News Archives - Sustainable Saratoga https://sustainablesaratoga.org/category/news/ Sustainable practices, to benefit current and future generations in Saratoga Springs, NY Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:41:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 2025 City Council and County Supervisor Candidate Survey https://sustainablesaratoga.org/2025-city-council-candidate-survey-find-out-where-the-local-candidates-stand-on-sustainability-issues/ Fri, 17 Oct 2025 04:56:01 +0000 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15091 Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. The November 4, 2025 election offers an opportunity to raise and discuss pressing issues relating to sustainability in this region.

The post 2025 City Council and County Supervisor Candidate Survey appeared first on Sustainable Saratoga.

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Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. The November 4, 2025 election offers an opportunity to raise and discuss pressing issues relating to sustainability in this region.

Our supporters are interested in knowing the candidates’ plans for addressing key sustainability issues confronting our community, and this questionnaire provides each candidate an opportunity to discuss these issues. We sent each candidate the same questions. Below you will find their responses, verbatim and without any comments. Click on the name to see the responses for that candidate. There is a link to a pdf version of each candidate’s responses at the bottom of this page.

It is important to stress that as a 501(c)(3), Sustainable Saratoga does not, and will not, endorse any particular candidate for an elected office.

CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF SARATOGA SPRINGS

John Safford did not submit a response to this questionnaire.

Note: Michele Madigan’s responses were accidentally temporarily omitted at the original time of posting.

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

Yes, I support the “City in the Country” vision — it’s what makes Saratoga Springs truly special. As Finance Commissioner, I balanced economic growth with environmental stewardship, helping our city grow responsibly while protecting our natural assets. My approach has always been about smart, sustainable development — not growth for growth’s sake.

As Mayor, I’ll continue to ensure that we maintain a vibrant downtown and preserve our cherished Greenbelt. I believe we can expand our economy by investing in green innovation, smart infrastructure, and energy efficiency, positioning Saratoga Springs as a regional leader in sustainability and technology. My vision is for Saratoga to become a Smart, Sustainable City — one that embraces electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, and smart infrastructure to support our residents, visitors, and local businesses alike.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

I am deeply committed to protecting our city’s green infrastructure — our trees, wetlands, and open spaces — which play a vital role in managing stormwater, mitigating flooding, and reducing heat. I spearheaded the Spa Solar Park, which now offsets roughly 40% of the City’s electricity use, and led the citywide LED streetlight conversion, cutting both costs and emissions.

As Mayor, I will prioritize climate resilience planning — strengthening tree canopy coverage, improving stormwater management systems, and exploring incentives for property owners to install green roofs, permeable pavement, and other sustainable designs. The New York League of Conservation Voters recently recognized my record and leadership, noting that I bring a “bias toward action” and a “proven track record of environmental leadership.” That bias for action will guide my approach to protecting Saratoga from climate risks.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

Yes. Adding municipal food scraps collection is a natural next step for Saratoga Springs. We’ve already demonstrated success with our composting initiatives, and expanding to include food scraps would further reduce landfill waste, cut methane emissions, and support a local circular economy.

I would work closely with Sustainable Saratoga, DPW, and community partners to develop a pilot food-scrap program, coupled with strong public education to encourage participation and maximize impact.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

Housing affordability is a sustainability issue — it affects our workforce, our economy, and our carbon footprint. When people can live close to where they work, we reduce commuting emissions and strengthen our community fabric.

We need a mix of housing options, including workforce housing, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and public-private partnerships that ensure affordability without compromising character. I also support smart growth principles — directing development where infrastructure already exists, protecting open space, and encouraging energy-efficient construction.

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

Our urban forest is part of Saratoga’s identity and one of our most valuable natural assets. It improves air quality, provides shade, reduces flooding, and enhances our overall quality of life.

As Finance Commissioner, I established a dedicated funding stream for the city’s urban forestry program — ensuring that tree planting, maintenance, and professional staffing were treated as essential investments, not optional extras. I’m proud that this commitment has allowed Saratoga to expand its tree canopy and preserve our “City in the Country” character.

As Mayor, I would continue to prioritize and strengthen that funding, explore new grants, and build public-private partnerships to expand tree planting and maintenance citywide. Investing in our trees is investing in public health, climate resilience, and the long-term sustainability of our community.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

My top sustainability priorities include:
– Accelerating Saratoga’s transition to renewable energy, building on the success of the Spa Solar Park.
– Making Saratoga a leader in EV infrastructure by expanding charging stations and electrifying municipal fleets.
– Developing a Smart City infrastructure plan, integrating technology to make city services more efficient, sustainable, and transparent.
– Protecting our water resources and expanding green stormwater management initiatives.
– Partnering regionally to position Saratoga Springs as a model for sustainable innovation in upstate New York.

I’m proud to have been recognized by the New York League of Conservation Voters for my environmental leadership. Their confidence in my record reinforces my belief that Saratoga can lead — not just follow — in building a smarter, greener, more resilient future.

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

Our comprehensive plan has been in place for 10 years and I believe it is due for a review. At present my concerns relate simply to housing and affordability. I do believe we need to review policies that could help enhance affordability in the city and have ideas on how to do so. The liberty housing project being one example of use of space in the inner tax district that created 220 workforce housing units and also conserved 20 acres of land forever wild. I believe a well constituted working group of all stakeholders will continue our legacy in terms of a balance between growth and nature. In addition I have already begun work to greatly expand the use of ADUs in the city. Presently permitted under UR3 and 4, I am analyzing the areas to assess how many can be built on available land. I am planning to have their construction driven by a tax/assessment reduction. I am happy to discuss this at greater length.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

Unfortunately, I believe we are past the point where our current infrastructure and systems can manage effectively the weather patterns we are now experiencing. We need to make significant investments in hardening our infrastructure: be that roads, stormwater systems, curbing, or watershed protections for our source water, we cannot simply hope that the impacts of global warming will not come to our door. That is not a reasonable approach as we have already seen it.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

At this time, I do not have an understanding as to what a food scrap recycling program would cost vs the value it would provide our community. I would need to know much more about this.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

 

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

I’m a long time participant in Tree Toga and in a previous runs for the DPW department, I committed to planting 1000 trees in my first term. I am aware that we’ve lost over 7000 trees in the last decade +. I believe we need to continue to try and build back the forest as much as possible, though we are having issues with invasive species that are being addressed. We have to have adequate staffing within our urban forestry group as we have a sizable inventory of trees. I will always look to make sure that department is properly staffed and funded.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

Sustainability has many definitions, when I look at the City of Saratoga Springs, three areas that leap out to me are our infrastructure, our economy, and our community. We need to make sure that our infrastructure is sustainable for the long-term and that would start with securing our water source as it is currently in peril. Additional steps would Include strengthening access to affordable housing such that everyone who participates in our economy, has the ability to live here. If we do not have the ability for our workers to live here, we will no longer have them. With that, we will not have a sustainable economic model to move forward. Lastly, sustainable housing is essential to the long-term survival and sustainability of our of our community. Right now, people are being priced out of their homes, young families do not have access due to housing shortages created by a glut of short term rentals (approx 900). I am working diligently to reduce that number and to create additional units. I have a laser focus on accessibility and affordability of housing.

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

I strongly support the “City in the Country” vision of Saratoga Springs. Economic development should happen incrementally on existing infrastructure in the inner district. The city should support small, local, employers through grants and permitting reform that would permit ground floor commercial uses in specific areas paired with small public investments that promote walkability and streetscapes. The greenbelt could also provide tourism through a promoted trail network that would turn the greenbelt from growth constraint to economic asset.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

It can be very expensive to replicate the benefits of green infrastructure with grey infrastructure, so it is both financially and environmentally important that the green infrastructure is kept intact. Street projects should include tree planting and projects that involve tree removal should also include tree replacement. The canopy cover of streets and parking lots should be examined, and efforts should be aimed at strategic plantings to increase canopy coverage in low coverage areas. The city should create an overlay to identify the areas that are of high importance in regard to climate resiliency. The overlay could then be considered during any development permitting.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

I am in support of municipal food scrap collection if it can be operated efficiently and effectively. Any city investment would need to be matched with community buy in to succeed and would need a strong partner, like Sustainable Saratoga, to assist with education and outreach. If elected Commissioner of Accounts, I will work collaboratively with all the City Departments and Community Partners to support a pilot program that has collection sites. Later, a model that has the city doing curbside pick-up could be considered once viability, cost, and participation can be assessed.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

Housing affordability won’t be solved overnight, but that does not mean Saratoga Springs shouldn’t be a regional leader on the issue. There is a lot of pent-up demand for housing in our city, so I appreciate the question’s acknowledgement that additional housing alone will not reduce local housing costs. It will take everyone at the Commissioner’s Table working together. If elected, I will work with the other commissioners to incentivize infill in the urban core, enable zoning that allows denser housing (duplexes, townhouses, etc..) and incentivize their construction. I will work to create incentives encouraging all large-scale housing developments to contain a certain percentage of affordable units. Permits from the Accounts Department will play a large role in this. If elected Commissioner of Accounts I would pursue permit reforms to reduce barriers and prioritize affordability.

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

I support the funding of this program and find it important. Trees are a multi-benefit asset that reduce the cost of climate adaptation, support tourism, increase the quality of life, and increase property values. Investing in this program is a cost-effective investment that should compete strongly with other capital priorities.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

My top sustainability priorities are protecting the Greenbelt, enabling affordable infill housing, embedding resilience in every project, and supporting people-first projects. Permitting is how we make these priorities real: by rewarding projects that align with Saratoga’s long-term vision and holding back those that put our future at risk.

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF  FINANCE IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

Yes, I fully support the vision of Saratoga Springs as the “City in the Country.” This guiding principle in the Comprehensive Plan captures what makes our city so special: a vibrant, walkable downtown surrounded by the natural beauty, open spaces, and rural character of the Greenbelt. Preserving that balance is key to maintaining both our quality of life and our economic vitality.

I believe smart, sustainable growth means honoring this vision while planning for the future in a way that benefits everyone. That includes encouraging economic development that aligns with our values, supporting locally owned businesses, investing in infrastructure that enhances livability (like bike paths, sidewalks, and green space), and focusing on infill and mixed-use development within the urban core to prevent sprawl.

It also means being intentional about protecting the Greenbelt, not just for its environmental value, but because it supports tourism, recreation, agriculture, and the overall character that draws people to Saratoga Springs in the first place.

