City of Saratoga Springs Comprehensive Plan Update

So, what is a Comprehensive Plan?

The Policy that sets forth the Citys vision and the roadmap for how to get there.

Recreation/Trail Connections Vibrant Downtown

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Historic Preservation

Redevelopment & Tourism

Open Space Preservation

Establishing New Mixed Use Neighborhoods

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Why Update Plan Now?

Updating our Comprehensive Plan will guide future development of our City in the Country and promote sustainability for future generations. As stated in The Saratoga Springs Comprehensive Plan, 2001: Sustainable development is development that enhances economic opportunity and community well being while protecting the amenities upon which our economy and community depend.
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Why Update Plan Now? (continued)

City Charter calls for a review not necessarily changes - every 5 years Current Comprehensive Plan is from 2001

City has experienced both economic boom and recession Changes in Residential and Commercial development

Why Update Plan Now? (continued)

Need report card of current Comprehensive Plan

Whats worked well What needs improvement

Leverage past successes for future gains Evaluate growth within identified development areas Preserve and enhance green space in midst of expected growth Consider new policy areas

Regional & National Context Energy use & demand Arts & Culture

Address new challenges

Global Foundries, horse racing industry, possible casino gambling

The Updated Comp Plan will

Address key areas of need

Economic Development (How do we keep our economy strong, taxes low and maintain services?) Utilities and Public Safety (Are sewer and infrastructure adequate for current and future needs?) Open Space and Recreation (How do we preserve for future generations?) Housing (Is it adequate to meet the needs of all our residents?) Transportation (How do we improve access for all persons?)

The Updated Comp Plan will.(continued)

Streamline existing City Policies into one incorporated Plan:

GAPS committee work Open Space Plan adopted 1994, updated in 2002; ripe for updating (e.g. Greenbelt Trails effort underway) Historic Preservation Plan Complete Streets Policy Citys Climate Smart Community pledge & policies ICLEI Cool Cities Urban Forestry Master Plan Now in process Stormwater and Green Infrastructure
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Reduce Zoning Amendments, use variance requests

The Updated Comp Plan will.(continued)

Preserve/enhance

historic assets Strengthen City and Country components Strategically position City for future opportunities Facilitate public-private cost sharing and partnerships
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So, how do we achieve our goal to update the Comp Plan?

Put together diverse and talented members who overlap areas of focus
Professional affiliation Community involvement

Not intended to be exhaustive in membership

Broad-based representation Ability to reach consensus

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Needs to be right-sized to be efficient

Consultant and Committee Member Qualifications

Transportation - Complete Streets - Parking Utilities & Public Safety - Stormwater Management - Energy Systems Open Space & Recreation Historic Preservation Arts & Culture Housing Economic Development - Tourism - Regional Context

- Neighborhoods

Jackie Hakes, AICP

Margaret Irwin Bill Sprengnether, RLA Sonny Bonacio Samantha Bosshart Dennis Brobston Alane Ball Chinian Casey Holzworth James Letts Oksana Ludd - ZBA Michael Piccirrillo Steven Rowland - DRC Todd Shimkus Cliff Van Wagner - PB Charles Wait Michael West

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How do we engage and involve the community in the process?

Reach out to all Community Groups

Special Assessment Districts (Downtown SAD, West Ave. SAD) Downtown Business Association Neighborhood Associations (Southwest, Westside, Northside, Eastside, Maple Dell/Marion Ave., Morgan St./Birch Run HOA, Lake Lonely, Saratoga Lake, South Broadway) Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District Saratoga Springs School District Saratoga Springs Housing Authority Shelters of Saratoga Saratoga County Planning Board
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Reach out to all Community Groups (continued)

Sustainable Saratoga Saratoga PLAN NYRA Saratoga Equine Sports Center Educational Facilities (Skidmore, Empire State College) Saratoga Spa State Park Cultural Facilities (SPAC, Yaddo) Large Employers (Saratoga Hospital, Wesley Health Center, Grande Industrial Park) Neighboring Communities (Wilton, Milton, Saratoga, Greenfield, Malta) Saratoga Casino and Gaming Beekman Arts District Saratoga County Affordable Housing Coalition Saratoga Springs Senior Center Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation
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How to get the word out

Accessibility to public

Monthly committee meetings open to the public and webcast on the Citys website

Stakeholder meetings on focused areas of interest (e.g. housing, sustainability, etc.) Periodic City Council updates
Formal Public Hearings
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Engaging the Public to achieve results

Urban Forestry Tree Survey

Complete Streets workshop

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Engaging the Public to achieve results (continued)

Concentrated public participation effort

Ensures broad community participation

Multi-day public workshops

maximize public engagement in an efficient, results-oriented process http://www.mindmixer.com/ A specific interactive website to share project information Encourage engagement Get public/stakeholder feedback Convenient (anywhere/anytime) involvement
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Web-based public engagement tool

For your convenience, You can be involved any time, 24/7..

For example, the following is what will be available online:

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Why we need a consultant

Full-time dedication to plan development assistance through to adoption Streamlined process, focused time frame Specialization in Comprehensive Plan development - in particular with similar approach and like-communities Expertise in facilitation, conflict resolution, consensus building Experience in innovative planning practices Objective perspective coupled with local knowledge Collective Resources

GIS mapping capabilities Infrastructure assessment Fiscal analysis Strong graphical representation Required environmental analysis

Funding included within current adopted budget

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Why this consultant team?

Collective resources - 3 firms bring comprehensive expertise Extensive experience in community visioning and public participation facilitation Extensive knowledge of City & local conditions and processes

Strong experience in transportation and infrastructure assessment

Well-versed in innovative and long-term community sustainability efforts Creative budget approach & best overall value to City

Fiscal analysis Conceptual neighborhood plan Assistance to adoption

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Selected Consultant Team-3 Firms

MJ Engineering/River Street Planning/Cardinal Direction Landscape Architecture

Jackie Hakes, AICP; Project Manager - MJ Engineering;

Certified community planner with over 12 yrs. of professional experience in public and private sectors Former City Principal Planner Chair, Complete Streets Advisory Board Volunteer and former Board member of Saratoga PLAN Volunteer with Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation events committee

Margaret Irwin, Founder, Principal & Owner - River Street Planning;

Nearly 30 yrs. of experience in community planning, economic development, community consensus building, mediation and strategic planning.

Bill Sprengnether, RLA, LEED AP - Cardinal Direction Landscape Architecture;

City consultant for Urban Forestry Management Plan GAPS committee member Former Co-Chair, Sustainable Saratoga member
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Next Steps

Award the contract so that we can begin

Create timeline Set Community Workshops An offer to the Council
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