Town center zoning review moves forward in Malta; Officials seek to maintain charm
By CARI SCRIBNER For Ballston Spa Life
MALTA — Even with a major project under construction, town leaders are looking at whether future residential and retail growth of the emerging downtown should be restrained.
The Town Board had been holding public hearings to solicit opinions of residents and business owners. The last one was held March 30. More recently, Town Board members agreed to form a new citizen’s panel to study the issue. Their work could take up to 12 months.
The efforts will determine whether the current downtown zoning rules need to be changed to restrict the size and density of buildings. The nine-member panel, including town Planning Board members and citizens, could be appointed in June, and will oversee preparation of a revised downtown master plan. The committee
would work with town engineers, The Chazen Group and Clough Harbour & Associates.
Town Supervisor Paul Sausville said he is seeking a revamping of zoning requirements to set firm guidelines, including limits on height and require green space around the buildings.
Sausville has proposed limiting building heights to one or two stories, requiring a 30- to 40-foot setback on the street side, leaving natural green space in specific areas and including sidewalks to create a walkable community.
Sausville said he believes residents support the idea.
“When I went door-to-door during the last election campaign, I talked to people, and I distributed a questionnaire, in which 76 percent of respondents said they want a hamlet-like downtown,” Sausville said. “It was never our vision to have a city environment downtown.”
But business owners and other residents have said the town needs to stick with the downtown master plan already in place rather than making significant changes.
Ellsworth Commons, already approved by the town Planning Board and quickly taking shape on Route 9 across from the Town Hall, would appear to outstrip envisioned restrictions.
The development includes 330 condos and apartments and 7,000 square-feet of retail space. It will stand five stories tall and have a density of 33 housing units per acre.
The project was approved prior to discussion that has resulted in the planned review of zoning regulations. Any change will likely seek to eliminate weaknesses in current zoning, Sausville said.
“There are loopholes in the current zoning laws and conflicting rules,” Sausville said.
Sausville also said Ellsworth Commons it is out of character with development that has occurred in town during the past 20 years. The Ellsworth project was one impetus for the current regulations review, he said.
“If we continue to build at this density, the hamlet of Malta would become a city like Saratoga Springs,” Sausville said.
“If this were to come about, all town taxpayers would be faced with the costs to support this city, including paid fire, police and public works departments,” Sausville said. “People need to understand the financial burden of continuing down the path of a city-like environment.”
Sausville said he has been contacted by engineers from the state Department of Transportation questioning the safety of the Ellsworth Commons project to Route 9 traffic, which the state oversees. It’s unclear whether these inquiries will lead.
“They’re concerned about pedestrians trying to cross Route 9, which is a heavily-traveled commuter road between points north and south,” Sausville said. “They have a valid concern.”
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