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Home My WebLink About20180226 18.013 SaratogaPetResort_Response Traffic Comments_8-23-18August 21, 2018 Ref: 26505.00 Mr. S. Jeffrey Anthony, RLA, ASLA StudioA Landscape Architecture 480 Broadway, Suite 324 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Re: Response to Chazen Comments, Saratoga Pet Resort, Kaydeross Avenue West, City of Saratoga Springs, NY Dear Mr. Anthony, We are in receipt of the letter dated July 20, 2018 from Chazen Companies regarding traffic on the subject project. Below is a summary of the comments and our responses. Comments as related to the June 27, 2018 Traffic Evaluation responses to Planning Board and Public comments Comment A: 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. Response: Comment noted. Comment B: The sharp curve at the east end of the site is dangerous. VHB's response is reasonable; however, based on Chazen's field 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 visibility. Response: Comment noted. The project team will confirm that the City highway department is aware of the noted needed sign replacement. Comment C: 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 mph higher than the 30 -mph speed limit. The 85th percentile speed is the speed at which 85% of the motorists are travelling at or below and it is typically used in designing roadway and setting speed limits. Engineers I Scientists I Planners I Designers 100 Great Oaks Boulevard Suite 118 Albany, New York 12203 P 518.389.3600 F 518.452.0324 M. S. Jeffrey Anthony Ref: 26505.00 August 21, 2018 Page 2 Response: Comment noted. Comment D: 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 of roadways. Response: Comment noted. Comment E: 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. Response: Comment noted. Comments as related to the March 17, 2018 Traffic Evaluation Comment A: The trip estimates for the proposed project are reasonable as is the conclusion that the Kaydeross Avenue West will accommodate the site traffic. Response: Comment noted. Comment 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 evaluation 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 trees/brush on the north side of the road would appear to also help maximize the sight distance. Response: VHB has re-evaluated the location of the site access driveway as it relates to the sight distance (based on the higher AASHTO guidelines) and the layout of the site and on-site circulation. It is noted that the area noted by Chazen to the east along the curve has numerous constraints regarding the placement of a driveway, including the noted utility pole, a hydrant, the two existing barns (which are proposed to remain in place), and a creek. Based on an overall review of the available sight lines along the project frontage and the on-site layout and circulation pattern, it is recommended that to maximize the sight lines, an entrance only driveway be placed on the westerly end of the site approximately 80 feet east of the existing hydrant near the westerly property boundary and an exit only driveway be placed closer to the barns approximately 25 feet east of the hydrant located near utility pole 15. Table 1 Mr_ S. Jeffrey Anthony Ref 26!,0. 00 AucNsi 21, 2010 Paq 3 „E„vhb illustrates the available sight distances as measured by VHB and compared to the AASHTO sight distance guidelines for a 40 -mph operating speed in the eastbound direction and a 45 -mph operating speed in the westbound direction. Table 1— Sight Distance Summary (feet) a. Based on guidelines established in A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2011 for a 40 -mph in the eastbound direction and a 45 -mph operating speed in the westbound direction b. Due to existing vegetation on-site the sight distance was measured at 4 -feet from the edge of roadway. With clearing of vegetation on-site the noted sight distances will be met at 14.5 feet back, DL= looking left, DR= looking right Ds= looking straight ahead on mainline, SSD= stopping sight distance, EB= eastbound, WB=westbound, Na= Not applicable for specified movement Review of Table 1 shows that all the available sight distances for vehicles entering and exiting the site as well as the stopping sight distance measurements meet the AASHTO sight distance guidelines at the proposed enter and exit driveways on Kaydeross Avenue West. Clearing of vegetation along the site frontage is required to provide clear lines of sight and meet the AASHTO guidelines at the Easterly Site Driveway. Based on VHB's field review and review of the proposed site plan, the following additional information is offered: • Providing separate entrance and exit driveways maximizes the available sight lines at the site as overall intersection sight distances are better at the easterly driveway and overall stopping sight distance is better at the westerly driveway. • The layout as proposed provides for better on-site circulation and avoids a sharp 180 degree turn that would be required by drivers entering the site traveling eastbound if a single full access driveway is provided on the east side of the site. • The driveways as proposed results in less impervious area on the site by reducing the pavement area/width needed with a single lane driveway versus a two-lane driveway. Right -turn Out (D1) Left -turn Out (Di) Left -turn Out (DR) Left -turn In (Ds) SSDEB SSDWB AASHTO Guideline a 385 445 500 325 305 360 Easterly Exit Driveway b (25' east of eastern hydrant) 600+ 600+ 585 Na Na Na Westerly Entrance Driveway (80' from western hydrant) Na Na Na 505 480 375 a. Based on guidelines established in A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2011 for a 40 -mph in the eastbound direction and a 45 -mph operating speed in the westbound direction b. Due to existing vegetation on-site the sight distance was measured at 4 -feet from the edge of roadway. With clearing of vegetation on-site the noted sight distances will be met at 14.5 feet back, DL= looking left, DR= looking right Ds= looking straight ahead on mainline, SSD= stopping sight distance, EB= eastbound, WB=westbound, Na= Not applicable for specified movement Review of Table 1 shows that all the available sight distances for vehicles entering and exiting the site as well as the stopping sight distance measurements meet the AASHTO sight distance guidelines at the proposed enter and exit driveways on Kaydeross Avenue West. Clearing of vegetation along the site frontage is required to provide clear lines of sight and meet the AASHTO guidelines at the Easterly Site Driveway. Based on VHB's field review and review of the proposed site plan, the following additional information is offered: • Providing separate entrance and exit driveways maximizes the available sight lines at the site as overall intersection sight distances are better at the easterly driveway and overall stopping sight distance is better at the westerly driveway. • The layout as proposed provides for better on-site circulation and avoids a sharp 180 degree turn that would be required by drivers entering the site traveling eastbound if a single full access driveway is provided on the east side of the site. • The driveways as proposed results in less impervious area on the site by reducing the pavement area/width needed with a single lane driveway versus a two-lane driveway. Mr. S Jeffrey .Anthony Ref: 26505 00 August 21 2018 Page 4 Based on the above re-evaluation of sight distance, it is recommended that the site be serviced by two one-way driveways, one for entering and one for exiting maneuvers. If you have any questions on the above evaluation, please call. Sincerely, VHB Engineering, Surveying and Landscape Architecture, P.C. Wendy C. berger, PE, PTOE Director ransportation A anna M. Moran Senior Traffic Designer wholsberger@vhb.com amoran@vhb.com Attachment