PB Staff Notes SP 3-2019 Great Escape_1 22 19
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
January 22, 2019
Site Plan 3-2019 GREAT ESCAPE THEME PARK, LLC
1172 State Route 9 / RC – Recreation Commercial / Ward 1
SEQR Unlisted
Material Review: narrative, application, site drawings
Parcel History: SP PZ 23-2015 Greezed Lightnin ride, SP 5-2017 Bonzai Pipeline ride; SP 15-
2018 Pandemonium ride; several more
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Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval to update rides in “Kidzopolis” with water related rides.
Resolutions
SEQR –short form -no further seqr 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
Planning Board decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes to update rides in “Kidzopolis” with water related rides. Removing car ride and replace with
“Shipwreck Cove” and “Watermania” – 15,000 +/- sq. ft. of disturbance to include rides, new concrete area,
shade structure and new walkway access to main waterpark. Project also includes new pathway entrance big
red planes and a new portal to waterpark area “Hurricane Harbor”. Project includes fencing to remove access to
amphitheater. Project includes stormwater management, grading, and some new plantings at perimeter.
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 located at 1172 State Route 9 the Great Escape Theme park –it is located closest
to the waterpark and the free fall ride. The area was once the “wiggles world” or kidzopolis
Arrangement- The applicant proposes removing an amusement ride and to replace with a water themed
related ride and adding a new water play area.
Site Design- The plans describe the removal of the big car ride and a tea cup ride. The new plans for the
area include will be a new water ride “watermania” and a new water attraction “shipwreck cove”. The
project work includes a new walkway queue line to the existing “Big red planes” ride, a new walkway stair
case into the “Buccaneer Beach”, “Mega wedgie” and waterpark bathrooms, a new pump house, shade
structure. A portion of the area of the existing outdoor auditorium will be fenced off and not part of any
current use.
Building – a shade structure is proposed for the area near the shipwreck cove.
Signage-new internal signage is planned for Hurricane Harbor and the proposed water attractions.
Traffic- traffic mitigation measures are not triggered with the updated rides or attractions
Grading and drainage plan and Sediment and erosion control – The plans show a new wooden stairway and
areas were footings will be installed –there is to be some grading and the area is to have erosion control
during construction. In addition, there is to be a new que line access to the Big Red planes that will also
involve new grading with stabilization during construction. The plans indicate the total project area is about
17,000 sq ft and the narrative has indicated the site will have an increase of 4,292 sq ft of impermeable area.
Stormwater is to be contained in the existing water filtration and backwash system for both the ride and
water feature. The plans also indicate a stone filled trench to be installed along the eastern edge of the
proposed concrete deck.
Landscape plan –The plans show landscaping to be installed on the west side of the ride area and new
wooden stairway.
Site lighting plan –the applicant has requested a waiver indicating there are no new lights
Elevations –the plans includes a depiction of the new ride and water feature.
GEIS -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 and water attraction features are 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. The noise generated is from riders and
would not exceed the noise threshold; Stormwater –the applicant has indicated new impervious surface
would be created with existing and new drainage for stormwater management to be managed on site.
Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items g. site lighting, h.
signage, j. stormwater, k. topography, l. landscaping, n traffic, o. commercial alterations/ construction
details, p floor plans, q. soil logs, r. construction/demolition disposal s. snow removal.
The waivers requested from Stormwater -preparation of a stormwater report, the applicant has provided
the information on how stormwater will be treated for this project site; 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 are proposed near the ride and
water feature area and the existing planting to remain.
o –Staff finds it reasonable to request a waivers for these items as the applicant has provided
responses for the items and why waivers are requested. The applicant has indicated the project
area already
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 Board is to review the waivers and to determine if they are to be
granted.
Summary
The applicant has completed a site plan application for updating the Kidzopolis area with removal of two rides
and the installation of a water ride and water feature attraction.
Board discussion items
Confirm access points to Hurricane Harbor lower waterpark is existing access, new Buccaneer Beach
area wooden walkway and new Big Red Planes.
Review Waivers
st
Meeting History: 1 meeting;
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