VIEWSHED ANALYSIS FOR SARATOGA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

the LA group, Landscape Architecture and Engineering, P.C.

In January 2004, the Viewshed Analysis for Saratoga National Historical Park (SNHP) was completed in an effort to evaluate and assess the potential for visually intrusive development surrounding the SNHP. The purpose of the analysis was to examine the parcels within the viewshed, research the existing land use mechanisms, and determine the potential of each parcel for development and for altering the current views. This document serves as an update to the 2004 Visual Analysis. The scenic nature and environmental quality of the SNHP are key factors that influence the overall experience of the visitor. Degradation of the viewshed will greatly alter the experience and an important element of historical perspective will be lost forever, potentially resulting in the loss of visitors. From this analysis, steps should be taken to preserve the identified lands in the viewshed study from intrusive development. The primary recommendation is to develop a historic visual overlay district that includes recommended standards for development on lands that are identified as being most at risk. Since the National Park Service does not have authority over land use planning beyond the park boundary, individual communities should be approached to consider these standards as part of their local land use law. The National Park Service should begin a dialogue with viewshed communities and conservation stakeholders on how land conservation can address many growth-related challenges. Currently, Saratoga County is undergoing a countywide open space plan to preserve and promote the valuable open space elements of the area, and the SNHP and surrounding viewshed should be an integral part of the plan. The National Park Service has to successfully make the case that their interest in land protection shares similar benefits with local communities. A broad range of shared preservation goals include the development of parks, greenways and recreation lands, the protection of open space lands with key environmental resources, the protection of lands that support important industries such as agriculture and tourism, and the protection of lands that enhance the history, character, identity, and way of life of a community. Some of the recommendations that could evolve out of such discussions could be the adoption of local zoning codes that address limitations on height, building mass and clear cutting. Also, the adoption of a local historic visual overlay district would preserve the historic structures and open lands in such a designated district. Another recommendation is for communities to develop open space plans that identify lands in need of special land use protection. A final recommendation would be the adoption and promotion of a funded purchase-of-development-rights program that would encourage the continued use of land in agricultural production and uses. The National Park System should form strong partnerships with viewshed communities identifying vital parcels for protection and working to preserve those parcels from potentially intrusive development.