Colonie planning board pauses Sienna field variance after neighbors raise flooding, noise and notice concerns

A representative for Sienna presented a plan to replace an existing natural-grass playing field with synthetic turf, add roughly 250 spectator seats (increasing capacity from about 500 to 750), and build a 2,880-square-foot support structure that would include restrooms, citing Title IX-related needs and ADA access.

John Hickok of CHA Consulting, who identified himself as representing Sienna, told the Colonie planning board the site is an existing athletic facility that was shifted about 25 feet on plan sheets because of wetland constraints. He said the synthetic surface would be installed over a crushed-stone base designed to retain and control storm water so that outflow would be "no worse than" current conditions and could be reviewed by the town’s engineers. Hickok also said restrooms are required because the proposed bleachers would be more than the permitted walking distance from existing facilities.

The board paused consideration of the area-variance request after members repeatedly raised concerns about storm-water impacts, the local water table and noise. One board member asked the town to commission an independent water/drainage study; others said they would want to review a noise study before taking any vote. The board left the hearing record open and voted to adjourn the hearing until those studies are submitted and reviewed.

Several residents who testified said the project, as presented, would intensify traffic, parking and noise in a residential area and could worsen flooding they attribute to changes around the college. Pamela Ze said she was concerned about increased spectator traffic, construction vehicles on narrow residential streets and whether the field would be rented to outside groups. "I don't want any more fumes, air pollution, noise, or congestion," she said.

Karen O'Brien said some nearby properties did not receive written notice and described repeated basement flooding, including on April 2 of the most recent year cited in the record. "Converting to artificial turf, putting in an elevated press box, locker rooms, bathrooms and walkways will substantially increase impervious surfaces," she said, adding she expects greater runoff to reach nearby yards.

David Hayes described a new wetland and ongoing, discolored flow in a drain he said had not existed when he bought his house two decades ago. He urged Sienna to work with neighbors and the nearby Skyler Meadows club to resolve persistent drainage problems.

Hickok said the applicant has prepared a noise study and can deliver it, and that storm-water documentation is in development; he suggested the town’s third-party reviewers could evaluate the applicant’s methodology. Town staff said they would check the mailing list after a resident said some neighbors were not notified.

On the motion to adjourn the hearing pending review of the noise study and an independent storm-water review, the board recorded members voting "with the motion" and the chair said the motion passed unanimously. The board left the hearing record open for additional comments and submittals from the applicant and the public.

Next steps: the hearing will be reconvened and scheduled after the board and its engineers have had time to review the noise study and the town-conducted or -commissioned storm-water analysis.