02 Site Plan ApplicationC.T. MALE ASSOCIATES
Engineering, Surveying, Architecture, Landscape Architecture & Geology, D.P.C.
50 Century Hill Drive, Latham, NY 12110
518.786.7400 FAX 518.786.7299 www.ctmale.com
NEW BOBCAT WOODEN ROLLER COASTER
SITE PLAN REVIEW
PROJECT NARRATIVE
AUGUST 16, 2023
§179-9-080 STANDARD QUESTIONS A-O
A. The Great Escape Resort ("Great Escape") has been in existence and operation for decades
and is located within the Route 9 North Commercial Corridor. The Great Escape property
is presently zoned Recreational Commercial. Fitting in with a significant goal
enumerated in the Town of Queensbury's Comprehensive Land Use Plan (the desire for
pedestrian-friendly development), and the 2001 Great Escape Generic Environmental
Impact Statement (GEIS), the Great Escape is very pedestrian friendly. Access
throughout the park is predominantly via walking. The proposed site improvements
including construction of a wooden roller coaster to replace the bobsled ride with new
queue walkway and other associated appurtenances. The proposed project provides an
exciting new ride for guests/visitors to the Great Escape.
B. The proposed wooden coaster improvements are consistent with the existing development
within the Great Escape Theme Park. Placement of this new Attraction complies with
requirements of the 2001 GEIS, as well as the dimensional, bulk, and density regulations
for the Recreational Commercial zone unless otherwise noted below.
C. Access throughout the Great Escape is via walking. There are pedestrian sidewalks along
both sides of Route 9, as well as a pedestrian bridge crossing Route 9 to allow for safe
pedestrian access into and out of the park.
D. The entire Great Escape Theme Park is tied to the Queensbury Municipal water system
and sanitary sewer system. No additional water or sewer connections will be required as
part of this Project.
E. The size, character, color, and location of the proposed improvements complies with the
existing GEIS and the July 11, 2001 Findings Statement (the "2001 Findings") including the
height criteria. Additional information is provided within the submission materials.
F. Per the GEIS and the 2001 Findings, the mitigation of traffic constraints and congestion is
tied to traffic count levels. The results of the 2023 traffic count study fall below the
threshold necessary for the implementation of Phase 3 improvements. Thus, the
construction of the new wooden roller coaster replacing a similar ride does not directly
dictate the implementation of mitigation measures.
G. No changes in traffic, curb cuts, off-street parking, and/or loading facilities will be
required as part of this proposed Project. Per the GEIS and the 2001 Findings, and the
2004 Findings, the implementation of mitigation measures for the expansion of Great
Escape vehicle parking (parking lots) is dictated by the overall park attendance.
H. The addition of the Attraction will not result in any changes to the natural, scenic,
ecological, wildlife, historic, or open space resources of the town. The wooden roller
coaster improvements are consistent with the existing aesthetic and recreational nature.
C.T. MALE ASSOCIATES
NEW BOBCAT WOODEN ROLLER COASTER RIDE
PROJECT NARRATIVE
August 16, 2023
Page 2
Civil Engineering · Environmental Services · Survey Services · Land Services · Architecture ·
Energy & Building Systems Services · Electrical Engineering
I. As stated above, there are pedestrian sidewalks along both sides of Route 9, as well as a
pedestrian bridge crossing Route 9 to allow for safe pedestrian movement between the
Great Escape Theme Park and parking areas across the street; and there are additional
pedestrian friendly businesses across the street, thereby eliminating the need for any
intersections with vehicular traffic.
J. The proposed wooden coaster improvements will result in a slight increase of the
impervious surfaces. The post-drainage areas will drain into stormwater management
practices that will comply with current stormwater regulations and meet the intent and
requirements for new development within the Great Escape Theme Park. Stormwater
and erosion control details will be included in the final plan submission and building
permit package.
K. As stated above, water supply and wastewater disposal are by connection to Town-owned
municipal systems, and no additional water or sewer connections will be required as part
of this Project.
L. A landscape plan has been provided in the plan set. It is the Applicant's intent to
similarly match/complement landscaping in newly landscaped areas throughout the
Project area. There is an overall increase to the landscaped areas as reflected on the site
plans.
M. The proposed improvements will be constructed to ensure fire lanes, emergency zones,
and fire hydrants are maintained or constructed to provide emergency access and
infrastructure as required by state and local codes.
N. As stated above, stormwater and erosion control details are included.
O. The site plan has been prepared with intent to conform to all prevailing design standards,
both local and of the amusement park industry.
Prepared by:
C.T. MALE ASSOCIATES
Engineering, Surveying, Architecture, Landscape Architecture & Geology, D.P.C.
