Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200926 Kaydeross Ave East Subdivision Correspondance (2) Margot Tohn Tohn 241 Kaydeross Ave East Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 914 643 1920 mtohn@verizon.net Public Comment, Kaydeross Ave East Conservation Sub-Division I live at 241 Kaydeross Ave East, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. My property is adjacent to the proposed `Kaydeross Ave. East Sub-Division' development at 227 Kaydeross Ave East. I purchased my home on February 3, 2017 and would like to share my concerns about the proposed development. Kaydeross Ave East is 1.3 miles long, yet has only 11 homes—with two homes set back far enough to not even be visible from the road. As the Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) noted in its January 18, 2018 report about Kaydeross Ave East, `...this lightly traveled road remains one of Saratoga's best- preserved Rural Road Corridors.' This rural road is primarily used by residents, the school bus, delivery trucks, a few 'in the know', and some contractors. On weekends during May—September, both serious and casual cyclists use it frequently. This is a narrow and windy road, with several blind spots at sharp curves. During April —September 2018, when the Crescent Ave bridge over the Northway was under construction, our very rural road was `discovered' as an alternate route and experienced a significant increase in usage from locals, seasonal visitors, contractors, and even one police officer who commented to me, 'I never knew this road existed. It's a great cut-through for me now during Track Season." This increase in traffic created a danger to casual cyclists and pretty much anyone driving on the road. On at least two occasions, I was nearly hit by an oncoming vehicle when I was driving home. OSAC's report recommends opening up the highly preserved land around this proposed development on the West side of Kaydeross Ave East. Specifically: • Granting future public access to what will develop into one of Saratoga's nicest upland woodlands. • Granting access to an extraordinary tree, perhaps the largest in the city, as a great public service. By adding 14 homes to double the population on this very rural road, plus following OSAC's recommendation to create Kaydeross Ave East as a public destination, my overwhelming concerns are that these changes will: 1. Multiply the traffic so much that it destroys the very nature of our very rural road, making it lose its protected charm and safety, 2. Increase the potential for vehicle and human accidents, particularly around the curves and narrow areas. Sgt Andrew Prestigiacomo did an informal traffic study in July 2018 and reported, "The mobile Speed Awareness Trailer(speed sign) would not be conducive given the width of the roadway (ie. the road is too narrow). Our Traffic Maintenance Department assessed the area as well. They are limited as to what they can do however they are installing an additional "Cautionary Curve" sign. I will continue to monitor the area." 3. Increase the areas where water run-off from melting snow and rain gathers in the road, which forms dangerous large puddles or ice patches in winter, and 4. Create even more potholes (which get fixed only once a year), which already happens extensively at the South end of Kaydeross Ave East, I hope you will consider my concerns to not destroy 'one of Saratoga's best-preserved Rural Road Corridors.' I strongly suggest that the full Planning Board drive on Kaydeross Ave East to understand the implications of doubling the population on this very rural, narrow, and windy road. Margot Tohn Tohn 914 643 1920 mtohn@verizon.net TIMELINE July 30, 2020— Planning Commission discussed this development and voted 5:1 in favor of moving to the next stage. Unfortunately, Margot Tohn received notice in the mail the day after the meeting and did not attend. Margot Tohn subsequently listened to the entire meeting. Margot Tohn's letter is not included in the minutes, nor is the expected doubling in vehicle traffic discussed. June 11, 2020— Planning Commission discussed this development and voted 7:0 in favor of moving to the next stage. https://If.saratoga-springs.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=95490&dbid=0&repo. Margot Tohn's letter is not included in the minutes, nor is the expected doubling in vehicle traffic discussed. September 3, 2019— Margot Tohn's letter from March 13, 2019 was uploaded to the online portal again. Margot Tohn was never contacted. August 30, 2019—Margot Tohn submitted a letter of concern online to the online portal. It was received by bbirge@saratoga-springs.org, jennifer.merriman@saratoga-springs.org, susan.barden©saratoga- springs.org, amanda.tucker@saratoga-springs.org. Jen Merriman emailed Margot Tohn because the pdf was not downloading. Margot Tohn then directly emailed the letter of concern to Jen. No response. Margot Tohn was never contacted. March 13, 2019—Margot Tohn submitted a letter of concern through the online portal. No response. Margot Tohn was never contacted. March 1, 2019 -- Margot Tohn emailed Jennifer Merriman to express concerns about the likely increase in traffic on Kaydeross Ave East from the proposed development. Feb 2, 2019— Margot Tohn emailed Katie Farrone to express concerns about the likely increase in traffic on Kaydeross Ave East from the proposed development. January 24, 2019—227 KAE Development reviewed at Planning Commission meeting.