Is a Chipotle Coming near downtown Saratoga Springs?

By Dan De Federicis

Ealier this year, developers submitted a “sketch plan” to the Saratoga Springs Planning Board to introduce a conceptual plan to build a Chipotle at the site of 12 Ballston Avenue in Saratoga Springs.  This is the site of the former Gaslight Lounge and, more recently, the Starting Gate Bar & Grille.  It is at the corner of Ballston Avenue and Hamilton Street, in front of the Strike Zone Bowling Alley.

Above: 12 Ballston Avenue, site of the former Gaslight Lounge and Starting Gate Bar and Grill

A sketch plan affords developers an informal opportunity to discuss a conceptual plan with the planning board to receive input and obtain guidance if a full site plan application is submitted.  No such full site plan has been submitted to date.

The sketch plan was submitted by Patrick Alan LLC of Boston Massachusetts and it listed the owner as Frank J. Parillo of Saratoga Prime Properties, LLC. It noted the building housing the former Gaslight Lounge would be demolished and the proposed restaurant would be constructed on the parcel. It would be 2,350 square feet and include a drive-thru and outdoor patio area.  Access would be from Ballston Avenue and there would be a right-turn only egress point located on Hamilton Street.

Above: Conceptual drawing of the proposed project at 12 Ballston Avenue

There would be a six-car queue for the drive-thru mobile order pickup window.  The plan noted this plan differs from fast food drive throughs in that the drive through setup will not have a menu board, order point or secondary payment window.  The window, according to the plan, is to be utilized for mobile pick-up only.

The plan also notes that the redelopment includes the utilization of approximately 2,145 feet of land from 32 Ballston Spa (Strike Zone) through a perpetual easement, which would be done to comply with the city’s parking regulations.  The plan concluded by indicating that once comments from the sketch plan from the city have been received and addressed, a full site plan application will follow with detailed design plans.

To read the full record of the sketch plan, click here: 20220325 12 Ballston Site Plan Review – 12 Ballston (saratoga-springs.org)