HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250203 Park Place & Cottage St Site Plan Public Comment (36)June 10, 2025
City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board & Design Review Board
RE: Corner of Park Place and Cottage Street
From: Jason Thorud 22 Park Place Saratoga Springs NY
My name is Jason Thorud. I live at 22 Park Place, directly across the street from the proposed
18,500 square feet, 6 unit, 3-story building on the corner of Park Place and Cottage Street. My
mother Roxanne Mead has been the owner of this home since 1976. For the past 49 years this has
been our home. At one point we were the new people in the neighborhood. There are many long-
term residents in many of the homes on Park Place and the surrounding streets. Some of these
residents have been here for generations. Some have been here for over 70 years.
I was 10 years old when we moved here. The proposed building lot was the neighborhood green
space and playing field for the kids in the neighborhood. It was a baseball field and there was
always a game going on if the weather permitted. Often kids from other neighborhoods joined in the
games. It was a great place to be a kid. Fast forward 30-40 years and the baseball games are just
memories. Currently it is still a nice green space and the thought of losing it to a building this big is
just heartbreaking. Some development was inevitable but nothing this big should be approved
there.
There was a similar development subdivision recently at the corner of Park Place and Regent Street.
The proposal there was turned down due to density. That proposal was far smaller than the huge .
footprint of this proposed building. That corner has resulted in two single-family homes being built.
I do not see how after 5 years of denial to build 4 units at 21 Park how the board would allow 6 units
and 18500sq feet at Park and Cottage. Our home is 1621 square feet. This building would be
ELEVEN times larger than our home. This is a huge difference in size. Adjoining homes and their
sq ft 21 Park 5662sf 20 Park 1865sf 22 Park 1621 sf 23 Park 2264sf 24 Park 1559sf 31 Park
2357sf 7 Cottage st 3828sf 10 Cottage 1806sf 12 Cottage 1900sf 14 Cottage 1504sf
Board members also mentioned daylight blockage due to the height of the building. I can see this
affecting 23 Park Place. At our home we will not be blocked from the sun but have concerns of
street noise reverberating off the building. Police and Fire sirens and street traffic bouncing off this
massive 40-foot brick wall will certainly change the peace and quiet we enjoy in the neighborhood.
There will not be trees on the applicant side of Park Place due to the power lines above. There are
no gaps in this 125-foot wall to dissipate sound. In my opinion the sound issue is just as important
as the sunlight blockage.
This proposed project was plotted to maximize the applicant's money and getting as much as they
can out of this property. It is NOT about restoring some historic building. The historic building is a
marketing tactic and is all smoke and mirrors. This proposal is for a modern 2025 commercial
condominium complex. It is strictly about money.
Our neighborhood is a tight knit community. We all know each other and often help each other. This
commercial proposal does not fit in whatsoever.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Jason ThorG���
Roxanne Mead