Let's Zone In, Not Out

When it comes to the ins-and-outs of town governance, we will admit we can understand how easy it can be for people to zone out so to speak. Despite that, we cannot overstate the importance of paying attention at local meetings.

A prime example would be found during the September 17 meeting of the Saratoga Town Council. Among the number of things which were tabled by the governing body in the absence of the mayor, one of those was the recommendation of a zone change in the neighborhood of 8th Street and Bridge Avenue.

David Rousu, who purchased a lot surrounded by residential homes, has sought to change the zoning of the lot from retail business to residential. What may come as a shock to some people who are not familiar with the zoning map of Saratoga is that there are a number of areas along Bridge Avenue which are zoned for retail business but have had residential buildings on them for decades.

On a split vote—with Mayor Chuck Davis breaking the tie—the planning commission recommended the Saratoga Town Council approve the zone change. The same issues which plagued the planning commission appeared to carry over to the town council. Concerns over spot zoning—or zoning which allows a use different than the surrounding zoning—were raised in discussions by both boards.

Councilmember Jerry Fluty voiced his opposition to the zone change, citing the intent for retail business to extend from downtown Bridge Avenue up towards 13th Street where the North Platte Valley Medical Center is now located. As was pointed out by Sue Jones during the August 13 meeting of the planning commission, the Town of Saratoga in the 1970s had visions of the town’s businesses running up the hill.

We can understand why they thought this. At the time, the coal mines in Hanna were bustling with activity and the governing body at the time was expecting growth. In the nearly 50 years since, Saratoga has seen growth but likely not the kind which was expected. While we don’t believe the intentions of the governing body in the past should be ignored, we do believe the current surrounding use—primarily residential—should be considered when it comes to Rousu and his lot. In fact, we believe there is a simple solution to this situation which is being made far too complex.

With all that said, we believe the best path forward was provided by Randy Raymer, who has an office on Bridge Avenue. The longtime resident and business owner suggested the Town of Saratoga, rather than rezone this one lot, look at rezoning the entire block which now—and likely in the future—will have residential buildings on the property.

We believe this would work for several reasons.

The first being that it would prevent spot zoning, which is obviously a concern for both the planning commission and the town council.

Second, it would bring the other non-conforming structures surrounding the current lot in question into compliance.

Finally, rezoning the blocks on Bridge Avenue which currently have residential buildings from retail business to residential would not prevent the current vacant lots which are zoned retail business from still being an opportunity for business growth in Saratoga.