Comprehensive Plan Committee

PRESERVING OUR PAST. CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS SHAPING OUR FUTURE. 2013 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE MEETING SUMMARY Purpose: Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) Meeting #1 Date and Time: May 14, 2013 7:00-9:00 pm Location: City Recreation Center Community Room, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue Attendees: See attached Sign-In Agenda Item Discussion Action Mayor Scott Johnson provided a brief welcome and introduction to the process. Chairman Van Wagner began the CPC introductions. Each CPC member Welcome and provided an introduction and shared any None. Introductions organizations or community activities they have been or are currently involved in. The project team also introduced themselves. Comprehensive A general overview of a comprehensive plan was Plan 101 provided by the project team. A comprehensive plan None. (PowerPoint is a broad plan that provides a future direction for a presentation – community. It is often referred to as a blueprint for see attached) a community’s growth. A comprehensive plan looks at the Current State (existing conditions), then the Desired State (the community vision), identifies actions to Achieve the Vision and then outlines how to Implement the action items. A Comprehensive Plan looks from higher level and will not be identifying parcel specific zoning. The Comprehensive Plan process is also not the venue to address projects or applications currently under review by the City. The comprehensive plan process is guided by NYS General City Law §28-a. The current City comprehensive plan was adopted in 2001. A review occurred, but no amendments were adopted, in 2007. The City Charter (§2.8f) requires Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting Summary – May 14, 2013 1  the comprehensive plan be reviewed every 5 years. It is good practice to review a comprehensive plan at least every 10 years to reflect changing demographic and economic trends. Project Scope and Process The project scope and process were identified and Project Team to prepare for (see attached include the following tasks: Public Workshop #1 and CPC presentation) to help spread the word. 1. Project Management and schedule (including coordination with CPC) 2. Public Participation (multiple and varied opportunities throughout) 3. Analysis of Existing Conditions & Trends (answering the ‘so what does that mean’ question) 4. Review of Existing Plan Policies and Strategies (report card) 5. Development of Draft Comprehensive Plan Update (vision, goals, action items and implementation matrix) The Project Team also identified potential alternate tasks such as an additional graphic or economic analysis to be determined by the City if needed. Additional CPC Comments: • A question of the State Environmental Quality Review compliance (SEQR) was asked. The goal of SEQR is to avoid / limit possible negative impacts on the environment from proposed actions. The comprehensive plan update will be subject to SEQR and the Project will assist the City Council in complying. At this point, the preparation of a Long Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) is contemplated. A Generic Environment Impact Statement (GEIS) is typically an entire program / plan having wide application or restricting the range of future alternative policies or projects. If the lead agency has determined that the proposed action will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment, then a negative declaration is prepared. Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting Summary – May 14, 2013 2  • How do we decide if we should acknowledge alternate task? Alternate task ideas will be flushed out during initial process, team will recognize and bring back to CPC for discussion. • Suggestion – Can visuals be created that show old plan vs. new suggestions side by side (so CPC does not have to flip back and forth in reading material) • Will there be an advisory opinion from the land-use boards? Previous efforts where plan not shown to land use boards has caused political problems. This is not contemplated as part of this process. However, all land use board members are encouraged to participate and a representative from each land use board is on the CPC. Perhaps there is also an opportunity for the planning staff to provide updates to the land use boards – maybe at a quarterly land use board meeting? To understand the level of effort and the City’s approach to the update, the project budget was explained. The budget is $65,000. To maximize the budget a short / aggressive schedule has been identified by the City through the Request for Proposal process. One reason team was selected was based on their knowledge and familiarity with Saratoga Springs (MJ and Cardinal Direction). The other benefit of the project team is that River Street also offers fresh outside perspective for issues that may be overlooked Public Workshop #1 has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 29th. See flyer handout for more information. The CPC was asked to help spread the word. Roles and Responsibilities The various roles and responsibilities of the CPC, the project team and the working group were described. The CPC will guide the plan development, provide feedback and input through the process and review the draft plan vision, concepts and action items. The Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting Summary – May 14, 2013 3  CPC will also function as a community ambassador or liaison to their respective organizations and neighborhoods. The Working Group includes the City Planning Staff, the Project Team and the CPC Chair. The