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Planning Commission recommends changing 19.96-acre parcel at Crossroads and Pioneer from regional commercial to business park
Summary
The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission voted 3–2 to forward a recommendation approving a general-plan amendment that would reserve a 19.96-acre property at Crossroads Boulevard and Pioneer Crossing for future business-park use; commissioners debated the long-term need for office space versus housing and impacts on adjacent homes.
The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission voted 3–2 to forward a recommendation to the City Council to change the General Plan land-use designation of a 19.96-acre property at Crossroads Boulevard and Pioneer Crossing from regional commercial to business park.
City planning staff described the proposal as a council-led follow-up to earlier adjustments in the area. A staff presenter said the change is intended to “reserve some space” for future office development and to “not lose some of our business park zoning that we have in place,” adding the property would remain agricultural until a developer moves forward and the business-park designation would guide future development.
The change drew split reaction from commissioners. Commissioner Bostick Burns said she had viewed the site in person and was concerned about introducing tall buildings next to existing houses, arguing “putting businesses into that area doesn't feel like the — the vibe, for better words, of what Saratoga Springs should be feeling like,” and that tall buildings would not “sit right” next to nearby homes.
Commissioner Mann urged caution about long-term demand for office space, saying there has been “a massive decline in the need and the desire for business parks and office space use” and noting growth in remote work. Mann said the city faces a housing shortage and that the land might better serve housing needs unless there is evidence of future office demand.
Planning staff and other commissioners responded that general-plan designations are intended to guide long-term growth rather than reflect current market conditions. A staff member noted that some existing nearby development is in business-park zones and that reserves of business-park land are needed for future local jobs and to reduce commuter traffic.
Commissioners also discussed differences between the zones: business park allows taller buildings (staff said about 75 feet, roughly six stories) while regional commercial generally allows 50 feet. Staff noted that when business park is adjacent to residential zones, required setbacks equal the height of the building, which affects how tall development would be placed relative to homes.
The planning commission motion recommended approval “with the findings and conditions in the staff report.” The formal vote on the motion was recorded as 3 in favor and 2 opposed; no roll-call vote names were recorded in the transcript excerpts provided.
If the Council approves the amendment later in the process, staff said the property would remain in agricultural zoning until an application to develop is submitted, at which point the general-plan designation would support business-park development.
The item was city initiated; the staff report and exhibit A were cited as the basis for the recommendation. The Planning Commission forwarded the recommendation to the City Council for final decision.
