HomeMy WebLinkAbout182 Excelsior Ave. Rappaport. 1.24.24 (2)182 Excelsior Ave. Comment from Laura Rappaport 22 Excelsior Spring Ave, SS, 12866
Neighbors still have concerns about this project. Very disappointed that neighborhood input has not been incorporated into site plan. The project will negatively impact the natural landscape
and human safety of this neighborhood and completely disregards natural elements and topography.
We want to see better, community-oriented plans.
Notably:
Driveways on Excelsior Spring Ave. are dangerous. This is a dangerous intersection this project will make it more so, not safer. Project address is Excelsior Ave so the entrances should
be on that road.
Major gas trunk line runs under Excelsior and Excelsior Spring Aves. Has it been taken into consideration?
Is the bridge over the Spring Run Trail adequate to handle more traffic, and construction vehicles?
Traffic Study: has an updated—current -- traffic study been done & submitted? Incorrectly indicates sidewalks along Excelsior Sporing Ave. there is a short sidewalk form Excelsior Ave
to Spring run trail but none up the road from there. Otherwise, Excelsior Spring Ave shoulders – 2’ wide is hardly adequate for pedestrian and bike access. This need addressing.
We take issue with the traffic study statement that the project will have little impact on traffic. It still uses the old 2020 Excelsiro Park study. A new one is certainly in order.
It claims just a 3% traffic increase. This might not seem like a lot overall for Excelsior Ave corridor, but it is a lot on a road that is already dangerous. Peak trip generation estimates
seem unrealistically low.
Require Traffic Mitigation: Measures including items such as sidewalks, speed bumps, bump outs, stop signs, crosswalks etc.
Complete Streets form: not adequate: the property might have some bike/ped amenities on-site, but it does not connect well with the neighborhood for bikes and pedestrians. Note that
there is no accommodation for public transit or school buses.
Consider re-orienting the project more toward Excelsior Ave. to make a streetscape. Move the historic buildings back and create nice building facades along the Excelsior and Excelsior
Ave frontage.
As Mr. Pingel noted at the last PB meeting to address this project, the view from Excelsior Spring Ave is into a mess of blacktop parking lot. Aesthetically antithetical in this more
natural/woodsy neighborhood.
Buffer for Spring Run Trail: New structures are proposed very close to hillside & trail. What are the erosion control methods? And how will the buildings be hidden from the trail? The
site plan shows all elimination of trees and buffer vegetation along the short, steep hillside. Do not replant with grass and invasives. Use native plantings.
Lighting: this neighborhood is dark at night which is good for nocturnal animals, and night sky. Make sure lights are off at night and any lighting is of the down-facing style to protect
night sky viewing.
Plans should try to bring in nature and not obliterate it.
Wetlands: Even if “non-jurisdictional” it is still a wetland. Why destroy it?
21st century issues: Solar panels, energy efficiency, and other green features are needed. No herbicide-lawn. Instead use native plantings. Cut down as few mature trees as possible.
There are some very old and important trees on the property, which abuts the City-owned public recreation area, Spring Run Trail and brook. A few parking spots with EV chargers is hardly
enough.