By prioritizing transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community input, we can promote growth that reflects who we are as a city,forward-thinking, inclusive, and deeply rooted in our connection to both people and place.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

Protecting our city’s natural “green infrastructure”, including forests, wetlands, and open space, is not just about conservation, it’s about resilience, public safety, and long-term economic stability.

I support policies that preserve and strengthen our green infrastructure. These natural systems play a vital role in absorbing stormwater, reducing flood risk, moderating temperatures, and improving air quality. They are also critical assets in fighting climate change by capturing carbon and supporting biodiversity.

Climate resilience isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a financial one. Every dollar spent on proactive mitigation saves much more in avoided disaster recovery costs. By protecting our green infrastructure, we’re also protecting the health, safety, and economic well-being of everyone who lives and works in Saratoga Springs.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

Yes, the Director of Parks, Open Space, and Historic Preservation recently visited a town with a successful food scraps composting program. It’s definitely something we should explore here. Getting a pilot program off the ground would take some volunteers, but I’d fully support the effort and do what’s needed to help make it happen.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

Making Saratoga Springs more affordable is essential so people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels can live here, not just visit. Affordability affects housing, jobs, and community connection.

We have over 1,800 affordable units built, in progress, or planned. The Mayor’s office has been working closely with the Planning Department on ways to support attainable homeownership, like exploring Community Land Trusts/Banks and helping property owners understand how accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can play a role.

We’re also talking with CDTA about better transit options and support small businesses to create year-round jobs. As a certified pro-housing community, we’re exploring grants to help review zoning for gentle density options and housing needs assessment.

Affordability doesn’t mean lowering standards, it means making sure the people who keep Saratoga vibrant can afford to stay and thrive.

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

Our urban forest is a huge asset to Saratoga Springs, it improves air quality, keeps the city cooler, manages stormwater, and adds to our quality of life. Thanks to Sustainable Saratoga and the City, we’ve already made great progress.

Of course, budgets are tight, and we have to balance urban forestry with other priorities like public safety and infrastructure. But we can still support our trees in smart, cost-effective ways, by maintaining what we’ve planted, seeking grants and partnerships, and including tree work in existing projects like road or park upgrades.

Trees aren’t just “nice to have”, they’re part of our infrastructure, and they pay off in the long run. With the right approach, we can keep growing our urban forest without overburdening the city budget.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

Sustainability should be woven into everything we do, from housing and transportation to economic development. By making thoughtful, forward-looking choices now, we can keep Saratoga Springs a healthy, livable, and welcoming city for generations to come.

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

I want to maintain the Greenbelt however without coordination with surrounding municipalities it becomes meaningless in the face of up-to-the-edge development outside of our jurisdiction. From inside our borders, spot zoning/PUDs must be avoided in the name of “fast housing” fixes.

Economic development that promotes sustainable growth includes: 1) Policies and infrastructure to encourage a more diversified economy so that the people who live in Saratoga Springs can afford to work in Saratoga Springs rather than having to commute hours every week. This is an update to the Comprehensive Plan as well as ensuring adequate water and services. 2) Partner with builders to encourage energy-efficient construction methods. This includes incentives at the local level and sourcing grants from state or higher levels.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

We must continue to follow state laws and our own development ordinance with regards to protection of wetlands and continue our partnership with private organizations to promote urban tree planting. Permeability requirements must be adhered to and enforced for projects approved by the city, which requires adequately staffing both the building department and code inspection.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

Yes although it was my understanding that there was already a project to stand up composting of food waste in partnership with Pitney Meadows farm. I would like to see that project continue and if successful implement a complete program.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

First, affordability is not just about housing. Systems and policies that require, or cause to require, excess time or cost (such as needing to commute long distances to work or to buy goods or services) also contribute to affordability issues, along with the cost and inconsistent availability of services, utilities, and food.

However, regarding housing in particular, outside of price control, the only way to reduce housing cost is by increasing the stock of available housing. There are three ways to do this, the easiest is to build in undeveloped properties, then there is repurposing existing development (either internal conversion or demolition and rebuild), then there are implementing policies to increase stock (such as disincentivizing speculation on houses and apartments that sit idle and discouraging excessive ‘upgrades’ that price houses well above market value for their neighborhood). I do not believe that we have yet maximized our options for increasing stock without resorting to new construction. In-fill applications continue to come in and must be weighed against future affordability. The city has adopted a policy that will likely discourage external speculation on property to be used as short term rentals.

To make Saratoga Springs more affordable, besides the housing costs, we need to address the other affordability issues as well. Encouraging walkability/bikeability and continuing to partner with the CDTA to reduce reliance on automobiles will make our city more affordable, as will public-private partnerships to provide food aid, repair, and other community supports.

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

I believe it is critical and it is a commitment per the approved 2013 Urban and Community Forest Master Plan, as adopted by the city, and I also believe should continue to operate to the more recent recommendations of the Urban Forestry Management Plan. Tree management impacts infrastructure and energy usage and is an important investment in both sustainability and affordability.

I do also advocate for updating the Comprehensive Plan and as part of that reviewing and incorporating changes where warranted to the supporting land use and development plans adopted by the City – which would include incorporating the recommendations of the Urban Forestry Management Plan. This would necessarily commit funding as well as compel us to seek outside partnerships and assistance to maintaining our urban forest.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

My sustainability priorities are also key affordability priorities – either by reducing costs on the public to maintain our infrastructure or by providing residents and workers more economic freedom.

Transportation – things that can help move residents and workers away from cars reduces their costs, reduces energy usage, and frees up space especially in more crowded commercial areas

Land Use (Permeability and water management) – development that manages runoff and can sustain through heavy rains and dry spells will reduce private repair costs, mitigate risk, and help smooth the peaks of usage on both our water and sewer infrastructure

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

Yes, I support this vision for Saratoga Springs. I welcome economic development that incorporates green building initiatives; however, each project must be carefully balanced against its actual costs, particularly when it involves public funding. The City of Saratoga Springs is facing significant financial constraints in the near future. For that reason, this type of development will need to rely heavily on grants and other outside funding sources.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

I support all planning and development that incorporates protecting our green infrastructure. I believe the Planning Board does an excellent job of integrating this concept into new projects.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

Potentially. Again, I agree with this concept; however, cost will ultimately be the deciding factor.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

Housing costs are incredibly high throughout the country. They are especially higher in more desirable places to live, particularly areas with low crime rates and strong schools. I believe efforts to expand affordable housing should focus on the middle class. Saratoga has increasingly become a place only for the wealthy or the poor, while the middle class has been pushed to purchase or rent in Ballston Spa or Malta. I believe that the short-term rental (STR) market has driven up the cost of our middle-class housing stock. For example, Geyser Crest, once an affordable neighborhood, has been overrun with STRs, effectively turning homes into de-facto hotels catering to weekend bachelor and bachelorette parties. The failure to address this issue in the past has directly contributed to today’s affordability crisis in Saratoga Springs, as the market value of homes is now based on their short-term rental rates. As such, the implementation of STR regulation is welcomed but has been delayed in implementation.

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

I support this initiative and have volunteered in the past.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

I recently met with Sustainable staff (Kelsey) and board member (Amy) regarding a proposed project in the Greenbelt. This project would have required both comprehensive plan and zoning amendments to proceed and I told the applicant I would not be supportive of the required changes for the project to proceed and informed Sustainable the same.

After this instance, another applicant approached me with a lawful project involving an area overlayed by the Greenbelt. As I has previously promised Kelsey and Amy, if I became aware of any Greenbelt impacts I would inform them. I subsequently facilitated a meeting between Sustainable and the development team to ensure that as they further design, the concerns Sustainable expressed be incorporated.

I believe in doing what I’ve said/promised and Sustainable representatives can attest I’ve held my word in all instances.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

Upon entering office one of the first titles I created was the position of Urban Forester. This position was created in compliance with the 2013 Urban Forestry plan. Urban Forestry plays an element in protecting the identified natural resources in the question.

Upon coming into office, there were four Senior Engineering Technician positions open. Additional titles include: Stormwater/GIS Specialist and Utilities Engineer. The Stormwater/GIS Specialist will specifically be tasked with addressing the increasing demands of severe weather and adherence to the NYS DEC MS4 requirements.

These positions were created to address specific needs within the Engineering Department to address climate action, the City’s ability to address instantaneous response and implementation of long-range planning.

Finally, DPW is currently with Sustainable on a signage program where DPW will design and obtains permits through NSYDOT designating entry to the Greenbelt in varying locations throughout the City.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

The largest concern with inclusion of food scraps in the City’s composting program is the pickup mechanism. Currently, leaf/lawn debris is retrieved through on street pickup of yard debris and inclusion of food scraps could not be done in the same manner. A trial program would have to include voluntary drop-off of material at the Weibel Ave facility before attempting a pickup program.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

As a Planning Board member, I supported a number of subdivisions with non-conforming lots; particularly in the inner district. Allowing non-conforming lots creates an in-fill mechanism preventing sprawl or attempts at it.

The second thing I’d be supportive of is an inclusionary zoning program and adoption of the NYS 485-a program. Inclusionary zoning is the process by which height bonuses would be granted to developers seeking multi-story developments. This would require modification of Section 4.4(B) of the UDO.

Currently, the City only participates in the NYS 485-B program which applies to commercial, industrial and retail projects. The adoption of the 485-A program would enable mixed-use projects inclusive of residential development to be included in the tax abatement program. This would also, primarily affect inner district developments.

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

Pursuant to number 2, the creation of the Urban Forester was an initial undertaking when I got into office. The position received approval of the Civil Service Commission and awaits budgetary approval for final adaptation. When the Urban Forester position is filled, we will backfill the Arborist position and bring DPW in line with the 2013 Urban Forestry plan.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

As stated above, I’ve made sustainability a priority by incorporating it into the regular activities of DPW. The creation of positions including Urban Forester, GIS/Stormwater Specialist and Utilities Engineer will protect the City’s infrastructure while making us more climate resilient.

Connectivity will be the emphasis of work in the imminent future. In May, I introduced a resolution that enabled DPW to access payment in lieu of funds from the Planning Board to be utilized for Missing Link and ADA compliant projects. After a meeting with Inclusive Saratoga, we are currently
working with Saratoga County to design and permit the first project utilizing this process.

