Capital Region Vision Zero Safety Action Plan - August public meetings!

The Capital Region Transportation Council (the Transportation Council) is hosting four public meetings (three in-person and one virtual) across the region in August 2024 to publicly launch the Capital Region Vision Zero Safety Action Plan, which focuses on reducing fatal and serious injury crashes to an eventual goal of zero on all public roadways in the Capital Region. 

Each of the four public meetings will present identical content and will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the development of the Vision Zero Safety Action Plan, identify existing transportation safety issues, recommend changes to improve transportation safety, and meet with the project team. Community members are encouraged to attend the public meeting that is most convenient for them:

·         Watervliet: August 14, 2024 from 4:30-7:30PM at the Watervliet Senior Center located at 1501 Broadway, Watervliet, NY. This in-person meeting is open house style, come for as little or as long as you like.

·         Albany: August 15, 2024 from 4:30-7:30PM at the Washington Avenue Branch Library in the Large Auditorium located at 161 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY. This in-person meeting is open house style, come for as little or as long as you like.

·         Virtual: August 20, 2024 at 6:30PM. To attend this Zoom webinar, please register at: https://tinyurl.com/CapitalRegionVisionZeroWebinar

·         Saratoga: August 21, 2024 from 4:30-7:30PM at the Saratoga Springs Public Library in the Dutcher Community Room located at 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, NY. This in-person meeting is open house style, come for as little or as long as you like. Please note, on-street parking is free, and parking in the library lot is for Saratoga Springs city residents only.

All are welcome. If you require any assistive technologies, language translation, American Sign Language interpretation, and/or adaptive strategies to attend and engage at these public meetings, please contact Liz Podowski King with Highland Planning at 585-649-1210 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least three (3) business days in advance of the meeting you plan to attend.

To learn more about the Regional Vision Zero Safety Action Plan and the upcoming meetings, please visit: www.CapitalRegionVisionZero.org

Documents:
pdf Vision Zero Flyer(92 KB)

Deputy Town Supervisor Anthony Morelli announced today that two new electric vehicle Level 2 chargers with two connectors have been deployed and are operational in the parking area at the Clifton Common near the soccer fields’ pavilion, 5 Clifton Common Boulevard. The improvements support the Town’s efforts to provide more accessibility to EV charging infrastructure and meet the convenience needs of regional travelers to the Clifton Common Facility and Saratoga County. The Town’s deployment of level 2 charging infrastructure supports a steady and systematic transition to clean transportation and reduces climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

“EV Chargers within the Clifton Common Park and Sports Complex support infrastructure needs for current and future EV inter-regional and interstate travels,” Deputy Supervisor Anthony Morelli said. “The Clifton Common is a multi-use recreation complex hosting regional and national soccer, baseball, softball, and hockey tournaments throughout the year and hosting outdoor theater and concert stage performances during warmer months with a substantial number of visitors traveling to the location from out-of-state points of origin.”

The Town of Clifton Park thanks both NYSERDA and National Grid for the technical and grant funding assistance in installing these charging units and bringing them online for the public’s use and benefit.

The Town of Clifton Park recently purchased a 5.58-acre piece of property that borders Town-owned land in Grooms Corners.  Open Space Funds collected under the Western Clifton Park GEIS Density Incentive Bonus were utilized to fund the purchase.

The property, located at 280 Sugar Hill Road, Rexford, sits between Grooms Tavern and the Grange, both historic buildings that are maintained by the Town. With this new addition the Town now owns 7.4 contiguous acres, providing for a Grooms Corners Town owned complex that establishes a tangible link to the past and a way to bring meaningful Town history into context for current and future generations.

Members of the Clifton Park Historical Preservation Commission joined Historian John Scherer, Open Space Coordinator Jen Viggiani and Deputy Supervisor Anthony Morelli for a walk-through of the newly acquired parcel at 280 Sugar Hill Road last week. 

