At the Tuesday, Feb. 6, meeting, the Guilderland Town Board discussed with Glass Works Village developers points they would like to see clarified by the time the project moves to the public comment hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on April 17.
Supervisor Kenneth Runion said John Behan, of Behan Planning Associates had asked for clarification on a number of issues in the DEIS, including impact on land use and zoning, community character, land resources, economy, recreation and transportation.
Developers say the project, with more than 320 residential units and close to 200,000 square feet, will be built under the New Urbanism philosophy, a theory of development that focuses on a return to the urban ideal of a town center with pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use neighborhoods.
In spite of the clarifications requested, Runion said that both Behan and town planner Jan Weston, felt that the 6-inch thick impact statement was sufficient enough as is to move ahead with scheduling a public hearing.
In addition to Behan’s recommendations, other town board members expressed what they would like to see clarified as the project moves toward the public hearing.
Councilman David Bosworth requested addressing the potential impact on intersections not covered in the DEIS, and asked that more work be done on the impact on intersections further east of routes 20 and 155. Bosworth speculated that the project’s traffic impact could be felt to at least the intersection at Fuller Road.
`It couldn’t help but have some impact on those intersections if we do this project,` said Bosworth. `I think the general public is going to be very interested about what we can do about the traffic load.`
A lawyer for the project said traffic considerations were something that the developers could take a closer look at.
Bosworth also asked for a more detailed study of how the project could affect the town’s character.
While the document touched on character impact briefly, Bosworth said, `I don’t think it has been addressed the way it should. To have a village of that size with both commercial and residential (areas), the impact is going to be very, very significant.`
Councilman Mike Ricard asked that more details be fleshed out on the potential impact the project could have on the response capability on the town’s police and emergency service departments.
`I don’t anticipate this project being like Wal-Mart or Crossgates,` said Ricard, adding, `The impact on police and EMS should be looked at with some quantifiable numbers.`
Ricard said the issue could become a factor as Guilderland’s police force could expect an increase in officers reaching retirement age over the next 10 years.
Frank Palumbo, who worked on the DEIS, said it would be conceivable that those numbers could be looked into in more detail, but: `It’s hard to crystal ball something and see what it will be.`
The DEIS touches on the project’s focus on increasing pedestrian uses while decreasing reliance on automobiles. Runion asked that something be presented that’s more specific.
`I don’t see anything in here that really tells me how this project is going to impact that criteria,` said Runion. `I’d like to see what these pedestrian enhancements actually are.`
Developers requested enough time between Tuesday’s meeting and the public hearing to consider these recommendations and to give the board additional time to request additional information as well to see what may materialize as developers move forward with the planning board.
The public comment session on the DEIS will be held on April 17 at 8 p.m. at town hall.“
