20210471 Unified Development Ordinance UDO Letter DEIRDRE O'DWYER-LADD
.,.�,yOG..1 S Deputy Commissioner of Finance
- '-• City of Saratoga Springs M.LYNN BACHNER
-: %41A 1OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE Budget Director
CHRISTINE A.GILLMETT-BROWN
MICHELE D.CLARK-MADIGAN Director of Finance
COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE
� PCRAT U tic
�ORLAURA TOWNSEND
474 Broadway—City Hall Receiver of Taxes
Saratoga Springs,New York 12866-2296 KAMERON KLIPPEL
518-587-3550 Payroll Administrator
Fax 518-580-0781
YVETTE JOHNSON
Finance Department Assistant
Mark Torpey, Chair Planning Board
Tamie Ehinger, Chair Design Review Commission
Saratoga Springs City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Re: Advisory Opinion for the final Draft of Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)
I am writing to ask the Planning Board and Design Review (where applicable) to review and
provide its opinion on the following aspects of the UDO:
• South Broadway, and in particular the southern part of South Broadway beginning at or near
Kaydeross Ave West:
During my tenure on the City Council (which began in 2012) there have been ongoing
discussions and presentations to determine the best method for further developing this
important gateway to the city. It was discussed and addressed for development as a part of
Commissioner John Franck and Supervisor Matt Veitch GAPS project and throughout the City's
Comprehensive Plan. It is my understanding that we have parcels in this area that have divided
zoning. It is my belief that this does not help further development of this area. I would
appreciate a recommendation on making these parcels whole in terms of their zoning and
development use.
• Saratoga National Golf Course Project, including the definition of a golf course associated
Clubhouse:
In 2015 the Saratoga Springs City Council voted 3 to 2 to forward a petition to amend the City's
Zoning Code to the Planning Board at the request of the Saratoga National Golf Club (SNGC).
At the time, the Saratoga National Golf Club was seeking a path to have a dialogue with the
City's elected officials, land use boards, and residents about how they might create a new golf
resort that it believed would be of substantial benefit to our local economy, our environment
and our quality of life.
The petition sought to amend the zoning code of the city to include for a definition of"Golf-
Clubhouse." The proposed definition of a "Clubhouse-Golf" that was to be reviewed by the
Planning Board stated:
"A structure or clustered group of structures associated with a full size 18-hole golf course, that may
include locker rooms, spa, health and fitness center,fitness related retail, restaurant and banquet
facilities, business center, lodging for up to 100 rooms and up to 6 free-standing golf lodges,
containing up to 8 guest rooms with associated common space. No residential unit may be privately
owned or deeded."
"For a Clubhouse in the Rural Residential District(Conservation Overlay District), the facilities, other
than the golf course, golf school, pump house, restrooms, storm shelter facilities and maintenance
facilities, shall be at least 3,000 feet from the Clubhouse's primary public road entrance with no
building being higher than 50 feet. Only one Clubhouse can be constructed in relation to the golf
course. Retention of permeable land and public access may be a criterion considered by the
Planning Board in grant of a Special Use Permit and/or Site Plan Review."
I believe this could be an important revenue generating project for the city, especially post
pandemic. The Saratoga National Golf Club would have a path forward whereby the City could
consider a formal proposal to expand its facilities as newly defined above.
Under the new UDO, I would like to see a definition for a Clubhouse more clearly defined by the
Planning Board and the City Council. Your opinion on this matter is requested. The SNGC project
is estimated to generate a potential $2 million in new property and hotel occupancy taxes, as
well as add 260 new jobs. There are many other benefits for the city - SNGC's project also
included built-in safeguards that will not only enhance open space and protect the environment
for future generations but provide a long-term boost to the economy.
Sustainable Saratoga Recommendations: Sustainable Saratoga, widely acknowledged as a
valuable city resource for all matters related to sustainability, has provided the City Council with a
number of issues to be reviewed. I strongly support the review of these issues.
I am looking for a way to allow for some level of structured economic development while also
supporting our highly valued economically driven greenbelt "City in the Country."
Thank you and I look forward to receiving your opinion,
Commissioner Michele Madigan
Copy: Planning Board via Susan Barden, Principal Planner
Design Review Commission via Amanda Tucker, Senior Planner
Mayor Kelly, Commissioners Franck, Dalton, and Scirocco
City Attorney Vince DeLeonardis
DEIRDRE O'DWYER-LADD
.AT OGS SA Deputy Commissioner of Finance
•_ fp City of Saratoga Springs M.LYNN BACHNER
o v rj, ul OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE Budget Director
4t'it • CHRISTINE A.GILLMETT-BROWN
K i-,;4 .• MICHELE D.CLARK-MADIGAN Director of Finance
oR,�,
COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE
�cORpoRATEa '''' LAURA TOWNSEND
474 Broadway—City Hall Receiver of Taxes
Saratoga Springs,New York 12866-2296 KAMERON KLIPPEL
518-587-3550 Payroll Administrator
Fax 518-580-0781
YVEFI'E JOHNSON
Finance Department Assistant