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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230233 Station Lane Site Plan Laberge CRLlb-h' LANSINQ ENGINEERING, PC December 21, 2023 Susan B. Barden, AICP Principal Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 RE: Faden — West Avenue Site Plan City of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, New York Project #20230233 Dear Ms. Barden: 2452 STATE RUU-FE 9 SUITE 301 MALTA, NY 12020 T (51 B) B99-5243 F (5 1 B) B99-5245 Lansing Engineering is pleased to submit this letter in response to the May 24, 2023 comment letter prepared by Robert J. Titus, PE, regarding the above noted project. The following summarizes the comments followed by our response. Please note that this letter addresses those comments that are not related to the SEQRA review. A comment response letter addressing the SEQRA related items (Comments #22 through #25) was prepared and submitted to the City on August 31, 2023. Site Plan Application and Review Submittal Checklist: Comment: The completed checklist was not provided. Response: The completed checklist has been included with this submission. 2. Comment: Site Plan Item #11: All property owners within 300-feet of the property are not shown. Predominantly applies to properties on the opposite side of adjacent streets. Response: The plans have been revised to include the property owner information in the immediate vicinity of the project parcel. Please note that there are some properties within 300' of the project parcel that cannot be shown at the current drawing scale. A map has been added to sheet ECD-1 to show the properties, with ownership information, for all parcels within 300' of the project. 3. Comment: Site Plan Item #12: A proposed postal address could not be found. Response: The proposed postal address for the project is 17 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The proposed address has been added to sheet COV-1 as General Note #32, as well as in the Site Statistics table. 4. Comment: Site Plan Item #13: Sheet ECD-1: at the frontage line of West Avenue, there is a dashed line shown within the property that parallels the roadway, approximately 10 to 15 feet inside the property. The applicant should clarify the purpose of this line and whether or not it represents an easement. Care must be exercised along this frontage line as the building is proposed to be close to the road and there are utilities shown immediately adjacent within the right of way. Faden — West Avenue Site Plan December 21, 2023 Response: The dashed line represents a temporary easement that was granted to the NYSDOT in 2000. The temporary easement was granted as part of the NYSDOT's project to install infrastructure and rebuild the roads in the vicinity of the project. It appears that the temporary easement was needed to provide a work area for construction activities and is not associated with any utilities having been installed on, or immediately adjacent to, the project parcel. A copy of the temporary easement has been included with this submission. The easement states that it was valid '...until the approval of the completed work...'. Since the work was completed approximately 20 years ago, it appears the easement is no longer valid. As such, it has been removed from the plans. Prior to construction, the contractor will contact UDig NY for verification of underground utilities in the vicinity of the project. Site Plan Drawings: 5, Comment: Sheet LM-1: The limits of the new sidewalk along Station Lane on the project side of the road are not clear. The sidewalk is shown to continue to the west, therefore the applicant should explain to where the sidewalk will be installed under this project. If the sidewalk extension off the sheet will be performed by others, the applicant should indicate how their sidewalk will terminate at the extended sidewalk. In addition, the existing tree line along Station Lane where the sidewalk will be installed overlaps the proposed sidewalk. A clearing limit should be shown along Station Lane. Some clearing of vegetation adjacent to the entrance was also recommended in the Updated Traffic Evaluation. Response: The sidewalk extension to the west was installed this year as part of the Station Lane Apartments project. The plans have been revised to clarify where the new sidewalk will be installed to as part of the Faden - West Ave Site Plan project. Similarly, the existing tree line along Station Lane was recently altered as part of the Station Lane Apartments project. The existing and proposed tree lines have been updated in the revised plan set. The Updated Traffic Evaluation indicated that vegetation should be cleared along the project frontage a minimum of 14.5 feet back from the travel lane. The proposed tree line in the revised plans show vegetation being cleared between 18' and 40' from the travel lane. As such, the project meets the recommendations provided in the Updated Traffic Evaluation. 6. Comment: Sheet LM-1: The applicant has indicated on sheet ECD-1 that the guard rail will be removed along Station Lane on the project side of the road. This sheet does not show a replacement guard rail, which is needed along the ditch especially due to the expected increase in foot traffic on this side of the road. Response: The guard rail along this section of Station Lane was modified as part of the adjacent Station Lane Apartments project. The plans have been revised to show the guard rail to remain as it was installed by the adjacent project. 