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MALTA — The Malta Economic Development Committee is continuing its efforts to boost the town’s commercial allure by identifying every piece of property that has development potential.
Chairman Tim Dunn said Monday that the committee is seeking to explore every home, business and tract of land in the newly rezoned areas of routes 67 and 9. Those deemed both worthy and willing will be placed in Saratoga Economic Development Corporation’s SEE Saratoga, a digital map that matches commercial developers with available properties.
“We don’t want to reinvent the wheel,” said Dunn. “And this SEDC tool provides in-depth analysis of the people who live in the area – their education level, their age, etc. It’s great for site selection. We see it as an opportunity to work together on positive outcomes for Malta.”
Dunn, who said they will also be looking at Round Lake Road and other areas, emphasized that no property owner will be forced to sell or place their properties on the economic map. But he believes many will take advantage of the potential as homes, especially the dozen along Route 67, are being overwhelmed by heavy, fast-moving traffic.
“We are not telling people you have to move because we are putting a factory on your property. We are trying to maintain a balance between commercial and residential,” Dunn said. “But we can’t be that bedroom community anymore because it’s not economically viable. Our budget is strained. We can’t afford the services people want. If we don’t grow economically, we’ll have to have a town tax. And nobody in the town wants that. But if we don’t change course, that will be our only alternative.”
Paul Sausville, Malta’s former town supervisor, believes the committee’s plan is misguided.
“Growing into an urban township would impact the quality of life in Malta,” Sausville said. “We grew successfully in the past by picking and choosing projects with high benefit and low impact. We were once in the catbird seat and grew successfully by being very careful. Do we want to be another Colonie or Clifton Park? Colonie is a real mess. We have to learn the lessons of other townships. I think the town has lost its way.”
Dunn said the committee is being thoughtful, but aggressive too. It expects to have a strategic plan for growth, which it will present to the town board, by the end of the summer.
“It’s not a panacea, but I’m confident in our holistic approach,” Dunn said.
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