Subsequently, I was able to identify unspent state funds which will further the construction of  identified Greenbelt Trail projects allowing bicyclists to traverse from Geyser Road to Nelson Avenue via Crescent Ave Connector (RFP issued) and through a dangerous segment of Excelsior Spring Ave (RFP intended October). This does not include Church and Van Dam streets where a separate study identified pedestrian improvements to mitigate impacts of existing truck traffic that will likely serve as a deterrent for future truck traffic. Decreasing the reliance of vehicles or incentivizing multi-modal transport is a significant opportunity for the City and its residents.

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

A) Yes, I support the “City in the Country” vision.
B) In my opinion, the most critical issue facing Saratoga Springs is the maintenance of our water and sewer infrastructure (pipes, pumps, valves, hydrants, etc.) in addition to the health of Loughberry Lake. Saratoga Springs cannot keep growing without taxing this infrastructure beyond its capacity. Increasing this capacity would be expensive, but is probably necessary since Loughberry’s long-term health is seriously threatened. Saratoga Springs does not need to promote economic development; what it needs is to be a better steward of its water and related infrastructure resources.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

My plan is to protect the “City in the Country” plan and limit developments to within the core area of the city where walking and biking can be encouraged and facilitated. We need to make it easier for folks to build Auxiliary Dwelling Units where possible to support affordable housing needs for grandparents, in-law, or young families. There are still significant opportunities for single-family and multiple-family units in the city core. We should, by all means, protect “the Greenbelt”. Not only is this an environmentally sound approach, it also enhances the enjoyment of the city for all residents and businesses.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

Yes! I support composting at the city level, starting with a voluntary plan similar to the Pitney Meadows composting campaign. The city should learn from the PM experience and from other cities around NY State who have such programs. This would be a wonderful expansion of the current composting facility.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

As mentioned earlier, I support easing restrictions on ADU’s. Furthermore, my understanding is that there are over 1000 homes in Saratoga Springs that are being used as short-term rentals (Air B&B’s). More regulations are needed to either convert some of these units to permanent housing, or to establish a fee structure to develop funding for affordable housing units within the city core.

I would also support learning from other cities that have been more successful in encouraging the development of affordable housing.

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

Trees are a vital part of Saratoga Springs. Recently, DPW has paid more attention to having the needed manpower, leadership, and training to plant and
nurture. I would continue to promote working with volunteer organizations but we need to make sure that the city is providing enough leadership in this interaction.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

The very top issue for Saratoga Springs is the health of our water supply (currently the threatened Loughberry Lake), our aging and degrading water
infrastructure, and the inadequate storm sewer system in parts of the city. The city needs to clearly identify other sources of water since reversing the downward quality and quantity trend of Loughberry Lake is an unrealistic environmental and regulatory challenge.

CANDIDATES FOR SARATOGA COUNTY SUPERVISOR IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

Yes. I believe infill development in the city’s core is preferable to pushing outward, which could negatively impact our greenbelt and our vision of the city in the country.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

As the county supervisor, I will work with the city to help preserve and develop green infrastructure through committees on trails and open spaces, grants, etc.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

My office initiated Participatory Budgeting and I am proud to say we funded the first ever food scrap composting program at Pitney Meadows with Sustainable Saratoga. We saw over 100 families and about 4 tonnes of waste from going into landfills. Warren county has started a pilot program for food scrap composting with a grant. I am hoping to work on this at the county.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

We need more affordable housing, workforce housing, supportive housing and veteran’s housing in Saratoga. We’ve green lit quite a few affordable housing programs these past 4 years. We’re hoping to see a significant number come online in the next few years. We can also look at accessory dwelling units as another way to make our city more affordable.

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

DPW funds urban forest programs but Participatory budgeting has also provided funding for urban forestry and pollinator gardens, etc. This is an important aspect of our city and something I’m hoping to do on a larger scale at the county.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

Urban forestry, preservation of farms, open spaces, more trails, more bike paths and sidewalks, more pollinator gardens, and city wide/ county wide composting of food scraps.

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

Even though I’m running for County Supervisor and do not have a vote at the Council table, I and have always been in full support of the Comprehensive Plan’s central concept defining Saratoga Springs as a “City in the Country.” My family lives in the furthest reach of the Greenbelt and has for over one-hundred and twenty-five years. Preservation of what’s left of our greenbelt as open space needs to be a priority to maintaining our “City in the Country.” I would like to see our City expand our use of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a means to help with affordable housing and senior and family care, especially for the outer districts with larger lot sizes.

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

Preservation can be done using land trusts or through zoning laws. We can require green space minimums on development projects and compact mixed use to reduce sprawl and protect undeveloped land (ie open space). When elected Supervisor, I will advocate for these types of initiatives where possible and for the continuation of vital existing funding for open space that the County already does.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

Even though as Supervisor this is not something I can vote for, I believe that yes, we should absolutely upgrade our existing composting operations to add municipal food scraps where feasible. Certain challenges such as infrastructure needs would have to be overcome but we can look to cities that already compost food waste as examples for implementation strategy and benefits such as Toronto and Seattle.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

While the County Supervisors do not have direct vote regarding the City planning, more affordable housing is needed across the County. Many of our workers are commuting long distances to their jobs in our downtown restaurants for example. Ways to make housing more affordable could include inclusionary zoning, we can encourage public-private partnerships that provide tax incentives or other grant funding, and as I mentioned above I fully support the expansion of use of Accessory dwelling units.

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

Again, as a Supervisor I will not have a say in the City planning. However, as an advocate for our community at the County level I will work to promote funding opportunities for these interests as they are critical to not only our present but planning for our future.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

I am aware that we have outgrown our County buildings in Ballston Spa and that the County may be looking at moving from Ballston Spa, or expanding its facilities elsewhere. This is likely a long-term project but an opportunity to examine the most energy efficient and climate smart manner to build for our future. I hope to be a part of this critical county planning.

1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?

Interesting that I was talking about the history and importance of the Greenbelt just this morning.

I am in favor of maintaining the greenbelt to protect our city in the country.

I believe that strong downtowns surrounded by places for recreation and connecting to nature ensure long term viability of a community and are therefore critical to economic development and to drawing businesses and a workforce to Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga Springs has done the right thing over the years by creating a Zoning plan that concentrates development within the urban core and has less dense development in the Greenbelt.  It has made our City a desirable place to live.  I do not believe that the City should change overall zoning to increase or decrease allowable density in the Greenbelt

2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city’s natural “green infrastructure,” including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city’s “green infrastructure” intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?

I am a strong believer in green infrastructure and open space,  as my past service on the Saratoga Plan Board and current service on the SoBro Conservancy board will attest.   I will be fierce advocate for open space as an important way to mitigate intensifying climate hazards.

Over the past 10 years the County has committed over $250,000 and up to $500,000 in its anuual budget for Open Space in large part because of my predecessor and Matt Vietch.    Matt and I have discussed this very issue at length and he has promised to help me navigate this issue with the County.

If elected supervisor I would want to continue to advocate this level of support or even increase the amounts.

3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?

I am in strong agreement that reducing food waste and keeping it out of landfills is an excellent goal.

The City of Saratoga Springs was very forward-thinking when they implemented the composting program for yard waste.  In my opinion it has been an unqualified success and one of the programs that is truly taken advantage of by our residents.  They feel as though they are contributing to something positive when they put their yard waste out on the curb each year.  I would absolutely support adding food waste to this program, and would work with the City DPW in providing any County funding or support to this initiative.  While the Supervisor does not directly have involvement with these types of City initiatives, the County has a great resource with its partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Saratoga County Soil and Water to help with recommendations or support of the program.

4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.

I was pleased to see Governor Hochuls “move-in NY” initiative announced and I will be watching closely the impact it has on the initial targeted cities.    Affordable housing is the foundation for much economic development, and much housing is needed to support the workers, medical professionals, first responders and others.

Our ‘City in the Country’ concept for Saratoga Springs, keeping the inner district more densely developed than the outer areas of the City is a big factor in what makes Saratoga Springs so attractive to so many home buyers.   Unfortunately, while sustainable for the long term, this concept has perhaps unintentionally caused real estate values to rise to a level that has made it difficult for those of modest means to either rent or own in Saratoga Springs.

I support the Comprehensive Plan’s goals and ideals.  While the County Supervisor does not have any direct input into the City’s planning, I would be supportive of any affordable housing initiatives, such as the recent developments near West Avenue, which give those of moderate incomes the ability to reside within the City limits.

One concept that has been used to some success in Essex County has been their land bank program which leverages government involvement to rehabilitate aging homes and substandard properties, and then sell them back to qualified owners in order to achieve sustainable and long-term affordability for residents.   Approaches that revitalize existing homes and create affordable housing are true win-wins

5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?

Tree Toga is a low cost, high impact program that should continue to be funded.  I had the opportunity to participate in Tree Toga with my daughter and we still drive by the trees we helped plant and reflect on what was a great day meeting neighbors and adding to the vibrancy of this city.   Tree Toga not only supplies and replaces trees that deliver valuable environmental benefits to the city it provides a connection to the community that will last for generations.

6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics.

Politics aside, sustainability and mitigating the causes and impacts of climate change are among my most personal passions.   As a boy scout I was taught not just the value of our natural world but that only humans can protect it.    As an adult I regularly study how to mitigate the effects of human activities on our environment.  One of my favorite recent reads was “ The Year of No Garbage” By Eve Schwartz.    A fascinating tale that really uncovers so many myths about the effect of plastic on our planet.   Reduce, Reuse, Recycle are a great mantra but they need to be focused in that order—first REDUCE, then REUSE, last RECYCLE.    Too much attention over the years has been focused on the least impactful of those 3—recycle.     As a community we need to do our best to educate people that the #1  way to drive sustainability is to REDUCE consumption.

As green as Saratoga is relative to other communities, I believe a lot more can be done.  I will fight for the appropriate funding and resources to secure that countywide we are doing as much as possible to make Saratoga Springs and County as sustainable as possible.

Click on the links below to view the candidates questionnaires as a pdf.

MAYOR

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS

COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS

SARATOGA COUNTY SUPERVISOR

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]]> 2023 City Council Candidate Survey: Find out where the local candidates stand on sustainability issues https://sustainablesaratoga.org/2023-city-council-candidate-survey-find-out-where-the-local-candidates-stand-on-sustainability-issues/ Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:59:18 +0000 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=11515 Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. The November 7, 2023 election offers an opportunity to raise and discuss pressing issues relating to sustainability in this region.

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Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. The November 7, 2023 election offers an opportunity to raise and discuss pressing issues relating to sustainability in this region.

