[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6625253,"mediaKeyId","2762193-30f7302fe8150bedc419aab905f755ba","parentId",2762193,"title","Ballston Spa trustees set zoning-code timeline, sparking debate over public comment method and ZAC role","audioSeconds",5678,"startMs",922000,"endMs",6600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762193-30f7302fe8150bedc419aab905f755ba&start=922&end=6600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762193-30f7302fe8150bedc419aab905f755ba/thumbnail_922000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625253/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Ballston-Spa-trustees-set-zoning-code-timeline-sparking-debate-over-public-comment-method-and-ZAC-role","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625253-c20ffa1c82a41ac95d6533e3c25dfa7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775741705&Signature=KVnBQd~E8H7m5WVzY1O8IDO807ePO89KXkII8KHVadCGVptKNKkrT4QjXlSUzwCmA4VZIi4N-xA0iQrzvvg0RYh~~KSqDz8TZRhLkSh51TpwKsbIOyPo~Bo18XGrkaVTD4mVsKddF1VcwY6rRotSFDPXs44uc-DExa~ihdLjKyxKguR-RTVXCLWMvuhGbjsHf5sHkB-lxU8C0puycT7orqJ~sOjkoidwCPkwQz3JQlDzKW4XjFMwGL269oSneq6C3A0Xek9fVR0nGEDjAje94pPMpFUCOFvoeMdBG9BK7jEzIPn~rS~1pCrkAspwSKql7-CymZdjxaTGe3wTB4Bqxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ballston Spa, NY","date","2025-03-25T14:07:07.977Z","article","Trustees for the Village of Ballston Spa reviewed a proposed timeline for adopting a new village zoning code and exchanged heated comments about how the public’s feedback should be collected and published.

The village attorney presented a schedule that would aim to complete the bulk of the code review by mid‑July, a timetable she said was driven by statutory steps and required referrals. She said the timeline assumes a public workshop on April 3, a comment period to April 21 and subsequent legal review and board consideration before any public hearing.

Why it matters: The code would replace the village’s zoning rules and affect development standards, short‑term rentals, and planned development districts. Several residents and members of the Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) told trustees they need more time to review the draft and to finish the ZAC’s work. At least two ZAC members and multiple residents said the committee had not completed its assignment and that the board should allow the ZAC to finish its recommendations before the board finalizes the code.

Residents raised concerns about the public comment method the ZAC had been using. ZAC members and commenters described a Google form/process used to collect detailed public feedback; other trustees and the village attorney said the board needs a single public record that can be posted on the village website and handled in a way that keeps personally identifying data private while still being accessible. The village attorney outlined a process used by state agencies: receive comments (by email or form), redact identifying information, paste verbatim comments into a running “findings” document, and post that document online.

Trustees and residents disagreed over whether a consultant‑hosted Google collection is sufficiently transparent or foilable (subject to Freedom of Information requests). Supporters of the Google approach said it enables easier submission and broad participation; critics said some residents lack familiarity with Google tools and worried about access and archival control. Several speakers urged the board to ensure older residents and those without internet access have a clear, accessible way to comment.

Board members acknowledged specific topics likely to need more time — short‑term rentals, accessory dwelling units and planned development districts — and said those could be handled as separate local laws if necessary. The village attorney and the consultant said they expected some items would need additional study and might follow the main code adoption on their own schedule.

The board did not adopt a final deadline at the meeting. Trustees were told the proposed timeline is a working Gantt chart and that dates could shift, but that having a target date was intended to keep the process moving rather than leaving it open‑ended.

Proponents of extended review requested at least one more explicit meeting to resolve the ZAC’s status and to let the ZAC finish any outstanding work. Some ZAC members said they had not been formally asked whether the committee considered its work completed and asked that the board invite the ZAC to complete its assignment.