role of the Working Group is to assist with project logistics (such a meeting scheduling, location, etc) and to review draft information so that information provided to the CPC is as complete as possible to maximize the CPC meeting time. The Project Team will facilitate and coordinate the planning process. This will involve constant coordination with the CPC, the working group and the public engagement process. The bulk of the drafting the plan language will be done by the project team and then provided to the CPC for input. Additional Discussion about roles and responsibilities: • What is CPC role at May 29th public workshop? Attendance by CPC is encouraged. This is, however, an opportunity for the public to share thoughts. The project team will also share information gathered from workshop with CPC at next meeting or via FTP site. A report card will be prepared for the 2001 adopted Comprehensive comprehensive plan. The report card will evaluate Plan Report the (A) status of each plan recommendations (has Card the recommendation been achieved, it is in progress/ongoing or not yet been initiated) and (B) the relevance of the recommendation (what is no longer relevant, relevant or very relevant). The purpose of the report card is to understand what still makes sense, what still needs to be addressed and what might be missing. Report Card – The CPC was asked to engage in a series of short Analyzing the exercises. The first involved identifying what makes Vision Saratoga Springs unique. The following items were Statement listed by the CPC: • Broadway • high density core • race track • “city in the country” • proximity to Adirondacks and farmland Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting Summary – May 14, 2013 4  • diversity • value of history • cultural amenities • Yaddo • Spa State Park • downtown area • SPAC • “cool, hip college town” • diversity of employment • free parking • school system • restaurants • diversity of houses • City Center • night life • walk-ability • cleanliness • safety • two YMCAs within five miles of each other • healthcare (Saratoga Hospital) • artists • access to Saratoga Lake • Greenbelt • stewardship The next exercise involved the CPC evaluating the existing Vision. Following are CPC discussion items about the existing Vision: • Vision statement usually not that long, should be 2-3 sentences, too broad – doesn’t say much • Agree with ideas of sustainability and city in the country idea within vision, too much clutter included, must identify goals vs. vision • Too long, says nothing • All things stated are important • Core elements are located in vision (sustainability, city in the county, etc.), missing value in history, needs to be 2-3 powerful sentences • People see “city in the county” idea differently – needs to be explained more clearly so everyone understands concept and it is not lost Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting Summary – May 14, 2013 5 Miscellaneous • The plan update should pay attention to Items noted. Discussion smooth transitions between zones (city into Items country), suggestions on how to support (generated by agriculture and city at the same time? The the CPC) concept of farm to table should be evaluated. • Will the comprehensive plan address the proposed zoning changes for south Broadway (former Weathervane property)? The Comprehensive Plan process is also not the venue to address projects or applications currently under review by the City. • Clearer definition of city in the country • “creative place making” • climate change • LEED Certification, climate change - great opportunity to bring ideas up. Don’t necessarily use LEED checklist. Save money by paying for LEED certification and use savings to put into more structures / infrastructure that will be efficient for the community. • How will CPC reach consensus? That will likely varies by issue and topic – some majority vote, give and take, etc. Next CPC Monday, June 17th at 6:00pm – 8:00 pm at the City Project Team to send email Meeting Recreation Center at 25 Vanderbilt Avenue. (CPC will notice and materials to the meet every third Monday of the month) CPC approximately one week in advance of next meeting. Sharing of information and materials for the CPC was discussed. The CPC generally prefers email notices with all project materials. Identification of The CPC identified the following initial list of Project Team will schedule Stakeholders stakeholder groups: Sustainable Saratoga, stakeholder group roundtable Preservation Foundation, Skidmore, Saratoga meetings. Hospital, Saratoga School District, Saratoga PLAN, NYRA, Saratoga Chamber, neighborhood associations, CDTA, Beekman Street Arts, Navy Housing, Complete Streets, Downtown Business Association, Special Assessment District Public Comment Members of the public present, but no comments None. provided. This meeting summary conveys our understanding of the items discussed and agreements reached at this meeting. Please forward any additions, corrections and/or questions to my attention. Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting Summary – May 14, 2013 6 Submitted by: Carly DeThomasis/Jaclyn Hakes MJ Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. cc: City Planning Office, CPC, Project File Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting Summary – May 14, 2013 7  6/10/2013 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Comprehensive Planning 101 3. Project Scope and Process 4. Project Schedule 5. Roles & Responsibilities 6. Discussion: Report Card 7. Next Steps 8. Public Comment Current State Families plan to buy a house, to take a vacation,  Opportunities for a child’s education.  