Deputy Supervisor Anthony Morelli noted, “This acquisition of this property presents an opportunity for the Town to consider next steps with regards to creating a Historical District and how best to move forward with all three parcels. These properties have a great deal of historical significance to Clifton Park, and I look forward to working through the possibilities with our team.”

The Department of Planning & Zoning functions and responsibilities include overseeing long-term planning, management of capital improvement projects, and other initiatives as may be designated by the Town Board. Planning & Zoning Staff also assist with the facilitation for the review process of all pending subdivision, site plan, and special use permit applications considered by the Town’s Planning Board. In addition, Planning & Zoning Staff provide Town Board Members with information on development trends and land use patterns within the Town. This information is then used to assist with the implementation of the comprehensive plan. Planning & Zoning Staff also provide technical guidance and assistance to numerous advisory committees and boards within Clifton Park and implement the Open Space Program.

Saratoga Co. Planning & Zoning Conference Presentation 2024

**Applicants who would like to calculate site plans or subdivision application fees, please use our Calculators below.

The Town of Clifton Park has undertaken an effort to conduct a public planning process and develop a town agricultural farmland protection and enhancement plan. The purpose of this project is to create a comprehensive Townwide Farmland Protection Plan that outlines a vision for the long-term economic viability of agriculture and protection of valuable farmland resources in Clifton Park.

​Follow the progress of the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan at www.cliftonparkfarms.com.

The Capital Region Transportation Council just launched the next survey for In Motion: The Plan to 2050. Share your thoughts on the draft vision and let our MPO know what tradeoffs you’d consider to bring this vision to life. Your input will help guide the Capital Region’s long-term transportation plan.

📝 Take the survey here: https://form.jotform.com/243444221273146
📅 Survey open through most of January.

At the September 5^th Town Board Meeting Supervisor Barrett and the Town Board unanimously approved three projects that will dramatically increase safe walkability for residents around town.  The new sidewalks and bike paths will be added to the 17 miles of new trails that have been constructed since 2000 when the new program began to build a trail network.

The first of these projects will provide pedestrian access to the hamlet of Jonesville from Dutch Meadows and Country Knoll neighborhoods, as well as pedestrian and non-motorized access to Hatlee Road, Main Street and MacElroy Roads, and connections to existing multi-use trail networks within the Town.  The Town will utilize grant funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for this project.  This project will help to connect pedestrian access to the northern areas of the Town.

Town Center Walkability Project

At the September 5^th Town Board Meeting Supervisor Barrett and the Town Board unanimously approved three projects that will dramatically increase safe walkability for residents around town.  The new sidewalks and bike paths will be added to the 17 miles of new trails that have been constructed since 2000 when the new program began to build a trail network.

One of the major goals of the Town Center Plan was to make the Town Center and Exit 9 more walkable and connected for people who live in and visit the area. Several ADA accessible crosswalks have been installed in the Exit 9 area.  The Town Center Walkability Project will now result in a trail/sidewalk system on both sides of Clifton Country Road along the entire length of the road.  Clifton Country Road intersects the Town Center Area which will provide additional pedestrian access throughout the area.  The Town will utilize funding by the Transportation Alternatives Program to help pay for this project.

At the September 5^th Town Board Meeting Supervisor Barrett and the Town Board unanimously approved three projects that will dramatically increase safe walkability for residents around town.  The new sidewalks and bike paths will be added to the 17 miles of new trails that have been constructed since 2000 when the new program began to build a trail network.

The final of these three pedestrian access projects will expand bike paths and sidewalks on Route 146, Route 146A and Vischer Ferry Road.  The new paths will create a more complete trail system on both the north and south sides of 146 from School Drive to Vista Drive and on the east and west sides of Vischer Ferry Road from the traffic circle to the Clifton Common alleviating the need to for pedestrians to cross the road to continue safely on a paved sidewalk.  The project will include the addition of two new rapid flashing beacons to be added to existing crosswalks and improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of Route 146 and School Drive with push buttons and countdown timers being added to the crossing beacon.

These additions to our town roadways in this heavily traveled area will allow for safer pedestrian and cyclist travel and will help connect our neighborhoods to shopping areas on both sides of 146. The Town will utilize funding from the State Marchiselli Program to assist in completing this project.

