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Home My WebLink About20231004 3376 Broadway Treehouse Site Plan Complete Streets Advisory Opinion1/22/24, 1:05 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=24564&tz=America/New_York 1/4 From :Susan Barden <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Subject :Fwd: Treehouse Brewery-Complete Streets Advisory Board (CSAB) comments : See revisions-I added comment on potential back ups which is a real possibility To :Julia Destino <julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org> Zimbra julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org Fwd: Treehouse Brewery-Complete Streets Advisory Board (CSAB) comments : See revisions-I added comment on potential back ups which is a real possibility Mon, Jan 22, 2024 12:41 PM Please upload following email to Tree House Site Plan as CSAB advisory opinion. Thanks Susan B. Barden, AICP Principal Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-3550 ext. 2493 From: "Kenneth Grey" <kgrey@marshallsterling.com> To: "Susan Barden" <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org> Cc: "Ted Orosz" <tedvorosz@gmail.com>, "Michael King" <miking@trafficcalmer.com>, "Jagoda Suzanne" <suzannejagoda@gmail.com>, "Jen Natyzak" <president@bikeatoga.org>, lindleyhickox@gmail.com, "Marilyn Keating" <marilyn.keating@oracle.com>, "michael dutre" <michael.dutre@saratoga-springs.org> Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2024 2:03:35 PM Subject: Treehouse Brewery-Complete Streets Advisory Board (CSAB) comments : See revisions-I added comment on potential back ups which is a real possibility CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City network. Please contact IT Support if you need assistance determining if it's a threat before opening attachments or clicking any links. Dear Susan, Thank you for the opportunity to meet with Sarah and her representatives to allow Complete Streets (CSAB) comment on the proposed Treehouse Brewery. It was interesting to learn Treehouse is the largest direct to consumer brewery, in addition to being a distillery and organic/sustainable coffee distributor. Listed below are priority items identified by our board. We have included our concerns to best enable Treehouse to become an important pillar in our community. As Sarah stated, Treehouse identified Saratoga Springs as their only target location in New York and 1/22/24, 1:05 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=24564&tz=America/New_York 2/4 their first brewery expansion beyond MA borders. All our comments are in the spirit to welcome Treehouse to Saratoga Springs and to enhance the value of the Treehouse experience, consistent with their goals as identified by Sarah. Plan is to build a 5’ sidewalk along Treehouse frontage from Honda to hotel border. Treehouse’s goal is to attract cyclists (note the planned bike post installations) and pedestrians. Treehouse is proud of their record of no alcohol related incidents, as they promote a family friendly experience and limit the number of beers consumed (3). Recommendation to either increase the sidewalk width to 8 ft. Preferably, either a 12 ft multi-use path (NACTO standard) is installed or a 5 ft sidewalk and 12-foot bike lane. There is approximately 30 ft of frontage. Concern by Treehouse attorney that the above recommendation would be a “path to nowhere” and deteriorate. Consistent with Treehouse goals to attract cyclists and pedestrians safely, CSAB goals are to have a safe pathway to Crescent Avenue and the State park. At present, Congressman Tonko has agreed to a $300,000 grant for a multi-use 12-foot path along the south side of Crescent Ave from Rte 9/State Park to Nelson Ave. Susan Barden advised an additional $100,000 has been committed to the proposed trail from the Liberty housing project. While not related to the approval process, an additional Complete Streets aspiration is to construct a multi-use 12 ft path from the proposed Treehouse/hotel border to the East-West road intersection on route 9. A crosswalk would be part of this overall plan providing safe crossing at the East-West Rd light to the State Park, including a pedestrian/bicycle activated signal. Following our meeting last evening, we learned the city has authority to allow cycling on designated sidewalks. Having said that, we still believe the above recommendations are most appropriate. Planning board should investigate the potential to add a crosswalk on the south end of Crescent Ave between Saratoga Honda and the State Park. This solution is safer than the current DOT crosswalk installation on the north side, reducing the number of streets a pedestrian must cross. While meeting with DOT and the State Park, why not consider reducing the speed limit from the Northway exit 13 from 55 mph to 40 mph? In addition to the obvious safety benefits (traffic speeds and turning), it will create a more welcome gateway to the city. Has the Planning Board discussed with Treehouse potential back ups into the Rte 9 shoulder and how this will be best handled? Bus access-Planning Board should be considering adding a stop at Crescent Ave and the Jefferson/Liberty project. 1/22/24, 1:05 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=24564&tz=America/New_York 3/4 Complete Streets agrees with the plans for dark sky lighting. Complete Streets acknowledges/agrees with the architecture approved by DRB and the one way in, one way out drive. Complete Streets would like a “stub” to be added on the southeast corner of the site in the event a future connection can be made to the Hemlock Trail system off Crescent Ave. Bicycle parking should be covered and lit. Planning should be aware only route 9 frontage is DOT, not the city Concern was raised about the appearance of 44 parking spaces in front of the beautiful Treehouse building. Suggestion to plant trees and/or create a berm to retain an attractive appearance While outside the scope of Complete Streets, questions arose after the meeting as to why Treehouse is proposing essentially a drive through for beer pick up? This practice was adopted at their Charlton location only during covid. Treehouse’s goals are to bring the consumer, friends, and family inside their building, enjoy the experience and depart purchasing product while on site. We would like to see the parking lot/drive through revenue model either eliminated or consider as an alternative eliminating parking in front and conduct the “park and drive” concept using existing parking spaces on the south side (or approach Saratoga Honda to lease space if available on the north side of the building). We suggest referring to UDO requirements for drive through operations. On behalf of the Complete Streets board, thank you again for the opportunity to provide our perspective on this exciting development for the city of Saratoga Springs. Sincerely, Ken Grey, Complete Streets Advisory Board chair Thank you to friends supporting Team Billy 2023. Together we’ve funded over $2.9 million in brain tumor research grants. www.teambilly.org Notice of Confidentiality – Marshall & Sterling: If you have received this transmittal in error, please notify us and delete the original without reproducing it in any fashion as it may contain private or privileged information. Confidentiality/Privilege Notice: This e-mail communication and any files transmitted with it contain privileged and confidential information from the City of Saratoga Springs and are intended solely for the use of the individual(s) or entity to which it has been addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or taking any other action with respect to the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in 1/22/24, 1:05 PM Zimbra https://m.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=24564&tz=America/New_York 4/4 error, please delete it and notify the sender by return e-mail. Thank you for your cooperation.