PB Staff Notes SP 15-2018 Great Escape_2 20 18 et
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
February 20, 2018
Site Plan 15-2018 SIX FLAGS GREAT ESCAPE
1172 State Route 9 /RC—Recreation Commercial/Ward 1
SEQR Unlisted
Material Review: application, narrative, site drawings,photo image of proposed ride
Parcel History: SP 6-2014 Super Nova ride, SP PZ 23-2015 Greezed Lightnin ride, SP 5-2017 Bonzai
Pipeline ride; several more
Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval for a new ride "Pandemonium" near the "Screaming Eagle" area and
"Skillet" eating area. The new ride is approximately 48 ft. wide and reaches 22 ft. in height.
Resolutions
1. SEQR
2. Planning Board decision
Prosect Description
Applicant proposes a new ride "Pandemonium"near the "Screaming Eagle" area and "Skillet" eating area. The
new ride is approximately 48 ft. wide and reaches 22 ft. in height. The project includes regrading of the ride
area(5,724 sq. ft.), landscaping and stormwater management. Two new patio eating areas for the "Skillet" are
part of the project—680 sq. ft. and 979 sq. ft. Pursuant to Chapter 179-3-040 of the Zoning Ordinance, new
construction shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
• Location-The project site is internal to the Great Escape Theme park at 1172 State Route 9. The proposed
new ride is located near the Screaming Eagle and Skillet eating area.
• Site Design- The project includes four work areas, Work area A is 5724 sq ft and is the new ride area, Work
Area B at 979 sq ft and Area C at 680 sq ft are existing green/work station areas being converted to
eating/sitting areas for the Skillet, Work Area D at 770 sq ft is an existing green space circle will be
increased to a triangle green space area.
• Building—There is an operator booth and ride access fencing and gates. The board should consider
requesting additional information for the operator booth elevation and the fencing/gate detail.
• Signage-The plans show a location for a policy sign.
• Traffic- The applicant identified the August 29, 2017 traffic annual measurement completed by Creighton
Manning that indicates the threshold for traffic mitigations has not been triggered. The applicant has
indicated the new ride is not expected to increase the number of visitors to the park.
• Noise- -The applicant has indicated the new ride will not increase the 5 decibel threshold per the Finding
Statement. The applicant has indicated the new ride will not generate sound levels above the existing
background noise.
• Grading and drainage plan and Sediment and erosion control—the project areas involved are previously
disturbed areas. The plans show two rain garden areas to be installed—one is for the ride and one for the
pathway cuing line. The application materials have been forwarded to the Town Engineer for review and
comment.
• Landscape plan—The landscaping plan shows the ride area and cuing line access to have new landscaping
installed to be dense shrub. Work areas B, C, and D will supplement additional landscaping including
ground cover plantings.
• Ride lighting—The new ride is to have lighting features on that include flashing and constant illumination.
There does not appear to be an additional site lighting proposed board should consider confirmation that
there is no additional site lighting.
• Elevations —The applicant has provide a photo image of the ride and a typical spec sheet. The ride is
circular and has an arm that elevates the circular ride to a tilting position up to a 22+/- ft in height.
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 or has not addressed the item/ left check box blank. This includes the follow
items listed under Requirements of the applicant's application: g. site lighting, h. signage, o. commercial
alterations/ construction details,p floor plans, q. soil logs, r. construction/demolition disposal s. snow removal.
Summary
The applicant has completed a site plan application for the addition of a new ride, site work for new
sitting/eating area, and site work to update a planted median area.
Section 179-3-040 —Recreation Commercial—All uses require site plan.
Meeting_ History: First Meeting