There was recently a question regarding the extension of sidewalks along Sitterly Road. We ensured pedestrian access was developed as part of the plan for bridge replacement and have also proactively taken steps to plan for future improvements.

When it became clear that the Sitterly Road bridge would need to be replaced after it was damaged by a tractor trailer the Town began working with the Department of Transportation on including pedestrian access in the new design.

The Town Board passed a resolution on April 10, 2023 engaging the services of MJ Engineering to prepare a Sidewalk Feasibility Study for the Town of Clifton Park to assess pedestrian traffic and safety improvement opportunities along Sitterly Road. This study produced a plan that includes installation of ADA-compliant concrete sidewalks and pedestrian curb ramps, signage as needed, cast-in-place curbs, curb ramps, and crosswalk stripping within the study limits.

The proposed sidewalk will match the existing roadway and shoulder profile. The existing sidewalk on the northern side of the newly constructed bridge crossing over I-87 will be left undisturbed, except for removing the existing ADA ramps and sidewalk panels on the bridge approaches so that the proposed sidewalk can match the width and grade of the existing sidewalk. Through our long range planning efforts, we have also identified an opportunity to couple the results of the sidewalk extension study to plans for intersection improvements at Sitterly and Clifton Park Center. The overall improvement plan will complement the large scale project completed on Sitterly Road a few years ago. That project improved the intersections at Sitterly/Woodin and Sitterly/Crossings Boulevard and also included extending sidewalks for pedestrian access. Final design and construction authorizations for the new plan are contingent upon successfully obtaining TAP/CMAQ grant funding assistance. All trail and intersection improvement projects are extremely expensive, therefore we have always sought and thankfully been very successful, in securing millions in grant money to offset the cost of our trail/sidewalk network for Clifton Park.

Upon securing the necessary funding for this project the Town will move forward with making this idea a reality and continue extending the sidewalks and trails available for pedestrians to use.

The Town of Clifton Park is in the homestretch for securing a Permanent Conservation Easement over Maple Hill Farm of Ashdown Road to protect 71.262 acres of land in perpetuity in the Town of Clifton Park.  The farm is located at the intersection of NY 146A and Ashdown Road. The Deed of Conservation Easement and the Easement Survey will be filed with Saratoga County just as other ownership of real estate is filed with the county. The Deed of Conservation Easement will run the land and will apply to all future owners of the private property.

In September, the State approved the Town’s proposed Deed of Conservation Easement and other supporting documents, so the next step is a Town Board resolution to authorize the purchase of development rights.  As the Town is proposing to utilize the Open Space Capital Reserve Fund (established as an implementation of the Town’s 2003 Open Space Plan), there will be a Public Hearing on the action, to be held on Monday, November 6, 2003 at 7:05 p.m. at the regular town board meeting.

The 2003 Open Space Plan had set a goal for the Town to protect at least 300 to 500 acres of viable farmland. 

With securing a permanent conservation easement over the lands of Maple Hill Farm, the total acreage of farmland that is permanently protected in the Town of Clifton Park will increase to 258 acres.  The other three (3) farms that have been protected are:  King Crest Farm, 41 acres on Grooms Road just northwest from the Historic Grooms Tavern Complex; Riverview Orchards, 87 acres on Riverview Road; and Cloverdale Meadows (Heckman/Baillargeon), 59 acres on Hubbs Road.

The Town of Clifton Park applied in September 2023 to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for a Municipal Agricultural Planning Grant opportunity to be able access state funds to help the town accomplish a town-wide farmland protection plan.  The 2003 Open Space Plan references farmland protection as one of the 5 major themes, but with the 20 years passage since the adoption of the Open Space Plan, the Open Space, Trails & Riverfront Committee had recommended the Town consider this planning process to evaluate the current status of agriculture and farming and help plan for the future of the agricultural economy and lands in Clifton Park.

