Growth coming to Saratoga

From final to preliminary subdivision plans, tenant storage and nuisance properties the Saratoga Planning Commission does not appear as if it will slow down anytime soon. Mike Lamprecht served as chairman with the absence of Tom Westring during the August 10 meeting.

First on the agenda was notification of a subdivision around the Whistle Pig Saloon south of Saratoga to carve out the lot on paper from the surrounding land. Additionally, the planning commission was notified of cabins which will be constructed on property on Wyoming Highway 130 however all members of the commission were in agreement this was out of the towns jurisdiction for comment.

These were brought before the commission due to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Carbon County and the Town of Saratoga regarding planning, zoning and development review surrounding the corporate limits of the town.

A member of the public brought to the commission’s attention nuisance properties around the town. Commission member Lindy Glode also expressed her concern over dangerous nuisance properties which have plagued Saratoga. Some are occupied and others have been abandoned for 16 or more years. The Saratoga Planning Commission seem determined to tackle these issues in the future.

When it came time to review the subdivision plats submitted to the planning commission, Mayor Creed James announced he had created checklists relating to the development of subdivisions. This comes from the Town of Saratoga’s municipal code, specifically section 17.20.020.

Multiple subdivision plans were heard at Tuesday’s meeting. Octagon Construction resubmitted the final plat for phase one of Octagon Estates which consists of two, five acre parcels divided into fifteen lots. These lots are to be used for residential single family homes with an area dedicated to park use. The plat was originally passed in August 2020 but never made it to the Saratoga Town Council for final approval.

The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the final plat to the town council. Octagon Construction recently submitted a preliminary plat for phase 3, though this did not appear before the planning commission at their August meeting. This plat is for 20 lots in the Octagon Estates Subdivision. This brings the total number of lots to 35 for both phase one and three.

Robert and Cynthia Nickle also submitted their preliminary plat for the Windsong Subdivision, which will be developed just off North 6th Street and Hugus Avenue. This plat is for 3 lots. The Nickles expressed hopefulness to break ground on foundations ahead of the cold weather. James found, under section 17.20.030 of the Saratoga Municipal Code, the Windsong subdivision needed park or land preservation approval from the Town council. The primilimalry plat was approved on a conditional basis, pending town council’s approval of land preservation.

Finally brought before the commission of planning was tenant storage on Second and Main streets. Already existing apartments may be getting a renovation. Citing lack of current storage, interest was expressed to build outside storage for tenant belongings as well as unsightly outdoor objects such as bicycles. This job however will be saved for the new planning and zoning officer.

Some members of the commission seemed surprised as James announced a new planning officer was pending council approval. With Saratoga apparently growing, as evidenced by the subdivisions currently under development, work is already stacking up for the new planning and zoning officer.

The next meeting of the Saratoga Planning Commission will be at 5:30 p.m. on September 9th at Saratoga Town Hall.