appendix k: visual impact assessmentmay 2007 appendix k visual impact assessment pins 0339.12,...

APPENDIX K: VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

DESIGN REPORT /

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

PINs 0339.12, 0339.13 Long Island Truck-Rail Intermodal Facility

Town of Islip Suffolk County

April 2007

APPENDIX K VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ELIOT SPITZER, Governor ASTRID GLYNN, Acting Commissioner

It is the policy of the NYSDOT to use metric units for all projects to be let for construction after September 30, 1996. This project is being designed using metric units and the text of this report uses metric units. The following table of approximate conversion factors provides the relationship between metric and inch-pound units for some of the more frequently used units in highway design. The table allows one to calculate the Inch-Pound Unit by multiplying the corresponding Metric Unit by the given factor.

Metric Unit x Factor = Inch-Pound Unit

Length

kilometer (km) x 0.621 = miles (mi)

meter (m) x 3.281 = feet (ft.)

Area hectare (ha) x 2.471 = acres (a)

square meter (m2) x 1.196 = square yards (sy)

square meter (m2) x 10.764 = square feet (sf)

Volume cubic meter (m3) x 1.308 = cubic yards (cy)

cubic meter (m3) x 35.315 = cubic feet (cf)

Speed kilometer per hour (km/h) x 0.621 = miles per hour (mph)

meter per second (m/s) x 3.281 = feet per second (ft/s)

DESIGN REPORT / DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT STATEMENT

PINs 0339.12, 0339.13 Long Island Truck-Rail Intermodal Facility

Town of Islip Suffolk County

April 2007

APPENDIX K

VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

May 2007 APPENDIX K VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PINs 0339.12, 0339.13

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Table of Contents I - INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... K-1 II - EXISTING VISUAL CONDITIONS

A. PROJECT VIEWSHED ................................................................................................... K-4 B. VISUAL DISTRICTS ...................................................................................................... K-4 1. Visual District Number 1- Pilgrim Campus Area........................................................ K-4 a. Visual Character .................................................................................................. K-4 b. Visual Quality....................................................................................................... K-6 2. Visual District Number 2- Heartland Office Park ....................................................... K-6 a. Visual Character .................................................................................................. K-7 b. Visual Quality....................................................................................................... K-7 3. Visual District Number 3- Area Roadway Corridors .................................................. K-7 a. Visual Character .................................................................................................. K-7 b. Visual Quality....................................................................................................... K-8 C. VIEWER GROUPS ......................................................................................................... K-8 D. VIEWER EXPOSURE AND SENSITIVITY ..................................................................... K-9

III – IMPACT ASSESSMENT .................................................................................................. K-11

A. KEY VIEWPOINTS ....................................................................................................... K-11 B. EVALUATION OF IMPACTS ........................................................................................ K-12 1. Visual District Number 1- Pilgrim Campus Area ..................................................... K-12 2. Visual District Number 2- Heartland Office Park ..................................................... K-20 3. Visual District Number 3- Area Roadway Corridors ................................................ K-22

IV – RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................... K-31 A. VISUAL DISTRICT NUMBER 1- PILGRIM CAMPUS AREA........................................ K-31 B. VISUAL DISTRICT NUMBER 2- HEARTLAND OFFICE PARK ................................... K-31 C. VISUAL DISTRICT NUMBER 3- AREA ROADWAY CORRIDORS ............................. K-31


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TABLES K-1. VIEWER GROUP SENSITIVITY ..................................................................................... K-10 K-2. INITIAL VIEWPOINT LOCATIONS.................................................................................. K-11 K-3 SUMMARY OF VIEWER RESPONSE AND RESULTANT IMPACT RATING ................. K-30 FIGURES 1. PROJECT VIEWSHED LIMITS............................................................................................. K-5 2. LITRIM PLAN AND PILGRIM VIEWPOINT LOCATIONS................................................... K-13 VISUAL DISTRICT NUMBER 1 – PILGRIM CAMPUS AREA Viewpoint 31 – Existing Conditions Pilgrim State Facility Parking Lot .................................... K-14 Viewpoint 31 – Proposed Berm With Fence Pilgrim State Facility Parking Lot....................... K-15 Viewpoint 32 – Existing Conditions at G Road........................................................................ K-16 Viewpoint 32 – Proposed Intermodal Train Yard at G Road ................................................... K-17 Viewpoint 30 – Existing Conditions At G Road ....................................................................... K-18 Viewpoint 30 – Proposed Intermodal Train Yard at G Road Access to Security Gates .......... K-19 VISUAL DISTRICT NUMBER 2 – HEARTLAND OFFICE PARK Viewpoint 12 – Existing Conditions ......................................................................................... K-20 VISUAL DISTRICT NUMBER 3 – AREA ROADWAY CORRIDORS Viewpoint 1 – Existing Conditions Crooked Hill Road ............................................................. K-22 Viewpoint 1 – Proposed Crooked Hill Road Ramps................................................................ K-23 Viewpoint 2 – Existing Conditions Area of New Ramp............................................................ K-24 Viewpoint 2 – Proposed Ramps to Crooked Hill ..................................................................... K-25 Viewpoint 7A – Existing Conditions Sagtikos Parkway at Crooked Hill Road Entrance.......... K-26 Viewpoint 7A – Proposed Truck entrance road at Sagtikos Parkway and Crooked Hill Road K-27 Viewpoint 20 – Existing Condition LIE Exit to Sagtikos Parkway ............................................ K-28 Viewpoint 20 – Proposed Exit from LIE to Crooked Hill Road and Sagtikos Parkway ............ K-29


