HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250940 48 Lincoln Ave The Green House Saratoga Special Use Permit Public Comment 1
December 10, 2025
Project #20250940. 48 Lincoln Avenue "The Green House"
Comments by James Gallagher of 15 Whitney Place, Saratoga Springs regarding
the special use permit to convert the existing dry-cleaning establishment at 48
Lincoln Avenue to a Marijuana Dispensary
To the Planning Board of Saratoga Springs:
My name is James Gallagher, and I have owned my home at 15 Whitney Place
since 1986. I have just learned of this proposed project two days ago because my
home is approximately 300 feet from the proposed project and just beyond the
250 foot notification radius. I am unable to attend the public meeting of the
Planning Board on December 11 so I am submitting my comments here in written
form.
I am writing to express my strong opposition to this proposed project and I
believe its approval at this time would be totally reckless given the serious traffic
and safety issues we have been experiencing on Whitney Place. Further, the new
hotel on South Broadway is nearing the end of its construction and will soon be
pouring untold additional vehicles and traffic onto Lincoln Avenue and Whitney
Place and it essential that the neighborhood and City have the opportunity to
assess the impact of that project before now adding a marijuana dispensary into
the mix.
With respect to the potential traffic and safety impacts of the proposed project, I
can speak from direct experience as someone who has parked his car on Whitney
Place for the duration of the time I have owned my home here. Over those years
my parked vehicles have been struck seven times, and in all cases except one the
drivers that struck my vehicle left the scene without reporting the incident. The
only time a driver did not leave the scene was when his car and mine were totally
destroyed and he was arrested for drunken driving. My parked vehicle has most
recently been struck this past spring with resulting damage that required two
weeks in the repair shop. Again, although the incident was captured on video, no
arrests were made by the Saratoga Police.
2
I provide this personal vehicle damage experience to share what a high-risk street
Whitney Place currently is. It is regularly used by drivers as a shortcut hoping to
avoid the lights and traffic on nearby South Broadway. Excessive speed is
common, and the problem is compounded further in the evenings and on
weekends after individuals leave downtown drinking establishments. Again,
adding a marijuana dispensary into this mix without addressing existing traffic
problems very likely could result in serious health and property impacts on all of
the families that choose to live here.
Lastly, separate from traffic issues, I want to bring to the Planning Board's
attention the fact that a bus stop for school children is on Lincoln Avenue within
fifty feet of the proposed site of the marijuana dispensary. This school bus stop
has been regularly used by local children for the entire forty years that I have
lived on Whitney Place. Further, the street in front of the proposed dispensary is
actively used by children walking to and from Saratoga's schools.
In closing, I strongly urge the Planning Board to NOT approve this proposed
project.
James T. Gallagher
15 Whitney Place
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518-369-0077