HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250202 Park Place & Cottage St Final Subdivision Public Comment (8)May 19,2025
City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: Park Place and Cottage Street Project
Dear Planning Board Members,
I am now in my fourth decade as a City resident, and I write to express my unequivocable
support for the Park Place and Cottage Street Project submitted by Vincent and Katherine
LaTerra. The project design with its similaritfes to the three story Park View Hotel which
originally occupied the site in the late 1800’s is without questfon a fitting tribute to the City ’s
past and will be a significant upgrade to the aesthetfcs of the neighborhood. I would also note
that some of the neighbors’ houses are in need of basic upkeep.
I was able to watch the May 8 review by the Planning Board and, quite frankly, as a tax paying
resident of the City, was appalled by what I saw. Many of the neighbors expressed personal
opinions that size of the building was too large for the neighborhood. It seems to me that the
appropriateness of a building ’s size is determined by the City ’s own building code and not the
personal opinion of neighbors. The Board never informed the neighbors of this or tried to guide
them in the process to attempt to change the building code if they disagree with it. Rather, the
Board appears to be conductfng a group counseling session for the neighbors and ignoring its
own responsibility to use the City ’s codes, rules, regulatfons and laws to determine the
appropriateness of a building ’s size.
It seems to me that approval of a project which meets all applicable codes and meaningfully
improves a neighborhood’s aesthetfcs should be straightiorward. I encourage the Board to
grant approval and improve the aesthetfcs of the neighborhood and the City.
Sincerely,
James Gavin
8 Laura Lane
Outlook
Letter to Planning Board
From James Gavin <jgavin821@gmail.com>
Date Mon 5/19/2025 12:00 PM
To Susan Barden <Susan.Barden@saratoga-springs.org>; Mark Graham <Mark.Graham@saratoga-springs.org>
1 attachment (108 KB)
Planning Board Letter.pdf;
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Good day,
I attach a letter to the Planning Board relative to the Park Place and Cottage Street Project.
James Gavin
5/19/25, 1:04 PM Mail - Mark Graham - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGIxYTcxODdiLTE4ZmUtNDdlMy05MTNlLTA4ZjY5NTFhMDAzMQAQAKsuGfNQW9lJr%2FPZ17bA7…1/1