HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260098 56 Duplainville Rd Regeneron Sketch Plan NYSDOT Official SEQR Response 03.09.2026
50 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12232 │ www.dot.ny.gov
March 6th, 2026
Susan Barden, Administrator of Planning Department
City of Saratoga Springs
Planning Department
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Re: Regeneron Saratoga Springs – Duplainville Road
56 Duplainville Road
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Dear Susan:
The New York State Department of Transportation has reviewed the SEQR
documentation received per the correspondence dated February 23rd, 2026, and offers
the following:
1. The NYSDOT acknowledges the Saratoga Springs Planning Board will be
designated as the Lead Agency for this environmental review. NYSDOT
believes we are an Interested agency under SEQR.
2. This project proposes to redevelop the vacant “Quad Graphics” facility for
use as a Regeneron pharmaceutical production facility. The project is an
infill/redevelopment project and will include upgrades to existing mechanical
equipment, utilities, sanitary sewer systems, water mains, on-site water
tanks, trash compactors, bulk chemical and gas storage, additional sidewalks
and covered walkway, cooling towers, electrical transformers, pipe racking,
removal of a rail spur, site driveway improvements including a security gate,
emergency generators and a newly constructed parking garage. The project
plans to increase impervious surface by ~0.6 acres and 12.9/62.1 acres will
be physically disturbed.
The area of the project is zoned as “General Industrial” (IND-G), which is
intended to “accommodate light industrial, warehouse, and related business
uses in areas where the intensity of the uses will have minimum adverse
impacts on neighboring uses” (City Code, 240-6.1B). This project is
redeveloping an existing property within W.J. Grande Industrial Park and well
aligns with the permitted zoning uses and existing land use.
This project also compliments and furthers the City of Saratoga Spring’s
2015 Comprehensive Plan. Regarding economic stability, two guiding
principles highlighted are “to encourage development that benefits our tax
base and is based on sustainable concept” and to foster job growth by
retaining businesses and attracting new businesses within the city” (pg. 13).
This project accomplishes both goals as the new facility will foster job growth
by attracting a new business and promote sustainable growth as a
redevelopment project. Additionally, the “adaptive reuse of vacant buildings
and infill” (pg.15) is specifically mentioned as a recommended action to
further these guiding principles and that reoccupation of vacant buildings
should be promoted (pg. 48).
3. Although this redevelopment is consistent with zoning law and helps support
the city’s comprehensive plan, there are some areas for improvement that
can help further additional city goals such as safety, sustainability, multi-
modal transportation, and accessibility. Please see below suggestions for the
city’s consideration:
a. Currently, 419 parking spaces are required for the project and there
are 839 existing spaces. This project proposes increasing this to 1,493
parking spots, through the addition of a new parking garage. This is
more than 3.5x the required amount and parking should be reduced in
non-garage areas. This space can be converted to green space,
recreational space, or communal space for Regeneron and would
better support sustainability initiatives and reduce impervious surface.
b. Installation of a striped pedestrian crossing from the parking garage to
nearest building entrance.
c. Installation of EV charging stations within the parking garage and
potentially at other main parking areas (Comprehensive Plan, pg. 28).
d. Installation of bike racks within the proposed parking garage and at
the main entrances to the facility. (Comprehensive plan, pg. 33).
e. Installation of pedestrian scale, energy-efficient, and “dark sky” style
lighting to improve energy efficiency and reduce light pollution
(Comprehensive Plan, pg. 28).
f. Consider converting the currently striped island bump outs at the
existing SE parking lot to hardscaped bump outs. This will induce
traffic calming and improve safety.
g. Consider installation of a bike “fix-it” station within the parking garage
or near the recreation facilities to the East of the building
(Comprehensive Plan, pg. 33).
h. Consider installation of a pedestrian path/network surrounding the
facility for improved connectivity, accessibility, and safety for those
moving outside the facility.
i. Consider installation of roof solar energy infrastructure on the existing
building as well as on the proposed parking garage roof. This is well
supported by the energy goals of the comprehensive plan (pg. 28).
4. NYSDOT received an EAF, Expanded EAF, Sketch Plan Application, Sketch
Plan On-Site Noticing, Sketch Plans, and a Lead Agency Request on
February 24th, 2026, by Susan Barden.
5. Please note that NYSDOT does not allow new development to directly
discharge stormwater into the highway stormwater management system.
6. A NYSDOT Highway Work Permit (PERM 33-com) will be necessary for any
work within the State right-of-way.
7. In anticipation of the Highway Work Permit, a Traffic Impact Study may be
required.
8. A PERM 32 NYSDOT permit application will be required for any utility work in
the NYSDOT right-of-way. Please submit documentation the Town will take
ownership of any proposed utilities in NYSDOT right-of-way.
If you have any questions pertaining to the Utility Permit process or requirements,
please contact Matt Haggerty at Matt.Haggerty@dot.ny.gov or (518) 461-3669. For
questions about the Highway Work Permit process and requirements, contact Wyatt
Martin, Regional Permit Engineer (Wyatt.Martin@dot.ny.gov or 518-457-4745).
Sincerely,
Greg Wichser, P.E.
Regional Program and Planning Manager
cc: Wyatt Martin, Region 1 Traffic
Matt Haggerty, Region 1 Construction
Paul Korowajczyk, Resident Engineer, Saratoga County
Brian Sleasman, Region 1 Design