Residents continue to share concerns about hospital’s proposed construction
Saratoga Hospital has proposed construction of an office building and a large parking garage
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> As is often the case at municipal meetings, although there are many itemized topics to be addressed on the bi-weekly agenda, often one or two items seem to command resident response and participation. Tuesday night’s City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting was no exception.
Over the past several months, residents determined to fight Saratoga Hospital’s proposed construction of an office building and a large parking garage on the sole remaining undeveloped parcel in close proximity to the hospital campus have attended both the City Council and the Planning Board meeting faithfully, often carrying signs with slogans such as “Save Our Neighborhoods, and “Neighbors to Hospital: Do No Harm.”
Saratoga Hospital officials, including Saratoga Hospital President and CEO Angelo G. Calbone, and marketing representatives have done the same in support of their mission and once again, both factions were heard in a public comment period and during the response to item 2 on this week’s agenda.
City Attorney Vincent DeLeonardis provided a review and updated the City Council members on the various Planning Board’s advisory recommendations in the effort to move toward crafting a final Unified Development Ordinance that would be fully in compliance with the city’s comprehensive plan.
DeLeonardis: “In March, Camiros Ltd. came and presented proposed changes to the zoning map in an effort to bring our zoning into alignment with the Comprehensive Plan. The zoning map consisted of 18 proposed changes. In April of this year, the City Council voted unanimously to send those proposed changes to both the County and City Planning Boards for advisory opinions.
“On April 30, we received a written opinion of the proposed change that was favorable from the County Planning Board and on June 24, after multiple meetings and hearings with the public, we received the opinion from the City Planning Board, which ultimately determined that 17 of the 18 proposed changes were consistent with the comprehensive plan and not contrary to the city zoning ordinance.
“The one portion of the zoning map they did not find consistent with the comprehensive plan was #17, the area at West Circular Street and Railroad Run areas, saying it should be designated as Parkland - Recreation, or UR3.
“The area identified on the map as #1, while the City Planning Board determined it was consistent with the comprehensive plan, they recommended that [they] take a look at possibly zoning it as OMB1 as an alternative. That’s the determination that’s now before you.”
He stated that consultants Camiros, LTD. is progressing with the UDO. The anticipated draft zoning document is expected by the end of the summer.
Attorney Claudia Braymer represents several resident groups who have organized to fight a legal battle with Saratoga Hospital to contest the hospital’s plans in their residential neighborhood. Those residents total well over 100 at present.
The following statements are those of several residents immediately impacted by the project proposed by Saratoga Hospital:
Claudia Braymer, Esq: “We will continue to advocate for the City Council to reject the zoning change to the residential neighborhood. We hope that the council will press pause on this process instead of pushing forward with the hospital’s agenda.”
Jack Despart: “I live directly across the street from the proposed office building. If this project is approved, it will cause the value of my home to decrease by 40-50 percent. They have plans to widen Morgan Street and take 6 to 8 feet of my property which will require removal of the trees in front of my house.
“When that is finished, I won’t be able to park cars in my driveway or get in or out. They then plan to put a four-way stop sign on the corner which will have traffic backed up in front of my house all day, stopping and starting.
“Let’s remember these gentlemen are not Mother Teresa; they are businessmen and nothing else. If any other business tried to get these changes approved there would be no chance.”
Dennis Hultay: “I believe Saratoga Hospital’s purchase of D.A.Collins’ property this past Wednesday was done out of frustration due to the neighborhood opposition they have received, and because they believe the $3.17 million purchase will give them an advantage in achieving their goals.
“However, that frustration is equally shared by the residents who live in the single-family neighborhood they wish to destroy, and who essentially have been characterized by the hospital as ‘deplorables’ for standing in their way.
“All along, the hospital has publicized only half of what they intend to do with the 16 residential acres from D.A. Collins, along Morgan Street and the Golf Course.
“Attorney Matt Jones prepared and Saratoga Hospital Vice President Ronanye signed an amendment to their Hospital PUD (Planned Unit Development) with the city in August 2015 at a cost of $2,600, which clearly states their intent to build 42 residences for their employees on the other half of the property along the Golf Course, instead of along residential Morgan Street.
“The irony of the hospital’s scheme to encircle all the single-family homes to the south on Morgan Street, Myrtle Street and Woodland Court, with parking lots and an Office complex, while reserving golf course views for their own residences is beyond the pale.”
Barbara Hultay: “It is the hospital’s unmitigated gall, and the city of Saratoga’s complicity in this scheme that has incensed and motivated the area residents to reach into their own pockets and hire an attorney to protect their neighborhood and property rights, something the city of Saratoga Springs has so woefully failed to do!
