“It’s a commercial zone, but we are open to mixed use. We’d like to see more mixed use in future development, and we see more developers interested in doing mixed use,” Queensbury Town Supervisor John Strough said. “Speaking for the board, we’re looking at allowing apartments to be in the commercial zone, but coming up with [a solution] to not destroy the commercial property, because maybe it hasn’t been popular now, but who knows next year or the year after.”  

A pivot to residential in this section of the Route 9 corridor has come after years of business turnover and vacant lots. The justification is that residential buildings could revitalize this stretch and even help to put money in the pockets of the surrounding businesses. 

“The typical example that’s giving just a wonderful arrangement of mixed use is where Walmart is [on Route 9], and the back of Walmart you have three or four different types of apartments and housing there, and it leads to a symbiotic relationship, which is one thing I think we’re looking for,” Strough continued. 

Strough emphasized the importance of mixed use, by adding, “It’s where you have people that may work or maybe retired, they’re in a place where there is municipal transportation, job openings, where they can walk and do their shopping, so there’s a symbiotic relationship there.”

As of now, no site designs or renderings have been presented, but the hope is that, now that there is town approval for residential use, a more thorough application can be completed to go before the town’s planning board in the coming months. Then the property owners can each put together a plan to develop their respective locations with specific engineering and design work, according to Lapper. 

Saratoga Springs-based Prime Group Holdings owns the Lake George Campsites property. The real estate private equity firm focuses largely on self-storage under the brand Prime Storage, operating well over 350 facilities nationwide. The firm’s founder and chief executive officer, Robert Moser, is a Queensbury High School graduate. 

Luke Mosseau is a staff writer. Contact: 518-742-3224, lmosseau@poststar.com.

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