Ballston Spa trustees review proposed zoning code draft, debate ADUs, lot sizes, parking and special permits

Ballston Spa trustees and staff met in a special session to review a proposed rewrite of the village zoning code and to identify topics that need further work before the draft goes to the planning board and a public hearing.

The discussion focused on residential rules including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), proposed minimum lot-size reductions, how to treat large “planned development” options versus an overlay district for specific properties, parking and stormwater implications, and rules for signs and open space. Trustees and staff agreed to narrow outstanding items for follow-up and to schedule at least one additional meeting before the draft advances.

The draft prompted repeated calls from trustees for clearer definitions and more targeted standards. Trustee Bernadette said she wanted downtown first-floor office uses limited, arguing that “First Floor office be by special permit. I don't want too many offices taking up ground level retail space.” Trustee Ben pressed to keep ADUs in the code and to move them forward with the zoning update: “keep the accessory dwelling unit section in and pass it along with the zoning. There's no reason to wait,” he said. Ben also proposed limiting the…