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Home My WebLink About20230378 Washington Land Disturbance Public Comment (12)Outlook Fw: Washington Land Disturbance Project From Susan Barden <Susan.Barden@saratoga-springs.org> Date Wed 10/9/2024 1:32 PM To Julia Destino <Julia.Destino@saratoga-springs.org> Please add following email to 20230378. Thanks From: Jenna Engelstein <jennaengelstein@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 1:08 PM To: Susan Barden <Susan.Barden@saratoga-springs.org> Cc: Mathieu Digeser <mathieudigeser@gmail.com> Subject: Washington Land Disturbance Project 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. Dear Susand and Planning Board, We are writing to express our concerns regarding the Washington Ave Land Disturbance Project. We purchased our home at 43 Outlook 2 years ago after trying to move into the neighborhood for several years. We have friends who live in the neighborhood, and when we saw the quiet street and beautiful woods behind their house, we knew we wanted to live there too. So it was very upsetting to us to learn that the owner is planning to bulldoze the forest and fill in the wetlands. We are concerned for several reasons: There is no plan for development, so we don’t know what will ultimately be built behind our home or when it will happen. The forest and wetlands could be removed only for an empty lot to sit there for years. The destruction of the forest will lead to increased noise and pollution. The forest serves not only as a sound buffer from all the traffic on West Ave, but it also helps protect the neighborhood from all the pollution from that traffic. The neighborhood is full of families and children, and the increased noise and pollution would undermine the peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere we currently enjoy. The proximity to the school means that these environmental changes could directly impact children’s learning environments, reducing air quality and increasing noise levels around the school grounds. Filling in the wetlands could lead to flooding in the neighborhood We have heard from neighbors that there have been issues with flooding in the past, and our basement has flooded as well. Wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing excess water and preventing it from overwhelming local drainage systems. Without this buffer, the surrounding homes and school would be far more vulnerable to flood damage, placing an unnecessary burden on both residents and local infrastructure. There will be additional environmental impacts, including habitat loss and reduced water filtration and carbon sequestration. Wetlands provide crucial habitats for various species of plants, birds, amphibians, and insects, supporting local biodiversity and creating green spaces in urban environments. Wetlands filter out pollutants, sediments, and excess nutrients from surface water, improving water quality for local communities. Small wetlands contribute to groundwater recharge, allowing water to infiltrate slowly into aquifers, which can benefit local water supplies. 10/9/24, 2:53 PM Mail - Julia Destino - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADI5NDIzZGRiLTQwNjEtNGM1MS05ZmQxLTUyZTNkMzFiZDJiZQAQAAcKX96v%2BjVCk%2Fi%2F…1/3 Wetlands play a vital role in climate regulation by sequestering carbon. They store significant amounts of carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change. The project is inconsistent with the objectives stated in the 2015 Comprehensive Plan and in the Saratoga Springs Natural Resources Inventory (SSNRI): “The overriding philosophy that will guide future development of our "City in the Country" will be sustainability.” (2015 Comprehensive Plan, p. iv) “The long-term success of our City requires that we commit to a prudent, sustainable, and forward-looking stewardship of our natural resources and ecosystems and of the natural assets that are the foundation for our health, our quality of life, and our attractiveness as a tourist destination.” (2015 Comprehensive Plan, p. 21) “The most obvious challenge is ensuring that actions we take do not jeopardize the long- term sustainability of the natural resources upon which our health and economic success depend.” (2015 Comprehensive Plan, p. 24) “Saratoga Springs has long recognized that its natural resources — its soil, water, air, plants, wildlife, open space, and scenery — are fundamental to its character and to its success. The “city in the country” and historic character of Saratoga Springs provides a high quality of life for residents and an excellent habitat for native plants and animals. The protection and wise use of those resources is essential to the public health, safety, economic success, and welfare of current and future residents.” (SSNRI, p.1) “The natural resources upon which we all depend - clean air, clean water, and fertile land to name only a few - are essential but not unlimited. Although many resources are replenished through natural processes, these processes can be disrupted when the ecosystems that facilitate them are disrupted...Today, ongoing pressures such as land development, pollution, and overuse all threaten to decrease the quantity and quality of resources that we require. Moreover, climate change poses a major threat that has created—and will continue to create—new challenges while at the same time multiplying the risks of other environmental stressors.” (SSNRI, p.3) “Wetlands provide multiple benefits, including but not limited to: protect drinking water by filtering out pollutants and sediments, soak up runoff from heavy rains and snow melts, providing natural flood control, and provide critical habitats for fish and wildlife, including many endangered and threatened species.” (SSNRI, p.201) “First, trees save energy. According to the U.S. Forest Service, trees properly placed around homes can reduce air conditioning costs by 30 percent and save between 20 and 50 percent in energy used for heating. Second, trees reduce municipal costs. A typical urban forest of 10,000 trees will retain 10 million gallons of rainwater per year, improving storm water management and reducing the expenditures needed for the city’s sewer and wastewater infrastructure. Third, trees improve public health. In the Chicago area, for example, urban trees filter an estimated 6,000 tons of air pollutants each year. A study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that young children living in areas with more street trees have a lower prevalence of asthma. Fourth, trees boost the economy. Communities with ample tree-life attract more homeowners and professionals and see property values rise between 10 and 20 percent, while buildings surrounded by trees rent more quickly and hold onto tenants longer. Retail areas with more trees draw more shoppers who stay longer.” The 2013 Urban & Community Forest Master Plan described the importance of the urban forest in this way: ‘Trees provide the City and its residents with numerous benefits. The urban forest enhances retail and restaurant profitability, increases property values, saves energy, improves air quality, reduces water pollution and water treatment costs from stormwater runoff, and enhances the mental and physical health of the population by reducing stress and encouraging outdoor activity that reduces obesity and depression. Beyond these tangible and measurable benefits that research has documented, trees beautify our city, provide habitat for songbirds and other wildlife, and provide a direct link to our vibrant history.’” (SSNRI, p.217) Additionally, there are new wetland protections that are scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2025 that may protect these small wetlands of unusual importance (https://dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/wetart24amendments.pdf), and we believe no action should be taken until it can be determined if this area would be protected by the new regulations. Due to the lack of a concrete plan for development and all of the above concerns, we oppose the destruction of the forest and wetlands between Outlook and West Ave. 10/9/24, 2:53 PM Mail - Julia Destino - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADI5NDIzZGRiLTQwNjEtNGM1MS05ZmQxLTUyZTNkMzFiZDJiZQAQAAcKX96v%2BjVCk%2Fi%2F…2/3 Thank you so much for your consideration. We truly appreciate all your efforts working to make and keep our community the wonderful place it is to live. Sincerely, Jennafer Engelstein and Mathieu Digeser 10/9/24, 2:53 PM Mail - Julia Destino - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADI5NDIzZGRiLTQwNjEtNGM1MS05ZmQxLTUyZTNkMzFiZDJiZQAQAAcKX96v%2BjVCk%2Fi%2F…3/3