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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.03.2020 Revised pFEIS Submission Environmental, Planning, and Engineering Consultants 34 South Broadway Suite 401 White Plains, NY 10601 tel: 914 949-7336 fax: 914 949-7559 www.akrf.com Offices in New York ● New Jersey ● Pennsylvania ● Maryland ● Ohio Memorandum To: Village of Rye Brook: Board of Trustees; Staff; Consultants From: Peter Feroe, AICP Date: January 3, 2020 Re: 900 King Street: Revised pFEIS cc: 900 King Street Project Team Summary This submission contains the second draft of the preliminary Final Environmental Impact Statement (pFEIS) for the 900 King Street Redevelopment project. As you know, the Applicant submitted the first draft of the pFEIS on May 14, 2019. On June 27, 2019, the Board of Trustees deemed the pFEIS incomplete and required changes to the document that responded to Board member comments as well as the five (5) staff and consultant memoranda. This second draft of the pFEIS is provided in response to the comments (Board and consultants) provided on the first draft of the pFEIS. Subsequent to receipt of the Board and staff/consultant comments, the Applicant and its consultants worked with the Village’s staff and consultants to develop responses and appropriate edits to the pFEIS. In July 2019, revised pFEIS chapters, as well as several revised and new figures, appendices, and site and architectural plans, were transmitted to the Village’s Planning Consultant, Consulting Engineer, Consulting Special Engineer, and Village Attorney. Based on their review of the July transmission, the Applicant continued working with the Village’s consultants to address the few remaining technical issues. As a result of this coordination, the Applicant believes that this second complete pFEIS submission addresses all staff/consultant comments on the first draft of the pFEIS. With respect to the Village Board’s comments on the first draft of the pFEIS, the Applicant has further reduced the density of the revised project. Specifically, an additional 16 Independent Living (IL) units were removed from the program. The program now includes 136 IL units – a 15 percent reduction from the originally proposed project in the DEIS – 20 townhouse units (a reduction of 4 from the original project), and 94 Assisted Living beds. In addition, the gross square footage of the revised project was reduced by another 20,280 gsf. The newly revised project now proposes 355,902 gsf – a 20 percent reduction from the originally proposed project. Village of Rye Brook 2 January 3, 2020 Contents of Revised pFEIS All documents associated with this submission are available at: http://bit.ly/900KingJan2020pFEIS. In addition, and as indicated below, certain documents are also being provided in hard copy. Volume 1 - Chapters The pFEIS Chapters, which are redlined to the 5/14/2019 version, together with all pFEIS Figures, are being provided in hard copy. (Note: In addition to the version redlined to the 5/14/2019 pFEIS, staff and consultants are also being provided with a version of the pFEIS Chapters redlined to the last full version they saw, 7/24/2019.) Volume 2 - Appendices The majority of the appendices have not been modified since the May 2019 submission. Therefore, hard copies of the entirety of Volume 2 are not being provided at this time. However, hard copies of the following new/modified appendices are being provided for your consideration. They are included at the end of the 5/14/2019 redlined version:  Appendix A: Revised Proposed Zoning  Appendix I-1: Revised Trip Generation Tables for TIS  Appendix L: Proposed Construction Start Time Waiver Local Law Volume 3 – Public Comments This is only being provided electronically. This volume has not changed since the May 2019 submission. Volume 4 – Engineering and Architectural Plans Hard copies of the revised architectural and engineering plans are being submitted with the pFEIS submission as follows (additional copies can be delivered if requested):  Board of Trustees: Five (5) Reduced Size Sets submitted with revised pFEIS  Village Manager: One (1) Reduced Size Set submitted with revised pFEIS  Building Inspector: One (1) Full Size Set submitted with revised pFEIS / site plan application  Village Engineer: One (1) Full Size Set submitted with revised pFEIS / site plan application  Village Attorney: One (1) Reduced Size Set (sent by JMC directly)  Village Consulting Engineer: One (1) Full Size Set (sent by JMC directly)  Village Consulting Planner: One (1) Full Size Set (sent by JMC directly) (continued) Village of Rye Brook 3 January 3, 2020 Additional Responses to pFEIS Comments Certain of the staff/consultants’ comments on the 5/14/2019 pFEIS did not require a change to the pFEIS text or required additional explanation outside of changes to the text and plans. The responses below provide that additional explanation. Please note that these comments were addressed with the appropriate staff/consultant prior to submission of this draft of the pFEIS. As such, these responses are being provided for the record. All other staff/consultant comments were addressed within the revised pFEIS Chapters, Figures, Appendices, or Plans and are not separately discussed below. June 24, 2019 Revised Memorandum from Frederick P. Clark Associates, Inc.  29 – A new outlet control structure could be installed in the existing stormwater basin to further reduce peak flow rates. The Applicant notes, however, that a new structure is not required to mitigate an impact of the Revised Proposed Project, but rather to improve an existing, off-Site condition.  