Our supporters are interested in knowing the candidates’ plans for addressing key sustainability issues confronting our community, and this questionnaire provides each candidate an opportunity to discuss these issues. We sent each candidate the same questions. Below you will find their responses, verbatim and without any comments. Click on the name to see the responses for that candidate. There is a link to a pdf version of each candidate’s responses at the bottom of this page.

It is important to stress that as a 501(c)(3), Sustainable Saratoga does not, and will not, endorse any particular candidate for an elected office.

CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF SARATOGA SPRINGS

Ron Kim did not submit a response to this questionnaire.

1. Sustainable Saratoga believes that to be more sustainable as a city, we need more diverse and affordable housing. If you agree, what type of efforts would you support to achieve this objective? If you disagree, please explain why.

Yes, I do believe that Saratoga Springs needs to have more diverse and affordable housing. While serving on the City Council, I tried to bring about inclusionary zoning for large projects. I wasn’t able to get enough support from other Council members despite our efforts. Also, I wasn’t able to find financial institutions that would commit to financing for inclusionary zoning projects, which was disappointing because Inclusionary zoning has worked well in other municipalities. I am encouraged by the nearly complete workforce housing project being constructed near Allen Drive and Tait Lane as well as the proposed project adjacent to Saratoga Harness Track. Developers need to be encouraged by Council members and the land use boards to construct more affordable residential units. The emphasis on luxury units over the past 20 years is overdone.

2. Saratoga Springs participates in the No Mow May movement encouraging residents, homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to reduce the frequency of mowing to provide habitat and food for pollinators. Rate your support for changing municipal mowing practices to encourage native plantings and natural habitat and for banning insecticide use on municipal properties.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I do encourage native plantings, natural habitat and much less use of insecticides both on municipal properties and private property. In all honesty, I do mow in May because, if I don’t, the lawn becomes so high that it is difficult to manage in early June. Also, I worry about ticks on our property if the lawn gets too high. We are adjacent to undeveloped woodlands. I am not a person with a perfect lawn. I almost never water my lawn. I do fertilize at times but I do little else as you can observe if you visit my property at 28 Friar Tuck Way.

3. Saratoga Springs’ Complete Streets Policy is to ensure that road projects are planned and designed with safe, convenient travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Rate your support for the Complete Streets Plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I was one of the members of the City Council who voted for Complete Streets. I continue to support it and I am painfully aware of the areas of the City where we are failing to meet those goals. I supported the Geyser Road Trail while serving on the City Council between 2012 and 2017. But, I continually insisted during those years that other areas of the City needed a similar solution. I mentioned outer Grand Avenue frequently as I am personally aware of the challenges those trying to walk or ride bikes along that roadway. We have lived on Friar Tuck Way since 1988. Outer Grand Avenue, Pine Road and Kirby Road should have trails and sidewalks. It is a safety as well as a quality of life issue.

There are other parts of the City that have similar problems with safe pedestrian and bike access.

While serving as Commissioner of Public Safety, I had a pedestrian crossing study conducted. Eleven enhanced pedestrian crossings were proposed as a result of that study but funding was available for only some of them. The enhanced pedestrian crossing that was supposed to be installed on the very wide Union Avenue at Clark Street has still not been completed, though others have. A great example of what we did accomplish would be the enhanced pedestrian crossing on Lake Avenue near Ritchie Place for safe access to the East Side Rec.

While serving as Commissioner of Public Safety, we had a traffic study done of downtown. The result was much better traffic flow, less pollution due to vehicular idling at stop lights and better safety for pedestrians attempting to cross at intersections (though not perfect).

While serving as Commissioner of Public Safety, I had stop signs installed on Ludlow Street and the corner of Jumel Place because residents felt that the corner was getting dangerous for kids in the neighborhood. I also fought and eventually won a battle with those in our department after I identified the dangerous intersection on West Circular Street at Beekman Street, South Franklin Street and the Railroad Run Trail. That stop sign has tamed that intersection as well as reduced speeding on West Circular.

As Commissioner of Public Safety, I battled with the NYS Department of Transportation over numerous areas in the outer district of our City which were under their control. I advocated for lower speed limits on outer Church Street, outer Washington Street, and outer South Broadway. I pushed for a traffic signal at the busy, dangerous Outer Washington Street/Slade Road/Brook Road intersection and for improvements of intersections at both ends of Gilbert Road. I continue to recommend these changes.

4. Saratoga Springs has a long history of tree-lined downtown streets which provide much desired aesthetic value in addition to promoting clean air, clean water, and cooler temperatures. Rate your support for the continued funding of urban tree plantings to expand Saratoga’s urban forest.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I have lived in Saratoga Springs since I was 3 years old. At that time, most of our streets were lined with majestic elm trees. Tragically, there are only a few of the many hundreds of elms left. Our street trees provide great aesthetics as well as helping with air pollution and summer-time heat. We should plant many more street trees and then we must take good care of them and not subject them to high levels of salt in the winter. It is important for the Public Works Dept. to have experienced arborists.

5. In 2016, the then City Council adopted a report of the Downtown Parking Task Force, which called for several steps including an “Office of Downtown Parking Management,” a volunteer advisory board, and the selection of a professional parking management firm to design and implement a plan. Rate your support for implementing the recommendations in this report for a downtown parking management plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I was one of the Council members who voted for the Downtown Parking Task Force after sitting through two nights of presentations by inner city traffic and parking consultants. This proposal can help make downtown parking more responsive to the needs of business people, residents and visitors.

6. Saratoga Springs is known as the “City in the Country.” Sustainable Saratoga believes it is critical for the city to codify zoning and planning standards, protect the Greenbelt and open space, and support sustainable growth principles. The city’s current zoning ordinance (the UDO) allows development in the Greenbelt that risks urban sprawl. Sustainable Saratoga has supported amendments to the UDO to continue to protect the city’s Greenbelt. Rate your support for amending the UDO to limit development and retain rural character in the city’s Greenbelt, including the rural gateways into our city.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I am a former member and two year chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals (2000-2006). I attended many meetings of all previous Comprehensive Plan Committees and I attended and participated in numerous regional and state-wide meetings and conferences on planning and zoning. I have great respect for the concepts that have been developed as our Comprehensive Plan has evolved. While on the City Council, I fought hard against attempts to diminish our Comprehensive Plan. There are many investors and businesses that would like to ‘cash in’ on our green belt. It is a constant battle as evidenced by the tense interchanges that took place during discussions which occurred as the 2013-2015 Comprehensive Plan Committee deliberated. I could tell you lots of stories of Council members being pressured to undermine our Comprehensive Plan. It is extremely important that the next Mayor be a person who understands how important the Comprehensive Plan is to the quality of life and success of our City. I also will support changes to the UDO which seem contrary to the well established concepts of our Comprehensive Plan.

7. Sustainable Saratoga advocates for limiting the amount of garbage and food waste that enters the landfill. Currently our downtown business district has no recycling bins for the public to dispose of recyclables, and the city of Saratoga Springs is lacking a municipal community compost collection service. Rate your support for the addition of public recycling bins downtown and the development of a community composting program.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I do suggest supporting recycling bins throughout the City for people to dispose of recyclables. However, I am not sure what you are referring to when you cite a lack of municipal community compost collection service. Unlike surrounding communities, Saratoga Springs does a great job of picking up yard waste which is composted for future use. It may make sense to eventually have residents separate garbage from trash so that it too can be collected and composted. Such programs are being started in other communities. It might be be best to integrate such a program with the county’s transfer stations.

We were unable to contact John Safford.

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

Dillon Moran did not submit a response to this questionnaire.

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF  FINANCE IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

Minita Sanghvi did not submit a response to this questionnaire.

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

1. Sustainable Saratoga believes that to be more sustainable as a city, we need more diverse and affordable housing. If you agree, what type of efforts would you support to achieve this objective? If you disagree, please explain why.

As a person born and raised in Saratoga Springs I believe that affordable housing is a critical need in the city of Saratoga Springs. We need a diversity of affordable housing options from rentals to home ownership. I would support pursuing tax credits for the developers of the projects, and waiving city fees for applications and building permits.

2. Saratoga Springs participates in the No Mow May movement encouraging residents, homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to reduce the frequency of mowing to provide habitat and food for pollinators. Rate your support for changing municipal mowing practices to encourage native plantings and natural habitat and for banning insecticide use on municipal properties.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

This falls outside of my department but I would be supportive of DPW efforts.

3. Saratoga Springs’ Complete Streets Policy is to ensure that road projects are planned and designed with safe, convenient travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Rate your support for the Complete Streets Plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

This is a top priority of my campaign.

4. Saratoga Springs has a long history of tree-lined downtown streets which provide much desired aesthetic value in addition to promoting clean air, clean water, and cooler temperatures. Rate your support for the continued funding of urban tree plantings to expand Saratoga’s urban forest.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I am very supportive of this initiative. Tree canopy is also a known traffic calming measure.

5. In 2016, the then City Council adopted a report of the Downtown Parking Task Force, which called for several steps including an “Office of Downtown Parking Management,” a volunteer advisory board, and the selection of a professional parking management firm to design and implement a plan. Rate your support for implementing the recommendations in this report for a downtown parking management plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

4 – Mostly Support

Parking has long been an issue for our community. We should look at solutions that serve both our residents and visitors. If further parking structures are to be built in our community I would like to see them with more green measures such as plantings or solar collection.

6. Saratoga Springs is known as the “City in the Country.” Sustainable Saratoga believes it is critical for the city to codify zoning and planning standards, protect the Greenbelt and open space, and support sustainable growth principles. The city’s current zoning ordinance (the UDO) allows development in the Greenbelt that risks urban sprawl. Sustainable Saratoga has supported amendments to the UDO to continue to protect the city’s Greenbelt. Rate your support for amending the UDO to limit development and retain rural character in the city’s Greenbelt, including the rural gateways into our city.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

4 – Mostly Support

I believe in protection of the green belt we also must balance the needs of open space and affordable housing. All development should have an eye on how we add housing and ensure open space.

7. Sustainable Saratoga advocates for limiting the amount of garbage and food waste that enters the landfill. Currently our downtown business district has no recycling bins for the public to dispose of recyclables, and the city of Saratoga Springs is lacking a municipal community compost collection service. Rate your support for the addition of public recycling bins downtown and the development of a community composting program.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I would strongly support the addition of recycling bins downtown and in our public parks and would be excited if there was a community composting program.

1. Sustainable Saratoga believes that to be more sustainable as a city, we need more diverse and affordable housing. If you agree, what type of efforts would you support to achieve this objective? If you disagree, please explain why.