Francis G. Palumbo, RLA
Project Manager/Senior Landscape Architect
Land Services Division
Town of Queensbury Site Plan Pre-Submission Conference Form / Section 179-9-040
1. Applicant Name: __________________________________________________
2. Tax Map ID ________________ Location: _______________________
3. Zoning Classification __________
4. Reason for Review: __________________________________________________________
5. Zoning Section #: ________________________
6. Pre-Submission Meeting Notes: Provided Outstanding; Please provide by
Deed ____ _____________
General Information complete ____ _____________
Site Development Data Complete ____ _____________
Setback Requirements Complete ____ _____________
Additional Project Information Complete ____ _____________
FAR addressed ____ _____________
Requirements for Site Plan-Standards ____ _____________
Checklist items addressed ____ _____________
Environmental Form completed ____ _____________
Signature Page completed ____ _____________
Staff Representative: ________________________________
Applicant / Agent: ________________________________ Date: ___________
Great Escape Theme Park, Duncan Mularz
288.20-1-20 1172 State Route 9
RC 237.6 ac/ 74000sq work area
Applicant proposes to remove an existing roller coaster ride a"bobsled" and to replace it with a new wooden roller
179-3-040RC
X
X
X
X
NA
adding square footage in description would be helpful
building sq footage for each building should be called out on plans
change title on A-O response sheet - still says outlaw
lighting,signs,stormwater, landscaping, traffic & number of parking spaces - narrative,
elevations with dimensions
reaffirm seqr , narrative identify section and compliance
signatures
Laura Moore via email 09/11/2023
Frank Palumbo meeting 08/29/2023 09/11/2023
The applicant proposes to remove an existing roller coaster ride and then to construct a new wooden roller
coaster of approximately 4,100 sq ft footprint area. The project will utilize the existing ride operations
structure from the previous coaster, as well as the entrance and exit ramps. There will be a new queue line
walkway area including permeable pavers. The coaster is adjacent to the Go-Kart ride and some elements
of the Go-Kart ride may need to be amended for the installation of the coaster. In addition, the Tradewinds
retail area also adjacent to the ride is to remain with no changes. The ride at the highest point is to be 60 ft.
The project is located in Area A of the GEIS that allows 175-185 ft in height. Site Plan review for new
ride in the Recreation Commercial zone.
Items reviewed: site plan application, deed, site plan drawings, coaster rendition
Items to be updated or provided
1) project description should include approximated ride footprint in square feet
2) site plan standard responses A-O - title needs to be updated
3) site plan check list - checklist should reference notes on plans - Lighting -any new lighting, type of
lighting, location of lighting, hours of lighting on ride; Stormwater -any new management, how does the
existing management work; Landscaping -any removal, any new, type and location; Parking - does the
new ride trigger additional parking, how many spaces currently; Elevations - elevations with dimensions
are needed for the buildings, platform areas? and the ride; Floor plans - for ride operation booth and
covered platform(s)?, GEIS compliance -excerpt section to be on plans.
4) updated pdf of application packet to be provided for another review
8
Town of Queensbury Site Plan Pre-Submission Conference Form / Section 179-9-040
1. Applicant Name: __________________________________________________
2. Tax Map ID ________________ Location: _______________________
3. Zoning Classification __________
4. Reason for Review: __________________________________________________________
5. Zoning Section #: ________________________
6. Pre-Submission Meeting Notes: Provided Outstanding; Please provide by
Deed ____ _____________
General Information complete ____ _____________
Site Development Data Complete ____ _____________
Setback Requirements Complete ____ _____________
Additional Project Information Complete ____ _____________
FAR addressed ____ _____________
Requirements for Site Plan-Standards ____ _____________
Checklist items addressed ____ _____________
Environmental Form completed ____ _____________
Signature Page completed ____ _____________
Staff Representative: ________________________________
Applicant / Agent: ________________________________ Date: ___________
Great Escape Theme Park, Duncan Mularz rev
288.20-1-20 1172 State Route 9
RC 237.6 ac/ 74000sq work area
Applicant proposes to remove an existing roller coaster ride a"bobsled" and to replace it with a new wooden roller coaster
179-3-040RC
X
X
X
X
X
NA
X
X*
X*
see notes letter N, O, P, S
change #2 to yes and list Town of Queensbury Planning Board
signatures
Laura Moore via email 09/14/2023
Frank Palumbo meeting 09/14/2023 09/14/2023
The applicant proposes to remove an existing roller coaster ride and then to construct a new wooden roller
coaster of approximately 22,434 sq ft footprint area. The project will utilize the existing ride operations
structure from the previous coaster, as well as the entrance and exit ramps. There will be a new queue line
walkway area including permeable pavers. The coaster is adjacent to the Go-Kart ride and some elements
of the Go-Kart ride may need to be amended for the installation of the coaster. In addition, the Tradewinds
retail area also adjacent to the ride is to remain with no changes. The ride at the highest point is to be 60 ft.
The project is located in Area A of the GEIS that allows 175-185 ft in height. Site Plan review for new
ride in the Recreation Commercial zone.
Items reviewed: site plan application, deed, site plan drawings, coaster rendition
Items to be updated or provided
1) Page 6 and 7:
Letter N Traffic –not NA – reference traffic information from GEIS
Letter O construction maximum seating--- not NA – I would suggest providing information about the
number of cars or passengers can travel – how often it runs or something the ride functions
Letter P – Rendering is lacking dimensions – add dimensions
Letter S – seasonal operations snow cleared as needed to address safety /fire access or something similar
2) Short EAF Question 2 change to yes and list Town of Queensbury Planning Board
3) demo plans - identify unlabeled black box item
4) building - clarify if any changes - note dimensions of building - okay to provide dimensions on
rendition
8
9/14/2023