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Commission sends Mount Saratoga Village Plan 4 (Overlook) to council with conditions; includes large native open space and trails
Summary
Planning commissioners recommended approval of Village Plan 4 (Overlook) for Mount Saratoga, covering about 69 acres with roughly 120 residential units, 27 acres of native open space, and about 4,600 feet of trails; staff added a wildland‑urban‑interface condition to require a 30‑foot defensible space.
The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission on Feb. 27 voted to forward a recommendation to approve the Mount Saratoga Village Plan 4 (Overlook), a final village plan that staff said conforms to the previously approved community plan.
Senior Planner Roy presented the proposal, describing approximately 69 total acres, of which about 41 acres are planned for residential use and roughly 27 acres as open space. The plan calls for about 120 residential units (approximately 1.74 units per acre) and a trail network of about 4,600 feet, with a mix of paved and unpaved trails and several exercise stations and a natural boulder playground.
Roy and the applicant noted much of the land is steep and will remain native open space; the commission added a staff condition to require compliance with the wildland‑urban interface provisions, including a roughly 30‑foot buffer between structures and vegetation on hillsides, to reduce wildfire risk. The staff presentation also identified 2.8 acres of “sensitive” land defined on this project as slopes of 30% or greater.
Applicant Brandon Watson of Edge Homes described the village as the final phase of Mount Saratoga and emphasized the desire to preserve the hillside views while providing trails and recreational features. Commissioners and staff discussed maintenance and common concerns with large native open spaces — including unauthorized bike jumps, small‐scale dumping, and rodent habitat — and staff said code enforcement and periodic maintenance would address many issues.
Commissioner Mann moved to forward the Village Plan 4 (Overlook) recommendation with the staff findings and conditions; Commissioner Wheldon seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote recorded as unanimous.
The recommendation will move to City Council. The staff packet includes detailed conditions and the development plan; engineering and drainage details, and any required utility or road connections, will be addressed during subsequent plan and plat stages.