Saratoga Springs needs more affordable housing but it should not come with a change to the Comprehensive Plan. The affordable housing needs to be prioritized and available to our First Responders and city employees who can no longer afford to live in this city.

2. Saratoga Springs participates in the No Mow May movement encouraging residents, homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to reduce the frequency of mowing to provide habitat and food for pollinators. Rate your support for changing municipal mowing practices to encourage native plantings and natural habitat and for banning insecticide use on municipal properties.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

I am generally in support of this idea but need more information.  If elected, I    would seek input from the Commissioner of Public Works. For example, would this apply to our athletic fields?

3. Saratoga Springs’ Complete Streets Policy is to ensure that road projects are planned and designed with safe, convenient travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Rate your support for the Complete Streets Plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

4. Saratoga Springs has a long history of tree-lined downtown streets which provide much desired aesthetic value in addition to promoting clean air, clean water, and cooler temperatures. Rate your support for the continued funding of urban tree plantings to expand Saratoga’s urban forest.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

5. In 2016, the then City Council adopted a report of the Downtown Parking Task Force, which called for several steps including an “Office of Downtown Parking Management,” a volunteer advisory board, and the selection of a professional parking management firm to design and implement a plan. Rate your support for implementing the recommendations in this report for a downtown parking management plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

6. Saratoga Springs is known as the “City in the Country.” Sustainable Saratoga believes it is critical for the city to codify zoning and planning standards, protect the Greenbelt and open space, and support sustainable growth principles. The city’s current zoning ordinance (the UDO) allows development in the Greenbelt that risks urban sprawl. Sustainable Saratoga has supported amendments to the UDO to continue to protect the city’s Greenbelt. Rate your support for amending the UDO to limit development and retain rural character in the city’s Greenbelt, including the rural gateways into our city.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

7. Sustainable Saratoga advocates for limiting the amount of garbage and food waste that enters the landfill. Currently our downtown business district has no recycling bins for the public to dispose of recyclables, and the city of Saratoga Springs is lacking a municipal community compost collection service. Rate your support for the addition of public recycling bins downtown and the development of a community composting program.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

We were unable to contact James Montagnino.

CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

Jason Golub did not respond to the questionnaire.

CANDIDATES FOR SARATOGA COUNTY SUPERVISOR IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

1. Sustainable Saratoga believes that to be more sustainable as a city, we need more diverse and affordable housing. If you agree, what type of efforts would you support to achieve this objective? If you disagree, please explain why.

I agree more diverse and affordable housing is needed.  The best way to achieve this is to create a zoning code that allows for that.  Smaller lots, tiny homes, and the availability of creating rental units easily would help in that regard.  The City has several more affordable projects underway, and I believe the City should continue in its efforts to diversify our housing stock.

2. Saratoga Springs participates in the No Mow May movement encouraging residents, homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to reduce the frequency of mowing to provide habitat and food for pollinators. Rate your support for changing municipal mowing practices to encourage native plantings and natural habitat and for banning insecticide use on municipal properties.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

4 – Mostly Support

I participate in No Mow May and would encourage my fellow residents to also participate.  As far as municipal practices, I would agree that requiring municipalities to plant native trees in the public Right-of-Way and in public parks; as well as reducing mowing by creating wildflower fields, or allowing native plants to grow in open spaces.  I agree municipalities should limit (but not ban as in some cases it may be necessary) the use of insecticides on public property.

3. Saratoga Springs’ Complete Streets Policy is to ensure that road projects are planned and designed with safe, convenient travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Rate your support for the Complete Streets Plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I have a history of supporting and fostering bicycle and pedestrian improvements throughout the County.  I was an early advocate for the Geyser Road Trail and was able to push for the County Board of Supervisors to adopt their County Bike Route map.  I believe the City and County should ensure that when engineering and planning road projects, as well as for the yearly re-paving, that the City and County consider all modes of transportation.  Widening shoulders, adding bike lanes, and placing sidewalks where none exist should all be part of this program.

4. Saratoga Springs has a long history of tree-lined downtown streets which provide much desired aesthetic value in addition to promoting clean air, clean water, and cooler temperatures. Rate your support for the continued funding of urban tree plantings to expand Saratoga’s urban forest.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I agree that the City should continue funding the urban tree planting program throughout the City.

5. In 2016, the then City Council adopted a report of the Downtown Parking Task Force, which called for several steps including an “Office of Downtown Parking Management,” a volunteer advisory board, and the selection of a professional parking management firm to design and implement a plan. Rate your support for implementing the recommendations in this report for a downtown parking management plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

4 – Mostly Support

I believe the City should keep to its commitments and begin implementing the recommendations of this plan.  Regardless of the outcomes, the City should take an active look at parking and how it affects the City’s traffic flow and the current parking situation and its impact on downtown businesses.

6. Saratoga Springs is known as the “City in the Country.” Sustainable Saratoga believes it is critical for the city to codify zoning and planning standards, protect the Greenbelt and open space, and support sustainable growth principles. The city’s current zoning ordinance (the UDO) allows development in the Greenbelt that risks urban sprawl. Sustainable Saratoga has supported amendments to the UDO to continue to protect the city’s Greenbelt. Rate your support for amending the UDO to limit development and retain rural character in the city’s Greenbelt, including the rural gateways into our city.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

3 – Somewhat Support

Saratoga Springs has done the right thing over the years by creating a Zoning plan that concentrates development within the urban core and has less dense development in the Greenbelt.  It has made our City a desirable place to live.  I do not believe that the City should change overall zoning to increase or decrease allowable density in the Greenbelt.  I do believe though that individual projects should be weighed on their merits, and any allowances for variation from the zoning should be used sparingly with review from the City’s Land-Use boards, on a case-by-case basis.  I would be against a total prohibition of all potential projects that do not fit zoning in the greenbelt area.

7. Sustainable Saratoga advocates for limiting the amount of garbage and food waste that enters the landfill. Currently our downtown business district has no recycling bins for the public to dispose of recyclables, and the city of Saratoga Springs is lacking a municipal community compost collection service. Rate your support for the addition of public recycling bins downtown and the development of a community composting program.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I absolutely agree that the City should begin a municipal recycling program, as well as a community compost collection.  Recycling is the law in Saratoga County, and while a study on why this is not a requirement for our various towns, cities, and villages may be a conversation at the County level, I believe municipalities should take the initiative and leverage the County’s recycling center for municipal recycling.  Having a downtown program for recycling would help to increase the amount of recycling materials that the County processes.  It’s a great potential intermunicipal partnership that could find great success.  Our municipal leaf and grass pickup has been one of the most popular and successful programs our City has, and adding a municipal compost pickup can only enhance an already successful project.

1. Sustainable Saratoga believes that to be more sustainable as a city, we need more diverse and affordable housing. If you agree, what type of efforts would you support to achieve this objective? If you disagree, please explain why.

As a candidate for County Supervisor, I have advocated that the County encourage all municipalities to provide for additional units of housing via reform of restricting zoning and planning requirements. A number of states have taken this approach, including California, New Jersey and Connecticut. New York City is now proposing flexibilities designed to increase the overall number of housing units. Our environmental priorities must be retained, but they should not be a tool to prevent our health care workers, police, firefighters, teachers and others from living among the people they serve and support.

2. Saratoga Springs participates in the No Mow May movement encouraging residents, homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to reduce the frequency of mowing to provide habitat and food for pollinators. Rate your support for changing municipal mowing practices to encourage native plantings and natural habitat and for banning insecticide use on municipal properties.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

As County Supervisor, I will recommend the highway department reduce its roadside mowing, and increase planting of pollinator plants on the county’s hundreds of miles of roadsides.

3. Saratoga Springs’ Complete Streets Policy is to ensure that road projects are planned and designed with safe, convenient travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Rate your support for the Complete Streets Plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

We also need new measures so that interstate truck traffic does not continue to ruin our residential and downtown districts. The Church-Van Dam Street corridor is an interstate highway masquerading as a residential street. County government must get involved, but sadly, the Board of Supervisors does not even have a Standing Committee on Transportation.

4. Saratoga Springs has a long history of tree-lined downtown streets which provide much desired aesthetic value in addition to promoting clean air, clean water, and cooler temperatures. Rate your support for the continued funding of urban tree plantings to expand Saratoga’s urban forest.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

Not a County issue, but I strongly urge the City to adopt an ordinance prohibiting “volcano mulching” of trees in the city right-of-way. The private landscapers plant trees, as required by City Planning, but then kill them by over-mulching them.

5. In 2016, the then City Council adopted a report of the Downtown Parking Task Force, which called for several steps including an “Office of Downtown Parking Management,” a volunteer advisory board, and the selection of a professional parking management firm to design and implement a plan. Rate your support for implementing the recommendations in this report for a downtown parking management plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

3 – Somewhat Support

I do not recall this report. But I believe that parking requirements for developers raise the cost of residential units and work against our need for more affordable housing. New York City is now trying to reform its parking requirements in order to provide for more affordable housing.  Saratoga Springs should do so as well.

6. Saratoga Springs is known as the “City in the Country.” Sustainable Saratoga believes it is critical for the city to codify zoning and planning standards, protect the Greenbelt and open space, and support sustainable growth principles. The city’s current zoning ordinance (the UDO) allows development in the Greenbelt that risks urban sprawl. Sustainable Saratoga has supported amendments to the UDO to continue to protect the city’s Greenbelt. Rate your support for amending the UDO to limit development and retain rural character in the city’s Greenbelt, including the rural gateways into our city.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

4 – Mostly Support

See above, my comments on zoning and planning restrictions that limit our ability to provide the housing we need for our workforce.

7. Sustainable Saratoga advocates for limiting the amount of garbage and food waste that enters the landfill. Currently our downtown business district has no recycling bins for the public to dispose of recyclables, and the city of Saratoga Springs is lacking a municipal community compost collection service. Rate your support for the addition of public recycling bins downtown and the development of a community composting program.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

Not a County issue. The city does collect yard waste and compost it on Weibel Avenue. The generation of compost must be balanced by the market demand, or additional uses must be found. I fear that the commercial landscapers are using their abundant supply of compost to volcano mulch their customers’ trees, killing them. Composting is a good thing, but more planning should be undertaken so that the end uses are appropriate and good for the environment.

1. Sustainable Saratoga believes that to be more sustainable as a city, we need more diverse and affordable housing. If you agree, what type of efforts would you support to achieve this objective? If you disagree, please explain why.

