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Home My WebLink About20250202 Park Place & Cottage St Final Subdivision Public Comment (16)Outlook Online Form Submittal: Land Use Board Agenda Public Comment From noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com> Date Thu 12/4/2025 11:53 AM To Mark Graham <Mark.Graham@saratoga-springs.org>; Susan Barden <Susan.Barden@saratoga-springs.org> 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 Planning Board Name Michael White Email Address FriendsofRRRun@gmail.com Business Name Field not completed. Address 2 Joseph Street City Saratoga Springs State NY Zip Code 12866 Phone Number Field not completed. Project Name McNeary Group 25 New St. Subdivision Project Number 20240682 Project Address 25 New Street Comments Please find enclosed updated comments regarding Railroad Run and area residents. Attach Photo (optional)25 New Street Subdivision Updated Concerns 120425.pdf Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. 12/5/25, 10:47 AM Mail - Mark Graham - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGIxYTcxODdiLTE4ZmUtNDdlMy05MTNlLTA4ZjY5NTFhMDAzMQAQAIiXPFjmm8RGlf7GMrzbnF8%3D 1/1 On behalf of the thousands of residents, renters and visitors who use Railroad Run throughout the year and given the significant impact the proposed 25 New Street subdivision will have on this vital greenbelt trail and gateway from the Spa State Park and SPAC, Friends of Railroad Run are asking the City and Planning Board to fully address and mitigate the following issues prior to any subdivision approval or site plan approval. Emergency Vehicle Egress/Ingress - The single lane, gravel access road has been referred to as an emergency access point for Aletta Street. It does not meet any of the requirements for EMS or fire trucks and requires emergency vehicles to travel over National Grid property at the 2 South Street substation. Trapping 38 families and emergency services in the event of any accident, fire or road closure at 25 New Street for decades to come jeopardizes first responders and all city residents. Denying emergency access to 38 families in the event of any accident, fire or road closure at 25 New Street in perpetuity is unconscionable and a direct result of McNeary's segmenting and selling the northern end of the parcel where the only 2nd access point existed for the entire subdivision. As such, the subdivision of 25 New Street does not meet the city's subdivision requirements. Stormwater Drainage - It was incorrectly proposed by Planning Board members during the 11/2024 preliminary plat review meeting that groundwater actually flows to the east. This unfounded theory has never been put forth over 25 years of application for this parcel. It was also incorrectly stated that the stormwater system has plenty of capacity even though it overflows onto the street during summer rain events and is clearly at capacity. Baseless theories were put forth by the city previously for stormwater systems for this parcel that would have seriously impacted residents along Joseph Street, Elm Street and Empire Avenue. Given the significant impact to area residents from any proposed stormwater system and the city's ability to analyze stormwater calculations previously, it is hereby requested that a third party review be conducted of all stormwater calculations and proposals. Railroad Run Buffering and Tenant Privacy - The latest buffer plan submitted for Railroad Run is entirely inadequate for both mitigating visual impacts to Railroad Run and protecting the privacy of future tenants. Friends of Railroad Run will be submitting a requested buffer plan consistent with previous development along Railroad Run and other trails. Noise Mitigation - A sound study for the previously proposed housing project failed HUD requirements and the current Noise Study confirms that noise levels are consistent with commercial operations that residents have been complaining about for decades. The Saratoga Springs Planning Board saw fit to protect residents and neighbors at 246 West Avenue (and countless other applications over the years) by restricting garbage pick up to after 9:00 am for just 2 dumpsters. More than 15 dumpsters, waste oil containers, chillers, back up generators, HVAC units, and reefer units run 24/7 yet in the case of 25 New Street the Planning Board dismisses concerns by residents who have lived in the area for decades as this is just 'living in a city' and 'market driven housing' instead of addressing concerns and the results of the Noise Studies that will impact the health and well-being of 38 families for decades to come. Tenant Safety from Truck Traffic and Snow Removal - Recently children were killed and seriously injured when they were playing on snow piles and were buried during snow removal operations. The stockpiling of snow for the strip mall takes place along the majority of the proposed subdivision's east property line 24/7 and presents a significant hazard and liability to snow removal companies. Commercial truck traffic, unloading and overnight parking also present dangers to future tenants and their families. How will this be mitigated? Railroad Run Sewer Crossing - MJ Engineering was responsible for protecting Railroad Run during the County Sewer relining project. They failed miserably at protecting the trail surface, trail foundation, adjacent property, cleanup, and restoration. Every connection or access to the County Sewer running along Railroad Run now presents safety hazards to trail users from poor quality work. Construction Impact Mitigation - How will the Planning Board protect trail users and area residents from fugitive dust, visual impacts, noise and construction activities for the duration of the project. National Grid Easement for Buffer Plantings / Fence - The YMCA PUD was restricted in what they could do within the 75' overhead high voltage transmission line. How will buffer trees be maintained in perpetuity in conjunction with any restriction for the National Grid easement? No Cut Zones and Restrictions - MJ Engineering, the City Arborist and City Engineering office did absolutely nothing to protect vital city trees along Railroad Run during the County Sewer relining project. How will trees along Railroad Run be protected during land clearing, construction, and in perpetuity? On Street Parking - Given the fact that every residence only has a single car garage and single lane driveway, it can be expected that most residences will be parking on -street at some time. Will there be restrictions regarding on-street parking to protect emergency vehicle access? The currently proposed 25 New Street subdivision does not fulfil the city's subdivision requirements and poses significant impacts to city residents and future tenants. There were a multitude of reasons why a previous City Council and Planning Board both unanimously rejected subjecting tenants to living behind a commercial strip mall on this parcel. This proposal does absolutely nothing to address any of the previous or current impacts. The 3 renderings submitted by the applicant do not accurately represent the true conditions that tenants will be subjected to and are blatantly misleading. Again, on behalf of the thousands of residents, renters and visitors who use Railroad Run throughout the year, we ask that each of the above concerns be addressed. Friends of Railroad Run