About the study

The purpose of this study is to create a mixed-use zoning district to replace the current commercial zoning designation in the area surrounding the southeast intersection of Route 85 and Route 85A.  This will require drafting a new zoning law for this currently-zoned commercial area.  The proposed new zoning law will support the Hamlet Master Plan that was completed in 2012. This study will also include design standards for the new district that balance the area’s significance as the town’s largest commercial zone with the community’s rural and highly scenic nature.  

This study is being jointly-funded through the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) Linkage Program and the Town.  CDTC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Albany and Saratoga Springs urbanized area.  CDTC maintains a regional long range transportation plan it calls New Visions.  New Visions outlines various planning principles and strategies, which are supported through the almost 100 separate studies it has jointly-funded over the last 15 years.    

AECOM (formerly known as URS) was selected in October 2014 to carry out the study.  Marian Hull, Project Manager, and her team of planners and engineers have extensive experience working with communities of all sizes and character on zoning and strategic plans.  

The Study Advisory Committee (SAC) is the group tasked with guiding the study and reviewing interim and final products.  CDTC considers the SAC to be advisory, its members are volunteers and SAC's make no official decisions on behalf of the Town.  The Town has appointed 5 Town residents to serve on the SAC, who are in addition to representatives from the New York State Department of Transportation, Capital District Transportation Authority, Albany County, and the Capital District Regional Planning Commission.