What’s next: Trustees expect a public workshop and consultant presentation on April 3; the board and the attorney will continue to coordinate on how to receive, redact and post public comments and to schedule any additional meetings needed to allow the ZAC and the public adequate time for review.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees Meeting 3/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees for the Village of Ballston Spa reviewed a proposed schedule to adopt a new zoning code and debated how to collect and publish public comments.","taxTitle","Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, New York","taxId",62389,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625239,"Votes at a glance: Ballston Spa trustees approve budget hearings, park contracts, Section 8 PHA plan and routine purchases",1603,316000,1919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762193-30f7302fe8150bedc419aab905f755ba&start=316&end=1919","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762193-30f7302fe8150bedc419aab905f755ba/thumbnail_316000.jpg","/articles/6625239/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Ballston-Spa-trustees-approve-budget-hearings-park-contracts-Section-8-PHA-plan-and-routine-purchases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625239-6f5626cfcc61c37c8c2aa018d8cbf3b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775741705&Signature=TMApBWawJz1aJE6cYUKi9U36lcZ81QT0P645dBMzyBwlZuZ8zwlv69yFWbvAjrnDHp4g6rbzKqt1~7NThTxXkFEFHAjyqQ2kuDRif5c~qBjYxhTXGNuvXIrj1hqg4Sne-DPn4Rb034JvczpDPoQJ-vrT3xuYdQBcinpZWpYBwReQMoEQUr2xeAmzCxsPd1iBZwGyBmqeRrM2G28VpeRiDYcn94cC-SO5HSUiJmZKpr5ABLqDwxvMU2gEtU3Gnx6YeQ2Fi22S6GbEwbWWDdsvZgLWuCzXsa~qT3SFmVpBD5vjZlehml5yMhr1UsLkzVMjP0f7dzfm1Ouw1ZBWIy7gnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village Board of Trustees took multiple formal actions during its March 24 meeting. Below is a condensed list of motions, outcomes and key details recorded on the public record.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Minutes: Board approved minutes from the March 10 meeting with an amendment directing that a public speaker’s written statement be attached to the prior meeting minutes. Outcome: approved.

- Banking: Motion to move funds held at Generations Bank to NYCLASS (New York Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System). Outcome: approved (motion carries).

- Departmental purchases (DPW): Trustees approved multiple DPW purchases and small equipment expenditures: $3,299.99 (air compressor), $3,257.36 (leak detector), $2,630 (plate tamper), and $1,100 (plasma cutter). All motions carried.

- Special events and closures: Approved an anti‑drug procession on April 12 (12 p.m.–5 p.m.) and Grove Street closure behind the elementary school for an EMS presentation on May 20 (9:30–11:15 a.m.). Outcome: approved.

- Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher PHA plan (Resolution): The board adopted the 5‑year PHA plan for 2025 required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Board clarified the plan is a renewal and that local voucher utilization remains underused. Outcome: unanimous approval (roll call recorded as unanimous).

- Westwall/Roosevelt Park work: Approved JH Property Services estimate for walkways/pavilion base ($32,950). Motion recorded as approved (clerk announced a 3‑0‑2 tally; abstentions treated as no for the official tally but the board declared the measure approved). The board also approved Van Boesen survey work (not to exceed $3,800) and authorized advertising of Studio A pavilion bid documents; those motions passed by recorded vote.

- Public hearings: Scheduled public hearings for Monday, April 14, 2025 — one at 7:01 p.m. on a proposed local law authorizing the village to exceed the property‑tax cap for fiscal year 2026 (Local Law No. 3 of 2025) and one at 7:02 p.m. on the tentative budget for fiscal year 2026 (Village Law §508). Votes: both hearings were scheduled; the tax‑cap hearing vote was 5‑0; the tentative budget hearing was scheduled with a recorded vote of 3‑2 (with abstentions noted in the minutes).

- Other contracts and administrative items: Approved 2025 fire protection agreement with the Town of Galston (fire protection district no. 1), agreement with Auctions International for sale of surplus DPW equipment, appointment of George Long to the Committee on the Arts (to fill remainder of term), and a peddler’s permit for Cousins Seafood (food truck). All motions carried.

- Pavilion bid documents: Trustees approved advertising the bid documents prepared by Studio A for the proposed pavilion and authorized the clerk to advertise. Outcome: approved.

How the votes were recorded: Most routine items were approved by voice with a roll call recorded for larger items. Where roll call tallies were given, the transcript reflects the numbers in the minutes (e.g., 5‑0 for several items; a 3‑0‑2 notation for the Westwall Park motion was discussed and recorded). Abstentions were treated as recorded in the minutes; the clerk noted how abstentions were tabulated for that vote.