Challenges Implementation / Monitor Desired State es Businesses plan for profit and growth.  Implementation Partners  Ongoing review  Vision for future Communities plan for…  population growth Action Plan  economic growth  roads, community character, property values,  Policies and Tools tax base, schools, environmental protection,  Achieve the Vision transit, recreation, pedestrian safety, sewage disposal, water supply… 1  6/10/2013  Identify Long-term Community Vision 1. Analysis of existing conditions  Community and Stakeholder Input 2. Identification of vision 3. Goals  Outline / Describe pp Approach to Achieve 4. Action items Vision 5. Implementation schedule 6. Public/stakeholder input “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.” ― Yogi Berra NYS General City Law §28-a  Adopted 2001  City Charter  Reviewed 2007 (revisions not adopted)  §2.8(F) – Initiation of Reviews  Review Comprehensive Plan every 5 years  Good Practice to evaluate every 10 years  Changing demographic/economic trends  Goals accomplished 1. Project Management 2. Public Participation 3. Analysis of Existing Conditions & Trends 4. Review of Existing Plan Policies and Strategies (report card) 5. Development of Draft Comprehensive Plan 2  6/10/2013 1. Concentrated / active engagement 1. Coordination with Project Team, Staff and CPC 2. Monthly CPC meetings open to public 2. Keep process on track 3. Project Website (interactive) 4. Public Workshops/Meetings (2) 5. Multi-day Public Charrette 6. Stakeholder Group Interviews 7. Formal Public Hearings 8. Periodic City Council Updates Anticipated Deliverable: Project Schedule Anticipated Deliverables: Public Participation Plan/Guide, website, meetings/workshops, formal hearing 1. Understand changes since 2001 2. Use existing data  Demographics  Socio-economics  Development  Land use  Etc. 3. Mapping 4. Analyze and extract Key Findings  Answer “So What?” Anticipated Deliverable: Trend Analysis Report & Presentation 1. Review Existing Plan policies, strategies, 1. Build on all previous tasks goals and recommendations 2. Identify challenges and opportunities  What has been achieved? 3. Develop policies and tools to shape vision  What is in p g rogress? 4. Illustrate vision with comp plan map  What has not been started? 5. Create action plan and implementation  What does not apply? schedule  What still makes sense? 6. Work with CPC and working group  What is missing? Anticipated Deliverable: Report Card Anticipated Deliverable: draft plan, updated map, implementation matrix 3  6/10/2013 Month (2013) Task / Activity April Project Scoping May CPC Kick-off / Public Meeting #1 /Website Launch June Public Charrette / Public Meeting #2 July Develop Draft l Plan August Develop Draft Plan September CPC Public Hearing October Revise Draft Plan November Revise Draft Plan December Advance Draft Plan to City Council Organizational Chart City of Saratoga Springs Comprehensive Plan Committee Working Group Project Manager Jaclyn S. Hakes, AICP  Guide the Plan Development  Residents  Provide Feedback & Input  Business Owners  Review Draft Plan Vision, Concepts & Action  Property Owners Items  Visitors Input!  Stakeholders  Function as an Ambassador / Liaison  Community Partners  Community  Organizations 4  6/10/2013  Facilitate & Coordinate the Planning Process  Project Team  CPC  City Planning Staff  Working Group  CPC Chair  Public Engagement Role:  Synthesize Information  Assist with project logistics  Review Draft Information  Develop Draft Plan  Review Draft Plan Language What makes Saratoga Springs unique? 1. Review Existing Plan policies, strategies, goals and recommendations  What has been achieved?  What is in progress?  What has not been started?  What does not apply?  What still makes sense?  What is missing? 5  6/10/2013  What does not apply? This Plan is based on the “City-in-the-Country” concept, meaning a city with an intensively developed urban core  What still makes sense? and an economically vibrant central business district, with well-defined urban edges and an outlying area comprised  What is missing? of open lands, a landscape of rural character and low density residential development. The overriding philosophy that will guide future development of our "City in the Country" will be sustainability. Sustainable development is development that enhances economic opportunity and - + community well-being while protecting the amenities upon which our economy and our community depend. A sustainable-growth policy recognizes that unlimited growth Not Relevant Good or Priority is not right for our City; nor is no growth at all. Through or Important Important Importance sustainable development, we aim to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. 1. Enhance success of downtown core 2. Promote broader mix of uses 1. Downtown is key to economic health 3. Implement land use and design policies 2. Open space resources vital to economy, 4. Promote pedestrian, bicycle, transit access aesthetics and recreation 5. Invest in amenities contributing to success 6. Support and preserve links of cultural and 3. Provide revenue sources to maintain and open space resources enhance City services 7. Encourage housing diversity and 4. Diversity of housing types and price levels affordability 5. Mix of social, cultural, and recreational 8. Work with other communities in region resources essential 9. Invest in infrastructure improvements What makes Saratoga Springs unique? 6  6/10/2013 1. Schedule future CPC Meetings 2. Sharing of Information  Public Comments Received  CPC Items for Review 3. CPC Report Card Review 4. Identify Stakeholder Groups 5. Project Kick-Off and Public Workshop #1  May 29, 2013 6:00-8:00 pm @ City Center Photo: Jaclyn Hakes 2012 7