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I INTRODUCTION

A site development or improvement project can often create a new visual experience for people presently using the existing site or facility and those living, working, walking, or traveling nearby. In order to meaningfully assess the project's visual impacts, the features that comprise the visual landscape and the values that viewers place on them must be considered. Visual impacts from a project result from changes in the visual landscape and the viewers' response to those changes. The methodology for the Visual Impact Assessment for the Long Island Truck-Rail Intermodal Facility (LITRIM) generally follows the format described in Visual Impact Assessment of Highway Projects (US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Office of Environmental Policy, March 1981). The use of this methodology conforms to the New York State Department of Transportation's (NYSDOT) Visual Assessment Policy per Engineering Instruction 88-43, and subsequent EI 02-025 and EB 03-052. Following is an outline of the methodology as applied to this project. Identify Existing Visual Conditions:

• Identify Project Viewshed • Identify Visual Districts • Assess Existing Visual Environment

- Describe Visual Character - Rank Visual Quality

• Identify Viewer Groups - Rank Viewer Exposure and Sensitivity

Assess Visual Impact for No Build and Project Alternatives:

• Document Change to Visual Resource - Identify Key Viewpoints - Photograph Existing Conditions - Prepare Simulations of Proposed Conditions

• Evaluate Change to Character and Quality of Visual Resource • Predict Viewer Response • Describe and Rate Resultant Impact on Visual Resource

Identify Strategy and/or Techniques to Avoid, Minimize, or Mitigate Impacts

The first step was to identify the project viewshed. The viewshed can be described as the area that can be seen from the project and the area around the project from which the project can be seen. It is the physical boundary of the project's visual environment. It can be established based on topographic mapping, sight-line projections, and field investigations. After the viewshed was established, the project area was reviewed to determine what visual districts (i.e., areas with distinct visual characteristics such as landform, vegetation, and degree/ type of development) existed. Separate visual districts are identified because the


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visual impacts from the project may vary in significance from one distinct area to another. In the case of the Long Island Truck-Rail Intermodal Facility (LITRIM), three districts or district types were identified based on visual experience. The visual districts for this project include the former Pilgrim Campus area, the adjacent Heartland office park area, and the visual district represented by adjacent and area roadway corridors. After the visual districts were identified the existing visual environment of each was reviewed. The visual features or resources within a district define the visual environment of that district. The review of the visual environment was conducted to document the visual character and visual quality of each district. The visual character of an area is created by the visual patterns that it consists of. The elements of the visual patterns are the form, line, color, and texture of the landscape areas components and how they relate in terms of dominance, scale, diversity and continuity. The visual quality of an area is an evaluative judgment of the view or a series of views. The appraisal of quality is a subjective process and several approaches can be used to establish the degree of view quality. For this study an evaluation of three key visual criteria was made. The view criteria assessed were vividness, intactness, and unity. Based on ranking each of these criteria as high, medium, or low, a relative degree of overall visual quality for a view or district was determined. The visual character and quality of the districts are illustrated with photographs of existing conditions. The next step in the process was to identify the viewers that potentially will be impacted by project changes to the visual environment. Viewers were categorized into groups to assess how the visual environment is seen and what values are placed on the views. Viewer exposure and sensitivity determine the anticipated response of each group to proposed changes in the visual environment. The baseline condition was assessed to establish the visual condition against which visual change/or impacts will be measured. Evaluating the area assuming a future No-Build alternative typically does this. The visual condition of this alternative was assessed in the same manner as the existing condition. The No-Build visual condition is described in terms of changes to the existing condition that might be expected to occur due to continuation of demonstrated development patterns in the area. Once the No-Build condition was defined, the changes to the visual environment resulting from the proposed project alternatives were described and documented. The method used to document the visual changes was to prepare photo simulations of key viewpoints within the project viewshed. The simulations were compared with the existing views from the same locations. The physical changes to character and quality were described and rated. The viewers' responses to the changes were then predicted and analyzed considering their exposure and sensitivity. This helped determine the positive and negative visual impacts of each alternative. In order to present the magnitude of visual impacts and to compare alternatives, relative ratings were assigned to each visual impact. The ratings range from low to high and are described as follows:


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Low Visual Impact -Describes a slight change to visual resources with no change to significant visual resources or a key view. New visual elements are generally compatible with future No-Build views. Little or no response to change in visual resources is expected. Moderate Visual Impact -Describes a slight change in visual resources resulting in a high level of viewer response, or an extensive change in visual resources resulting in little viewer response. New visual elements are somewhat incompatible with future No-Build views. High Visual Impact -Describes an extensive change to visual resources, or change to a significant visual resource or key view. New views or new visual elements are not compatible with future No-Build views. A high level of viewer response to the change in visual resources can be expected. After the visual impacts were assessed, based on these criteria, project alternatives were compared and mitigation measures recommended for each type of visual impact.


