HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180226 18.013 SaratogaPetResort_ 1st submittal review letter_7-20-18THE
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July 20, 2018
Civil Engineers
Land Surveyors
Planners
Environmental & Safety Professionals
Landscape Architects
Transportation Planners&Engineers
Mr. Tim Wales, PE
City Engineer
City of Saratoga Springs
474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Delivered via email: timothy.wales@saratoga-springs.org
Re: City Designated Engineer Services for Traffic Review — 15t submittal
Saratoga Pet Resort, Kaydeross Avenue West
City of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, New York
Chazen Project No. 31804.10
City Project No. 18.013
Dear Tim:
CAPITAL DISTRICT OFFICE
547 River Street
Troy, NY 12180
P: 518.273.0055 or 888.539.9073
www.chazencompanies.com
The Chazen Companies (Chazen) have completed our review of the following materials received:
• Application for Special Use Permit
• Responses to Planning Board comments of May 3, 2018, dated May 25, 2018 and prepared by StudioA
Landscape Architecture
• Traffic Evaluation dated June 27, 2018 and prepared by VHB
• Traffic Evaluation dated March 27, 2018 and prepared by VHB
Following are our observations/comments as they relate to the June 27, 2018 Traffic Evaluation responses to
Planning Board and Public comments on traffic:
A. Comment: The US Route 9/Kaydeross Ave West intersection is dangerous and results in accidents.
The procedure and estimates of trips to be generated by the project are reasonable. Data provided by
VHB indicates that the proposed project is not expected to change the character, operation, or safety of
the intersection.
B. Comment: The sharp curve at the east end of the site is dangerous.
VHB's response is reasonable; however, based on Chazen's filed visit on July 11, 2018 it was noticed that
the turn warning sign and supplemental speed advisory sign are missing on the eastbound approach to the
curve — the signs should be re -installed as soon as possible. Also, for the warning sign in the southbound
direction overgrown brush/trees should be trimmed to improve its visibility.
C. Comment: Traffic volumes on Kaydeross Ave West and speed is a problem. It is dangerous for people
walking on Kaydeross Ave West.
Volume data provided by VHB has been reviewed and it is correct that Kaydeross Avenue West can be
considered a low volume roadway. Speed data provided shows that the 85th percentile speed is 11 to 13
HUDSON VALLEY • CAPITAL DISTRICT • NORTH COUNTRY • WESTCHESTER • NASHVILLE, TN
Chazen Engineering, Land Surveying & Landscape Architecture Co., D.P.C. (New York)
Chazen Engineering Consultants, LLC (Tennessee)
Saratoga Pet Resort - City Project No. 18.013 — 1st submittal
July 20, 2018
Page 2 of 2
mph higher than the 30 -mph speed limit. The 85th percentile speed is the speed at which 85% of motorists
are traveling at or below and it is typically used in designing roadways and setting speed limits.
D. Comment: A boulevard entry is being proposed since the developer anticipates traffic and site access
will be a problem. A boulevard entry is also confusing to drivers and is not conducive to the residential
character of the neighborhood.
VHB's response that the boulevard is not being installed to address anticipated traffic issues is reasonable.
When signed appropriately boulevards are an acceptable feature for roadways.
E. Comment: Will there be cars backed up on Kaydeross Ave West waiting to drop off their pets? Is there
sufficient space on the site for cars to stack while waiting to drop off pets?
VHB's response is reasonable. Not all traffic would be expected to enter the site at the same time. The
latest site plan shows the potential for an additional 38 spaces.
Following are our observations/comments as they relate to the March 27, 2018 Traffic Evaluation that provide
an overall traffic assessment of the project:
A. As noted above, the trip estimates for the proposed project are reasonable as is the conclusion that the
Kaydeross Avenue West will accommodate the site traffic.
B. The sight distance evaluation used guidelines associated with low volume roadways having an average daily
traffic (ADT) of 400 vehicles per day (vpd) or less. The traffic volumes to be added by the project will increase
the ADT above the 400 vpd threshold such that higher guidelines for the sight distance evaluation are
applicable. Using the higher guidelines results in the stopping sight distance being critically limited for
westbound vehicles as they approach the site driveway, and the intersection sight distance is less than the
guidelines for exiting motorists looking east (to the right.) The restriction to the sight distance is a horizontal
curve near the site driveway.
To maximize the sight distance available, a better location for the site driveway would be about the mid-
point of the curve in the area of utility pole 15 and the existing barns. Clearing/trimming of tress/brush on
the north side of the road would appear to also help maximize the sight distance.
If you have any comments, questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact this
office at 518-273-0055.
Sincerely,
Thomas R. Johnson,.E., PTOE
ransportation Sery es Manager
cc: File
James J. Connors, P.E., Principal
Sr. Director, Engineering Services
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