Former Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner and Mayoral Candidate Chris Mathiesen submitted the following remarks via email to city council members regarding the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (“UDO”).  It is copied below by Saratoga Report with permission from Mathiesen.

Council members,

I read in today’s Saratogian that the Council is considering revisions to the City’s UDO.  I would suggest that following:

-A definition of Residential Use and of Resident.  The term residential is used numerous times in the current UDO as well as in the previous zoning ordinances.  However, there is no specific description of what a residential use is.  Also, as some people will remember, there have been controversies in the past regarding whether or not a person claiming to be a resident of Saratoga Springs actually resided in the City.  A definition of ‘residential use’ and of the term ‘resident’ would bring much needed clarity.

-A more complete listing of allowable Home Occupations as Accessory Uses in Residential Districts.  Previously, there had been specific limits on Home Occupations and explanations on what Home Occupations would be allowed.   Those limitations and descriptions of allowable uses are not explicitly explained in the current UDO.

-Limitations on political signs.  There used to be a restriction on signs advocating for a political candidate.  Such political signs could not exceed a certain size and could be displayed only for a specific number of weeks prior to an election.  They had to be removed within 15 days after the election.  Those restrictions seem to be missing in the UDO.  It would be advisable to consider bringing those limitations back.

The City’s Zoning Ordinance should function as a covenant between property owners and the community.  The current UDO could be improved in a number of ways.

Christian E Mathiesen DMD