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II EXISTING VISUAL CONDITIONS

A Project Viewshed

For this project the viewshed was determined by reviewing existing aerial photography and field investigations. The limit of the project’s viewshed occurs mainly as the result of vegetation and man made structures that limit and control the views to and from the project area. The topography in the area is relatively flat and is not the primary feature that defines the limit of the visual environment. Figure No.1 depicts the viewshed for the LITRIM project. It also shows the locations of the key viewpoints evaluated later in this appendix.

B Visual Districts

The site for the Long Island Truck-Rail Intermodal Facility is located in western Suffolk County. More specifically it lies within the property formerly operated as the Pilgrim State Psychiatric Hospital. The visual environment is further defined by the existence of smaller landscape units or visual districts that exhibit distinct visual characteristics and quality. The visual districts for this project include the former Pilgrim Campus area, the adjacent Heartland office park area, and the visual district represented by adjacent and area roadway corridors.

1 Visual District No. - 1 – Pilgrim Campus Area

This visual district is the major area of the proposed project activity and will be subject to the greatest degree of change due to project execution. The district is generally bounded by Commack Rd. on the west, Crooked Hill Rd. and the Long Island Expressway to the north, the Sagtikos Parkway to the east, and the Heartland commercial office park to the south.

a Visual Character

The existing visual resources within this visual district are mainly related to vegetation and the buildings that create the campus. The visual resources existing within this district include the landscape elements that form the campus setting. These include ornamental vegetation, large lawn areas, the campus buildings and roadway network, as well as native vegetation at the perimeter of the campus. The ornamental vegetation consists of trees and shrubs planted as part of the construction of the campus. The native vegetation on the perimeter is characteristic of the woodlands of central Long Island that includes mainly pine and oak tree species, a shrub layer of scrub oak, blueberries, and huckleberries. The herbaceous layer is usually limited but a fairly large population of bracken fern is typical along with some wintergreen and Pennsylvania sedge.


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The visual environment in this district is characterized by the color of the landscape vegetation and the buildings that still exist. The texture of the area is generally medium to sometimes course as the elements within views include fairly large-scale buildings in the fore or middle ground.

b Visual Quality The visual environment here is enclosed from surrounding areas and identifiable as a separate place though it is not particularly vivid. The building types are generally consistent in style and scale with the larger central buildings serving as internal focal points lending a visual unity to the district. With many years of age and a variety of reuse plans that have been executed to different levels of completion, the condition of the site and buildings vary significantly. This reduces the areas intactness and negatively influences the character and quality of views within the district. Views vary in length from close foreground views of buildings and site features to middle distance views of campus quads limited by structures and/or vegetation, to somewhat distant views across field areas. Long distance or panoramic views are not available from the ground level but are available to the resident and worker viewer groups that spend their time in the larger buildings. From these locations views off to the north and south shores of Long Island and long distant views to the west and east are available. The visual quality of the area is moderate.

2 Visual District No. –2 – Heartland Office Park

The buildings, roadways, and ornamental vegetation and lawn areas that constitute the office park development characterize this visual district. In addition a community recreation resource is present within the district in the form of a nine-hole daily fee golf course. The golf course is in the southeast corner of the district. This district is adjacent to the proposed project elements on its eastern and northern boundaries. The proposed rail spur diverges from the existing LIRR main line tracks and runs along the entire length of the east boundary of the heartland visual district north to the southeast corner of the intermodal yard. The alignment of the spur brings it closest to the district viewer population at the southeast corner near the golf course. As it runs north the spur will be within an existing vegetation area where it will likely be screened from the viewers in the heartland area. The intermodal yard is in closest proximity to this visual district along the districts northern boundary. Two large office/warehouse buildings exist along this border. The areas closest to the boundary with the proposed project are loading dock areas. Therefore the number of daily workers exposed to views of the proposed project will be very limited. Additionally the proposed project is set back from the border at


Appendix K Pg. 7

this location. Existing vegetation and additional plantings planned for this area will provide a substantial screen, which will further limit the potential for viewer exposure to scene changes in this area.

a Visual Character

The visual character in this district is also somewhat enclosed and is identifiable as a place. The roadway network and the alignment of the buildings limit and direct the views existing within the area. While the building styles vary they are all relatively modern in style and heights are limited to one to one and one half stories. This lends continuity to the character of the visual scene and the relatively low building heights allow light and brighter color to be an important factor in view character. Views are bright and feel relatively open especially at the overhead plane. Views along the longer north-south roads are middle to somewhat distant in length and tend to be channeled and relatively narrow. Views across these roads are short to middle distant. Views off the site that are in the direction of the proposed project elements are currently short and are terminated by native vegetation.

b Visual Quality

Within this district, visual quality is low to moderate. Views of the area are not vivid and are of commercial buildings that are not distinctive, and view distances are relatively short. The roadways and lawns and plantings in setback yards provide some unity to the scene. The one area that is somewhat higher in quality is the golf course area. It provides relief from the commercial scene and helps balance the views to the south of the railroad.