7. Comment: Sheet LM-1: The applicant should consider moving the rapid flash beacon to the project side of West Avenue closer to the crosswalk, or, due to visibility concerns, moving the crosswalk closer to the beacon. Faden — West Avenue Site Plan December 21, 2023 Response: The stairs and outdoor eating area have been reconfigured for architectural purposes. As a result, modifications were made to the sidewalk, crosswalk, and rapid flashing beacon location at the northwest corner of the West Ave and Station Lane intersection. The new location for the rapid flashing beacon is in close proximity to the sidewalk, crosswalk, and curb ramp near the southeast corner of the project. 8. Comment: Sheet LM-1: The applicant should evaluate whether there is sufficient clearance for pedestrians and snow clearing equipment to cross beneath the guy wire to the power pole adjacent to the loading zone on Station Lane. Response: The existing clearance was measured at a point 5' north of the utility pole. This location represents the north edge of the proposed sidewalk and will have the least amount of clearance upon completion of the project due to the guy wire being anchored on the north side of the pole. The existing elevation at this location is approximately 324.02' and the clearance was measured at 14'. As such, the elevation of the guy wire at the north edge of the proposed sidewalk is approximately 338.02'. The proposed elevation at this location is 325.10 , so the clearance upon completion of the project will be approximately 12.9'. This should be sufficient clearance for pedestrians and even large sidewalk snow clearing tractors. 9. Comment: Sheet LM-1: The applicant should indicate where nose -down (transition) curbs will be installed at the terminus of proposed curbing. In particular, note the apparent end of curb on the west side of the site entry drive from Station Lane and at crosswalks. Response: Sheet LM-1 has been revised to indicate the locations of the proposed transition curbs. Please note that the layout of the sidewalks and curbs near the project driveway has been revised in this submission. 10. Comment: Sheet LM-1: Locations for sidewalk ramps at proposed crosswalks do not appear to be shown. Response: The crosswalk and sidewalk layout near the West Ave and Station Lane intersection has been revised in this submission. Ramps have been provided at both sides of both crosswalks at the intersection of Station Lane and West Ave. Only one ramp is required for the crosswalk at the project driveway. Arrows at each ramp indicate the downward slope direction. 11. Comment: Sheet LM-1: Just east of sign 4 on Station Lane there appears to be a proposed section of sidewalk that travels south from the sidewalk parallel to the road that ends at the edge of the road. The applicant should clarify the intent of this section and if a crosswalk is meant to be included. Response: There is an existing CDTA bus stop on the north side of Station Lane. The bus stop must be relocated to the west side of the project driveway because the current location conflicts with the proposed street parking spaces on the north side of Station Lane. Sign #4 marks the proposed location for the relocated bus stop. At this location, there is a grass buffer strip between the sidewalk that runs parallel to the road and the edge of pavement. The referenced section of sidewalk provides a durable surface for passengers to cross the grass buffer strip while boarding or disembarking a bus. As such, a crosswalk is not needed. Faden — West Avenue Site Plan December 21, 2023 12. Comment: Sheet LM-1: The applicant should clarify define for the city their desired terms of ownership and maintenance for the proposed outdoor civic area and eating area. These areas are located within the right of way of Station Lane. Response: The outdoor eating area supports the proposed restaurant and has been integrated into the stairs and ramp that provide access to the streetside entrances to the building. Since the eating area is an integral component to the proposed development, the applicant is proposing to own and maintain all components of the outdoor eating area, as well as the associated stairs, ramp, railings, and retaining walls that are located within the right-of-way. Please note that the previously proposed civic area has been removed and replaced by a proposed nature trail on the project parcel in the NYSDEC 100' adjacent area. 13. Comment: Sheet UG-1: The applicant should confirm the depth and slope of the sanitary sewer in Station Lane to which the proposed building will connect with it's lateral. Elevations shown indicate this sewer is approximately 13-feet deep. Excavation for this connection will create a large disturbance to Station Lane. The depths of the sanitary sewer manholes on West Avenue are not shown. Response: Based on NYSDOT record drawings, the gravity main in Station Lane is a 12" SDR- 35 PVC pipe with a slope of 0.5%. The sewer main is approximately 13' deep at the point of connection for the proposed