March 22, 2005

                                                        Calendar of Events

Last Week: Victor Gush & Peter Lynch   “Saddle Club Development Project”

This Week: Patty Rutland   “Wedding Cake History”

Next Week: John Caldwell, internationally known cartoonist who lives in Ballston

will speak on how he gets his ideas.

Coming Up:  March 19   Pancake Breakfast

                        Selection of recipients of Citizen of the Year, Rotarian of

                        the Year, and the Lifetime of Service Award.

Give suggestions for future programs to Rey Whetten or Linda LeTendre

Other Events Coming Up:

April 15     Chili Supper for TOB

April 26     InterClub Dinner at the Woodlin Club

April 26     BOD & Chairs  @ 5PM

                April 26     Club Assembly

Invocation:  Garry Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans              

Minute for Rotary:  Doug Turpen

                                3/29/05 Len Porter

Saddle Club at Ballston Lake Development Project Described:

                Developer Victor Gush and his attorney, Peter Lynch, outlined their plans for the development of 360 acres of land between Route 50 and Ballston Lake.  At present the plan calls for the construction of 650 residential units (225 detached  homes and 454 condominium or town houses).  Mr. Gush and Mr. Lynch said that  41 acres adjacent to Ballston Lake would be set aside as a forever wild  green space without lake access with any future use to be at the discretion of the  Town of Ballston. Another 100 acres also will be preserved as open spaces, and  wetlands will be kept intact with 100 foot buffer zones.  13 miles of hiking trails will  be available in the development. 

                Mr. Gush and Mr. Lynch indicated they were aware that the project had received negative comment at public meetings of the Town Board.  They  underscored that they are flexible and must adapt their development plan to meet  the desires of the Town and the community.  For example, at the public hearing  some residents expressed a concern that no affordable senior housing was  included in the project, a situation the developers felt could be corrected.  Mr. Gush and Mr. Lynch identified several features of their project that would be  assets for the community.  They propose to add at the developer’s expense over  2 miles of sewer system along either the Town bike path or Route 50 that will tie into existing sewer lines.  This $2 million private pay sewer line addition will be  available for existing and new residents and commercial properties to the south and east/west of the site to tie into at a future date.  The developers also contend  that the number of occupants in the project will be fewer than 2.5 persons per  household, and rather than impose a fiscal burden on school  taxpayers, the  project will provide a $1 million net gain in available revenue.

                Mr. Gush and Mr. Lynch used visual displays to show where housing  would be constructed and where green spaces would be located.  They  acknowledged that they need a zoning change to proceed with their plan.  Mr.  Gush and Mr. Lynch said that present zoning is commercial for the first 500 feet  east of the property along Route 50 and residential beyond that depth.  The developers    said that current zoning permits 256,000 square feet of commercial/retail/office use and 183 residential units.  They submit that traffic impact if the property is developed in compliance with present zoning will be greater than if the Saddle Club proposal is accepted.  Mr. Lynch provided copies of February 2005 letters he had written to the Town of Ballston Supervisor and Town Attorney.  The letters state that the Saddle Club proposal should be exempt from a second proposed moratorium on considering development proposals and asks that the Town Board and the developer work together in “balancing and incorporating the interests of the Town residents as a whole with private property rights”.   Mr. Lynch’s letter asserts that the developer has recently successfully completed a review process with the Town of Malta that incorporated 11 revisions raised through the open review process, and that Malta officials have advised his client that the Malta project will serve as the model for the future development of the Malta downtown district.

                The two speakers concluded with a reiteration of their desire to blend their plan with what the Town feels it really needs.  The developer’s contracts to buy the land in question are contingent on the approval of a plan that is acceptable to the Town and economically viable for the developer.  The membership responded to the presentation with questions, comments, and requests for additional information.   The group meeting was not adjourned until about 8:00 p.m. because of the interest in the topic. News Briefs:

Club Will Participate in July Air Show

The membership voted at its March 15 meeting to once again sponsor a booth at the Schenectady County air show to be held the second weekend in July.  A team of female skydivers will be the featured attraction.  The Blue Angels will not be participating.

Joint Meeting of Area Service Clubs Set for April 26

The annual joint meeting of area service clubs is set for Tuesday, April 26,

at the Woodlin Club.  The membership decided at the March 15 meeting to hold our

                regular meeting at the Old Homestead also that evening.  Members were free to attend either meeting.  Dinner at the joint club meeting will be $23 per person.

                                                WEBSITES:

                                        BHBL Rotary:  www.bhblrotary.org                                                                                                         District 7190:   www.capitalregionrotary.org

   District 7190:  www.capitalregionrotary.org