43 – The Rye Town Assessor has not provided the Applicant with an estimated assessed value for the Revised Proposed Project. An estimated assessed value, based on the per unit value of the Atria, Rye Brook, is provided in the DEIS.  54 – The Applicant anticipates that completion of the water system improvements described in the FEIS will be a condition of Site Plan approval. The Applicant has requested from Suez additional information regarding the extent to which other areas within the Village would benefit from the proposed improvements.  56 – The emergency power systems have not been designed at this point in the process. If the generators require permits from the Westchester County Department of Health, the Applicant will secure the necessary permits.  57 – The emergency power systems have not been designed at this point in the process.  118 – The HVAC systems have not yet been designed. The potential for noise impacts from the Project’s HVAC systems is addressed in the FEIS.  120 – The response conforms to the review and recommendations of HDR.  131 – All stormwater runoff from the townhouse roofs would be captured in gutters and conveyed through roof drain leaders into the proposed drainage system. The runoff would either be treated in the proposed infiltration basin IA-2 or the existing stormwater basin. These leaders will be added to Sheet C-500, “Utilities Plan,” during the Site Plan approval process.  139 – As stated in section 2.13.3, “Air Quality: Parking Analysis,” the garage will vent using one or more areaways with a minimum airflow of 0.75 cubic feet per minute of fresh air per gsf of garage area.  140 – The current floor plans for the IL building indicate there will be four exit stairs serving the garage, which, based on a preliminary code review, exceeds the minimum number of stairs required. These stairs will egress directly to the outside of the building at grade. In addition, the garage will be serviced by five elevators, at least one of which will be sized to fit a gurney and provided with emergency electrical power. Finally, in the event that the elevator banks and all four stairs are not operable, emergency personnel could access the garage from the vehicular ramp in an emergency situation.  141 – The Applicant’s engineer has verified that the accepted handicap symbol is being utilized on the Site Plans.  142 – The location of the floor drains, oil separator location(s), and grease interceptor will be finalized during the Site Plan approval process. Final locations would be shown on Sheet C-500, “Utilities Plan.” Village of Rye Brook 4 January 3, 2020 June 24, 2019 Memorandum from Keane & Beane, P.C.  1 – No response required. The environmental review of the demolition has not been segmented from the overall project.  2 – No response required. June 14, 2019 Memorandum from Anthony Oliveri, P.E., Dolph Rotfeld Engineering  1 – No response required.  2 – The Applicant has proposed to contribute an amount equivalent to the per gallon contribution of other recently approved Village projects and will work with the Village Engineer, Engineering Consultant, and Village Attorney to determine this amount.  3 – No response is required. The environmental review of the demolition has not been segmented from the overall project.  4 – Sheet C-500, “Utilities Plan,” has been revised.  5 – Sheet C-520, “Sanitary Sewer Profiles,” has been revised. The minimum slope is now 0.53%. The reaches with the two flattest runs (SMH-1-1 to SMH-1-2 (0.53%) and SMH-1-2 to SMH 1-3 (0.57%)) are at the end of the proposed run of sanitary sewer pipe and will be carrying enough flow to keep those pipes running clear.  6 – No response is required. June 14, 2019 and October 10, 2019 Memorandum from HDR With respect to the implementation of a construction-period noise-wall along the Site boundary with the Arbors and the Site Boundary with Village Hall/PD/FD, we offer the following in support of the Applicant’s position that the construction-period noise wall is not necessary along the construction area’s border with the Arbors or Village Hall:  Arbors - The maximum exterior noise level during construction at the single closest townhouse unit in the Arbors is approximately 70.1 dBA. Standard facade attenuation would be expected to result in interior noise levels of approximately 45 dBA, which is considered acceptable. Maximum exterior noise levels of 70.1 dBA (a 12.0 dBA increase) would occur during periods of the approximately six months of site demolition/ground clearing. Increments of 9 dBA (up to 67.1 dBA) would occur during periods of another 11 months. The demolition/ground clearing estimates are conservative in nature and assume simultaneous demo and ground clearing activities closest to the receptor. As discussed during the demolition application, this simultaneous demo/clearing is not likely to occur, certainly not that close to the Arbors. At other locations in the Arbors, this increase would be lower.  