Residents have their say about incentive zoning for additional development at the Route 260 and Route 104 intersection in Clarkson —
Traffic, traffic and traffic were the major concerns expressed by Clarkson residents and leaders during a pubic hearing held Tuesday, November 24 regarding incentive zoning for an Express Mart project proposed for the southeast corner of Sweden Walker Road (Route 260) and Ridge Road (Route 104).
Residents who spoke said they understand development is coming to the busy intersection which serves as a gateway to the town, but traffic along Sweden Walker Road already is very heavy, particularly during commute hours, and they worry the gas station/convenience store will only make things worse.
Julie Lapinski, who lives on Sweden Walker Road, said it has become the route to take for motorists who need to cross the Erie Canal between Route 31 and Route 104. She said traffic is constant in both directions outside her home.
“It’s not a safe situation,” Lapinski said. “How much more (traffic) can it take? It’s non-stop. I don’t know what your vision is for the town. I don’t see it getting better.”
Clarkson Supervisor Paul Kimball said the town board is very concerned over traffic in the area and is working to get the state to recognize there is a problem.
“Both are state highways,” Kimball explained. “We disagree with (the state’s) conclusion. Something needs to be done now. We are having discussions with the DOT.”
The New York State DOT has determined that the Brook Field at Clarkson housing development proposed for the southwest corner of the same intersection will not have a major impact on traffic flow.
Supervisor Kimball suggested turning lanes or even a round-about as possible solutions to ease traffic congestion. He said the town plans to work with state representatives in an effort to, “get the state to do something.”
He encouraged residents to write letters to the DOT to express concerns.
Michael Montalto, project engineer for Costich Engineering – which is working on both the Express Mart and Brook Field projects for separate developers – noted that both projects together might “warrant” improvements from the state.
“It might offer more leverage with the DOT … the cumulative effect,” he said.
In addition to the Express Mart convenience store (approx. 7,192 square foot including space for two restaurant brands) the proposal includes a separate 1,040 square foot unattended car wash and a motor vehicle fuel sales facility (approx. 3,936 square foot) to be under a canopy.
The Brook Field at Clarkson proposal includes eight two-unit senior duplex buildings and an 87 unit senior apartment building; 12 two-unit villas and 6 sixteen-unit apartment buildings with a community center and pool; and 5 mixed-use buildings each with eight apartments and 6,000 square foot of commercial space along Ridge Road. The project would be built in three phases, Supervisor Kimball said.
Developers of the Brook Field project are also seeking incentive zoning from the town.
Town leaders and developers say both projects fit with the “hamlet” concept of pedestrian friendly development called for in Clarkson’s Comprehensive Plan.
Town leaders defined for residents what a “hamlet” is. “It will look like a village,” Supervisor Kimball said, “with sidewalks on both sides of the road to create a sense of community when driving in.”
Also on November 24, Clarkson Town Board members unanimously approved a negative declaration regarding the environmental impact of the Brook Field at Clarkson development.
“Traffic is our primary concern,” Supervisor Kimball said.
Town Board members are expected to review the environmental impact of the Express Mart project at their next meeting December 8, as well as work on details of the incentive zoning proposal for Brook Field.
