Voices of the Valley (VOV) pitched a $50,000 grant idea to the Saratoga Town Council, an idea the council voted to pursue.
The grant, if awarded, will pay for a comprehensive master plan for the town of Saratoga, replacing a plan that was adopted in the 1970s.
“It’s a conventional zoning code from the 70s, and it seemed to me parts of it were taken from New York, and how does that apply to the vision that the folks from Wyoming have for their community?,” said Michael Haak, a planner that is currently working on the Airport master plan for Saratoga.
The $50,000 community block grant requires a 25 percent match from the town. But the VOV Board said they could provide up to $2,500 to help get the grant.
“If this turns into a fiscal issue, the Voices of the Valley Board thinks this project is important enough that they have offered to put $2,500 toward your match,” Alameda told the town council Nov. 5.
VOV initially suggested the Saratoga Town Council apply for a $20,000 grant with a 20 percent match, which would have paid for a housing study. However, VOV members saw a greater need for a comprehensive study for the town of Saratoga, which could cover housing, infrastructure, zoning and other items, Alameda said. The housing study would not have covered as much.
Haak said a comprehensive master plan would be more beneficial than the housing study.
“A comprehensive plan would, I think, be the first step in developing your vision,” Haak said.
Cindy Wallace, Executive Director of the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation, said applying for the grant is time-sensitive. The deadline to submit the grant application is Jan. 15.
“Time is of the essence,” Wallace said. “For all of us to get the grant written and do a good job on it, we need to know what the council’s decision is.”
Alameda presented a timeline to the council to proceed with the grant. First, the council will have to advertise a public hearing for two weeks. Then, the council would hold the public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
Public Works director Chuck Bartlett said the comprehensive master plan would be an ideal choice.
“I think we need to get the biggest bang for our buck, and I think the master plan would be the way to go,” Bartlett said. “Going with the comprehensive master plan, I think we are going to get everything we need for a housing plan, plus we will be able to update our 40-year-old master plan.”
Haak said, typically, comprehensive master plans will address land use, transportation, community facilities, housing, economic development, critical and sensitive areas, natural hazards and agriculture.
“Just for $40,000 more, you are getting a heck of a lot more of a study,” he said.
Haak said, in his research of the town, found the last land use study for Saratoga was done in 1977. The last transportation study was done in 1978. Haak said the last economic development study was done in 2005.
Haak said the housing element in the comprehensive plan is not as detailed as the housing study, but will still provide information concerning housing conditions and projected future needs.
After a presentation from VOV, the Saratoga Town Council voted to move forward with the grant process, with Mike McWain voting no and Steve Wilcoxson abstaining. Judy Welton, Sue Howe and Mayor John Zeiger all voted yes.
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