I absolutely agree. All levels of government must be working together effectively to increase the amount of affordable housing. As your County Supervisor I will work diligently with the County Board and our state representatives in the Senate and Assembly to secure necessary funding for projects, and would support efforts by the state budgetarily or legislatively to increase the stock of affordable housing while protecting our green space.

2. Saratoga Springs participates in the No Mow May movement encouraging residents, homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to reduce the frequency of mowing to provide habitat and food for pollinators. Rate your support for changing municipal mowing practices to encourage native plantings and natural habitat and for banning insecticide use on municipal properties.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

As a community and local government we should take all the steps we can do our part to protect the environment and ecosystem.

3. Saratoga Springs’ Complete Streets Policy is to ensure that road projects are planned and designed with safe, convenient travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Rate your support for the Complete Streets Plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

As your former Commissioner of Finance I was a proud champion of complete streets and supported the development of more pedestrian and bicyclists lanes and will continue to do so as your County Supervisor.

4. Saratoga Springs has a long history of tree-lined downtown streets which provide much desired aesthetic value in addition to promoting clean air, clean water, and cooler temperatures. Rate your support for the continued funding of urban tree plantings to expand Saratoga’s urban forest.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

Urban tree planting is extremely beneficial in the fight against climate change, while providing so many numerous benefits from cleaner air and cooler streets to happier populations. As your County Supervisor I will work to secure funding to bring more trees to our community.

5. In 2016, the then City Council adopted a report of the Downtown Parking Task Force, which called for several steps including an “Office of Downtown Parking Management,” a volunteer advisory board, and the selection of a professional parking management firm to design and implement a plan. Rate your support for implementing the recommendations in this report for a downtown parking management plan.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

6. Saratoga Springs is known as the “City in the Country.” Sustainable Saratoga believes it is critical for the city to codify zoning and planning standards, protect the Greenbelt and open space, and support sustainable growth principles. The city’s current zoning ordinance (the UDO) allows development in the Greenbelt that risks urban sprawl. Sustainable Saratoga has supported amendments to the UDO to continue to protect the city’s Greenbelt. Rate your support for amending the UDO to limit development and retain rural character in the city’s Greenbelt, including the rural gateways into our city.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

7. Sustainable Saratoga advocates for limiting the amount of garbage and food waste that enters the landfill. Currently our downtown business district has no recycling bins for the public to dispose of recyclables, and the city of Saratoga Springs is lacking a municipal community compost collection service. Rate your support for the addition of public recycling bins downtown and the development of a community composting program.
0                             1                             2                             3                             4                             5
Do Not Support                                                                                                                 Highly Support

5 – Highly Support

I worked hard to bring downtown recycling to Saratoga Springs and still believe this is crucial need. I support a community development program and downtown reciclying, as your County Supervisor I will work with the Council to secure the support plans funding they may need from the County to get this accomplished.

Click on the links below to view the candidates questionnaires as a pdf.

MAYOR

  • Ron Kim (survey not returned)
  • Chris Mathiesen
  • John Safford (unable to contact)

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS

  • Dillon Moran (survey not returned)

COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE

  • Minita Sanghvi (survey not returned)

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS

  • Jason Golub (survey not returned)

SARATOGA COUNTY SUPERVISOR

The post 2023 City Council Candidate Survey: Find out where the local candidates stand on sustainability issues appeared first on Sustainable Saratoga.

]]> Press Release: Saratoga Sustainability Fair is back and more sustainable than ever on April 16 2023 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/saratoga-sustainability-fair-is-back-and-more-sustainable-than-ever/ Mon, 10 Apr 2023 13:48:33 +0000 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=10228 Event: Saratoga Sustainability Fair Date/time: Sunday, April 16, 10 am - 4 pm Location: Skidmore College, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY Fair website: https://www.skidmore.edu/sustainability/events/fair.php for full details and schedule Sustainable Saratoga and Skidmore College are partnering once again to host the 2023 Saratoga Sustainability Fair. Jen Natyzak, Assistant Director for Sustainability Programs explains, “This

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Event: Saratoga Sustainability Fair

Date/time: Sunday, April 16, 10 am – 4 pm

Location: Skidmore College, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY

Fair website: https://www.skidmore.edu/sustainability/events/fair.php for full details and schedule

Sustainable Saratoga and Skidmore College are partnering once again to host the 2023 Saratoga Sustainability Fair. Jen Natyzak, Assistant Director for Sustainability Programs explains, “This event will bring together the Saratoga region to engage and educate, cultivate community, spur action, and build hope for people of all ages to address the climate crisis. These event offerings explore environmental issues and action from a personal to local to global scale. The community leaders, non-profits, businesses, and activists in the exhibitor hall, leading workshops, hosting electric vehicles and bikes, and the many folks from Sustainable Saratoga and Skidmore, make this event possible, and they make it powerful.” 

This family friendly event is packed with activities

  • Keynote address “Let’s talk Climate: Finding Ways to Build Hope and Action for a Resilient Future” by Jen Kretser and Elodie Linck of the Wild Center.
  • Workshops and presentations on sustainability topics ranging from climate justice to composting.
  • Electric Car and Bike show.
  • Repair Café: Bring your broken items and work with a repair coach to fix them.
  • Kids’ activities.
  • Exhibit Hall with tables presented by businesses and nonprofits in energy, climate, equity, environmental education, and more..

Kelsey Trudell, Executive Director of Sustainable Saratoga says about the ongoing partnership, “We are so excited to co-host the Sustainability Fair again with Skidmore College. It’s going to be a great event to build community around local sustainability initiatives!”

Be climate smart and take public transportation. The 452 CDTA bus runs from Wilton Mall, through Saratoga Springs, and drops you off right at the Fair. Or ride your bike. Car parking will also be available.

 

About Skidmore College

Founded in 1903, Skidmore College is a highly selective private, coeducational liberal arts college of about 2,600 students. Skidmore is consistently named one of the “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News and World Report and has recently been recognized as one of “America’s Most Entrepreneurial Colleges” by Forbes, a “Top College Value” by Kiplinger and one of “The Best 388 Colleges” by The Princeton Review. Travel and Leisure has also called Saratoga Springs, home to Skidmore’s campus, one of “America’s Best College Towns.”

 

About Sustainable Saratoga

Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our 

ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life. To learn more about Sustainable Saratoga, visit: https://sustainablesaratoga.org/

The post Press Release: Saratoga Sustainability Fair is back and more sustainable than ever on April 16 2023 appeared first on Sustainable Saratoga.

]]> Introducing our new Executive Director https://sustainablesaratoga.org/introducing-our-new-executive-director/ Tue, 24 Jan 2023 20:38:44 +0000 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=9221   Sustainable Saratoga is pleased to announce that we have hired Kelsey Trudell to be our new Executive Director Kelsey is a South Glens Falls native who moved back to this area after spending several years in Phoenix, Arizona. In Phoenix she worked for the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, an organization with many similarities to Sustainable

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Sustainable Saratoga is pleased to announce that we have hired Kelsey Trudell to be our new Executive Director

Kelsey is a South Glens Falls native who moved back to this area after spending several years in Phoenix, Arizona. In Phoenix she worked for the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, an organization with many similarities to Sustainable Saratoga. Kelsey has a BS in Environmental Science and Geology from SUNY Oneonta and a post graduate credential in Environmental Leadership from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Although she is passionate about all aspects of sustainability, Kelsey is particularly interested in land use planning and climate policy, and she has experience in urban forestry, pollinator conservation and public education.

We look forward to working with Kelsey and introducing her to our community.

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]]> Sustainable Saratoga’s position on affordable Housing https://sustainablesaratoga.org/sustainable-saratogas-position-on-affordable-housing/ Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:04:18 +0000 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=8957 Below is the text of a letter we sent to the Saratoga Springs’ City Council on December 14, 2022 about our position on affordable housing. Download PDF Mayor Kim and Honorable City Council members, We at Sustainable Saratoga have recently learned that we have been publicly described as “against” affordable housing. We would like to

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Below is the text of a letter we sent to the Saratoga Springs’ City Council on December 14, 2022 about our position on affordable housing. Download PDF

Mayor Kim and Honorable City Council members,

We at Sustainable Saratoga have recently learned that we have been publicly described as “against” affordable housing. We would like to set the record straight.

We have long advocated measures to create more diverse and affordable housing, because it would make our community more sustainable. In our years of operation, Sustainable Saratoga has fought hard for policies and programs that would result in more economically diverse housing opportunities within the city of Saratoga Springs. We support affordable housing because we believe that increased housing diversity brings greater economic stability and resilience. We have supported the city’s workforce rental housing developments in the city, and have also advocated for more home ownership opportunities for middle income citizens. 

We have actively advocated inclusionary zoning as a good solution. In 2016 and 2017, Sustainable Saratoga led an effort to have the city legislate an inclusionary zoning program, which would have resulted in mixed-income housing for larger new residential projects. Although that effort was not acted on by the City Council at the time, Sustainable Saratoga expended considerable time and energy to promote that proposal, and we believe such a program could still be adopted, with some modifications. Our IZ ordinance would have mandated affordable housing in every geographic area of the city — including the city’s Greenbelt.

We advocated the inclusion of more affordable housing provisions throughout the UDO process. Early in the UDO review process, we presented amendments to the draft UDO that would promote affordability in various ways. We have produced numerous policy positions and proposals that would create more tools in the toolbox that communities need to create affordable housing options for their citizens. We have always urged the city to address affordability through a comprehensive review and enactment of available strategies, rather than through individual applications that do not comport with the city’s legislative and regulatory standards. We have publicly expressed our disappointment that the UDO did little to promote more diverse and affordable housing.

Our concerns about the lack of a comprehensive approach, and the critical importance of location, were highlighted by the Liberty proposal. Because the proposed use was far more intense than the current zoning designation would allow, the Council was asked to approve extraordinary changes to the Comprehensive Plan and the UDO. We submitted a letter to the Council sharing our concerns. While Sustainable Saratoga enthusiastically supports adding more affordable and economically diverse housing options, and we are encouraged that the Council is taking this issue seriously, we are very concerned about using this environmentally sensitive location for intensive development, and we share the opinion of the Planning Board that the process of amending the Comprehensive Plan and UDO for a single project is problematic for many reasons.

