Our peaceful neighborhood in The Town of Saratoga, NY is under threat. This is where our children laugh and play, where families enjoy the serenity and security of our tranquil surroundings. But all of this is under threat due to the proposed development of a music venue on Burke Road. 

Mostly Modern Projects’ Planned Unit Development (P.U.D.) on Burke Road in the Town of Saratoga is proposed a total of 7 short-term rentals (up to 5,000 square feet per home), a 10,000-square-foot Music Performance Venue (with food and beverage), an outdoor amphitheater, and 100 parking spaces on 18 acres that directly abut dozens of homes on Burke Road, County Route 68, and County Route 32. The noise and implications will carry throughout the area and will be felt throughout the town. Even more troubling, there are covenants and restrictions on this property that prevent development other than one- or two-family residences, yet the Patersons and their lawyer are working diligently to work around these restrictions.

On September 8th, 2025,  nearly 150 residents of the Town of Saratoga stood together at the Town Board Public Meeting to protest and learn more about this project. Over 40 residents spoke in protest, citing concerns ranging from zoning law violations to well-water contamination from a project of this size.

Following the September 8th Town Board Meeting, Robert and Victoria Paterson, the owners of Mostly Modern Projects, requested their proposal be adjourned from subsequent meetings while they consider reworking it. However, any version of this proposal violates our Comprehensive Land Use Plan, our Zoning Laws, and the Deed Restrictions on this land and 11 other parcels on Burke Road and County Route 68. Since then, dozens of residents have continued to show up to each Town Board Meeting, only to be met with refusal of privilege of the floor and rejection by the Town Supervisor of any request to return the proposal back to the agenda and vote it down.

In November 2025, the project was voted down by the Town of Saratoga. However, the Patersons shared that they do intend to resubmit for a similar project in the future, and the board said they would be amenable to a reduced version of their original proposal.

If a Planned Unit Development is approved, it effectively writes into law that this land can be commercially developed. Any future approval of Mostly Modern Projects’ proposal on Burke Road sets a dangerous precedent for further development in rural residential and agricultural lands meant to be preserved. Burke Road today—but maybe your street or neighborhood next. Approval of commercial projects have already unlawfully occurred on Cedar Bluff Road, Route 29, and Route 4 in the Town of Saratoga.

Since July, our community has come together to fight this project in every way possible. Retired lawyers have donated their time, and a myriad of incredible people have offered their skills and expertise to stop this development, but the Patersons have not stopped. To date, 387 people have signed a petition to stop the project; over 200 people have joined the private Facebook group where the opposition shares information and resources; the press has been notified, and articles have been written; and hundreds of letters have been sent to the Town Board, businesses, and people of influence.

We are hopeful we can come together again as a community and help one another with the legal fees it will take to bring this down once and for all. We cannot do this alone, but the contributions of the hundreds who already oppose this project will ensure we do not have to stop fighting to uphold the laws and rules meant to protect us.

Thank you for your contribution to this fight. We are an incredible community of strong and caring neighbors. We cannot allow people with influence and money to roll into our town and change the very character that defines us.