As one of the residents participating in a lawsuit against the City of Saratoga Springs regarding the loca- tion of the Code Blue Shelter, and a former volunteer of the Shelters of Saratoga (SOS), I feel it is necessary to defend our position.
This is a neighborhood, zoned as residential. Rezoning this area for a “Neighborhood Rooming House” is a stretch, when the facility will be a Code Blue Shelter. The Planning Board and Zoning Board continue to use the argument that mixing the SOS population, which is alcohol and drug free, with the Code Blue population, which is not, is a good idea. However, they have offered no empirical or professional proof this is true.
Our city’s transient homeless population has increased approximately 7 times since 2014. The city is now responsible for the safety and well-being of the entire county’s homeless population, even though the city represents just 12 percent of the county’s population of 250,000. The other towns, counties, and Department of Social Services bring homeless persons to Saratoga Springs, but do they pick them up?
The city and SOS are now asking one small residential neighborhood to take on the burden of the entire county’s (and some surrounding counties’) homeless population. The members of the Planning Board have a responsibility to uphold the city’s Zoning Ordinance for the “maximum protection of residential areas” and “for ensuring that the proposed use will not adversely affect surrounding properties and community character.”
Safety and quality of life issues would exist for neighbors and their children, the Division Street Elementary School, and the public park—all just a stone’s throw away. Expensive demands would be placed on our public facilities–library and parks—and public services–police, EMS, fire department—with none of these expenses paid for by the state, county or other townships.
My neighbors and I are in full support of the mission of the Shelters of Saratoga and in building a Code Blue facility. However, we are asking for a more thoughtful location to be considered, as when the temperature is above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the Code Blue Shelter will not be open. During freezing cold days, the shelter will not be open. Where will these people go then?
Marika Murray
Saratoga Springs
