01 Cover LetterC.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
Civil Engineering · Environmental Services · Survey Services · Land Services · Architecture ·
Energy & Building Systems Services · Electrical Engineering
September 14, 2023
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
ATTN: Laura Moore, Land Use Planner
742 Bay Road
Queensbury, New York 12804
Re: “New Bobcat Wooden Roller Coaster Ride”
Applicant: Great Escape Theme Park, LLC
1172 State Route 9, Tax Map ID: 288.20-1-20
C.T. Male Project No. 23.
Dear Planning Board Members:
On behalf of the Applicant, we are pleased to present for Site Plan Review the proposed
“New Bobcat Wooden Roller Coaster Ride” (The Attraction).
Enclosed are fifteen sets of the following.
1. This Letter
2. Fifteen (15) copies of the signed Site Plan Review Application form, with attachments.
3. Fifteen (15) copies of the Response to comments letter.
4. Copies of the Site Plan Drawings (two (2) full size and thirteen (13) reduced copies).
5. Fifteen (15) copies of the Renderings.
6. Stormwater Management Report (2 complete copies and 13 executive summaries).
7. Fifteen (15) copies of the Deed.
8. Fifteen (15) copies of the Sound Report.
Description of proposal.
The Attraction is proposed to be located where the existing Adirondack Bobsled ride as
shown on the site plans. A new entry area will be developed in/near the Alpine Fest Haus.
The Attraction will be a new wooden roller coaster. At the maximum height, the ride height
is approximately 60 feet tall. The new ride is within the 175 to 185-foot height zone of the
park established in the Park-wide GEIS. The ride will have two (2) passenger cars with
twelve (12) seats each. Only one car will ride will be in motion on the track at a time and
the other will be loading. A car will leave the ride building approximately every 2 minutes.
Buildings
To accomplish the new attraction, the bobsled track and the 189 SF airbrush shop will be
removed along with the existing queuing for the bob sled ride. The 1,397 SF of existing ride
operation building will be reused with minor modifications to the building and
modifications to the exit ramps, and the existing go-kart garage will remain.
Traffic Considerations
The Attraction is not expected to increase the number of visitors to the park but rather to
keep the attractions at the park fresh in order to maintain existing attendance levels. In
2001, the Town of Queensbury Planning Board accepted a Final Generic Environmental
Impact Statement (FGEIS) and adopted a Findings Statement that made provisions for
future development at the Great Escape Theme Park. The Findings Statement was
subsequently amended in 2004 by a Supplemental GEIS. These Findings Statements
C.T. MALE ASSOCIATES
September 14, 2023
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Re: “New Bobcat Roller Coaster Ride” Attraction
Page - 2
adopted developmental impact thresholds for various significant environmental factors.
Specifically, it established traffic improvement measures that are triggered by various
attendance levels at the park. When attendance at the park reaches specific levels, traffic
mitigation measures could be required pursuant to approvals for any new rides or
attractions. Annual traffic counts performed by Creighton Manning determine if these
thresholds have been reached. At the time of the most recent evaluation during August
2023, the next phase (Phase 3) threshold has not been reached. As this Attraction is not
expected to increase the number of visitors to the park, traffic mitigation measures are not
required at this time.
As long as these thresholds are not exceeded by proposed new development, the Findings
held that a State Environmental Quality Review is not required. Instead, the Planning
Board must review proposed new rides and attractions within the park on the basis of the
Town’s Site Plan Review criteria, provided that the proposal is consistent with the FGEIS
and thresholds generally adopted in the Findings St atement.
Environmental Considerations
Wildlife Habitats
The site of The Attraction is within the developed portion of the park and the project will
not disturb any natural wooded areas. No wildlife habitats will be disturbed by the
construction of this project. New trees and landscaping will be planted to counterbalance
the trees and plantings that will be removed from the site during construction. The
establishment of low landscape beds, appropriate to areas around the ride, are proposed
and conceptually represented on the Site Plans.
Noise
The Findings Statement established a 5dbA noise increase threshold for new rides or
attractions at the park. Above this threshold, new rides or attractions are subject to
additional environmental review. The Attraction is not expected to generate sound levels
above the existing background noise resulting from neighboring rides such as the Comet
Coaster and Go-karts. As a result, The Attraction will not have the potential to exceed the
established noise threshold. There will be a reduction in noise generation compared to the
noise generation of the Adirondack Bobsled.
Stormwater
The project will increase the impermeable surface area from 28,358 SF to 33,030 SF in the
project area, an increase of 4,672 SF. An infiltration Basin has been proposed to mitigate the
increase in impermeable areas. Landscape areas and permeable pavers will allow for
additional infiltration of stormwater. The use of a stone infiltration bed under the
permeable pavers in areas identified will assist in maintaining high levels of permeability
for stormwater infiltration, thus generally maintaining, and improving existing stormwater
characteristics of the site. Given the mitigation of the increase of impermeable surface area
by the above, the project site is covered by the park-wide stormwater management plan and
no further analysis is required. Also, noted that the recently completed front entrance
improvements reduced impervious surfaces by approximately 10,000 sf.
C.T. MALE ASSOCIATES
September 14, 2023
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Re: “New Bobcat Roller Coaster Ride” Attraction
Page - 3
Visual Impacts
This proposed ride is located with the 175 to 185-f oot height zone as established within the
FGEIS. No further visual analysis is required when the thresholds established are met. The
peak height of the ride is 60 feet. This is less than the ride height of the existing bobsled
ride at 66 feet. The ride meets the established FGEIS thresholds.
Utilities
There are no new wastewater or potable water genera ting facilities proposed with this
project. Existing service lines within the park will service the area.
Site Grading
The ride will be placed upon a slab foundation in the same vicinity of the bobsled ride.
Minor grading will be required as shown on sheet C-103. A new retaining wall is proposed
at the southern portion of the project site.
We look forward to discussing this project with the Planning Board at their October 2023
meeting. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please call me at
518-786-7658 (direct line) or via email at f.palumbo@ctmale.com.
Respectfully submitted,
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
(with one set each:)
c: Duncan Mularz
Charles B. Dumas