20190232 Flat Rock Centre Parking Structure CC Memo
Bradley Birge
Administrator
C ITY OF S ARATOGA S PRINGS
Kate Maynard, AICP
Principal Planner
P LANNING & E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT
Susan Barden, AICP
Senior Planner
City Hall - 474 Broadway
Lindsey Connors, MPA
CD Planner
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Jennifer Merriman
Tel: 518-587-3550 fax: 518-580-9480
Land Use Board Coordinator
www.saratoga-springs.org
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor Meg Kelly
Commissioners Franck, Madigan, Scirocco, Martin
From: Bradley Birge, Administrator - OPED
Date: February 1, 2019
Re: Flat Rock Centre SEQRA Evaluation
In preparation for the City Council agenda item relating to the SEQRA evaluation of the Flat Rock Centre project at
the February 5 City Council meeting, I offer the following for your consideration and review. Supporting and/or
relevant documents are identified in \[italicized brackets\] and have been uploaded into Novus.
Background:
In 2014, the Planning Board reviewed the potential environmental impacts of the City Center Authority proposal
for the construction of a parking structure at the north end of the City lot bounded by York Street and High Rock,
Lake and Maple avenues. Review of the SEQRA FEAF Parts I and II commenced on October 22, 2014 and
continued on November 12, 2014 and December 10, 2014. On December 10, 2014, the Planning Board approved
a resolution to issue a SEQR negative declaration of environmental significance for that project.
\[2014 CC Parking Garage SEQRA FEAF Part 2\]
\[2014 CC Parking Garage SEQRA FEAF Part 3\]
While that SEQRA determination cannot be used to specifically cover this updated and revised project, it may
provide you with a benchmark with which to evaluate potential impacts of the Flat Rock Centre project currently
before you.
Current Flat Rock Centre Project:
In May of 2018, a committee was convened with the charge to develop a concept plan for the entire 2.6 acre
parcel. Over a series of meetings, this concept plan was developed to include:
Establishment of a public park (“Flat Rock Park”) at the southerly end of the parcel along lake Avenue and
where Flat Rock Spring once existed;
The continuation of the High Rock Park at the easterly side of the parcel along High Rock Avenue, which
will connect Flat Rock Park to High Rock Park and include the Greenbelt trail - Downtown Connector;
The development of a municipal parking structure;
The retention of outparcels for possible future development
This concept plan was presented to the public at the July 17, 2018 City Council meeting and, again, at a special
City Council meeting held on November 13, 2018.
\[Flat Rock Centre presentation concept plan\]
On November 20, 2018, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution to proceed with the design and
development of the greenbelt trail-Downtown Connector, and municipal parking structure.
\[Resolution: Flat Rock Centre Concept Plan City Council 11-20-18\]
It is important to note the following modifications and improvements between the original 2014 City Center
Parking Garage evaluated by the Planning Board and the current Flat Rock Centre proposal presented by the City
Council.
The current Flat Rock Centre plan anticipates 600 cars vs. 689 cars as previously evaluated in 2014 and vs.
the 700+ cars recently discussed; the current plan does not propose parking above Maple Ave
The new structure is connected to the City Center via a single-level pedestrian bridge vs. multiple levels of
parking over Maple Ave
The current plan has rotated the parking structure 90°; the structure is now ±50’ to the curb line on High
Rock vs. 20’ previously; the structure maintains ±85’ to the Mouzon house façade
The new building layout provides a wider greenspace along High Rock Ave for the placement of the
Greenbelt Trail and permits more open views to High Rock Park; greenspace has been expanded by
±13,000 SF
The parking structure height has been reduced from 49’ to 45’ on Maple Ave; height has been reduced
from 68’ to 58’ on High Rock Ave
The new structure incorporates flat floor levels instead of a series of ramps to anticipate more flexible re-
use at the ground level along High Rock Ave
The current plan introduces a pedestrian stair connection to York St.; current plan introduces access
points at Ellsworth Jones Place and along Maple and York avenues; curb cuts are reduced along High Rock
Ave
The new structure will incorporate car charging stations; there is more area for undercover market space
along High Rock Ave; Dark Sky lighting fixtures will be utilized
Current SEQRA Evaluation:
In an effort to progress this project, on December 4, 2018, the City Council initiated the required SEQRA review,
identified the proposed action as a SEQRA Type I action, and voted unanimously to seek SEQR lead agency.
Consistent with the Zoning Officer’s determination, the City identified three possible “involved agencies” for the
SEQRA review of this project: the City Center Authority, NYS Dept. of Transportation, NYS Dept. of Environmental
Conservation.
\[Zoning Officer Determination - Flat Rock Centre\]
On December 10, 2018, in accordance with 6 NYCRR Part 617.6(b)(3), the City mailed correspondence to the
involved agencies requesting SEQRA lead agency. On December 13, the City received notice of deferral from NYS
DOT; on December 26, the City received notice of deferral from NYS DEC; and on January 9, 2019, the City
received notice of deferral from Saratoga Springs City Center Authority.
\[SEQRA Lead Agency deferral – CCA\]
\[SEQRA lead agency deferral – DEC\]
\[SEQRA lead agency deferral - DOT\]
At the February 5 Council meeting, it is anticipated that the City Council will begin the required SEQRA evaluation
of any potential adverse environmental impacts for the proposed Flat Rock Centre project. Included in the
supporting documents is the SEQRA Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF), Parts 1, 2, and 3. The SEQRA
R EVISED 03/19/19
FEAF Part 1 includes project information and site details. The SEQRA FEAF Part 2 is to be filled out by the Council
and serves as guidance for the Council to determine the potential and magnitude of any adverse environmental
impacts for this project. The SEQRA Part 3 is used by the Council to issue its determination following the
evaluation in Part 2.
\[Flat Rock Centre SEQRA FEAF Part 1\]
\[Flat Rock Centre SEQRA FEAF Part 2\]
\[Flat Rock Centre SEQRA FEAF Part 3\]
To assist in the SEQRA evaluation, the following additional information is uploaded for your review and
consideration:
Geotechnical Evaluation Proposed Parking Structure Maple & High Rock Avenues, prepared by C.T. Male
Associates, December 27, 2018
Phase 1A Archeological Survey Addendum, prepared by Curtin Archeological Consulting, Inc., January
2019
Correspondence: Trip Generation Evaluation, Saratoga Springs City Center Parking Structure, prepared by
Creighton Manning, February 1, 2019
\[Flat Rock Centre Geotech Eval (1-4)\]
\[Flat Rock Archeo Curtain PH 1A report 2019 (1-5)\]
\[Flat Rock Centre Parking Trip Generation\]
At the February 5, 2019 City Council meeting, representatives from The LA Group will provide a short presentation
on the current Flat Rock Centre project. Mr. Matthew Jones, representing the City Center Authority, will review
the SEQRA FEAF Part 1 information on project specifics. The City Council will need to then identify for the record
that the SEQRA FEAF Part 1 is accurate and complete. I will then assist the City Council to proceed with the SEQRA
FEAF Part 2 evaluation of any adverse environmental impacts. Should the evaluation warrant, the City Council
may issue its determination using the SEQRA FEAF Part 3.
Please contact me if you have any questions with which I can assist.
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