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Home My WebLink About20210757 Myrtle St. Site Plan Chazen review comments 12 09 21 THE CAPITAL DISTRICT OFFICE ChaKey Civil Engineers 4 British American Blvd Land Surveyors Planners Latham, NY 12110 ICE " Environmental&Safety Professionals P: 518.273.0055 or 888.539.9073 Landscape Architects Proud to be Employee Owned Transportation Planners&Engineers www.chazencompanies.com December 9, 2021 Ms. Deborah LaBreche City Engineer City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Delivered via email: Michael.veitch@saratoga.springs.org Re: Myrtle Street Medical Office Campus 55 Myrtle Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Chazen Project#32104.06 Dear Ms. LaBreche: Chazen previously completed an initial review of CME's Traffic Evaluation, dated July 16, 2021 for the proposed project.The following comments are provided after a detailed technical review of the evaluation and a review of the responses to the initial review comments. Traffic Evaluation: 2. The traffic evaluation notes a 20- to 30-second increase in delay as a result from the project at the intersection of Church St and Myrtle St; however,the study does not evaluate geometric improvements and only notes monitoring future conditions for possible signal timing adjustments. The applicant should consider evaluating potential geometric improvements to mitigate the increase in delay. Applicant Response: Geometric improvements were considered at this intersection; however, ROW constraints, parking lots and existing building locations limit the potential for roadway widening at the Church Street/Myrtle Street intersection. The level of service assessment indicates the intersection would operate at LOS D or better during peak hours after full build-out of the site, with signal timing adjustments. The only geometric improvement that would provide a noticeable reduction in delay at this intersection would be the addition of a left-turn lane, through lane, and separate right turn lane on the southbound Myrtle Street approach.A review of the intersection indicates that widening in this approach would significantly impact the Saratoga Spine business and is not considered practical. The proposed project has significant impact to the intersection of Church Street at Myrtle Street. Mitigation measures should be provided that fully mitigate the impacts to No-Build conditions, including concepts of the improvements and their potential impacts to adjoining lands.This information will allow the City to be fully informed about the impacts and the possible improvements. Mitigation measures could also include a reduction in the project size. Additional detail should be provided on the capacity analysis worksheets that include the 95th percentile queue lengths.Average queue lengths for build conditions on the Myrtle Street southbound approach are long and will prevent access into the right-turn lane. It can be expected Chazen Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture& Geology Co. D.P.C. (NY) Chazen Engineering Consultants, LLC(TN/OR) Myrtle Street Medical Office Campus—Traffic review December 9,2021 Page 2 of 3 that the 95th percentile queue length,the queue length typically referenced in analyses,will be significantly longer. 3. The study notes that there's heavy pedestrian activity that exists across Myrtle street, but does not discuss/analyze how the project will impact these heavily used crossings.The applicant should consider evaluating the impact of the project on the pedestrian traffic and whether any additional improvements are warranted, as the project generates a significant level of traffic. Applicant Response:A review of existing conditions indicates that two mid-block marked crosswalks are currently provided for pedestrians to cross Myrtle Street approximately 350 feet and 560 feet north of the signalized Church Street/Myrtle Street intersection. Pedestrian activity at these marked crosswalks was reported in the Traffic Evaluation letter during the morning peak period(7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.)and the afternoon peak period(4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.). It is agreed that heavy pedestrian activity associated with employees and visitors was observed accessing Saratoga Hospital and related land uses on Myrtle Street with over 250 pedestrians observed during the AM peak hour and over 150 pedestrians observed during the PM peak hour at both crossings in total. The data indicates that approximately 85% of the pedestrians observed during these peak times used the northern crosswalk due to the location of the large parking fields. It is noted that RRFBs(Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons) were recently installed by the City of Saratoga Springs as part of their Pedestrian Safety Design and Engineering project at the northern crosswalk to provide enhanced accommodations for pedestrians. In addition, appropriate signage was provided at the southern crosswalk to alert drivers of this crossing condition. After full buildout it is anticipated that Myrtle Street will experience approximately 635 to 690 vehicles during the AM and PM peak hours, respectively. A review of Figure 2a for the City of Boulder Guidelines for the Installation of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, Pedestrian Signals, or RRFB Signs on Low-Speed Roadways shows that the RRFB will remain an appropriate pedestrian accommodation at the northern crosswalk. No additional pedestrian accommodations above and beyond the improved sidewalk network noted in the Traffic Evaluation letter is recommended. The RRFB reference material of the City of Boulder should be provided as well as a discussion as to why and how it applies to NYS/Saratoga Springs. The hospital and proposed medical offices are related uses and it can be expected that the pedestrian activity will increase on Myrtle Street due to the project,especially since pedestrians will be required to cross Myrtle Street as the sidewalk alternates from one side of the street to the other.An estimate of the increase should be provided. What were the observations of traffic queues and the number of times the RRFB's were activated during the pedestrian activity counts?The high volume of pedestrian crossings and the increases in traffic may significantly impact the traffic flows and delays along Myrtle Street.An analysis of the impacts on delays and queues should be provided for existing and proposed conditions. What, if any, are the recommendations for enhanced visibility of the crosswalks proposed near the project site, especially as a crosswalk is proposed on a curve? \\cash.lab\z\Projects\32100-32199\32104.00-C.Saratoga Master\32104-06_Myrtle Street 20210757\03_Submission-3_20211201\SENT\32104-06_Myrtle Street_Traffic Comments.docx Myrtle Street Medical Office Campus—Traffic review December 9,2021 Page 3 of 3 The following traffic comments are in reference to the site plan: 1. A large, wide intersection consisting of three smaller full-movement intersections is proposed at the entrance to the site. Consideration should be given to reducing the size of the intersection and creating a T-intersection. 2. An incomplete sidewalk is proposed in the center of the parking lot directly across the main entrance to the office building. What is envisioned for pedestrians to cross at this location and for others that are parked elsewhere in the lot where there are no sidewalks? If you have any comments, questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact this office at 518-273-0055. Sincerely, (1-61Jessica Brown, P.E. Project Engineer cc:Jennifer Nechamen, P.E. Chazen \\cash.lab\z\Projects\32100-32199\32104.00-C.Saratoga Master\32104-06_Myrtle Street 20210757\03_Submission-3_20211201\SENT\32104-06_Myrtle Street_Traffic Comments.docx