enforcement. Traffic will flow away from the feared and busy intersecon of VanDam & Woodlawn and flow towards Greenfield Ave as an exit towards a traffic control device either at Route 50 & Rock or North Broadway & VanDam/Route 50 and even possibly at Clinton & VanDam. No one can force members and guests to drive or park on designated streets. That is simply a fact. Does this venture even qualify as a not-for-profit and does it need to be? Does the not-for-profit own the building or does it lease from someone? Does it already have 501c3 status? A Board of Directors? A resoluon authorizing the renng of space? Does it maer if the “Inial Director ” is related to the property owner? Does it serve a purpose or provide services that a for profit business already offers? Does the City Center/Hotel offer food, drink and meeng space? Yes. The Holiday Inn? Yes. The Hilton? Yes. Olde Bryan Inn? Yes. The Inn at Saratoga? Yes. Parng Glass? Yes. Hampton Inn? Yes. Canna? Yes. Harvey ’s? Yes. Adelphi? Yes. Should the Board arrive at a conclusion that traffic and parking will not be a detriment to nor change the character of the neighborhood, the Board needs to condion any approval on the many asserons (both wrien and verbal) by the applicant. These reasonable condions must be specifically stated in the Special Use Permit resoluon: -The Social Club is to be run by a registered Not-for Profit Organizaon with the proper documentaon proving Not-for-Profit status on a yearly basis. -A clear definion of a member (with duraon of membership), a guest, an employee, a volunteer, a Director and a Board Member. -A limit to the number of employees on site at any one me. While there may not be mulple chefs, there may be a manager, bartender, waitstaff, kitchen help, and maintenance persons in the building at the same me. The inial promise of only 6 employees may be light unless 2 of the helpers may be “volunteers or Board Members”. Hence the need to idenfy tles. -Both parking lots to be used exclusively for 118 Woodlawn. If either lot is sold or leased to another enty, Special Use Permit is terminated. -No live music nor amplified music. Seng decibel levels outside is just a nonstarter. -No outside events in either parking lot. Parking lots for parking only and delivery trucks. -No deliveries curbside. -No special events like fundraisers, sweet 16 pares, weddings or showers, Batchelor/Bacheloree pares and the like. -Hours of operaon should end at 9pm. -No access to Bolster Lane since the code specifically states the alley is “not intended for general traffic circulaon.” -Maximum membership of 200 -Change of ownership or change of not-for-profit enty requires renewal of SUP Others will have condions they would like to see placed upon this approval. I’m not sure you can condion your way out of all the negave impacts a project like this COULD have on the neighborhood. The package you are being sold may not be the package that ’s delivered. Reasonable condions, while comforng at the me, may not prevent the Business Social Club from morphing into something less appealing. 11/17/23, 11:38 AM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=22353&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.