HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230216 118, 121-125 Woodlawn Special Use Permit Response to Comments #7 2023 12 12SNYDER, KILEY, TOOHEY, CORBETT & COX, LLP
JAMES G. SNYDER ATTORNEYS AT LAW
JAMES S. COX PLEASE REPLY TO:
P.O. BOX 4367
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. 12866
JOHN B. CANNIE STREET ADDRESS: 160 WEST AVENUE
KATHLEEN A. CORBETT
MICHAEL J. TOOHEY
(Of Counsel)
December 12, 2023
City of Saratoga Springs
Planning Board
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Via email and in hand delivery
TELEPHONE (518) 584-1500
FACSIMILE (518) 584-1503
HARRY D. SNYDER
(1975-2015)
ROGER A. KILEY
(1975-2000)
Stachia Wagner
Paralegal
Re: 118 and 121-125 Woodlawn Ave, Saratoga Springs — Seventh Supplemental
Submission and Response to Planning Board Comments
Dear Board Members,
As you are aware, our firm represents EC Woodlawn Van Dam Property LLC (the
"Applicant") with respect to the development of the above -referenced properties as a
Private/Social Club, as such use is defined in the Unified Development Ordinance (the "UDO")
Below is a list of conditions that Applicant is willing to consent to being placed on an approval
for a Special Use Permit ("SUP"). By letter dated November 29, 2023, the Applicant provided
the Board with a list of seventeen (17) conditions that the Applicant consents to apply to a SUP
approval.
Additionally, the Board and members of the public at the November 30, 2023 meeting
raised questions as to what benefit the public gained from such an approval. Although this is not
a factor that needs to be evaluated by the Board in granting an SUP, the Applicant wishes to
provide the Board and the public with an understanding of those community benefits.
First, the Woodlawn Club will offer reduced membership dues to applicants for
membership that are recent graduates of the Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Saratoga
Program. The community leaders that graduate this program are often younger members of the
business community, and reduced membership will help them get started as part of the Club to
enhance their business ventures and networking opportunities.
Second, upon the suggestion of Woodlawn Club founder -to -be Lisa Moser, a scholarship
Rind will be created and initially seeded by Lisa and Bob Moser to benefit Saratoga Springs
residents. The applications will be open to any resident of Saratoga Springs who shows a
demonstrative interest in pursuing a college degree in business, economics, financing, or
accounting. The Woodlawn Club will encourage all its members to donate to the scholarship
fund. Initially, the fund will award two (2) $10,000.00 annually.
These two initiatives, in addition to the other benefits to the business community that this
club will provide, show a commitment by the Applicant, the Woodlawn Club and the Moser
family to the growth and development of the business community of Saratoga Springs.
Finally, to clarify statements made at the November 30, 2023 meeting, the intention with
respect to the condition of valet parking is to have the members and their guests bring their cars
to the main lot on 121 -125 Woodlawn where the valet will meet them to drop park their cars at
one of the three lots previously described. This will avoid any potential buildup of cars waiting
for the valet close to the Woodlawn and Van Dam intersection.
The Applicant appreciates the Board's consideration of the above information and looks
forward to the Board's consideration of the Application at the meeting on December 14, 2023.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Very Truly Yours, _
VB. Canni
JBC/