Adjacent owners to pursue purchase of Union Street right‑of‑way; applicants to provide survey and appraisal

Kevin Kelly, representing Balian Properties, told the Real Estate Committee the firm wants to purchase 0.5 of the Union Street right‑of‑way behind its building to provide additional tenant parking.

"We presented at the last meeting, our desired, Balian's desire to purchase 0.5 of the Union Street right of way behind their building," Kelly said. Committee members and interested adjacent owners confirmed both halves of the right‑of‑way have adjacent owners who want the conveyance.

The committee discussed conditions that will accompany any conveyance. The chair summarized the expected restrictions: "no touching the infrastructure under the land, no constructing anything on top of the land unless approval has been obtained by the Saratoga Springs Planning Board." Members noted there are water, sewer and electric lines beneath the street and that any relocation or modification would require Planning Board review during redevelopment.

The committee debated whether the city or the applicants should pay for the required survey and appraisal. After discussion the committee approved a motion that the applicants shall provide the survey and appraisal (the city will select the surveyor/appraiser and pass costs to the applicants). The motion passed unanimously. The chair also instructed applicants to provide names and addresses of record for all adjacent property owners and said staff will prepare purchase contract documents for subsequent city‑council consideration.

The committee emphasized that any eventual conveyance will include restrictive covenants limiting disturbance of subsurface infrastructure and will require planning‑board approval for substantive changes.