HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230590 177 S. Broadway Stewart's Demolition and Redevelopment Public Comment (3)Page 1 of 1
Geoffrey W. Wood, PE, RSP1
26 Lincoln Avenue
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-4414
(518) 369-4138
gwood3@nycap.rr.com
September 22, 2022
Susan Barden, AICP, Principal Planner
City of Saratoga Springs,
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org
and The City of Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals
Re: Proposed Stewart’s Shops project at 177 South Broadway
Dear Susan and ZBA Members:
I will not be able to attend the next meeting of the ZBA next Monday. As background, attached is a copy of my July 8,
2022, letter to the City regarding this project. In consideration of the status of this project within the City’s review
process, with Stewart’s now seeking setback variances needed to locate their new building immediately adjacent to my
property, I now need to emphasize several very important points to you:
1) I am IN FAVOR of Stewart’s current proposal and associated setbacks. This is because their new
building would continue to buffer my property from the negative impacts I would otherwise be subjected
to including noise, light, traffic, and lack of privacy among others.
2) I am NOT in favor of demolition of the House at 28 Lincoln Ave unless another building of the same
size is constructed in the same location. Putting the edge of a new parking area as close to my property as
the existing house would no longer shield me from negative noise, light, traffic, and other negative impacts
associated with the business. There is no amount of vegetation, and no fence, that could possibly do that.
3) I am NOT in favor of relocating the existing commercial driveway now located to the east of 28
Lincoln any closer to my property, something that would be likely in association with placing parking
instead of a new building next door to me.
During last Monday’s ZBA meeting more than one approved motion to grant setback variances included language
stating the project demonstrated no adverse effect to immediately adjacent properties. You properly weighed the
benefits to the applicant against detriments to the neighborhood, as I believe you’re supposed to do. My understanding
is that preventing adverse impacts to adjoining properties is in fact a higher priority among the things you must
consider and takes precedence over allowing a change to setback requirements that would benefit the applicant.
Stewart’s current proposed building location was approved to move forward by the Planning Board at the sketch plan
review stage of this process several years ago. Once the house at 28 Lincoln Ave is removed, any other location of the
new Stewarts’ building would result in serious adverse effects on my property and the surrounding neighborhood.
Please do not approve the proposed setback variances unless they are contingent upon a final site plan that includes the
new Stewarts Shop building located as now proposed and has been proposed all along.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey W. Wood, PE, RSP1
CC: Ryan Rubado, Designer/ Project Coordinator, Stewart’s Shops
Julia Destina, Planner, City of Saratoga Springs