by Kristina Gabalski
Spencerport Village Plaza owner David Pelusio and engineer Kris Schultz appeared before the Planning Board February 5 and addressed traffic concerns – parking needs in particular – regarding the multi-million dollar mixed use residential/commercial Heritage Landing renovation project planned for the plaza.
Traffic engineer Stephen Ferranti of SRF Associates discussed results of a traffic study which included analysis of peak parking demands on a monthly, weekday and weekend basis.
“Mixed-use developments are highly desirable,” Ferranti pointed out, but said it is more complex to figure out parking.
The study showed peak demand on weekdays was 605 spaces; on weekends, 657 spaces, but that peak occurs only during weekends in the month of December.
“Do you want 657 spaces for just the month of December on weekends?” Ferranti questioned. He said if it was his decision, he would go with 620 spaces for the development.
“You don’t want to provide too much parking,” he told Planning Board members, “It’s not sustainable.”
Additionally, Ferranti recommended dimensions of individual parking spaces be changed from 10’ by 20’ to 9’ by 18’.
Village engineer David Willard said 657 spaces are more than is needed. He suggested each business in the plaza make a calculation of what they need parking-wise. He also said reports on issues like drainage, storm water management, water and sanitary sewer usage are important things that need to be reviewed soon.
The Planning Board took no action regarding the Heritage Landing renovation during the meeting.
The Spencerport Village Board is currently considering incentive zoning regarding the Heritage Landing plan. Mayor Joyce Lobene and Trustee Carol Nellis-Ewell say the zoning allows for compromise, giving developers more density in exchange for community improvements in their projects.
Those improvements might include additional open space, affordable housing, special building features or public art.
“It has been used in other places,” Lobene says. The Village Board planned to set a date for a public hearing on incentive zoning during their regular meeting February 6.