3 Visual District No. – 3 – Area Roadway Corridors

This visual district exists within the roadways and highways that provide access to the Intermodal site, are adjacent to it or are part of the area network where changes will be made to accommodate the operation of the facility. The main viewer group that will experience the changes in this district is the motorist group using the roadways. The roads that constitute this district are G Road, Campus Road, Crooked Hill Road, Sagtikos Parkway, and the Long Island Expressway (LIE [Interstate Rt. 495]). The factors that establish the visual character and quality of the visual environment within this visual district include the roadway materials, dimensions and geometry, and the vegetation within and adjacent to the roadway Right of Way (ROW).

a Visual Character

The “G” Road/Campus Road Corridor has the character of a suburban street in the “G” portion of the corridor and that of a suburban


Appendix K Pg. 8

collector or avenue in the Campus Road portion near Suffolk Community College. The “G” road traverses open lawn areas and areas of native vegetation as it departs Crooked Hill Road and crosses the Sagtikos Parkway. The Campus road section is wider and views are of open athletic fields to the south and the College buildings to the north. This tends to create a mainly horizontal form to the view character. In the vicinity of the project Crooked Hill Road is characteristic of a suburban collector. It contains views of the College at the southern portion, native vegetation in the middle section, and a new hotel and more industrial land uses through the northern portion of the project area near the LIE. The Sagtikos Parkway is part of the Long Island Parkway system that was constructed during the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. The roadbed is typically below the surrounding areas providing the motorist with contained and directed views of a park like scene. The vegetation within the ROW is a combination of preserved native material and compatible plantings installed as part of the parkway construction. Though the traffic volume is high, the character of views is distinctive and the quality is high within this corridor. The width of the road surface is relatively narrow when compared the ROW width and therefore the views appear natural and pleasing. The LIE in the vicinity of the project is characteristic of a major urban/suburban arterial highway. Traffic volumes and speeds are very high and the visual environment is therefore hectic and often unsettling. The pavement area is wide and views are extremely open with very high reflectivity that often adds a harsh quality to the view. Occasionally there are views of more natural areas, typically at interchange areas where the ramp clover leafs allow for preservation and/or planting of vegetation. This occurs at the LIE/Sagtikos Parkway interchange.

b Visual Quality

The vividness in this district is low to moderate. There are no distinct or memorable landscape elements. The intactness and unity of the views within this district ranges from low along Crooked Hill Road, to moderately high within the Sagtikos Parkway ROW.

C Viewer Groups

The major viewer groups that may be affected by the project include residents and workers at the social service uses within the Pilgrim State Campus, employees or workers at the businesses in the Heartland Office Park, and motorists using the area roadways. Occasional pedestrians using sidewalks, roadway ROW’s and crosswalks


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within the nearby roadway corridors, represent a small population viewer group. Each viewer group typically will have a different degree of sensitivity to change of the visual environment.

D Viewer Exposure and Sensitivity

Based on experience with similar transportation improvement projects, the most sensitive viewer group is that of the residents in or near the area. They are concerned about the character and quality of the environment where their home is located. The residents also have the most potential for extended periods of exposure to a modified visual environment. While there are no residential neighborhoods within the project viewshed, there are clinical residents at the Pilgrim Campus that have the potential for exposure to visual changes caused by the project.

Workers within the Heartland Office Park could be the next most sensitive viewer group as some of the walks and parking areas they use during the day are in close proximity to the project, and associated visual changes. The actual number in this viewer group may be reduced significantly because line of site to the project is limited to the rear of the northernmost buildings in the office park which only two of more than twenty buildings. Also the most direct exposure is further limited to loading/service areas, which further limits the size of the viewer group. In addition the exposure is minimized by the short distance to the vegetation that serves to screen the view of the project except for the highest features such as rooflines or the very tops of loading cranes.

Motorists will likely be the largest group exposed to visual impacts or changes throughout the project viewshed. However, their sensitivity to the change will likely be one of the lowest. This is due to the fact that the changes they will be exposed to will be those that change the views of the roadway system and adjacent land. These changes will occur at several locations and will not be concentrated. In addition these changes will be associated with roadway improvements that the motorist will benefit from due to more efficient traffic flow and upgraded roadsides, signals, lighting, etc. A smoother, more efficient travel experience will usually increase the motorist’s tolerance of changes to the visual scene of and within the roadway corridor. However, on this project motorists may be less tolerant of changes to the visual quality within the Sagtikos State Parkway segment. Historically the parkways on Long Island have provided a visually pleasing travel way that motorists of the region identify with the local quality of life. Significant impacts to this scene would likely cause a strong negative public reaction to the project.


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Table K-1 summarizes the evaluation of viewer sensitivity using a numerical scale.