","At the March 24 meeting trustees approved a series of motions: scheduling public hearings on the tentative budget and a tax‑cap override authorization, adopting the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher PHA plan, several DPW equipment purchases, park service agreements, committee appointments, and licensing/permit items.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625244,"Trustees approve phased Westwall/Roosevelt Park work; project scope and bidding plan draw criticism from trustees and professionals",71,2025000,2096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762193-30f7302fe8150bedc419aab905f755ba&start=2025&end=2096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762193-30f7302fe8150bedc419aab905f755ba/thumbnail_2025000.jpg","/articles/6625244/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Trustees-approve-phased-WestwallRoosevelt-Park-work-project-scope-and-bidding-plan-draw-criticism-from-trustees-and-professionals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625244-fea2d556c30a322187d58552c7b5b0bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775741705&Signature=hk0lfGHDFWskczJ5zXzobXOwnsqFon7G5xmWtuh0EaBSg~-kjqF8Z8t7DA9tI-0AvItNF3O69wiEesS3d9cN19Su~TJqoyonhIE~0mAn5W0xq6B2RL49qUqyuAGeDWCxaUOYVJIgCus30CaiZ7B4MYgMgVV5Rzx3oafisb1DQp6wr8qiu4iQx87MSfUTBTBiirfGaZY~POondPdKiXmg1Nn0jOkAtA3igMDj~XGBer2lmvLLdQwRdg6OKWzC~tJ7ImbeSnV9Yyl3bWGHZKO4DVhy3LuucMos4E-j3Z404Fn3YzeFOG6-Je2HafDDSz2iiDg0IFYNSo1TIq0RS6LV7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees authorized initial survey and early construction work for Westwall (Roosevelt) Park and approved bid documents that will launch procurement for a proposed pavilion, but the board heard extended criticism about the project delivery approach.

What moved: The board voted to approve an estimate from JH Property Services for public‑works services related to Westwall Park walkways and a pavilion base, not to exceed $32,950, and approved a separate proposal from Van Boesen and Steve's Land Surveyors for survey work in Westwall Park not to exceed $3,800. The board also authorized staff to advertise bid documents for a pavilion (an anticipated future RFP of approximately $60,000 for the pavilion structure) prepared by Studio A.

Concerns raised: Several trustees and a community member with project‑management experience argued the village is piecemealing the work rather than issuing a single general‑contract bid with stamped plans and specifications. Comments from a project professional warned the bid package lacked engineering and specification details — for example, concrete PSI, compaction rates for base materials, paver laying details and conduit routing — and said proceeding without stamped plans increases liability and could drive up costs. Trustees also debated whether electrical conduit and National Grid service work will be properly coordinated with paving and pavilion construction.

Supporters said the work is being split into two phases to deliver the elements needed for summer programming, including farmers markets and movies, and to allow village crews and subcontractors to complete items that can be finished this season. The village indicated a larger pavilion contract will require a formal RFP and appropriate bid documentation.

Vote outcomes: The motion to approve the JH Property Services estimate passed with a 3‑0‑2 recorded result (abstentions were counted as no’s for the tabulation per clerk’s announcement, and the item was approved). The survey proposal and advertising of pavilion bid documents passed by roll call unanimous votes where recorded.

What’s next: Staff will finalize the bid documents for the pavilion, proceed with the survey work, coordinate electrical needs for the fountain and pavilion with National Grid, and continue phased park improvements in concert with Studio A and the Park & Tree board. Trustees asked staff to ensure stamped plans and detailed specifications accompany any major construction contracts going forward.

