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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260245 64 Washington St Special Use Permit Narrative64 Washington Street LLC 64 Washington Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 March 31ST, 2026 Planning Board – Saratoga Springs NY C/O Susan Barden City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Re: Application for Special Use Permit – 64 Washington Street Dear Members of the Planning Board, On behalf of 64 Washington Street LLC, we respectfully submit this application for a Special Use Permit for the property located at 64 Washington Street in the City of Saratoga Springs. The proposed project consists of the development of a residential building within the Urban Core (UC) District. The subject property is comprised of approximately 0.63 acres and is uniquely situated with frontage on both Washington Street and Congress Street. The parcel is linear in nature, with approximately 60 feet of frontage on Washington Street, 78 feet on Congress Street, and an overall depth of approximately 330 feet. The proposed development includes a five-story residential building with four-stories above grade at Washington Street and tempered ground-level parking floor. The building will contain approximately 88,391 gross square feet, inclusive of parking, residential units, common areas, and terraces. The building height is proposed at 50.8 feet. The property is located within the UC District, and the proposed project is compliant with all applicable zoning requirements. The current use of the property is as a group home operated by Saratoga Bridges. In March 2026, 64 Washington Street LLC acquired the property from Saratoga Bridges as part of a coordinated relocation effort. Saratoga Bridges will be relocating to 221 West Circular Street, a property better suited to their operational needs. This transition was structured to ensure that Saratoga Bridges would be made whole and would not incur additional financial burden, including the cost of fitting up their new facility. Saratoga Bridges is expected to remain at 64 Washington Street until approximately August 2026, at which time their new facility at 221 West Circular will be complete. The site was once part of the City’s former 19th-century railroad line, located near the western passenger station. While the rail infrastructure has long since been removed, the redevelopment of this site presents an opportunity to thoughtfully contribute to the continued evolution of the City’s urban core. As such the proposed residential project aligns with the City’s vision for high-quality urban infill development. The design emphasizes strong architectural character, quality materials, and a pedestrian-oriented streetscape that complements the historic fabric of downtown Saratoga Springs. The project team has engaged in proactive coordination with City staff, the Department of Public Works, and National Grid to ensure compliance with all applicable standards and infrastructure requirements. To conform to the UDO and zoning requirements for the site the resulting available land for development of civic space onsite is minimal to nonexistent. Therefore, discussions regarding the Civic Space requirement have centered on a fair share contribution to improvements at an existing off-site City park, with general agreement from all parties that this approach is appropriate. The specific location and scope of improvements are currently being finalized. This approach is consistent with the previous development at 78 Church Street which allowed for the developer to revitalize the park on Franklin St rather than create a new civic space onsite. The project proposes connections to the existing municipal water, sanitary sewer and stormwater lines on Congress Street. Municipal water service is available from the City of Saratoga Springs via a 6” water main within Congress Street. The project proposes a 6” water lateral to be connected to the existing municipal water main. A hydrant flow test was completed on the existing water main on October 29,2025 by Northeast Fire Protection. The total project water demand is 6,875 gpd based on the total bedroom count of 63. The hydrant flow test results confirmed the existing municipal water line has the capacity to provide both domestic and fire flow for the proposed project. Municipal sanitary sewer service is available from the City of Saratoga Springs via a 10” sewer line within Congress Street. Wastewater along Congress Street is conveyed by gravity to the east and ultimately discharges to the Saratoga County Sewer District #1 wastewater treatment plant. The total project flow of 6,875 gpd matches that of the water demand. The proposed stormwater design is in accordance with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) stormwater requirements. To meet the NYSDEC stormwater quality and quantity requirements, a green roof is proposed. Stormwater will be treated through the green roof soil media prior to discharging offsite via a connection to the existing 48” municipal storm sewer system within Congress Street. As part of this application, we have included the following materials for the Board’s review: • Building & Architectural Concepts • Site Plans • A completed draft SEQRA Form • Fire and Domestic Water- service and pressure analysis • Vehicular Traffic Analysis • SHPO Correspondence • NYSDEC Wetlands Correspondence We respectfully submit that the proposed project satisfies the criteria required for the issuance of a Special Use Permit, as outlined below: 1. Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Policies The proposed residential condominium development is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the intent of the UC District. The project promotes smart growth principles through infill development, efficient land use, and the strengthening of the urban core. It supports a vibrant, walkable downtown and aligns with adopted policies encouraging high-quality residential development in appropriate locations. 2. Protection of Public Health, Safety, and Welfare The project has been designed in accordance with all applicable building codes, zoning regulations, and engineering standards. Coordination with City departments and utility providers ensures that all aspects of the development will function safely and effectively, without adverse impacts on public health, safety, or welfare. 3. Density, Intensity, and Compatibility The scale and intensity of the proposed 25 unit residential building are appropriate for the UC District and are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood context. The building height, massing, and design have been carefully considered to complement the character of the area while contributing positively to the built environment. 4. Pedestrian and Vehicular Access, Circulation, and Parking The site design provides safe and efficient access for both pedestrians and vehicles. The inclusion of ground- level parking and the findings of the submitted traffic analysis demonstrate that the project will not create adverse traffic or parking conditions. 5. Infrastructure and Public Services The project has been evaluated for its impact on existing infrastructure and public services. Coordination with the Department of Public Works and utility providers confirms that adequate capacity exists to serve the development, and no undue burden on public facilities is anticipated. 6. Environmental and Natural Resource Considerations The site has been thoroughly evaluated for environmental constraints. Supporting documentation, including the Stormwater Management conceptual approach outlined above, NYSDEC correspondence, and NYSHPO review, confirms that the project will not result in significant adverse environmental impacts. The development has been designed to manage stormwater appropriately and avoid issues related to erosion, flooding, or excessive noise, light, or vibration. In conclusion, we believe that the proposed development at 64 Washington Street represents a thoughtful and appropriate use of this site, consistent with the City’s planning objectives and regulatory framework. We respectfully request the Planning Board’s consideration and approval of this Special Use Permit. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, 64 Washington Street LLC