lateral. The adjacent Station Lane Apartments project successfully completed three sanitary sewer lateral connections to the gravity main that extends west from the pump station to the train station. The depth of the gravity main near the Station Lane Apartments project is approximately 11'. The additional 2' of excavation is not anticipated to cause a significantly larger amount of disturbance to Station Lane than was caused by the adjacent project. The connection of the proposed lateral can be safely made and the disturbance to Station Lane can be minimized provided that proper excavation and shoring methods are employed. Inverts for the sanitary sewer main in West Avenue could not be obtained because several of the manhole covers north of the intersection with Station Lane have been partially paved over. Per NYSDOT record drawings, the depth of the sewer main in West Avenue is approximately 5.5' to 6.5' for the segment that runs between Church Street and Station Lane. However, since the traffic volumes are significantly higher on West Ave than they are on Station Lane, a connection for the proposed sanitary sewer lateral to the Station Lane sewer main is preferred. Additionally, the Station Lane sanitary main is located on the project (north) side of the road, while the West Ave sanitary main is on the opposite (east) side of that road. A connection to the West Ave gravity main would require more pavement removal and restoration and would have a greater impact on vehicular traffic than would a connection to the Station Lane gravity sanitary sewer. 14. Comment: Sheet UG-1: A downspout roof leader connection is shown at every building corner except the southwest. The applicant should confirm whether a downspout is needed at that location. Response: Due to the difference in grade between the front and rear of the building and the location of the entrance to the proposed basement level parking, it is not possible to run a roof leader pipe outside the building footprint from the southwest corner of the building to Subsurface Detention System #1. Any runoff from the southwest portion of the roof that Faden — West Avenue Site Plan December 21, 2023 cannot be conveyed to the roof leader pipes via external downspouts will be conveyed inside the building via a vertical pipe in the stairwell at the southwest corner of the building. At the basement level, the pipe will turn to the north, under the first floor and through the parking garage. The pipe will then exit through the foundation wall at the north side of the building, where it will connect to the roof leader pipe under the sidewalk that ultimately discharges to Subsurface Detention System #1. Since this pipe is largely run through the building, it has not been shown on sheet UG-1. 15, Comment: Sheet UG-1: Structure OCS-3 lies within the right of way of Station Lane. It appears the purpose of this control structure is to back up water into the pipes and drainage inlets proposed to be installed in Station Lane. Detention of stormwater in this manner provides minimal benefit regarding the reduction of peak flows to the receiving water body. Due to the additional maintenance requirements imposed on the City with minimal benefit, it will be best if OCS-3 were changed to a standard structure. Response: The HydroCAD model was revised to eliminate the orifice and weir outlet controls on the proposed pipe gallery as requested. Per review comment #21, the original Subcatchment 2S can be divided into two separate subcatchments to help facilitate the elimination of the pipe gallery outlet controls. In the updated HydroCAD analysis included in the revised SWPPP, Subcatchment 5S represents the portion of the original Subcatchment 2S that drains to the new catch basin that will be installed over the existing culvert (immediately west of the outdoor eating area and street -side building entrances). The drainage area for Subcatchment 2S was reduced to account for the area assigned to Subcatchment 5S. Per the revised HydroCAD analysis, the peak discharge rates for Design Point DP1 are: 1-YR 10-YR 25-YR 100-YR PRE -DEVELOPMENT cfs cfs cfs cfs DESIGN POINT 1 0.96 3.39 4.99 8.43 POST -DEVELOPMENT cfs cfs cfs cfs DESIGN POINT 1 1.00 2.68 3.70 8.41 Peak discharge rates in the Post -Development condition will be below the Pre -Development rates for all storms except the 1-year storm event. The peak discharge rate for the 1-year storm event represents an increase of 4.2% over the Pre -Development rate. Per section 4.10 "Downstream Analysis" of the New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual, a peak flow rate increase of less than S% can be approved provided that no downstream structures or buildings are impacted. Runoff from the project site is conveyed to the south side of Station Cane, where it ultimately flows into a large NYSDEC wetland on the Intrada parcel. Due to the size of the wetland, the 0.04 cfs increase in the discharge rate for the 1- year storm event is not expected to result in impacts to any downstream structures or buildings. As such, the request to eliminate the outlet controls for the pipe gallery can be accommodated provided that the 4.2% increase in the peak discharge rate for the 1-year storm event is acceptable. Faden — West Avenue Site Plan December 21, 2023 Site Plan Narrative and Water/Sewer Letter Report: 16. Comment: Some items noted above that require further information can be added to the Narrative. Response: The project narrative has been revised to address several items noted in the comment letter. 