Residents urge denial of five‑bedroom expansion at 222 Grand Avenue, citing drainage, school safety and short‑term rental risk

Tina Carton, a Grand Avenue resident who lives at 227 Grand Avenue, told the Zoning Board she was there "to respectfully urge the board to deny the request for the variance for the substantial expansion of 222 Grand Avenue into a 5 bedroom property." She said the block lacks municipal stormwater infrastructure and that expanding roof and impervious surface would increase runoff, winter ice ponding and flooding risk in front yards.

Carton also raised pedestrian‑safety concerns, saying Birch Street has a narrow right‑of‑way and no sidewalks and is within walking distance of Division Street Elementary School and Saratoga Springs High School. She told the board that the property currently functions as a short‑term rental and that expanding to five bedrooms could increase on‑street parking and party‑related impacts: "Although they say it's not going to be for Airbnb usage, they did tell us the same when they purchased the property…" she said.

Neighbor George Hodges, who identified himself as an engineer and a resident at 222–224 Grand, echoed drainage and walkability concerns and reported repeated short‑term rental occupancy at the property over the past two years, saying the house has hosted groups ranging "from 4 to 12." Hodges told the board he searched public online profiles for the applicant, Katie Klein, and believes the property has been operated as a rental rather than an owner‑occupied home.

The chair left the public hearing for this application open and reminded residents they could upload documents, photos and deed records before the board's next meeting on Oct. 19. No vote or motion on the variance occurred at the Sept. 28 session.