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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260091 Lexington Rd & Bemis Heights Rd Subdivision Modification Public Comment (25)Outlook Lexington Rd/Bemis Point subdivision application project #20240614, 20260090 and 20260091 From jules anderson <scooterpie126@gmail.com> Date Wed 6/17/2026 8:14 PM To Susan Barden <Susan.Barden@saratogaspringsny.gov> External sender <scooterpie126@gmail.com> Make sure you trust this sender before taking any actions. "What are we doing?" This was said by a board member to his colleagues while discussing this proposed subdivision recently. I tend to agree. What are we doing?  Let's look at the growing list of changes/compromises, questions and concerns made already, by Board members and members of the public -  1)  Zoning variance granted per Code Enforcement Officer recommendation to allow the proposed subdivision to proceed through the approval process under the old UR-1 classification rather than the current RR classification, ignoring the facts that there are no vested rights and no changes, and no clearing or construction has occurred on this undeveloped property for over 50 years.  2)  By granting the above variance, the City sees these 13 lots as an extension or continuation of the established neighborhood of Independence Square. 3)  The City's Assistant Fire Chief's determination, that is in DIRECT CONFLICT with the City's Zoning determination, that it is allowable to have 81 homes in an enclosed neighborhood with only one avenue of egress, because the SSFD views this proposed 13 home subdivision as a NEW development and therefore separate from the current 68 homes it will share one avenue of egress with.  Why is it that individual entities within the Saratoga Springs City government are able to independently define words like, "development" and hold opinions and rulings that differ completely from one another, on the same issues?  To whom does the public get any definitive answers from? 4)  Building lots with significantly shallower set backs and significantly limited lot usage by property owners that do not reflect the character of the established neighborhood, nor are in alignment with current Zoning regulations.  5)  Houses built with slab or crawlspace foundations that do not reflect the character of the established neighborhood. This will affect property values of established homes, if these new houses 6/18/26, 1:20 PM Inbox - Susan Barden - Outlook https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGY2Mjg4OWI2LTNjNmMtNDM3ZC1hNDRlLWI2NzFhZGQzMTY0MgAQABmM3z%2FQj%2FpMlNy…1/3 have price points low enough to encourage absentee owners looking for investment rental opportunities rather than owner occupied homes. 6)  The effects slab and crawlspace foundations will have on ground-water levels within any buffer and Wetland areas. 7)  Wetland buffer being cleared and built upon with permanent structures.  Will the buffer be 100 feet with ALL 13 homes built within the buffer or a buffer of 50 feet, where 12 of 13 homes are built within the buffer to varying degrees?  Or, will the City fall back upon the fact that ACOE Wetland designation carries no required buffer zone?  Either way, this practice defies widely accepted best practices for establishing Wetland buffers and safe guarding both buffer and Wetland areas.  Why would the City directly compromise their own rulings and regulations that have been established after years of research and input from professionals and experts as well as local residents? 8)  The destruction of sensitive/fragile areas in order to install fencing to protect these sensitive /fragile areas...huh???  9)  Insufficient and unreasonable visual markers to safeguard environmentally sensitive areas. 10) A growing list of unrealistic and unsustainable deed restrictions and conservation easements for new subdivision property owners that have no "tried and true" plan for monitoring and adherence (i.e.- possible establishment of an HOA for new homes, lawn care restrictions, lot clearing and usage, long/short-term rentals, maintenance of deed restricted areas, beaver population control and damages...). 11) Unknown effects of clearing and construction, filling in of wetlands upon current homeowners with established water issues in home/on property. 12) Unreasonable and unsustainable 'plans' for fencing, signage, maintenance and monitoring of deed restrictions/conservation easement adherence would be setting Precedents within the City for future developments will similar environmental characteristics. 13) The City's fear of litigation appears to be its driving force to compromise its innumerable policies and regulations that have been put in place to protect not only its residents, but the very special environment that makes Saratoga Springs such a unique and beautiful place.  Having recognized wetlands within city limits should require further investigation with NYS DEC.      Yes, indeed. What are we doing? In the words of another Board member, said in response to the question I opened this letter with, "It's a Black Hole". Even if those 'in charge' believe, "all the i's have been dotted and all the t's have been crossed", this proposal raises SO MANY SERIOUS, LONG-LASTING CONCERNS that could have permanent impacts on the established neighborhood as well as the Wetland environment. This proposed project appears to be the only such development of its kind within the City of Saratoga Springs at this time. 6/18/26, 1:20 PM Inbox - Susan Barden - Outlook https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGY2Mjg4OWI2LTNjNmMtNDM3ZC1hNDRlLWI2NzFhZGQzMTY0MgAQABmM3z%2FQj%2FpMlNy…2/3 The ever growing list of questions and concerns need addressing and need reasonable, realistic and sound answers and solutions.  It should not be the City's responsibility to approve a project that is "fiscally feasible" to the applicant, especially if its in direct conflict with the City's established guidelines for open space usage, Greenbelt designation and sustainable environmental priorities. The City's responsibility should be to its residents, the environmentally fragile areas within its Greenbelt, and the policies, guidelines and committees it has worked hard to put in place to keep Saratoga Springs the "City in the Country" it strives to be.  Will the mindset be, "development at any cost" or the more prudent, "at what cost, development"? Any decisions made by the Planning Board will be Precedent setting and therefore extreme caution and care need to be applied. Respectfully submitted, Julia Anderson 8 Bemis Heights Dr 6/18/26, 1:20 PM Inbox - Susan Barden - Outlook https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGY2Mjg4OWI2LTNjNmMtNDM3ZC1hNDRlLWI2NzFhZGQzMTY0MgAQABmM3z%2FQj%2FpMlNy…3/3