Table K-1 Viewer Group Sensitivity

Viewer Group Exposure Projected Degree Impact Coefficient 1(least) to 5(most) Of Sensitivity Motorist/commuter 5 2 7 Pedestrian 2 4 6 Workers 2 3 5 Residents 4 5 9


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III IMPACT ASSESSMENT

To assess the impacts to the visual environment within the project viewshed a three-step process was employed. Photographing the existing scene at key viewpoints and preparing photo simulations of the proposed conditions documented the changes to the visual resources created by implementing the project. The changes to the visual character and quality of a view were then evaluated by reviewing the simulations. Viewer response was then predicted based on their exposure and sensitivity. After considering the change to character and quality, and predicted viewer response, the resultant positive or negative impact was ranked low, moderate, or high. A Key Viewpoints

Viewpoint locations in each of the visual districts were identified that represent the existing character and quality of visual resources that have the potential to be impacted or changed by the proposed project alternatives. Table K-2 lists the viewpoint locations that were considered for photo simulation.

Table K-2 Initial Viewpoint Locations

Viewpoint No Visual District No. Location Description 1 3 Crooked Hill Rd. North of new ramp location looking south. 2 3 Wingate Inn Roof viewing north toward new ramp.

3 3 South side of Suffolk Community College western entrance on Crooked Hill Rd. view south.

4 1 “G” Rd. looking west to project site. 5 3 Driveway South of “G” Rd. view north. 6 3 Entrance to Sagtikos Parkway North from Crooked Hill Rd. view north.

7A 3 Merge at Crooked Hill Rd. entrance ramp to Sagtikos Parkway view north. 8 3 Exit from Sagtikos north bound to LIE eastbound. 9 3 Direct connector from LIE west bound to Sagtikos Parkway south bound view south. 10 3 Entrance ramp from LIE east bound to Sagtikos Parkway south bound view south. 11 1 West entry road to Pilgrim near west towers view south to proposed project site.

12 2 Southeast corner of Heartland Office Park view east over commercial site and golf course toward proposed rail spur.

14 1 West side of power plant driveway across from storage bldg. View southwest toward proposed project site.

15 1 “G” Rd. view southwest toward proposed project site. 16 1 North edge of entry walk to Phoenix House view southwest toward proposed project. 17 3 South side of College Drive West at end of guardrail view west toward Road “G”. 18 3 LIE e/b service road west of Sagtikos view south over recharge basin. 20 3 LIE at e/b entrance from Commack Rd. view s/e toward exit to Sagtikos s/b. 30 1 Existing conditions at “G” road southern terminus. 31 1 Pilgrim State Facility Parking lot Southwestern quadrant. 32 1 “G” Road east of intersection with “C” Road.

The photographs taken at the locations noted in Table J-2 were reviewed. Seven (7) of these viewpoint locations were selected for evaluation. The points were selected as representative of typical conditions, treatments, and/or impacts in a given visual district. Or they were selected because the location was a potentially highly sensitive


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view or element within the project work area. The viewpoints selected include viewpoint 1, 2, 7A, 20, 30, 31, and 32.

B Evaluation of Impacts

This section contains the review and evaluation of the potential changes to the visual environment within the viewshed of the Long Island Truck-Rail Intermodal Facility. It is organized by Visual District, and by viewpoint. Only one design alternative is being evaluated for visual impact as other alternatives were eliminated based on parameters unrelated to the visual environment. For each selected viewpoint the existing/no-build alternative and the current design alternative are evaluated. The change to visual character and quality is discussed, the viewer response to the change(s) is predicted, and the resultant impact is ranked as low moderate or high.

1 Visual District 1 – Pilgrim Campus Area

Three viewpoints were selected to assess the visual impact within this district. They include views from points on grade near the proposed project location where viewer groups would typically see the elements of the project. Figure No. 2 depicts the proposed project site plan and also shows the location of viewpoints 31, 32, and 30. These viewpoints are shown in the figure as locations 1, 2, and 3 respectively.


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[Figure No.2 placeholder]


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Viewpoint No.31 Existing Conditions, and No Build Viewpoint 31 is located in the Pilgrim State Facility western parking lot. The view faces southwest toward the proposed project site. At this location the view contains a significant amount of asphalt pavement on the ground plane extending from the foreground to the rear of the mid-ground. It is balanced by the existence of lawn areas and ornamental planting in the fore and mid-ground. The view length is limited to mid distant by the native vegetation, a grove of substantial pine trees that extends across the middle of the view. The background is dominated by the native vegetation and open sky. On a more clear weather day reflectivity would be relatively high, although the landscape materials serve to some degree. The visual character here is generally horizontal in line or form with a few minor vertical elements. Texture is medium due to the mix of materials and elements. The color of the view is balanced but not particularly vibrant.


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Viewpoint 31 Proposed Project

The proposed project leaves in place the existing vegetation seen in the background and middle ground of the view. The grove of substantial pine tress remains screening the yard and yard equipment. There will not be a visual impact from this view point. Predicted Viewer Response The largest viewer groups of this visual scene are the facility residents and workers. These groups will be exposed directly to this viewpoint when they are outside on the grounds. They also see the pine grove from some window locations within the buildings. The predicted response from these groups would likely be neutral.

