HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260090 Lexington Rd & Bemis Heights Rd Watercourse/Wetlands Permit Public Comment (8)Outlook
Fw: Watercourse and Wetland Permit for the Proposed Subdivision of Lexington Rd/Bemis Point,
project #20240614, 20260090 and 20260091
From Susan Barden <Susan.Barden@saratoga-springs.org>
Date Wed 5/20/2026 9:30 AM
To Mark Graham <Mark.Graham@saratoga-springs.org>
For Lexington Bemis SUB. Thanks
Susan B. Barden, AICP
Administrator, OPED
City of Saratoga Springs
susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org
518-587-3550 ext. 2493
From: jules anderson <scooterpie126@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 4:02 PM
To: Susan Barden <Susan.Barden@saratoga-springs.org>
Subject: Watercourse and Wetland Permit for the Proposed Subdivision of Lexington Rd/Bemis Point, project
#20240614, 20260090 and 20260091
Dear Planning Board Members;
I am sending you my concerns regarding the fencing and signage for the proposed subdivision.
A split rail fence is not a long-lasting or reasonable option for this project for several reasons:
1) The amount of clearing involved in order to install said fence would actually be destroying the very
land it is meant to protect;
2) Any fence and signage should be located at the beginning/outer border of the Wetland Buffer;
3) Fencing material should be as sturdy and long-lasting as possible, to withstand time, weather and
environmental conditions;
4) The City's own Conservation Area and No Cut Buffer Policy (adopted July 19, 2018) provides very
specific beliefs and guidelines that contradict much of what is being asked of the Planning Board with
this application.
I respectfully submit the following reasoning in addressing the above points -
1) The proposed fence (as discussed in Planning Board meetings) would run along the boundary
between the Wetland buffer and the Wetlands themselves. This poses an immediate conundrum - the
amount of clearing involved in order to install said fence would actually be destroying the ver y
land it is meant to protect.. This fence would require the clearing of countless trees as it would run
from the east side of the beginning of the Lexington Rd extension, along the border with the NYS
5/20/26, 9:31 AM Inbox - Mark Graham - Outlook
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Northway, around the back of the farthest proposed lot and return along the west side of Lexington
Rd extension (back to the beginning of the street extension). A significant portion of the fence line
running along the west side of the subdivision would actually run immediately adjacent to a stream
(the one that eventually feeds into Saratoga Lake and ultimately the Hudson River). Trees that border
the stream help minimize erosion along the stream banks; erosion is already an issue in areas where
construction equipment was used to remove beaver dams about 18-24 months ago. There is little to
no evidence any care was given to the stream or its banks during the removal of these dams or
afterwards (which causes me to wonder how much care will be given to this very sensitive ecological
area if permits are granted). The loss of innumerable trees that help to stave off erosion, help with
drainage, filter water going into the Wetland area, and provide habitat for numerous animal and insect
species in order to erect a fence, whose sole purpose is to protect this environment, defies logic and
reason.
2) Any fence and signage should be located at the beginning of the Wetland Buffer. The Buffer
area is vitally important to the health of the wetlands themselves as it helps to protect water quality,
provide flood control, prevent erosion and protect wildlife. Vegetation in a Buffer area should be
preserved and not disturbed. Clearing, construction and living within the Wetland Buffer area
negatively impacts any benefits of having a Buffer area and therefore it is widely known and
accepted practice as well as highly recommended to leave Buffer zones undisturbed and in their
natural state.
3) A split rail fence is a poor substitute for any lasting visual boundar y between usable lot areas
and sensitive Wetland and Buffer zones. The wood is prone to rot quickly, especially in what is a wet
environment and if a tree from the Wetland area was to fall on a section of it...AND, who will be
responsible for maintaining this fence? Who will monitor property owners' adherence to the fence
maintenance that would be outlined with the deed restrictions and/or conservation easements?
4) Within the Conser vation and No Cut Buffer Policy adopted by the City in 2018, "The Planning
Board provides strong support for the roles that wetlands, waterways and designated buffers play in
terms of natural resource protection, storm water management, flood prevention, and community
environmental health and aesthetics. The Board strongly discourages physical alteration, temporary
disturbance, or permanent structures to be constructed within such identified areas that may include
ACOE or DEC jurisdictional wetlands, DEC wetland 100 foot buffer areas, City-designated watercourse
and other special protection or preservation districts."
Additionally, "Any adjacent clearing and grading limits shall be clearly delineated on the plans in
concert with the no-cut buffer, provided for review to the Planning Board."
Within the section titled "Permanent Protection Provisions", it states "The minimum requirements for
the permanent markers shall include reinforced steel or metal pipe driven securely into the ground.
The reinforcing steel or metal pipe shall have a brass cap affixed to the top similar to survey
monuments...Larger or more conspicuous markers may be required by the Planning Board...Locations
of the markers shall be clearly shown on the site plan."
In summary, I respectfully request the Board Members weigh the information, the legitimate concerns
of the current residents and the long-lasting implications of this proposed project very carefully in
regards to the use of split rail fences as adequate visual markers to sensitive environmental areas.
Julia Anderson
5/20/26, 9:31 AM Inbox - Mark Graham - Outlook
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8 Bemis Heights Dr
5/20/26, 9:31 AM Inbox - Mark Graham - Outlook
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