VOV push for grant

Voices of the Valley is pushing for a grant to fund a housing study.

VOV director KayCee Alameda, board member Jim States and other VOV affiliates, have been talking to Saratoga Town Council members and the Planning Commission in order to push for a grant in the amount of $25,000, a grant the town may have to match with $6,000.

The Saratoga Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the town council match the grant to pay for the housing study, which could benefit residents in the long run, States said.

“It would basically help us obtain baseline information on existing housing so that we can know what we need under different growth scenarios,” States said.

States said, essentially, the implementation of this grant, if awarded, would mark the first step in adopting a master plan for the town of Saratoga.

“This would be kind of a first step for planning or understanding what might be needed for growth from energy development, or any development,” he said.

Saratoga Mayor John Zeiger said he thinks the housing study is a good idea, but at this point does not know if he would vote in favor because of the $6,000 match.

“I have to ask myself if we have the money available to put into the housing study. That’s a decision the council is going to have to make,” Zeiger said. “I think that, overall, the housing study would be a good start on redoing any long-term goals the town has,” but money is still a factor.

States said VOV is planning to present to the to the Saratoga Town Council Nov. 5 to to give the town an idea of a timeline and actions that must be done to get the grant. The grant deadline is Jan. 15. If interested, the Saratoga Town Council must run an ad in the Saratoga Sun stating applying for the grant is being considered between Nov. 15 and 27. The Council must also hold a public hearing Dec. 3, where the council could come to a decision, States said.