We have maintained that affordable housing and the “city in the country” model are compatible sustainability goals. Our “city in the country” identity means not only promoting a vibrant downtown, but also focusing on a conservation standard in our outer rural areas. The economic and environmental advantages of the city’s Greenbelt are substantial, yet we find that the need to actively protect this valuable asset of tremendous ecological and economic value is almost constant. Other communities recognize and envy the unique formula that has helped Saratoga Springs thrive. However, we have found that often some in our city do not seem to appreciate the need to protect and promote our rural features. In this era of climate change, in which natural land features will do much to protect the area against flooding, it is even more urgent that we do so.

Affordable housing is an important priority, and so is protecting our city’s Greenbelt. Sustainable Saratoga does not believe that we need to sacrifice one to protect or promote the other. From an economic standpoint, both our successful urban core and the surrounding green space make the city more attractive to visitors, businesses, and residents, thus providing a more stable local economy and enhancing the quality of life for all.

We hope that our city will explore some of the approaches to land use regulation that other communities are employing to achieve more diverse and affordable housing. Affordable housing is a complex issue that is not unique to Saratoga Springs. Many other communities across the country have created a variety of programs and regulatory tools to address the issues of housing diversity and affordability.  We think that some good solutions exist that might work in our community.

We appreciate the Council’s enthusiasm for this issue and would like to be part of the city’s efforts to address it. In the coming year, we hope to increase our efforts to address affordability, and we would value the opportunity to work cooperatively with the city in doing so. 

Very truly yours,

Dianna Goodwin, Co-Chair

 

Read more about our Land Use and Urban Planning work

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]]> Letter supporting bike lanes on Union Avenue https://sustainablesaratoga.org/letter-supporting-bike-lanes-on-union-avenue/ Mon, 05 Dec 2022 21:16:20 +0000 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=8977 Below is the text of a letter we sent to the Saratoga Springs City Council in support of bike lanes on Union Avenue. Download PDF December 6, 2022 Dear Mayor Kim and Council Members:  I am writing on behalf of Sustainable Saratoga to express our strong support of the bike lanes proposed for Union Avenue. 

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Below is the text of a letter we sent to the Saratoga Springs City Council in support of bike lanes on Union Avenue. Download PDF

December 6, 2022

Dear Mayor Kim and Council Members: 

I am writing on behalf of Sustainable Saratoga to express our strong support of the bike lanes proposed for Union Avenue.  Please accept this letter as our public comment for the December 6th hearing on the matter.

Climate change is already affecting this region, and experts warn us that we must act now to avoid greater climate disruption. Investing in greener, alternative transportation such as biking infrastructure is one critical component of any strategy to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

Many communities are seeking to reduce the preeminence of the automobile to improve the efficiency of transportation systems and reduce traffic congestion, energy use, air pollution, and the emission of greenhouse gasses. Our city recognizes the threats posed by climate change and has committed to address them by becoming a certified Climate Smart Community. To qualify for certification, the city council passed a resolution pledging to take a number of actions, including the promotion of a compact, transit-oriented, bikeable and walkable community. The more we can do to invite people to get on their bikes and leave their cars at home, the closer we will be to attaining our Climate Smart Community goals.

Cities structured to support walking and biking are desirable places to live and work. When communities recognize that public streets should accommodate a range of users, the streetscape must be configured to account for the safety of everyone, including those who ride bicycles. Cyclists need the protection of bike lanes so that they do not have to rely on motorists’ good behavior and alertness to safely navigate city streets. Our city should encourage bicycling by making it safer and more attractive through the creation of a network of bike lanes connecting residents and visitors to destinations throughout the city. 

Saratoga Springs has undertaken important projects to encourage bicycling in the city, including the bike lanes on North Broadway and Lake Avenue, and the recent completion of the Downtown Connector segment of the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail. But there is much more to be done. The details of the city’s vision for a citywide bicycle network are presented in the Saratoga Springs Complete Streets Plan. The plan recommends adding bike lanes along the length of Union Avenue in light of its importance for the creation of a citywide bicycle network.  

Union Avenue is a main entrance to the city and a connector to downtown from the east side neighborhoods. It is used regularly by visitors and community members, some of whom rely on bicycles as their primary means of transportation into the downtown area.  Union Avenue currently resembles an extra-wide four-lane highway, encouraging people to speed, and making it difficult to cross by foot or to bicycle safely in the traffic lanes.  Since cars park along the shoulder, bikes either use the traffic lanes or the sidewalks. If a cyclist uses the sidewalk, pedestrians are forced to step aside into the tree lawns or onto people’s yards, a dangerous situation. Many cyclists in town are children or teenagers – it is simply not safe for them to use the traffic lanes along a busy street like Union.   

Creating bike lanes on Union Avenue and connecting them to other bike lanes will make cycling safer and more accessible in our city. A recent study of European cities found that adding bike lanes increased the number of cyclists across the cities, not just in the streets with bike lanes but everywhere. Bike lanes encourage cycling.  Cycling is good for the environment and for our health, and is a strong indicator of livability in any city.  Bicycle lanes should be part of Saratoga Spring’s plan for a sustainable and equitable future.  

We look forward to seeing the plans for Union Avenue bike lanes and hope they are constructed in the near future.  

Very truly yours,

Dianna Goodwin, Co-Chair, Sustainable Saratoga

 

 

cc: Rick Fenton, Laura Faulk, Ed Lindner, Ken Grey

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]]> Letter about development of Flat Rock Park https://sustainablesaratoga.org/letter-about-development-of-flat-rock-park/ Tue, 13 Sep 2022 17:20:07 +0000 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=8970 Below is a letter to the Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Works regarding the development of the Flat Rock Park area of High Rock Park September 13, 2022 Commissioner Jason Golub, City Hall, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Dear Commissioner Golub: At a recent City Council meeting, you presented a proposal for a small public park within

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Below is a letter to the Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Works regarding the development of the Flat Rock Park area of High Rock Park

September 13, 2022

Commissioner Jason Golub, City Hall, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Dear Commissioner Golub:

At a recent City Council meeting, you presented a proposal for a small public park within the area of the City-owned High Rock parking lot south of the City Center parking structure. Sustainable Saratoga would like to thank you for inviting public comments on the proposal. 

Sustainable Saratoga has focused on the development of the City-owned High Rock parking lot since a parking structure for the City Center was proposed in 2012. Because this important parcel is of great interest to all the people of the city, from the beginning we have advocated a comprehensive planning approach with an open public process for the entire parcel. 

On November 20, 2018, the previous City Council adopted a resolution which, among other things, separated the development of the parcel into two phases. Phase I would include the design and development of the Downtown Connector segment of the Greenbelt Trail and the parking structure. In Phase II, the Council and the committee who developed the original Flat Rock Center concept would work to “increase and reconfigure the public park, green space and outparcels,” and the Council would “schedule a special meeting to present the proposals to the public for input and consideration.” Sustainable Saratoga offered suggestions and design elements that could be incorporated into the Phase II design, and we offered to participate in that planning process. 

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the attendant challenges to City finances and staffing, planning for the future of the High Rock lot was suspended. We understand that the proposed public park is intended as an improvement of modest cost that will involve only the planting of trees and other landscaping, and the installation of footpaths, benches, and a small amphitheater. However, we are concerned that it represents a continuation of a piecemeal approach to the development of the High Rock lot, and a significant postponement of the resumption of a comprehensive planning process involving public participation from the start.

We urge you and the rest of the Council to initiate a comprehensive planning process for the entire High Rock lot as soon as possible. We look forward to the eventual creation of an exciting plan for this important piece of public land.

Very truly yours,

 

 

Dianna Goodwin, Co-Chair

 

cc:  Mayor Kim, Commissioners 

 

Read more about our Land Use and Urban Planning work

 

 

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]]> Sustainable Saratoga hosts Recycles Day and Paint Collection Day 2022 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/sustainable-saratoga-hosts-recycles-day-and-paint-collection-day-2022/ Fri, 09 Sep 2022 14:54:16 +0000 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=9019 Sustainable Saratoga to host 6th annual Saratoga Recycles Day on October 1 and first ever Paint Collection Day on October 2 Saratoga Springs, NY – Sustainable Saratoga will hold their 6th annual Saratoga Recycles Day on Saturday, October 1, from 9 am – 12 pm in the SPAC overflow parking lot on the west side

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Sustainable Saratoga to host 6th annual Saratoga Recycles Day on October 1 and first ever Paint Collection Day on October 2

Saratoga Springs, NY – Sustainable Saratoga will hold their 6th annual Saratoga Recycles Day on Saturday, October 1, from 9 am – 12 pm in the SPAC overflow parking lot on the west side of Route 50. And, for the first time, there will also be a separate Paint Collection Day in the same location on October 2, from 12 pm – 3 pm. 

What: Saratoga Recycles Day
When: Saturday, October 1, from 9 AM- 12 PM
Where: SPAC Parking Lot, west side of Route 50

Who: Anyone can participate! There are no residency requirements for this event. 

Cost: $5 per household vehicle fee, plus $30 per TV or monitor. Cash or check accepted.

What: Paint Collection Day
When: Sunday, October 2, from 12 PM- 3 PM
Where: SPAC Parking Lot, west side of Route 50

Who: Anyone can participate! There are no residency requirements for this event. 

Cost: $5 per household vehicle fee. Cash or check accepted.

On Recycles Day, October 1, Sustainable Saratoga and our nonprofit partners will accept clothing & textiles (any condition), scrap metal, eyeglasses, hearing aids, adult bikes, 20 & 24-inch mountain bikes, musical instruments, backpacks, cell phones with chargers, camping gear, and more. eLot will collect appliances & electronics (including TVs). There will be an additional $30 fee per TV or monitor.  And Youth2 will give out bamboo reusable towels to the first 100 cars. Paint will not be accepted on October 1. 

On Paint Collection Day, October 2, Sustainable Saratoga and our partner, Green Sheen, will accept interior and exterior household paint, deck coatings, stains, shellacs, sealers, urethanes, waterproofing sealers, metal coatings, field and lawn paints. We can’t accept  aerosols. Containers should not be empty or leaking. No other items  will be accepted on October 2.

“Recycles Day is an amazing community event that keeps tons of material out of the landfill and gives new life to all kinds of items, “ explains Bill Boehmke, one of the volunteer event planners. “This year we are excited to be able to offer the first paint recycling event to be held in our area since New York became a Paint Steward State in May of 2022. Recycling old paint into new paint is a big win for the environment.“

This year, as always, Sustainable Saratoga is collecting items for a wide range of local nonprofits, including American Clothing Company,  Bikeatoga, RISE Housing and Support Services, the Saratoga Springs Lions Club, We Are Instrumental, and Wellspring.  