Resultant Impact Rating The resultant impact rating for the visual changes represented in this viewpoint analysis is no negative impact. There are no changes to visual resources. Therefore the predicted response of the affected viewer groups is likely to be positive.


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Viewpoint No. 32, Existing Conditions and No Build

This viewpoint is located in the southwestern quadrant of the Pilgrim Campus visual district, on “G” road just east of the intersection with “C” road. The view includes a substantial amount of pavement, overhead utilities, with some native vegetation present in the middle ground. There is no dominant form, and the texture is course. The view is not distinctive, and integrity or intactness and unity are low due to the encroaching utilities. On a clearer weather day reflectivity would likely be high.


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Viewpoint No. 32, Proposed Project

The proposed project at this viewpoint completely alters the scene. Mid-ground vegetation is removed and LITRIM equipment and vehicles are visible. The road surfaces are new and realigned. The view is somewhat more orderly and intact. The sky and hard surfaces of the vehicles and equipment dominate the view and cause the reflectivity to increase. While overhead utilities appear removed here, it is understood that higher towers will likely be introduced to replace the current ones and span the intermodal yard through the middle and background of this view. Predicted Viewer Response The largest viewer group affected by the changes to this visual scene is the facility workers group, and the facility residents and clients. Affected to a lesser extent would be the area motorist group that sometimes uses the campus roadway network. The workers and residents/clients of the facility will be exposed to the changes and the duration of exposure will be extended or repeated frequently. Therefore the predicted response of these groups would likely be highly negative. The area motorist group will be exposed to the changes on a more infrequent basis and the roadway changes may improve their travel experience thereby offsetting their response to the visual changes to a degree. The predicted response to the view modifications by this user group would likely be


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moderate to highly negative. However the percentage of the area motorist population that uses this portion of the project is probably low which will tend to reduce the effect of the response.

Resultant Impact Rating The resultant impact rating for the visual changes represented in this viewpoint analysis is moderate to high negative impact. The changes to visual resources are extensive. The new visual elements are not compatible with the existing or future no-build conditions, and significantly change the scene. Also a relatively high level of negative viewer response to the change can be expected. Viewpoint No. 30, Existing Conditions and No Build This viewpoint is at the southern terminus of “G” road. The texture is medium and the vegetation in the middle ground dominates the scene. The line and form of the scene is horizontal, and there is continuity in the banding created by the sky, vegetation, and roadway surface in the foreground. The view is no t particularly vivid, but is intact with few encroachments, and it is unified and balanced.


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Viewpoint No. 30, Proposed Project The implementation of the project as depicted here represents a complete change to the view. All of the vegetation that dominated the existing condition is removed and replaced with the paved surfaces of the realigned road and rail yard. Yard equipment, and vehicles now are the dominant elements, the texture is coarser, and the scene is significantly more vertical. The opening of sky area and the increase of hard surfaces also increase reflectivity. Predicted Viewer Response The viewer group most affected by the changes to this visual scene is the Pilgrim facility workers and area motorists as they travel past this location. The residents of the facility would rarely see this view. The predicted response of the workers and motorists would likely be highly negative due to the complete change of the scene. Resultant Impact Rating The changes to visual resources here are significant. Proposed visual elements are not compatible with the existing or future no-build conditions, and their increase in scale significantly changes the scene. The resultant impact rating for the visual changes represented in this viewpoint analysis however is a moderately negative impact. While the predicted response is a high negative the percentage of members of the viewer group that will be exposed to the changes and the duration of exposure is relatively low.


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2 Visual District -2- Heartland Office Park

In the Heartland visual district several locations were reviewed as potential viewpoint studies. These included locations at the northern boundary near the proposed project and a view to the east at the southeast corner of the office park across the golf course. None of these locations were selected for simulations. In the case of the northern locations the views generally occur at loading dock areas, which strongly reduces the size of the potentially impacted viewer group. Also these locations are in close proximity to existing vegetation and proposed screen planting areas that will deflect the view sight line above most of the changes to the visual scene. Viewpoint No.12, Existing Conditions, and No Build Viewpoint No. 12 above is located in the southeast quadrant of the Heartland Office Park visual district. The view is balanced and the line and form is horizontal in character. There is a high degree of continuity. Relative to the overall district quality this view is somewhat vivid or memorable. The turf of the golf course, and the vegetation that surrounds it, blend well and create a compositional harmony. The proposed project will locate a freight rail spur from the LIRR main line to the right of this view. The line will run through the existing wooded area in the background of the scene. While periodic train activity will intermittently change the visual environment, the project features impact will


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not be significant most of the time. The clearing for the spur will occur in a previous right of way and will be at least partially screened by existing vegetation. Also the view of the golf course will be foreground to the proposed project elements further minimizing their impact at this location. Predicted Viewer Response The largest viewer group affected by the changes to this visual scene is the office park worker and the recreational users at the golf course. The existence of rail activity is already a part of the visual environment at this location. The implementation of the project will be relatively compatible with this activity. The project’s constructed elements will be naturally screened or their presence offset by the surrounding vegetation. The office park worker viewer group’s response will likely be neutral to low negative impact. The recreational viewer group’s response is predicted to be a low negative. Resultant Impact Rating The changes to visual resources here are relatively minimal. Proposed visual elements are compatible with the existing or future no-build conditions. No significant visual resources should be changed at this location. The predicted response of viewer groups is neutral to low negative. The resultant impact rating for the visual changes represented in this viewpoint analysis is low.


