N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2019
Saratoga Hospital Proposal for Medical Office Center
Continues to Advance
City Planning Board supports change to medical office zoning
for land on Morgan Street
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, June 21, 2019—The city Planning Board is unanimously in favor of a zoning recommendation that would allow Saratoga Hospital to develop a medical office center adjacent to hospital-owned land up the street from the hospital’s main campus.
By a vote of 7-0 last night, the board issued a positive advisory opinion supporting a zoning change from residential to office/medical for land on Morgan Street. That change, which is aligned with the city’s comprehensive plan, helps advance Saratoga Hospital’s proposal to build a medical office center where physicians could easily collaborate on patient care—and, in an emergency, could get to the hospital within minutes.
“This advisory opinion is another important step forward for a project that will benefit patients throughout the city and the entire Saratoga region,” Saratoga Hospital President and CEO Angelo Calbone said. “We appreciate the Planning Board members’ thorough review and their recognition that we have a responsibility to grow to keep pace with the needs of our community.”
The city Planning Board opinion is the second recommendation in two months in support of the zoning change. In April, the Saratoga County Planning Board determined the change would have “no significant countywide or intercommunity impacts” and recommended approval of the change.
Both boards were reviewing an updated zoning map that, under state law, must be consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan. A final decision on the map—which updates zoning for 18 parcels throughout the city, including land on Morgan Street—rests with the Saratoga Springs City Council.
The recent board votes are the latest steps in a multiyear process to address discrepancies between the previous zoning map and the City of Saratoga Springs comprehensive plan, which allows institutional uses—religious, education, health, cultural and tourism services—on the Morgan Street property.
With two positive advisory opinions—plus prior recommendations from the Comprehensive Plan Committee and the previous city Planning Board—hospital officials will now urge the City Council to adopt the recommendations and follow the expert opinions provided by the city and county planning boards, and the professional consultant hired to guide the zoning map changes.
“We look forward to the City Council review and the opportunity to demonstrate, once again, that the proposed zoning change and our medical office center are in the best interest of the region we serve,” Calbone said. “There is no better use for this land than a project that helps ensure the continued health of our community.”
To stay informed on the progress of the proposed medical office center, and to learn more about how it will benefit the community, go to the ItrustSaratogaHospital website. Find out how you can show your support for the project, and check back often for updates.
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About Saratoga Hospital: Saratoga Hospital is the Saratoga region’s leading healthcare provider and the only acute-care facility in Saratoga County. The hospital’s multispecialty practice, Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, provides care at more than 20 locations, ensuring easy access to programs and services that can have the greatest impact on individual and community health. Saratoga Hospital has maintained Magnet designation for nursing excellence since 2004. Through its affiliation with Columbia Memorial Health and Albany Med, Saratoga Hospital is part of the largest locally governed health system in the region. For more information: www.saratogahospital.org or www.facebook.com/SaratogaHospital.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hopper
Director, Marketing and Communications
518.583.8679
phopper@saratogahospital.org