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Council delays Westport Business Park Lot 4 site plan amid slope and cross‑connectivity concerns
Summary
The council continued the Lot 4 site plan for Westport Business Park after lengthy questioning about a required cross‑connectivity exception, slope differentials and potential traffic conflicts; the applicant was asked to present Lot 5 materials and clear evidence supporting the exception.
The Saratoga Springs City Council voted May 19 to continue the site‑plan review for Westport Business Park Lot 4 to a future meeting so members can review Lot 5 materials and clearer engineering evidence before deciding on a requested exception to the city’s cross‑connectivity standard.
Planning staff presented the Lot 4 proposal (2078 North Stagecoach Drive) and said the plan complies with code except for the interconnection requirement that ordinarily requires through‑parcel vehicular connectivity. The applicant’s representative, Mark Johnson, described the site’s constraints and told the council there is roughly 34 feet of vertical relief across the property that makes vehicular connections impracticable in places; the proposal includes pedestrian connections and shared parking to serve adjacent lots.
Council members pressed staff and the applicant on multiple points: how the retaining walls and grades would affect a connection between Lots 4 and 5; whether an additional curb cut would create traffic conflicts near the Redwood/Stagecoach intersection; and whether the slope between the lots exceeds the 30% threshold cited in the exceptions criteria. Staff reminded the council that to grant an exception under the code they must find by clear and convincing evidence that one of the enumerated exceptions applies, and that the staff report did not include proposed findings; multiple members recommended tabling until the applicant could provide the required evidence.
A motion to continue the Lot 4 site plan until Lot 5 is presented (so both parcels can be considered together) passed unanimously. The applicant indicated willingness to return with the requested materials and engineering analysis.
What to watch for next: the applicant is expected to present Lot 5 materials and further engineering analysis of the slope and proposed pedestrian/vehicular connections; the council requested specific findings if an exception is to be granted.
