Planning board issues negative SEQRA and approves RISE supportive-housing site plan with safety and drainage conditions

The Saratoga Springs Planning Board on Sept. 11 adopted a negative SEQRA (state environmental review) declaration and approved a site plan for RISE’s proposed supportive-housing development on Finley Street, contingent on several conditions intended to reduce neighborhood impacts and improve pedestrian safety.

Justin Grassi, attorney for the applicant, and Jason Dow of Lansing Engineering presented revisions the team made after earlier public hearings. Changes include enlarging a vegetated buffer along the western property line, “banking” parking so some spaces can be constructed later rather than immediately, adding pedestrian connections through an adjacent triangular parcel, and removing a previously proposed perimeter parking area to reduce pressure on nearby trees. The applicant also submitted market and operations materials intended to document low external impacts and showed a management plan that commits to 24-hour on-site staff, controlled access, security cameras and a point of contact for emergency services.

Board members and several neighbors focused on pedestrian safety along Findlay Street, where the project will create a mid-block pedestrian crossing to connect residents to services across Route 50. The Department of Public Safety recommended removing a corner crosswalk in favor of an enhanced mid-block crossing with an RRFB-style flashing beacon and advance-warning signs; the board accepted that change and added a condition that the applicant fund an improved mid-block crossing (flashing beacon and advanced-warning signage) to the satisfaction of DPS.

Engineering questions centered on drainage in the adjacent triangular parcel: the applicant pledged to work with DPW on site drainage; the board asked for a drainage plan for the triangle and for grading details at building-permit review. The board also required the applicant to identify significant trees on site and either preserve them where feasible or replace them at the caliper/DBH specified by city standards; the preservation area to the west was to remain undisturbed.

Neighbors and public-safety staff raised questions about emergency-service calls at similar RISE facilities. RISE supplied third-party market studies and internal operating data from existing RISE properties, and the applicant emphasized that staff are on-site 24 hours and that most service calls at comparable facilities occur inside the building and are handled by staff. The board noted that state and federal monitoring agencies, including New York Homes and Community Renewal, inspect these facilities and that RISE’s existing properties have positive inspection records.

The board’s formal actions included a motion and vote to adopt a negative SEQRA declaration and a subsequent motion to approve the site plan with conditions: the mid-block RRFB beacon and signage; elimination of the corner crosswalk; a drainage/grading plan for the triangular parcel coordinated with DPW; identification and replacement rules for significant trees; a requirement that final planting calipers meet city standards; and administrative review of several details by the chair and staff. The board also required RISE to provide its management plan and to maintain the listed on-site security and access measures as part of the project record.