Linda Casse of Saratoga Springs purchased the 33-acre former Round Lake Rod & Gun club parcel in Malta at auction and is now seeking a zoning change to allow her to build a 21 home development (a Planned Development District, or "PDD") on the property. We have two major issues with this proposal: 1) the parcel is zoned Land Conversation ("LC"), and the Malta Comprehensive Plan forbids this kind of development and 2) the land is contaminated and Ms. Casse is looking to build around the issues, not clean them up.
First, the area in question is referred to in the Town Plan as "Neighborhood 4". The Plan calls for this area to "be protected from further development by not allowing zone changes that will result in the development of this area", "discourage the use of PDDs that bring no benefit to the Town...and result in higher density development", and "transition from the typical suburban residential setting at Exit 11 to a rural residential environment". Clearly, those that established the vision for Malta in this area were opposed to Ms. Casse's proposal, which includes lots as small as 1/4 acre.
Second, the parcel has a long history of contamination due to its former use as a gun club. The town hired Clough-Harbour in 1989 and they found lead contamination oft the soil and well water. There is also a dump site that is a contamination issue. In 2014, the Town of Malta itself looked at acquiring this parcel but were advised by Town Attorney Peterson to "run, not walk, away from ownership of the property" due to its contamination issues. We are highly concerned that disturbing this site will jeopardize the well water the neighbors rely on, and leave the town and its taxpayers subject to future litigation from the families, and especially the children, who would be at risk living on and around contaminated land.
What can you do? In addition to signing this petition, there will be a public hearing at Malta Town Hall on Tuesday, August 16th, starting at 630pm where your voice can be heard. The Planning Board is already skeptical of this project, but it is important that the town hear from the neighbors in this area.