“The purchase of the D.A.Collins property doesn’t change anything for those of us who oppose the hospital’s documented, but unpublicized plans for the other half of the property. If the hospital cared about their neighbors, they would keep Morgan Street residential, build the 42 residences for their employees on Morgan Street, and build their Office complex with parking lots along the golf course, north of their Dialysis center & existing parking lots on the west side of Myrtle Street.
“I have attached two pdf files (see files attached online) which come from the Hospital’s 2015 PUD amendment filed with the city. Sometimes pictures are worth a 1,000 words.
“This is how this will impact me personally:
“It will change the character of my neighborhood in a negative and irreversible manner. This project is a behemoth. It will tower over everything else in this neighborhood.
“This humongous office complex will cut our neighborhood in half, and it will separate and divide our long-standing neighborhood. The families with homes on Morgan Street, Woodland Court and Myrtle Ave., will become an island unto themselves, isolated from the rest of us forever.
“The hospital has only revealed what they are doing with 8.5 acres. What are their plans for the other 8 areas? How tall will the buildings there be? How many square feet? How much more parking will be needed?
“The environmental impact hasn’t even been discussed, and it could be severe and negative. The blasting that will be required could damage neighboring homes and apartments; the additional traffic on the residential streets will make the neighborhood roads congested and dangerous, bulldozing, flattening the land and paving it will create water problems, there will be lighting that will be distracting and shine into some nearby homes, etc.
“I never thought I would find myself in a situation like this. I did not want to have to hire legal counsel, but felt the city left me with no other recourse. I am grateful that just about all my neighbors feel the same way I do and we have come together as a community to try to stop this. We are not just a “couple of neighbors” as the hospital likes to say. Just drive around our streets; almost every home has a SAVEMORGANSTREET.COM sign.”
Peter J. Shea: “As a 20-year resident of Birch Run, I’m disappointed to see the hospital already paying over $3 million for property just assuming that the proposed zoning change is already approved, when it’s not.
“Despite comments at tonight’s City Council meeting suggesting that it’s simply their fiduciary responsibility to make this purchase that’s clearly questionable. Unless hospital board mem
bers knew that the proposal would be approved, it would, in fact, be irresponsible to make this purchase.
“There is no approved plan for this very large project on the city’s last green space and yet the hospital has already spent the money to acquire the property. All city residents should be concerned about the odd nature of what is meant to be due process in these matters.”
Dave Evans, Saratoga Concerned Neighbors: “Displaying complete disrespect for the city review and approval process and the concerns of its neighbors, Saratoga Hospital has completed the purchase of 15 acres of residential land on which it plans to build a massive medical office building for which it has none of the necessary approvals.
“The timing is notable. The Saratoga Springs City Council has not approved the controversial zoning change that is required for the project to go forward.
“No permits or approvals have been issued for the building itself, yet Saratoga Hospital has chosen to move ahead in what appears to be an attempt to pressure the city into approving both the zoning change and the project, despite strenuous neighborhood objections and significant negative impacts to a historic residential neighborhood.
“Throughout this process, the hospital has sought to dismiss the legitimate objections of its neighbors and economic harm they will suffer (reduced property values and reduced resale values), not to mention the loss of privacy, if their longstanding residential neighborhood is converted to an office park.
“By buying the land and issuing a news release to announce it, the hospital is maximizing its pressure on the City Council to approve the project. This raises the question whether the City Council and other agencies can and will act independently and conduct the thorough review that the law requires and every Saratogian expects. This arrogant, high-handed conduct is not what one would expect from an institution that serves our community.
“The next step is to expose the flawed Comprehensive Plan process that included Parcel 1 in the first place and hope that the Mayor and City Council come to their senses. It was hastily added and voted on without any discussion, after a long meeting.
“Anyone looking at the video of this meeting can clearly see the chaos that took place. The recent primary win by Patty Morrison should be evidence enough that this zoning issue goes far beyond the boundaries of the hospital neighborhood, the greater Saratoga Springs community is demanding transparency and accountability.
“If the City Council votes to approve this zoning change, we are armed and ready for a legal battle.”
Eileen Guarino: “I understand the concept for the hospital plan, however, if any one of the hospital executives or board of directors or lived or owned in the beautiful Birch Run community, they would feel our pain. Several unnecessary comments have been made that the Birch Run homeowners have to have regard for Saratoga Hospital growth.”
Tim Riley: “There are over 100 homeowners opposed to the rezoning of this 15 acres of residential land from UR1, single-family homes to OMB-2. We haven’t found one homeowner in the greater neighborhood except DA Collins, who sold the land to the hospital that is in favor of the rezoning.
Pamela and Dave Bruno: “When my husband and I bought our retirement home in Birch Run we purchased for the proximity to the city and the feel of the country. We want our retirement years to be peaceful and quiet. We did expect the undeveloped land to be developed single-family homes. Never did we imagine the City Council would change the residential zoning and a huge medical building and parking lot would be substituted.”