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3 Visual District – 3- Area Roadway Corridors

Viewpoint No.1, Existing Conditions, and No Build Viewpoint No. 1, shown above is located on Crooked Hill Road just south of the Long Island Expressway. The view is horizontal in character with a strong central focal point of the hotel in the background. The view is not vivid. The roadway and utility poles and wires interrupt the vegetation in the mid-ground, minimizing the unity of the view. The roadway elements themselves are in a relative state of disrepair that contributes to a lower view quality. The scene is open and includes a large amount of hard surface materials resulting in a high degree of reflectivity.


Appendix K Pg. 23

Viewpoint No. 1, Proposed Project Ramps B1 / Q1

n

The proposed project alternative includes a new ramp or connector to and from the LIE service road and Sagtikos Parkway. This roadway intersects with Crooked Hill Road in the mid-ground of this view. The roadway on Crooked Hill is widened at this point to provide appropriate turning lanes. Vegetation is removed and the traffic signal and wires are added to the scene. The new pavement and striping adds to the organization or order of the view and strengthens its focus. The reflectivity of the view is increased to some degree due to the additional pavement and the loss of vegetation. Predicted Viewer Response The largest viewer group affected by the changes to this visual scene is the motorist using Crooked Hill Road and the workers in the businesses to the right of the view. The project elements are generally compatible with the existing view and the roadway facility will be improved though additional traffic will occur due to use of the new ramp system. The motorist response is likely to be neutral to slightly positive due to recognition of the functional improvements present in the view. The business workers response will likely be neutral to slightly negative mainly in response to the altered traffic movements visible at the ramp intersection. Resultant Impact Rating The resultant impact rating for the visual changes represented in this viewpoint analysis is neutral. The changes to visual resources are expected to be slight and the new visual elements are compatible with the existing or


Appendix K Pg. 24

future no-build conditions. Viewer response should range from slightly negative to slightly positive.

Viewpoint No. 2, Existing No Build Condition n

The viewpoint above represents the hotel guests view from the current Wingate hotel. It is a superior or elevated view looking north toward the site of the proposed ramp that will connect the LIE service road and the Sagtikos Parkway with Crooked Hill Road visible in the left third of the view. The view is vivid or memorable to some degree due to its elevated position and relative long range. It is not very intact or unified due to the many intrusions such as the construction materials, utility poles and the communications antenna in the fore and middle ground areas. Reflectivity is relatively high because of the barren nature of the soils in the adjacent construction yard.


Appendix K Pg. 25


With the proposed project elements depicted the view changes very little and is a slight to moderate improvement. The grass on the ramp embankment adds a material that helps reduce the reflectivity in the mid-ground, and the widening of Crooked Hill Road is nearly imperceptible. Predicted Viewer Response The viewer group affected by the changes to this visual scene is the hotel guest. This group is very small by relative population but is a group that is critical to this existing business, which is why this viewpoint is analyzed. Given the minimal changes to the view it is very likely that this viewer groups response to them will be neutral to slightly positive due to the potential buffering effect of the grass ramp embankment. Resultant Impact Rating The resultant impact rating for the visual changes represented in this viewpoint analysis is neutral. The changes to visual resources are expected to be none to slight and the new visual elements are compatible with the existing or future no-build conditions.


Appendix K Pg. 26

Viewpoint No. 7A, Existing No Build Condition

Viewpoint 7A above is located at the northbound entrance to the Sagtikos Parkway from Crooked Hill Road. The view is typical of conditions within the Parkway system on Long Island. The roadway is balanced by the turf and wooded areas contained within the right of way (ROW). In this location there is also a vegetated median that separates the north and southbound lanes and further softens and unifies the view. While the view is not particularly vivid it is pleasing for the suburban highway motorist. The view is intact with minimal intrusions. Reflectivity is high to the wide open to the sky character of the view but the vegetative material within the scene also balances this.


Appendix K Pg. 27

Viewpoint No. 7A, Proposed Project

The proposed project will add a parallel lane that will allow commercial traffic to enter the view. A concrete barrier will also be added and vegetation removed from the right side from foreground to background. The additional paved area will change the balance between roadway and vegetation and reduce the unity of the view to some degree. Reflectivity does not appear to change significantly as it was fairly high in the existing condition. Predicted Viewer Response The largest viewer group affected by the changes to this visual scene is the area motorist. Regional motorists appreciate the character of Long Island’s parkways. The motorists are likely to respond somewhat negatively to the introduction of commercial vehicles in this view. Response to the other physical changes should be a lower negative, as the character of the view elements is somewhat consistent with the current view. Resultant Impact Rating The resultant impact rating for the visual changes represented in this viewpoint analysis is moderately negative. The changes to visual resources are expected to be significant however the new visual elements are compatible with the existing or future no-build conditions.