","Board approved a roughly $32,950 survey/initial work package for Westwall Park and authorized bid documents for Roosevelt Park pavilion, while trustees and a local project manager warned the plans lack stamped engineering drawings and detailed specifications.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625249,"Ballston Spa mayor presents 2025 tentative budget with $12.5M capital plan; trustees press for more board involvement",1061,3413000,4474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762193-30f7302fe8150bedc419aab905f755ba&start=3413&end=4474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762193-30f7302fe8150bedc419aab905f755ba/thumbnail_3413000.jpg","/articles/6625249/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Ballston-Spa-mayor-presents-2025-tentative-budget-with-125M-capital-plan-trustees-press-for-more-board-involvement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625249-633e55bec225f189aa286b589964f512/orig.mp4?Expires=1775741705&Signature=lm67N2JsSqUcLPdDWoBVBCqauHEnAwOYySLrVp9fzP5WksHQiw5Srvqte1~mv8aOC3TbL2cIZWKbwt0pr~eq3BqDnH9HvUcV3PCxonLKmenilLXdGSel2WDsfY7h3wXfc30NsoGjZmg4N2cfh61RG76sM2p9HLL9E0SIU--61PQmCBBsVueVMr6JCgSpWBn909NJD29mdJs7mZ7NtNy9egJIR6Lm0aLmbUPdityPjCwThhD959cK8ib2mC323OjSpDk0blz8oN1BIA2ATI58y0GCstzi-uy26QB8O-SGrZfzVsOnwyVHPidPMbCo~GtyRVzHIcscdHJFe~sO55B81w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The village mayor presented a tentative budget and an accompanying capital plan that would total roughly $12.5 million and cover multiple infrastructure priorities, from a new Department of Public Works building to replacement fire apparatus and water‑tower work.

The mayor said the capital list includes: a DPW facility replacement (demolition and rebuild estimated in the vicinity of $4 million), replacement fire apparatus including a pumper and a ladder truck ($3.5 million), work on three water towers ($1.75 million), a sidewalk loan/reimbursement pool ($1 million), renovations to the municipal building ($750,000), renovations/sale‑leaseback plans for 30 Bath Street ($500,000), library construction/match ($2.5 million), park improvements including two parks and pool surfacing, and other items. He described funding sources as a mix of fund balance drawdown, water‑rate revenue for towers, possible debt, grants and other external funding sources.

The mayor said, in a “worst case” scenario — assuming no additional grants or legislative assistance — the village could cover the plan with a long‑term borrowing package amortized over 25 years, which would require approximately a 2–2.5% annual property‑tax increase for five to six years. He called that a preliminary worst‑case planning number and urged trustees to pursue grants and other revenue to reduce the tax impact.

Trustees pushed back, saying the board had not been involved sufficiently in drafting the tentative budget and asking for more time and more detailed backup data (the mayor said he would provide the verbose backup sheets and the “waterfalls” that break down line items). Trustees also pressed for Excel or spreadsheet versions of budget backup so they could model adjustments; the mayor said he would provide the detailed backup as PDF and waterfall summaries but declined to circulate an unlocked master Excel file, citing version control concerns.

The mayor also described recommended changes in utility rates to move storm‑sewer costs back to the general fund structure. He said the proposal would lower the sewer rate by about 15% for in‑village sewer users while increasing in‑village water charges by 7.5% to maintain fund balance and to fund water‑tower work and other infrastructure needs.

Trustees and residents debated schedule and transparency. Several trustees said prior administrations had involved the full board earlier in proposed budgets, and they asked for additional workshops with department heads; the mayor said he would schedule workshops and provide the more detailed backup over the coming week.

What’s next: Trustees approved scheduling a public hearing on the tentative budget (required by Village Law) for April 14 and agreed to set at least one budget workshop so trustees can meet with departments to review proposed expenditures and debt plans. The mayor and staff said they will provide more detailed spreadsheet‑style backup to support board review.

","Mayor presented a tentative budget that includes a 12.5 million dollar capital plan covering a new DPW facility, fire apparatus, water towers and parks. Mayor said worst‑case financing would require a 2–2.5% annual tax increase for 5–6 years; trustees complained about limited early involvement in budget drafting and asked for detailed backup.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ballston Spa trustees set zoning-code timeline, sparking debate over public comment method and ZAC role

Votes at a glance: Ballston Spa trustees approve budget hearings, park contracts, Section 8 PHA plan and routine purchases

Trustees approve phased Westwall/Roosevelt Park work; project scope and bidding plan draw criticism from trustees and professionals

Ballston Spa mayor presents 2025 tentative budget with $12.5M capital plan; trustees press for more board involvement