HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210806 247 Kaydeross Ave. East Sketch Subdivision Correspondance To: Mark Torpey, Chair, Planning Board
Susan Barden, Principal Planner
From: Tom Denny, Chair, Open Space Advisory Committee
Re: 247 Kaydeross Ave. East subdivision sketch plan
Date: January 31, 2022
Susan Barden requested that the Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) make a site visit and submit
an advisory opinion regarding the proposed subdivision at 247 Kaydeross Ave. East. On November 19,
2021, several members of the Open Space Advisory Committee joined Susan Barden and Frank
Scarpinato (applicant)for a site visit to his property at 247 Kaydeross Ave East. At the time of our visit,
the applicant had submitted a sketch plan but no conservation analysis. I apologize for the delay, but
here are some preliminary thoughts from OSAC members.
In broad terms,the committee felt that the clustering of the new structures in an upland location that
connected to the road coming through the Scott subdivision made sense.
Main concerns
• It is important to preserve the natural function of the upland forest as it drains to the large
wetlands complex below. The 2006 Green Infrastructure Plan for Saratoga County(pp. 49-50)
identified the wetlands below this parcel as part of the Saratoga Lake/Drummond Creek
Wetlands, a complex of county-wide significance. From the conservation values perspective
regarding the current proposed subdivision,the OSAC finds this to be the most relevant and
broadly applicable portion of the County discussion: "This important wetland area also
includes the upland habitat area necessary to maintain its function. Maintaining connectivity
of the wetland and upland [...] is important for wildlife and natural system function."
• Viewsheds. The 2020 Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) identified the I-87 corridor as a Scenic
Rural Highway Corridor with views of wetlands and forested ridgelines enhancing the City in the
Country experience. Similarly,the view when traveling east along Crescent Ave.from Nelson
Ave to Kaydeross Ave. East was singled out as a Scenic Vista. (See NRI, Fig. 92, p. 309)
• Preservation of"dark skies,"which is important both as habitat for nocturnal pollinators and
other animals and as a key aspect of the "rural character" of the Greenbelt (see Chapter 10 of
the 2020 NRI)
• As population and traffic increases on Kaydeross Ave. East, the City needs to consider the safety
for cars, bicyclists,and rural walkers along this narrow byway, one of the best preserved Scenic
Rural Road Corridors in the City. Development pressure in this area will test both the rural
character and the actual safe capacity (width) of this road.
Recommendations:
• Move the proposed development, both structures and impervious pavement, further away from
where the steep slopes drop off.
• Require a no-cut zone to preserve the forested area along the slope down to Crescent Ave. and
to the wetlands in its natural state. This is important for hydrology, habitat, and viewshed.
[NOTE: It has been challenging for the City to enforce no-cut buffers and conservation easements
over the long term, in part because of a lack of readily available public information. VI/e
recommend that the Planning Board work with the Planning staff to set up a mechanism for
making the existence of no-cut zones and easements more transparent. We would be happy to
discuss this further.]
• Require that the applicant submit a viewshed analysis of the plans.
• Minimize the clearing of trees as the water connection is made to Crescent Ave. There is
already a partially cleared trail down the slope. This should be expanded as little as possible for
the construction of the water line.
• Minimize needless impervious pavement. Current plans for the subdivision at 227 Kaydeross
Ave. East show a cul-de-sac as the road nears the property line with 247. The sketch plans for
247 then show a second cul-de-sac,just a short distance from the other. Cul-de-sacs create a
large area of impervious pavement, something City planning should minimize when possible.
Eliminate one of these redundant cul-de-sacs, perhaps by revising the plans for 227.
• Minimize light pollution to protect nocturnal habit and rural character. Encourage the applicant
to design this subdivision as a model for minimizing light pollution in Saratoga's Greenbelt,
including wide use of timed and motion-sensitive lighting to light only when and where needed.
• The City should consider how it might safely continue to accommodate desired rural usage
(bicyclists and walkers) as car traffic increases along Kaydeross Ave. East.
One final observation about the property. As we walked the meadow where the proposed
subdivision will be built,the ground was extremely wet. This contrasted sharply with the ground in
the adjacent wooded area along the border between 247 and 227. This makes sense, given that
trees have a remarkable capacity to absorb ground water and prevent flooding. As the plans
progress, it may be desirable to plant a significant number of additional large-growing trees for
water table regulation.
Please be in touch with any questions.