For specific details about what is being collected, maps of the collection stations,  and an extensive list of FAQs, visit https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/recycles-day/. Still have questions? Email zerowaste@sustainablesaratoga.org.

 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources, through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area.  Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life.

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]]> Sustainable Saratoga letter regarding zoning amendment for Crescent and Jefferson https://sustainablesaratoga.org/sustainable-saratoga-letter-regarding-zoning-amendment-for-crescent-and-jefferson/ Thu, 01 Sep 2022 17:08:48 +0000 https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=8964 Below is the text of a letter we sent to the Saratoga Springs City Council regarding the Liberty Affordable Housing, Inc. application for a zoning amendment for a parcel on Crescent Avenue and Jefferson Street. September 1, 2022 Dear Mayor Kim and Commissioners: We are writing this letter to express concern about the Liberty Affordable

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Below is the text of a letter we sent to the Saratoga Springs City Council regarding the Liberty Affordable Housing, Inc. application for a zoning amendment for a parcel on Crescent Avenue and Jefferson Street.

September 1, 2022

Dear Mayor Kim and Commissioners:

We are writing this letter to express concern about the Liberty Affordable Housing, Inc. application for a zoning amendment for a 30.27 acre parcel on the corner of Crescent Avenue and Jefferson Street.   

As you may know, Sustainable Saratoga has long advocated for workforce housing in Saratoga Springs. We encourage the Council to develop a comprehensive, proactive, and creative strategy to meet the housing diversity and affordability needs of our community, and would be happy to work with the Council toward this goal. For years, Sustainable Saratoga has recommended workable alternatives, such as inclusionary zoning and the conversion of carriage houses into apartments. We also vigorously support development patterns in our city that conform to the established sustainable development principles embodied in our city’s Comprehensive Plan.  We do not believe that these goals are mutually exclusive.      

We have reviewed the application for a zoning amendment filed by Liberty, as well as a similar 2018 application for a zoning amendment and subsequent unfavorable advisory by the city Planning Board, and believe that the current application is flawed both procedurally and substantively.  The Council should, at the outset, require the applicant to address the procedural flaws before accepting the application through a vote on “merit for review,” at least until the significant procedural errors are rectified.  

There are two major procedural errors. First, the petition falsely states that the map amendment is compatible with the 2015 Comprehensive Plan. It also states that the proposed Urban Residential-4 (UR-4) zoning is consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan. However, page 55 of the 2015 Comprehensive Plan states that all zoning must conform to the uses and density requirements set forth in the Future Land Use Map. When areas are to be rezoned, the uses and densities permitted within the zoning district must be compatible with the ranges presented in that land use category in the Comprehensive Plan. The property is clearly designated as Residential Neighborhood-1 on page 65 of the Future Use Land Map. Such zoning allows a maximum density of 3.5 units per acre. The proposed UR-4 zoning, which has a maximum density of 14.5 units per acre, is not compatible with the Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, a request to amend the Comprehensive Plan map must accompany the application. No such request accompanied the Liberty petition.  

 Second, the SEQRA form attached to the rezoning petition fails to analyze the full set of uses that are permitted under UR-4 zoning. If the City Council were to rezone this 30-acre parcel to UR-4, many other uses in addition to housing would be permitted. These include private schools, hotels (20 rooms or less), lodging houses, adult care facilities, children’s homes, community centers, day care facilities, churches, social clubs, shelters, rooming houses, and other uses not permitted in the existing zone, as well as higher density residential units.  The SEQRA form needs to evaluate the potential environmental impacts from the full list of uses allowed by the UR-4 zoning, not just for a  housing development. The SEQRA form needs to be amended to address that omission.

Because of these two procedural errors, specifically, the failure to include a request to amend the Comprehensive Plan map and the incomplete SEQRA assessment, the application should not be advanced through a “merit for review” vote.  

 In addition to the procedural flaws, we also have concerns about the Liberty zoning amendment application on substantive grounds.  

Our first substantive concern about the application is that the City Council does not have the authority to specify that only affordable housing can be built on the property if it is rezoned to UR-4. To try to do so would constitute “contract zoning”, which is not permitted by state law. The City Council is being asked to rezone the property, hoping that it will be developed as affordable housing but, in reality, opening this parcel to any UR-4 development.  If the applicant fails to obtain federal or state funding for affordable housing or abandons the project for another reason, the UR-4 zoning would allow the applicant to sell or use the property for any of the other UR-4 uses allowed by the Unified Development Ordinance. Although a restrictive deed could perhaps restrict the property for use only as affordable housing, no such deed has been proposed by Liberty.

Second, while Liberty may intend to apply for federal funding for affordable housing if they are granted the requested zoning amendment, there is no guarantee that they will receive such funding. If the project does not receive federal funding, the zoning change to UR-4 would allow the property to be developed in any manner permitted in that zone. By amending the zoning the city loses its ability to control development on that parcel. It cannot rescind the zoning change if the applicant fails to obtain federal funding, or make the change conditional on the developer obtaining federal funding for affordable housing. Once the parcel is rezoned, if the applicant does not receive the affordable housing grants it seeks, the parcel likely will be developed to its most financially lucrative potential within UR-4 parameters.    

Third, the allowable densities proposed in the amendment are inconsistent with the development 

of much of the surrounding area. The project parcel’s current zoning designation allows primarily for the development of low-density, single-family residential neighborhoods, applying conservation design standards. The parcel is adjacent to the city’s Greenbelt and to forested state parkland. While large multi-story apartment buildings might be appropriate in one of our downtown Transect zones, they are inappropriate on this site, which is adjacent to lower intensity development and which contains significant protected wetlands.  

Finally, the Liberty application is not compatible with the city’s existing land use policy.  This is a proposal for  Comprehensive Plan and UDO amendments to accommodate a single incompatible use. Saratoga Springs’ current Comprehensive Plan was created through a long collaborative effort by a large committee appointed by the City Council. The planning process spanned many months and included substantial public participation. Changes to the Comprehensive Plan should only be made through the same process, involving the entire community in a comprehensive look at the future development of the entire city. Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan should be made sparingly and judiciously, and not for the purpose of promoting a single application.  

Looking at the bigger picture, we strongly believe there are better ways to address the city’s affordable housing needs than the apartment complex proposed by Liberty. Large developments dedicated exclusively to “workforce housing” have the undesirable consequence of segregating the city by income, rather than integrating such housing into existing neighborhoods and new mixed-income developments. That said, we are willing to consider supporting less diverse housing projects that help address this major need but only if they are in a location that’s consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s “city in the country” vision that is responsible for so much of this City’s success and uniqueness. 

We hope the City Council will carefully review this proposal and consider the broader implications of the proposed amendments. 

Thank you for considering our comments. 

Sincerely, 

Dianna Goodwin and Laura Rappaport, Co-Chairs

 

Read more about our Land Use and Urban Planning work

 

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]]> Tree Toga 2022 plants 53 more trees for the next generation https://sustainablesaratoga.org/tree-toga-2022/ Wed, 04 May 2022 15:42:00 +0000 http://67.225.138.178/~sustainable/?p=7999 April 30, 2022 – There was not a cloud in the sky on Saturday as more than 160 volunteers came together to add 53 more large-growing shade trees to the urban forest in Saratoga Springs, bringing the total to 338 trees since 2014. The event was organized by our Urban Forestry Project and in partnership

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Tree Toga 2022 volunteers

April 30, 2022 – There was not a cloud in the sky on Saturday as more than 160 volunteers came together to add 53 more large-growing shade trees to the urban forest in Saratoga Springs, bringing the total to 338 trees since 2014. The event was organized by our Urban Forestry Project and in partnership with the City of Saratoga Springs.

Volunteers assembled at Pitney Meadows Community Farm for camaraderie and a planting tutorial from retired DEC Forester and our longtime volunteer Rick Fenton before dispersing around town to plant the trees. “We want to thank Pitney Meadows Community Farm for being gracious hosts of the event this year, Allerdice for donating the tree stakes, The Bread Basket Bakery for donating refreshments, and Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar for donating a portion of their proceeds on Saturday afternoon,” said Caroline Rothaug, chair of Sustainable Saratoga’s Urban Forestry Project. In addition to planting in front of many homes, this year’s planting sites also included Vanderbilt Terrace, Jefferson Terrace, the Wilton YMCA and Pitney Meadows Community Farm.

Tree Toga tree planting demonstration
Tom Denny gives a short orientation and Russ Pittenger welcomes them to the planting crew!
Youth2 volunteers planting a tree
Youth 2 volunteers planting trees
Volunteers, including students from Youth Squared, planted trees at Pitney Meadows Community Farm. 

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the climate mitigation role of urban trees – improving air quality, decreasing stormwater runoff, and reducing air temperatures on hot summer days. Large-growing trees provide greater benefits than their smaller counterparts, and when planted along streets, they help to reduce the amount of water entering our stormwater drains and extend the life of city streets. Some of the trees planted this year include Kentucky Coffeetree, Tulip Tree, Basswood, Sweetgum, and Hackberry. These newly planted trees will be nurtured and cared for by the homeowners for all to enjoy for generations to come.

We urge you to consider planting a tree in your yard this year. Spring is a great time to plant a tree. “Trees provide many benefits to a homeowner – they can increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, and provide inviting shade on those hot summer days,” says Wendy Mahaney, Executive Director of Sustainable Saratoga. Our Urban Forestry group recommends planting a variety of trees that are adapted to our area and that provide food and shelter for a variety of pollinators, birds and other wildlife. You can find a wealth of practical information on selecting, planting, and caring for trees on our website.

Head over to our Facebook page to see even more Tree Toga photos.

Three trees were planted on Evergreen Drive.
The planting crew on Horseshoe Drive.
Three trees were added along Robin Hood Court.
Tree Toga is enjoyed by planters of all ages.
Two trees were planted at both Jefferson and Vanderbilt Terraces, continuing a long partnership with the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority.

Sustainable Saratoga promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources through education, advocacy and action. We provide educational resources that people can use to make informed decisions that affect everyday life, advocate for sustainable policies and programs, and empower our community to take action. 

Please consider making a donation today. Your gift supports community events like Tree Toga, Repair Café, and Saratoga Recycles Day, educational events like our composting resources, and supports our advocacy to protect open spaces and address the climate crisis. You can help make our community a more sustainable place for current and future generations to enjoy. Leave a lasting legacy for future generations by donating today.

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