Planning commission forwards Title 19 cleanup to align lot sizes, add mixed‑use arterial setback

The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission on July 16 voted to forward a recommendation that the City Council approve a city‑initiated amendment to Title 19 of the land development code to correct inconsistencies in minimum lot sizes and to consolidate an arterial setback requirement into the mixed‑use zoning table.

Senior planner explained the amendment has two parts: it updates the land‑use table so the minimum lot size entries match the zoning district definitions and adds the setback language to the mixed‑use district so it is consistent with other nonresidential zones. The planner said R‑140’s minimum lot size was updated in the table from “1 acre” to “40,000 square feet” and R‑120’s minimum was changed from “14,000 square feet” to “20,000 square feet” to match the district definitions.

Commissioners asked about a 105‑foot arterial setback that appeared large when measured from the center line. The planner and the director explained that the measurement is taken from the arterial center line to preserve an existing or anticipated roughly 30‑foot trail corridor and associated landscaping; that method means the requirement effectively adds about 15 feet of buffer compared with measuring from variable property lines. "This is to preserve that corridor," the senior planner said, describing the intent to keep room for trails along arterial roads.

Following the presentation and a public hearing in which no members of the public spoke, Commissioner Hill moved to forward the amendment with the findings and conditions in the staff report; the motion passed by voice vote.

The commission’s recommendation will now go to the City Council for final action. Staff noted that the staff report includes findings and conditions; the council packet will contain the full redlined code language and the staff report details.