SP 5-2017 Great Escape Staff Notes et
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
January 17, 2016
Site Plan 5-2017 GREAT ESCAPE THEME PARK, LLC
1172 State Route 9 /RC—Recreational Commercial/Ward 1
SEQR Unlisted
Material Review:
Parcel History: SP 6-2014 Super Nova ride, SP PZ 23-2015 "Greezed Lightnin" ride, Several more
Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval to install a new waterslide ride, where two slides are proposed.
Resolutions
1. SEQR—short form -no further segr review is required per Finding Statement adopted 7/2001
unless the board finds the project exceeds established thresholds —staff
notes no thresholds have been exceeded
2. Planning Board decision
Prosect Description
Applicant proposes to install a new waterslide ride, where two slides are proposed. The project is an addition to
the Alpine Free Fall complex. The facility currently has five slides and this project will add two additional
slides. Pursuant to Chapter 179-9 of the Zoning Ordinance, new ride attractions shall be subject to Planning
Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
Location-The project is located in the Great Escape Amusement Park at the existing Alpine Freefalls waterslide
complex, near the wave pool.
Site Design- The applicant intends to add two new slides known as the Bonzai Pipeline to the existing five
slides. The plans show the existing five slides and the placement of the two new slides. The access to the new
slides is to be the same pathway to the existing waterslides with the addition of 430 sq ft of new stair way and
decking.
Site conditions-The plans show the project area to be 7,500 sq ft that includes an existing planted sloped area
and sidewalk/fenced areas. The area will consist of a portion of the existing planted area; another portion will
be under the new slide area and consist of landscaping stone, and a new impervious for the exit area.
Grading and drainage plan and sediment and erosion control—the applicant has explained the stormwater is to
be managed on site and will drain towards the existing wave pool. The applicant has requested a waiver from
the preparation of a stormwater report.
Landscape plan—the applicant proposes to install new landscaping that is consistent with the type and amount
to be removed for the installation of the ride. Shown on sheet C-5.
Site lighting plan—the applicant has requested a waiver from lighting as there are no new exterior lights for the
ride.
Elevations-The plans show the height of the new platform area as 35 ft to access the new slides. The bonsai
pipeline are shown to be enclosed at the top of the ride and then open up to a splash area at the bottom. The
plans indicate twister 1 is 280.4 ft and twister 2 is 268.3 ft .
The Great Escape Theme Park completed a Generic Environmental Impact Statement and the Final was adopted
on 7-11-01 and subsequent update in 7-04. No additional SEQR review is required as long as the proposal is
consistent with the impact assessment and thresholds adopted in the Findings Statements.
• The applicant has indicated the new ride is within Park Area A noted as 237.6 ac and an area for siting
new rides.
• The thresholds items include: Traffic —the proposed ride is not intended to generate new or additional
park attendance; Sound—the proposed ride is interior to the park as well as an enclosed where the noise
generated is from riders and would not exceed the noise threshold; Stormwater —the applicant has
indicated new impervious surface would be created and drainage would remain the same towards the
existing wave pool. The applicant has requested a waiver from preparation of a stormwater report;
Wastewater no wastewater generating facilities are proposed for the project; Soils, Geology,
Topography and Ecology —the project does not disturb any existing natural wooded area and new
plantings to be consistent are proposed near the new ride and the existing planted area.
Pursuant to Section 179-9-050 the Planning Board may grant waivers on its own initiative or at the written
request of an applicant. The application form identified as "Requirements" outlines the items to appear on the
site plan or included as attachments. At the time of application the applicant has either requested waivers,
indicated the item not applicable. This includes the follow items listed under Requirements of the applicant's
application: g. site lighting, h. signage, i. utilities —wastewater described in standards j. stormwater
stormwater is described in the application as being managed on site where a waiver is requested for
preparation of a report, n traffic, o. commercial alterations/ construction details, p floor plans —elevations
where provided,
Summary
The applicant has completed a site plan review application for the installation of two new enclosed waterslides
at the Alpine Freefall and associated site work platform, landscaping, etc.