GUILDERLAND – Sidewalks along Route 20" Smooth-flowing traffic" A roundabout"

As part of the town’s master-planning process, the vision for the hamlet of Guilderland will be drafted into a final plan that will be brought before the town board.

Residents, on Thursday, filed in to the cafeteria at the Guilderland Elementary School, where they sat at short tables designed for children, looked at colorful maps, and listened to a presentation depicting a Guilderland of the future.
"Why are we here"" asked Michael Buser, a planner with Behan Associates. "Because places change," he answered himself.
The town of Guilderland hired Behan Planning Associates LLC of Saratoga Springs to design a plan to help turn the hamlet into a "community center for the town."

The design encompasses the length of Route 20 from the junction with Route 146 to the 20 Mall and stretches from Tawasentha Park to the Pine Bush Preserve.

The plan suggests installing sidewalks along sections of Western Avenue, Route 146, Winding Brook Road, and Willow Street.

The plan also calls for a number of biking and hiking trails that would connect the parks with neighborhoods and surrounding areas. A footpath along the Normanskill would connect Nott Road Park to Tawasentha Park.
"The plan, it’s a guide," said Buser at last Thursday night’s meeting. It was the last public meeting where residents were given the opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions.

The roundabout, a small traffic circle, is being proposed at the junction of routes 20 and 146.
The state’s Department of Transportation favors a roundabout over a traffic light, Buser said. "You never, ever have a head-on collision in a roundabout," he said.

Four sections

Buser described the hamlet as having four sections – each centered on Western Avenue.

The western gateway is located at the junction with Route 146, where the roundabout is being considered. The deserted Bumblebee Diner poses a challenge to developers with a large amount of asphalt surrounding it, and an undesirable appearance. The plan calls for adding new landscaping to this area.
"The more vegetation in the western gateway, the better," Buser said.

The historic hamlet section is located at the corner of Willow Street. Located within the historic section is the John Schoolcraft house. Sidewalks and crosswalks will be added to this intersection, to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

The central hamlet is located at the intersection with Winding Brook Road and includes the area with the Guilderland Elementary School and the Guilderland Public Library. This intersection will address traffic safety concerns, adding a left-turn lane off of Winding Brook Road.

The eastern gateway is located at the intersection with Route 155. It will have sidewalks on both sides of the road and new landscaping will be put in to sharpen the appearance.

Pedestrian friendly
One main goal of the design is to ensure that the "Guilderland character remains," said Buser. Safe roads and pedestrian walkways are also a large concern both to the residents and the designer.

In addition to the sidewalks, plans call for about six miles of new trails, creating an interconnected green-space network.

Accessing businesses along Route 20 is an issue, Buser announced; he was not met with any responses of surprise from the crowd.

Installing a turning lane the entire length of the highway would defeat the purpose, he said. The focus will be on the key intersections, he said, citing the intersection with Willow Street as an example.

Another alternative, he said, is to suggest that businesses along Route 20 share access to parking areas.

Questions and suggestions
Residents supported the proposed plan to "celebrate and enhance" the identity of the Guilderland Hamlet Neighborhood.

Some concerns were raised, though. Most of the questions had to do with sidewalks. With areas where houses are very close to the road, people wondered where the sidewalks will go.

One man asked if there was any way that the Schoolcraft building could be repainted a different color. The gothic revival mansion has been painted a historically accurate brown as part of its restoration. His response was applause and laughter.

Another man suggested that speed bumps be installed on some of the side streets to ensure the safety of area children.

A resident from Nott Road asked if anything in the plan helps prevent washout. She said that her home has been flooded a few times, and she worries that increasing development may increase her risk of flooding.

Buser said that the current storm-water management regulations do not allow additional runoff, so she should not be at any additional risk.

Buser concluded the presentation by thanking residents for their concerns and input.
"As we move forward, I hope you feel that this is your plan," he said.