Village Hall/ PD/ FD - It is our opinion that these are not sensitive receptors, which generally include residential uses. The maximum approximately 12 dBA noise increment would occur during portions of the approximately 5-month framing of the AL building. Increments of 9 dBA would occur during demolition and ground clearing, which would last six months in total, but would be proximate to the receptor for only a portion of that timeframe. The Applicant does not know if there are sleeping quarters at the PD/FD and, if so, whether they are utilized during daytime hours. Certainly, if sleeping quarters are not present, or not regularly utilized during the day, the noise wall would not be necessary. Village of Rye Brook 5 January 3, 2020 June 21, 2019 Memorandum from the Emergency Services Task Force (ESTF)  1 – The Applicant’s engineer will coordinate the final layout of the access roadway with the ESTF during Site Plan approval to ensure adequate access for the appropriate emergency vehicles is provided.  2 – The truck turning analysis has been updated as shown on drawing C-320, “Fire Truck, Emergency Vehicle & Truck Turning Plan.”  3 – A second vehicular entry/exit point is not needed for traffic flow and would adversely affect the amount of grading required on the Site, the steep slopes created on the Site, and the overall amount of Site impervious coverage. See Response to Comment 4 with respect to pedestrian access to the underground garage.  4 – The Applicant will coordinate with the ESTF to address concerns with respect to pedestrian access to and from the underground garage during the Site Plan approval process. The current floor plans for the IL building indicate there will be four exit stairs serving the garage, which, based on a preliminary code review, exceeds the minimum number of stairs required. These stairs will egress directly to the outside of the building at grade. In addition, the garage will be serviced by five elevators, at least one of which will be sized to fit a gurney (as required by NYSBC) and provided with emergency electrical power. Finally, in the event that all five elevators banks and all four stairs are not operable, emergency personnel could access the garage from the vehicular ramp in an emergency situation.  5 – Pursuant to Building Code requirements, the garage is designed with 8’-2” clear ceiling height from the garage entry to/from handicap parking spaces and a minimum 7’-0” in the remainder of the garage.  6 – The loop road surrounding the AL and IL building was designed at 26 feet wide to allow fire truck access to the AL and IL building, which is over 30 feet in height. Because the townhouses are not more than 30 feet in height, New York State Fire Code would not require a 26-foot-wide roadway; it would only require a 20-foot-wide roadway. The road, as it is currently designed at 24 feet wide, would provide adequate access for the Village’s largest fire truck. JMC drawing C-320 titled “Fire Truck, Emergency Vehicle & Truck Turning Plan,” has been updated with all the information provided to JMC by the Village of Rye Brook as of this FEIS submission to show accessibility of this fire truck throughout the entire Site.  7 – The Applicant will coordinate the fire lane signage and striping with the ESTF per Section 240- 22 titled “Fire Lanes” of the Village of Rye Brook Code during the Site Plan approval process.  8 – The wall sections on Sheet A-301 illustrate two sections of a roof parapet. The height from the top of the parapets to the roof for the two sections are 5-feet 9-inches and 7-feet 9.5-inches. The Applicant will coordinate with the ESTF during the Site Plan approval and building permit processes to ensure appropriate and safe rooftop access is provided for firefighting operations. See also responses to comments 9, 10, and 11.  9 – The rooftop mechanical units have not yet been designed as the building is still at a concept- plan level of design. Information on the rooftop mechanical units will be provided during the building permitting process and will be coordinated with the ESTF as necessary.  10 –Drawing C-321, “On-Site Fire Protection Plan,” has been added depicting dedicated points of access around the IL and AL building for ground ladder firefighting operations. The Applicant will coordinate this layout with the ESTF during the Site Plan approval and building permit processes.  11 – Drawing C-321, “On-Site Fire Protection Plan,” has been added depicting dedicated points of access around the IL and AL building for ground ladder firefighting operations. The Applicant will coordinate this layout and roof-details with the ESTF during the Site Plan approval and building permit processes.  12 – The building fire alarm and internal emergency communications systems have not yet been designed. The design of the internal communication system will address the need to provide adequate radio coverage inside of the building, the specifics of which will be discussed with the ESTF during the building permitting process. Village of Rye Brook 6 January 3, 2020  13 – The fire suppression system has not yet be designed. However, it is anticipated that standpipes will be located with fire rated stair enclosures. Approval of the fire suppression system will be required during the permitting process.  14 – Dedicated snow storage areas have been added throughout the Site and are shown on the updated Sheet C-300, “Layout and Striping Plan.”  15 – The location of the gate for the emergency access road has been added to Sheet C-300, “Layout and Striping Plan.” The Applicant will coordinate with the ESTF on the specifications of the gate during the Site Plan approval process.