Ballston Spa trustees adopt Pro Housing Communities pledge to qualify for NY Forward funding

The Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees on July 22 approved a Pro Housing Communities resolution and authorized the mayor to sign a certification letter of intent required for applications to the NY Forward (Empire State Development) program.

Trustee Fundanza moved to approve the resolution and the accompanying certification; Trustee Dunkelbarger seconded. After the resolution text — which lists steps such as streamlining permitting, affirmatively furthering fair housing, and increasing residential development capacity — was read into the record, roll call showed three trustees present voted in favor and two trustees were absent. The motion passed 3-0.

The resolution, the board said, is intended to make Ballston Spa eligible and competitive for NY Forward economic development and Main Street grant funds. Trustee Fundanza described the action as a compliance step: “The pro housing commitment is something that New York State is asking anybody that is applying for New York Forward funding… it’s basically just acknowledging that Ballston Spa is already pro housing,” Fundanza said, adding the pledge “is just checking the box” on policies the village already applies or plans to apply.

During public comment several residents urged caution. Karen Evan Arias said state incentives risk creating a “grant trap” that pressures denser development and shifts cleanup or developer responsibilities onto taxpayers. “Use this time to protect local zoning controls, scale down the density, and ensure the community’s safety,” Arias said. Lisa Spiedel also criticized the short notice for the special meeting and warned the village should not assume future maintenance or disposal of tower infrastructure will be cost-free.

Trust officials clarified that the NY Forward application and the state’s brownfield tax-credit program are distinct: the village’s pledge relates to NY Forward eligibility, not the tannery site’s tax-credit arrangements. Board members said the resolution will take effect immediately and that staff will transmit the certification letter to state officials so the village can proceed with grant applications within the program’s deadlines.

The board adjourned the portion of the meeting on this agenda item after approving the motion.

What’s next: the village will transmit the certification letter of intent to the Office of Homes and Community Renewal/Empire State Development and continue required staff work to complete grant applications and any additional local code or policy work identified during earlier planning studies.