Staff Notes for 10/17/2023
Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
October 17, 2023
Site Plan 65-2023 GREAT ESCAPE THEME PARK
1172 State Route 9 / Recreation Commercial / Ward 1
SEQR Unlisted –no further SEQR review
Material Review: Site Plan application, cover letter, site plan drawings, amusement ride rendering,
stormwater, deed, and sound measurements
Parcel History: SP 5-2017, SP 28-2017, SP 15-2018, SP 3-2019, SP 54-2019, SP 67-2019, SP 3-2022, SP
22-2022, AV 6-2022, FWW 1-2022, AV 21-2023, SP 44-2023, SP 50-2023, FWW 8-
2023, FWW 10-2023
Warren Co Referral Sent: October 2023 / Comments: __________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval for removing an existing roller coaster to construct a new wooden roller
coaster.
Resolutions
1. No further SEQR review as no thresholds were triggered
2. PB decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes to remove an existing roller coaster ride in order to construct a new wooden roller coaster
with a footprint of approximately 22,434 sq ft. The project will utilize the existing ride operation structure,
entrance and exit ramps from the previous coaster. There will be a new queue line walkway area including
permeable pavers. The coaster will be adjacent to the Go-Kart ride. The adjacent Tradewinds retail area will
remain unchanged. The highest point of the ride is 60 feet and is located in Area A of the GEIS that allows 175-
185 feet height. Pursuant to chapter 179-3-040, site plan for a new ride in the Recreation Commercial zone shall
be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
• Location-The project is located at 1172 State Route 9 on a 237.6 ac parcel with a project area of 74000 sf in
the Recreational Commercial zone.
• Arrangement- The new roller coaster ride will be in the same location of the previous Bobsled roller coaster
ride.
• Site Design- The previous roller coaster is to be removed and the site will be redone with a different
configuration
• Building – The project area has an existing ride operation structure of 1,397 sf and associated entrance and
exit ramp area will be utilized for the new roller coaster.
• Traffic- The applicant has indicated the GEIS and the 2001 Findings proposed mitigation if warranted and at
this time the 2023 Traffic count study fall below the threshold necessary for the implantation of Phase 3
improvements.
• Site plan overall-The park is a seasonal operation and snow will be removed as needed to ensure fire access.
- 2 -
• Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control-The project area of 74,000 sf with a new
impervious of 33,030 sf. The permeability is reduce from 61.7 % to 55.4%. The plans use a construction
entrance and silt fence to erosion and sediment control. The updated plan will utilize catch basin to a
stormwater infiltration basin. Information was forwarded to the Town Engineer for review and comment.
• Landscape plan-The plans show the new landscaping plan with the applicant indicating there is overall
increase of plantings. The plans call for red maple, white spruce, balsam fir and dogwood. The existing
hemlocks, spruce, birch, white pine, locust and maple are to remain. The plans show an annual bed on either
side of the queuing area. There is also additional lights in the queue area mounted to the structure of the
coaster - lighting fixtures were provided.
• Site lighting plan-The plans indicate there will be rope lighting mounted below top handrail, decorative light
poles at ride queuing area.
• Site details per Final GEIS
o Environmental Considerations- The new ride is replacement of an existing ride area and surrounding
by existing developed portions of the park. The applicant has indicated no wildlife habitats would
be disturbed for this project.
o Noise – The proposed roller coaster is not expected to exceed the 5dbA threshold. The applicant has
indicated the sound levels are also not expected exceed the background noise from neighboring
rides.
o Stormwater-The project plans indicate the stormwater for the project area includes an infiltration
basin, landscape areas and permeable pavers.
o Visual impacts – The project area is located in Area A as noted in the Final GEIS that allows for
rides to be at a height of 175 to 185 ft where the proposed coaster will be at 60 ft in heght.
• Utility details-There are no changes to the existing utility connections including water and sewer
• Signage-The signs proposed are interior to the park
• Elevations-The application materials includes a rendition of the new coaster. The plans indicate the high
point of the new coaster is to be 60 ft where the high point for the previous coaster was 66 ft.
• Floor plans-The applicant has provided a footprint view of the new roller coaster.
• Waivers-The applicant has not requested any waivers at this time. The following information has been
addressed in the submission 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.
• 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 review application for a new Bobcat roller coaster.
Meeting History: 1st Meeting