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Van Wagner stressed that there was no timetable for the Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) to finish its work. The most optimistic estimate is that it might be completed by the end of the year, but Van Wagner noted that “we’re not even close.” The finished plan, whenever it occurs, will then be sent to the Saratoga Springs City Council, which would go through its own public hearing process prior to voting on the plan — if it even chooses to do so.
The last point is significant in that the city’s charter requires that the council appoint a committee to examine the CPC every five years, and recommend updates as needed. The council did not act upon the product of the last review, which took place in 2006. Therefore, Van Wagner noted that this CPC was using the last approved plan, from 2001, as the departure point for its examination.
Following a concise review of the CPC’s discussions to date on some broad topic areas such as transportation, open space, recreation and housing by Jaclyn Hicks of M.J. Engineering and Land Surveying, a firm that is assisting the CPC in their efforts, the floor was open to the public.
Over two dozen citizens took the opportunity to extend their input to the committee. Subjects ranged from broad philosophical topics such as factoring in the potential outcomes of the state’s casino gambling proposition on this year’s ballot, down to advocacy of establishing pocket parks in various neighborhoods.
The CPC meets every third Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Recreation Center on Vanderbilt Avenue. The public is invited to attend and there is always an opportunity to comment at each proceeding. Comments can also be emailed to Bradley Birge at the city planning office – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or comments can be directed to the CPC’s interactive website – www.engagesaratoga.com.
