HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200574 Excelsior Park SUP LA Group response to Chazen The LA GROUP
Landscape Architecture(Si Engineering RC_
People.Purpose.Place.
40 Long Alley
Saratoga Springs
NY 12866
p:518-587-8100
518-587-0180
www.thelagroup.com
December 14, 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, NY
Dear Mr. Birge:
The comment responses to the November 18,2020 comment letter issued by Chazen Companies are as follows.
Comment 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.
Response 1: Comment noted. No response required.
Comment 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.
Response 2: Comment noted. No response required.
Comment 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.
Response 3: Comment noted. No response required.
Comment 4: The study recommends conducting a follow-up traffic analysis if project is not completed by 2030.
Chazen concurs with this assessment.
Response 4: Comment noted. No response required.
Comment 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.
Response 5: Comment noted. No response required.
Comment 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.
Response 6: Comment noted.
Comment 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.
Response 7: The path and boardwalk referenced were approved with the Phase 2 project which was
completed by Saratoga Excelsior, LLC(Burns Management). The project has been completed
and the as-built filed. The path was permitted and approved as compacted stone dust which is a
type of pavement. The trail and connection points have been recently inspected and
maintenance should occur to repair the exposed filter fabric and gaps in the ends of the bridge
sections.
Sincerely,
David R. Carr, Jr., RLA,ASLA
Director of Residential and Commercial Services
Sr.Associate Principal/Landscape Architect
dcarr@thelagroup.com
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