Appendix K Pg. 28

Viewpoint No. 20, Existing Condition, No Build

This viewpoint is located on the eastbound service road to the LIE just east of the entrance from Commack Rd. The direction of the view is southeast toward the exit to southbound Sagtikos Parkway. The view is of a suburban expressway is not intact and is course in texture given the highway features that dominate. Reflectivity is very high due to the extent of hard surfaces and the totally exposed overhead plane. The vegetation in the mid to background offers some balance to the scene but is not significant compared to the high velocity and volume of the vehicles as they pass through the view.


Appendix K Pg. 29


The proposed project removes shrubby vegetation from the mid-ground at the adjacent recharge basin and replaces it with a grass embankment. This opens the view even more than the existing. The new roadway and bridge in the mid to background extends the horizontal element of the existing Sagtikos Parkway connector. This provides some balance of the forms in the scene. Predicted Viewer Response The largest viewer group affected by the changes to this visual scene is the area motorist. As this is a very high volume section of the LIE it is likely that the viewer response to the proposed changes will be neutral. There might be some comment on the loss of vegetation in the vicinity of the recharge basin. Resultant Impact Rating The resultant impact rating for the visual changes represented in this viewpoint analysis is low. The changes to visual resources are expected to be substantial however the new visual elements are compatible with the existing or future no-build conditions.


Appendix K Pg. 30

Table K-3 below, Summarizes the predicted viewer response and resultant impact to the visual environment at the selected representative viewpoints.

Table K-3 Summary of viewer response and resultant impact rating Viewer Group Response/Resultant Impact

Viewpoint

Motorist Pilgrim Facility

Residents

Area Workers

Pedestrians/ Recreational

Or Hotel Guests

Resultant Impact

Rep. Viewpoint No.31 Visual District 1 Pilgrim Campus

_____ Neutral Neutral _____ Neutral


Moderate Negative High Negative High Negative _____ High


Moderate _____ Moderate

To High

_____ Moderate

Rep. Viewpoint No.12 Visual District 2 Heartland Office Park

_____ _____ Neutral

To Low Negative

Low Negative Low

Rep. Viewpoint No.1 Visual District 3 Area Roadway Corridors

Neutral To

Low Positive _____

Neutral To

Low Negative _____ Neutral


_____ _____ _____ Neutral

To Low Positive

Neutral

Rep. Viewpoint No.7A Visual District 3 Area Roadway Corridors

Moderate Negative _____ _____ _____ Moderate


Neutral _____ _____ _____ Neutral


Appendix K Pg. 31

IV RECOMMENDATIONS

Following are recommendations for each of the visual districts. The intent of the recommendations is to identify a strategy and/or techniques to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to the visual environment that are the result of the implementation of the project. A Visual District – 1 – Pilgrim Facility Campus

i. In this visual district the impacted viewer groups are in the closest proximity to the proposed project and changes to the visual environment will most evident in general and especially at some key locations. The location of the proposed facility has been analyzed and selected to be functionally efficient and to minimize impact and visual intrusion. However the use of plantings will be needed in some areas to screen, deflect, or soften views. There are a few locations where the scene will be unavoidably impacted however the viewer groups impacted are usually small or in the case of motorists are receiving the benefit of transportation improvements which offsets the visual impact to a degree.

ii. Viewpoint no.31 – A neutral viewer response is predicted for this location.

This is due to the grove of pine trees that remain providing a visual barrier along the border of the facility.

iii. Viewpoint nos.32 and 30 are locations where the visual impacts are unavoidable as they are immediately adjacent to the proposed facility. The scene should be enhanced by the addition of street side plantings along “G” and “C” roads to provide an avenue character for the arriving motorist and worker at the pilgrim site.

B Visual District - 2 – Heartland Office Park

i. As noted within the study the impact to the visual environment within this district is low. It is currently an active commercial/light industrial area that presents views, which are somewhat compatible with the proposed project. In addition the proposed project will be heavily screened at its closest proximity to this district. It is recommended that the integrity of this screen area be closely monitored and maintained as part of the projects final design.

C Visual District – 3 – Area Roadway Corridors

i. This visual district is the largest area and affects the most potential viewers. The viewer group of main concern in this district is the area motorist viewer group. The analysis of the selected viewpoints indicated that the resultant impact ranged between neutral to a moderate impact. The worst condition was at the proposed entry ramp to the eastbound LIE from Cooked Hill Road. Here a moderate negative impact was predicted. At this location this impact is unavoidable without realignment to hide the view of commercial vehicles. This approach would have greater negative impacts to vegetation and habitat and might still create negative visual conditions. In general the use of DOT standard landscape planting techniques throughout this district will serve to mitigate the already relatively low visual impact. There are a number of


Appendix K Pg. 32

roadside embankments that will be constructed that can provide landscape/visual enhancement areas.

appendix k: visual impact assessmentmay 2007 appendix k visual impact assessment pins 0339.12,...

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