HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220202 31-33 Marion Area Variance Public Comment (4)3/4/24, 2:23 PM Zimbra
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From :noreply@civicplus.com
Subject :Online Form Submittal: Land Use Board Agenda Public
Comment
To :julia destino <julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org>,
aneisha samuels <aneisha.samuels@saratoga-
springs.org>
Zimbra julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org
Online Form Submittal: Land Use Board Agenda Public Comment
Mon, Mar 04, 2024 10:43 AM
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Land Use Board Agenda Public Comment
SUBMIT COMMENTS REGARDING CITY PROJECTS
Thank you for submitting your comments. Your feedback will be forwarded
to the City's Planning Department and Land Use Board members. NOTE:
Comments submitted later than 12:00 noon on the day before the Land Use
Board meeting may not be reviewed prior to their meeting. All comments will
be added to the project file in the Planning Department.
Land Use Board Zoning Board of Appeals
Name Renee Taliana
Email Address rtaliana@gmail.com
Business Name Field not completed.
Address 4 Ave A
City Saratoga Springs
State NY
Zip Code 12866
Phone Number Field not completed.
Project Name Stewart's Marion Ave
Project Number 20220202
Project Address 31-33 Marion Ave
3/4/24, 2:23 PM Zimbra
https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=26520&tz=America/New_York 2/2
Comments I am a homeowner resident of the neighborhood right near this
proposed project by Stewart's, and I strongly object to them
getting an 80% variance to build to an 8 foot front setback.
In their application they are asked several questions.
Whether the alleged difficulty is self-created. Their answer was
no, because of the discrepancy between the zoning ordinance
and the design guidelines. The letter from the zoning officer
from Jan. 2022 makes it absolutely clear. The build out % in
design guidelines are NOT mandatory, whereas the 40 foot
front setback is. Stewart's wants to build the largest possible
store & rental space that can possibly fit on the small property
for their own business reasons. Without a doubt, this alledged
difficulty is entirely of their own creation.
Is the variance substantial? Their answer is no, an 80%
variance is not substantial. I believe that is absolutely false. In
his letter from January 2022 the zoning officer says that a 25
foot front setback, as required by the UDO is reasonable. He
also mentions that build out % is intended to be at the front
setback. Nowhere in the design guidelines is there any mention
of an 8 foot setback, If a property owner anywhere else in the
city wanted to place a structure with an 80% setback variance,
they would get pushback. An 80% variance, by any measure is
substantial, whether it is for a shed, a garage, or any other
building anywhere in the city.
Lastly, as to whether the variance will have an adverse effect
on the neighborhood, their answer offers no justification as to
how an 8 foot front setback does not affect the neighborhood.
They cite a prior PUD application that was soundly rejected by
both the Planning Board and the City council. Scaling back a
project from one that was completely rejected is a nonsense
argument. As a neighbor I believe granting the variance
request absolutely has a negative impact on the neighborhood.
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