17. Comment: The applicant should make note that it is more appropriate to compute the half to 60% full pipe capacity for sanitary sewer flows rather than full pipe capacity shown on page 2 of the Water/Sewer Letter Report. Response: The Water/Sewer Letter Report has been updated to evaluate the available design capacity of a 6" pipe flowing at 60% full against the required capacity to serve the project. The available capacity was calculated to be 260 gallons per minute (gpm), which is greater than the 38.97 gpm of capacity needed for the building. Please note that the Water/Sewer Letter Report has also been updated to account for the current building floor plan, which proposes a 2,100 SF restaurant with approximately 50 seats, 8,330 SF of retail/commercial space, and 71 apartments. 18. Comment: It is understood that upgrades have been made to the adjacent sanitary sewer pump station by the nearby Intrada Development and that Faden-West has agreed to contribute to the cost. The applicant should make available any relevant reports and design documents regarding that upgrade. Response: The pump station upgrades were designed by The LA Group and the work was completed by the owners of the Intrada project in 2019. A representative from The LA Group provided us with a plan sheet depicting the pump station upgrades, as well as a 2017 Engineer's Report regarding the pump station condition and the recommended upgrades. Per the LA Group representative, the City of Saratoga Springs reviewed and approved all relevant reports and plans related to the pump station upgrades before the work was done. Copies of the plan sheet and report have been included with this submission. The applicant for the Faden — West Ave Site Plan project is committed to reimbursing the Intrada parcel developers for the project's share of the pump station upgrade costs as this project advances. SWPPP: 19. Comment: Narrative page 19. The applicant should explain how the stormwater collected by the cistern will be utilized and/or maintained during winter months. Although during freezing temperatures the inflow should be minimal, there will be some water collected from groundwater infiltration. Response: The void space in the 1.25' of stone bedding below the chambers of Subsurface Detention System #1 provides the storage volume for the cistern. Subsurface Detention System #1 will be wrapped with a 30-mil polyethylene impermeable liner that will prevent groundwater from flowing into the stone. Section 5.3 of the SWPPP has been revised to state that the cistern shall be pumped out prior to the onset of winter. 20. Comment: Green Infrastructure techniques, narrative page 18. The applicant should consider tree and stormwater planters in the GI techniques being utilized as there appears to be sufficient landscaping Faden — WestAvenue Site Plan December 21, 2023 proposed to support such practices. Usage of the cistern is highly dependent on needs and therefore may not be a reliable technique for water reclamation. Response: The SWPPP has been revised to include tree plantings as a Green Infrastructure practice to be utilized by the project. The plans have been revised to direct runoff from impervious areas to the tree plantings. 21. Comment: Post -Development Conditions, narrative page 21. Subcatchment 2S encompasses all of the area within the right of way of Station Lane. This area should be further divided to two areas: one that captures the area draining to the new catch basin at the north end of the culvert near the civic area and a second that captures the area to the west draining to the new storm system and the outlet to the wetland channel. The existing drainage to the culvert at the east section can be maintained as much as possible and the attempt at stormwater detention within the pipes in the western section can be avoided. Response: As discussed in the response to Comment #15, Subcatchment 2S has been divided into two separate areas. The new Subcatchment SS accounts for the area that drains to the new catch basin (CB12) located immediately west of the outdoor eating area. The drainage area for Subcatchment 2S has been reduced accordingly. As requested, the outlet controls on the Station Lane pipe gallery have been removed. Per the revised HydroCAD analysis, the request to eliminate the outlet controls from the pipe gallery can be accommodated provided that a 4.2% increase in the 1-year storm event peak discharge rate is acceptable. Attached will be a copy of the revised plan set and supporting documents for your review. Please note that a response letter addressing the review comments (#22 through #25) pertaining to the Long Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) was previously submitted on 8/31/23. A copy of that letter and the revised EAF have been included with this submission for reference. If additional information is required, please contact our office at your earliest convenience. Thank you. Sincerely, LAN5ING ENGINEERING, PC Michael T. Vaillant, PE CC: Russell Faden (Applicant)