Staff notes 9/24/19
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
September 24, 2019
Site Plan 54-2019 THE GREAT ESCAPE PROPERTIES
1172 State Route 9 / RC – Recreational Commercial / Ward
SEQR Type II
Material Review: application, site drawings, narrative
Parcel History: SP 3-2019, SP 5-2017, SP 15-2018
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Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval for stream bank stabilization for the Swan Boat Ride on Glen Lake Brook.
Resolutions
1. PB decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes stream bank stabilization for the Swan Boat Ride on Glen Lake Brook. The project is to
occur in three phases over 1,100 ft. of the brook. Phase I is to include about 80 ft. of the brook with new
plantings, grading stabilization methods for the bank. Phase II will be similar to Phase I and will complete the
remaining portion of the brook on both the north and south sides. Phase III includes the dredging of the brook
for the Swan Boat ride. Only Phase I to be completed for this site plan. Pursuant to Chapter 179-6-050 of the
Zoning Ordinance, shoreline work shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
Location-The project site is located at 1172 State Route 9
Arrangement- The project is associated with the Swan Boat ride that is to remain and operate in the same
area of Glen Brook.
Site Design- The project involves the stabilization of the stream bank and to manage stormwater entering
the brook. Three areas on the north bank are to be stabilized as part of the first project phase.
Building – There are no buildings involved
Site conditions-The applicant has explained the existing brook is deteriorating and Swan Boat ride is limited
operations due to erosion into the brook.
Traffic- There is no change to the traffic for the site
Site plan overall-The first phase is for three areas and the total number of project areas is 8 areas over 1,100
feet of the brook. There are two additional phases that will require future site plan review as NYSDEC and
Army Corp applications have to be completed.
Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control-Sheet Two shows the cross sections of the existing
conditions 1-7. Sheet 3-4 shows the location of the three areas to be worked on. Sheet 5-7 show the north-
side excavation, grade level, erosion control, location of the fiber roll.
Landscape plan – The plans show the planting plan to be established when the bank areas are stabilized
Site lighting plan- There is no changes in lighting on the site or nearby rides.
Utility details – There are no utility connection changes.
Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items g. site lighting, h.
signage, n traffic, o. commercial alterations/ construction details, p floor plans, q. soil logs, s. snow removal.
The waivers requested–Staff finds it reasonable to request a waiver as these items are not associated
with this specific project for bank stabilization.
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.
SEQR
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.
This includes the following Traffic –the stabilization of the bank is not intended to generate new or
additional park attendance; Sound –the existing ride does not have the potential to exceed the noise
threshold; Stormwater –the bank stabilization will improve the stormwater management on site and
deter errosion; Wastewater –no wastewater generating facilities are proposed for the project; Soils,
Geology, Topography and Ecology –the project is for stabilization and will improve the retention of
vegetation on the banks to deter soil erosion.
Summary
The applicant has completed a site plan application for the stream bank stabilization for three areas on Glen
Brook for the Swan Boat ride.
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Meeting History: 1 meeting;
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