HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200574 EP Traffic Study (2) THE NORTH COUNTRY OFFICE
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November 18, 2020
Bradley Birge
Administrator of Planning & Economic Development
City of Saratoga Springs
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Re: City Designated Planning Services for Excelsior Park SEQR Review
264 Excelsior Avenue, City of Saratoga Springs,Saratoga County, New York
Chazen Project#31904.01
City Project#18.056
Dear Mr. Birge:
The Chazen Companies (Chazen) have completed our review of the following materials received:
• Excelsior Park Traffic Impact Study, prepared by GPI, dated October 2020.
Following are our observations/comments:
1. The site generated traffic estimates and trip distribution patterns are acceptable. It is estimated that
the project will generate 135 external trips in the weekday AM peak hour and 226 external trips in the
weekday PM peak hour.The PM peak hour generates more traffic than the AM peak due to the retail
portion of the project. Retail components typically generate more traffic in the afternoon than in the
morning.
2. The level of service analysis highlights the need for similar improvements as presented in the original
special use permit application, namely:
a. Extend the westbound left-turn lane on Route 50 at Veterans Way;
b. Construct a northbound right-turn lane on Veterans Way at Route 50;
c. Install traffic calming measures at the Excelsior Spring Avenue and Victoria Lane/Audrey Lane
intersection; and
d. Install a traffic signal at the Excelsior Avenue and Marion Avenue intersection.
These improvements are included as recommendations in the study and Chazen concurs with the
need for these improvements.
3. The level of service analysis shows that construction of a southbound right-turn lane on Veterans Way
at Excelsior Avenue is not needed and it is not included as a recommendation. Chazen concurs with
this assessment.
4. The study recommends conducting a follow-up traffic analysis if project is not completed by 2030.
Chazen concurs with this assessment.
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Chazen Engineering, Land Surveying& Landscape Architecture Co. DPC(NY) • Chazen Engineering Consultants, LLC(TN/OR)
City Designated Planning Services for Excelsior Park SEQR Review
November 18,2020
Page 2 of 2
5. The study identifies thresholds when the recommended improvements would be needed. The turn
lanes at Route 50 and Veterans Way are needed with any new development trips;traffic calming
measures at Excelsior Spring Avenue and Victoria Lane/Audrey Lane are needed with 50 new trips;
and the signal at Excelsior Avenue and Marion Avenue are needed with 75 new trips. The Excelsior
Park project is expected to add 135 and 226 trips in the AM and PM peak hours, respectively;thereby,
exceeding the thresholds identified above.All improvements should be constructed and operational
before this next phase of Excelsior Park is opened.
6. The study presents a fair-share analysis for construction of the improvements, noting that the project
should be responsible for only 40% -45%of the construction costs. Absent a fair-share policy between
the City and developers in the corridor, the Excelsior Park applicant should be responsible for 100%of
the construction costs.
7. The study states that construction of the paved pedestrian/bike path from the site to the Spring Run
Trail is complete. However, only a short portion of the path is paved, and the rest of the path is a
gravel surface with filter fabric exposed that poses a tripping hazard.Additionally, the connection
points of the path to both ends of the bridge through the wetland and to the Spring Run Trail are not
ADA compliant.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Norabelle Greenberger
Planner
cc: Chris Round, AICP
Z:\projects\31900-31999\31904-XX_Saratoga Springs\31904.01-Excelsior Park SEQRA Mods PB#17.074\Correspondence\3rd submittal\SENT\31904-01_Traffic Review Summary_20201118.docx