With Maple Hill Farms, the new Total Acres of Protected Open Space (since 2000) will increase to be 2,076 acres including Barney Road Golf Course, Dwaaskill Nature Preserve, Gransey Park, Northwoods Nature Preserve, 41 acres off of Riverview Road, the newly opened Town Center Park, and Veterans Memorial Park. 

In coordination with Saratoga County, the Cities of: Mechanicville, Saratoga Springs, Towns of: Ballston, Charlton, Clifton Park, Corinth, Day, Edinburg, Galway, Greenfield, Hadley, Halfmoon, Malta, Milton, Moreau, Northumberland, Providence, Saratoga, Stillwater, Waterford,  Milton, and Villages of: Ballston Spa, Corinth, Galway, Round Lake, Schuylerville, Stillwater, South Glens Falls, Victory, and Waterford, are updating the Saratoga County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Plan Update will address hazards that affect the area. The goal of the Plan Update is to minimize or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from known hazards through effective mitigation.

Saratoga County will hold public meetings to gather public input for updating their Hazard Mitigation Plan. The purpose of the public meeting is to provide a project overview from H2O Partners, Inc., consultant to the project, and solicit information from citizens. Public input will help the project team to analyze potential hazards affecting residents and recommend possible actions to reduce their impact.

Community members are invited to an Open House on Monday, March 31, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Clifton Park Senior Community Center, 6 Clifton Common Blvd, Clifton Park. This is a unique opportunity for the public to share their thoughts on key issues, priorities, and opportunities for Clifton Park’s agricultural future. Members of the farming community, Town staff, Agriculture & Farmland Protection Advisory Committee members, and members of the Community Planning and Environmental Associates consultant team will be present to speak with residents and answer questions.

In 2024, the Town was awarded a Municipal Farmland Protection Plan Grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to use towards funding this project. The Community Planning and Environmental Associates consultant team has summarized the results of the surveys of the public and farmers/farmland owners done this winter. The information compiled provides a basis for the future vision of the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan. The perspective and input of residents regarding these initial findings is critical to the formation of a long-range vision for the Plan over the coming years.

To date, the Town has protected four farms (more than 258 acres of farmland)using outside grants from Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Grant Program and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farmland Protection Implementation Grant Program. The Town now holds permanent conservation easements on four private farms: King Crest Farm on Grooms Road; Riverview Orchards on Riverview Road; Cloverdale Meadows Farm on Hubbs Road, and Maple Hill Farm on Ashdown Road.

Town Supervisor Phil Barrett said, “Clifton Park has been working hard to balance its growth with strategic efforts to conserve special places and support farming in our community for nearly 25 years. We are interested in hearing how the Town can continue to support private landowners while taking the value of our rural heritage and working farms into consideration.”

"A farm is not just a place to grow food, it's a place to grow community," said Dan Mathias, co-chair of the Agriculture & Farmland Protection Advisory Committee.

The Town of Clifton Park proudly announces the completion of its updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. This plan underscores the Town’s ongoing commitment to enhancing accessibility within the community, particularly for pedestrian infrastructure in the public right-of-way.

The ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan is a dynamic document designed to identify and prioritize barriers to accessibility and establish a structured approach to address them. The recent update focuses on evaluating all pedestrian facilities, including curb ramps, sidewalks, multi-use paths, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and transit stops, to align with federal standards finalized in 2023 and adopted by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2024.

This vital project was made possible through funding support from the Capital Region Transportation Council, with additional resources from a Federal Highway Administration grant. The Town collaborated with LaBella Associates to conduct the comprehensive self-evaluation and guide the transition plan’s development.

The Town of Clifton Park invites public review and commentary on the Draft ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, available electronically on the Town’s website until April 1, 2025. For individuals unable to access the draft online, a paper copy is available for review at the Town Clerk’s Office.

Comments can be submitted via email to the Town of Clifton Park Planning Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail to:

Clifton Park Town Hall
Re: ADA Transition Plan Comments
One Town Hall Plaza
Clifton Park, NY 12065

The Town encourages community input to help shape a more accessible future for all residents and visitors.