M E E T I N G S U M M A R Y
PROJECT TEAM:
Monica Kruckow/Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, Project
Manager
David Smith/ Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, Water Quality
Representative
Jaime Robinson/CH2M HILL
Jill Davenport/CH2M HILL
VENUE: Winterfield Elementary School - Cafeteria
3100 Winterfield Place, Charlotte, NC
May 1, 2008, 7:00 – 8:30 pm DATE:
I.
Monica Kruckow started the meeting at 7:00 pm by welcoming the attendees to the Second
Public Meeting for Edwards Branch Watershed Improvement Project Phase III and introducing the project team.
The attendees were asked to complete the information on the sign-in sheet, which included name, address, telephone number, and email address. They were also given a meeting agenda. Since there were only two residents in attendance, the meeting was conducted using an open dialogue. Therefore, the agenda item “Questions & Comments” was not formerly held at the end of the meeting, but integrated throughout.
II.
Monica Kruckow stated this meeting’s purpose is to review the existing conditions and storm water issues within each Project Area and discuss the proposed improvements planned to address the storm water issues.
One resident noted several problems that they have observed in the Phase III Watershed:
• Residents of Lansdale Crossing Apartments place trash in storm drains that connect to
Winterfield Tributary.
• Car washing runoff on Willow Park Drive at Misty Woods Apartments flows into catch basins that drain directly into Winterfield Tributary. He asked if this project could facilitate rerouting the drainage into the Willow Park BMP for treatment.
• A strong odor of detergent noticed in Winterfield Tributary may be due to overflows or drainage from a laundromat on Rosehaven Drive.
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EDWARDS BRANCH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
PHASE III – PUBLIC MEETING
III.
Jill Davenport referenced the two displayed exhibits to facilitate the discussion. Exhibit 1 was an aerial view outlining the Phase III Project Areas. Exhibit 2 showed the proposed improvements to treat storm water issues within Evergreen and Winterfield Tributary
Watersheds.
• Evergreen Tributary Watershed
Jill Davenport stated that the Project Areas in Evergreen Cemetery have erosion problems, concentrated flows going into the wetland system, and non-native plants. The proposed improvements include:
• Meandering Swale – The proposed improvement is the realignment of the existing concrete-lined straight channel into a natural swale, a shallow-sloped ditch that meanders, or bends sinuously, around the existing large trees. The existing tree buffer would be enhanced with more trees planted along the banks of the new swale.
This improvement should reduce erosion potential.
• Pocket Wetland – A small constructed wetland with deep and shallow zones is planned. This pocket wetland would be planted with vegetation and treat and slow storm water before it flows into the wetlands downstream.
• Rock Berms – Rock berms are low, thick walls made up of rip rap rocks that are oriented perpendicular to the flow path. Two areas are slated for 2-foot high rock berms downstream of the stormwater outfalls. The smaller drainage area will be treated with one rock berm; the larger drainage area will be treated with two rock berms. They slow and temporarily detain the storm water as it seeps through and overflows the berms. These rock berms will deter unwanted channels from forming in the wooded area towards the stream and wetlands. Rock berms can be conformed around large trees to minimize the impact to the forest.
• Channel Realignment – To fix a severely eroded channel, the storm drainage pipe will be realigned away from the existing eroded area. A new drainage channel will connect the new pipe outfall to the existing channel and the existing eroded area will be backfilled and re-planted. This approach will reduce erosion while also preserving the existing large trees in this area.
One resident recalled that there are drainage tiles in the vicinity of the Meandering Swale.
The resident also expressed concern over the removal of any large trees for the proposed improvements. Jill Davenport stated that the locations of large trees were surveyed and taken into account when proposing these improvements; no large trees are planned to be removed in the Evergreen Tributary Watershed.
One of the residents expressed the fact that he liked the slow release of water associated with the proposed Pocket Wetland.
The residents also noted on the map the location of a new soil stockpile area near the cellular tower at Evergreen Cemetery.
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EDWARDS BRANCH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
PHASE III – PUBLIC MEETING
• Winterfield Tributary Watershed
Jill Davenport stated that CH2M HILL is proposing stream restoration for much of
Winterfield Tributary. The proposed improvements will be on both public and private land, as shown on Exhibit 2.
At the upstream end of Winterfield Tributary, two improvements are planned to address the storm water flowing into it. Within the Willow Park BMP, a modification to the outlet structure is planned to better control the flow/release of the storm water. At the Lansdale
Drive culvert outlet, a series of step-down structures of placed rocks and logs followed by small pools are planned to slow down the flow of the storm water.
Below these improvements, 2,000 feet of stream restoration is proposed. Much of the stream restoration will be realigned to allow the channel to meander and allow the storm water to access and flood the forest floor during rain events. The downstream portion of the channel below the schools will be reworked inside the existing channel, adding flood benches where appropriate. The overall limits of the restoration project took into account the location of large trees along the stream banks.
In-stream structures, such as those seen on the restored parts of Edwards Branch, will hold the correct stream alignment and create diverse habitat with riffles and pools. Pools provide deeper pockets of water in the channel and will hold more water during drier conditions; riffles are shallower sections of stream.
The residents in attendance made the following comments:
• They liked the tie-in location planned for the restoration.
• The residents also noted that when they moved to the area, Winterfield Tributary was only a trickle of water, level with the forest floor.
• The residents expressed concern for a bridge to remain across Winterfield Tributary; they gave suggestions on alignments and emphasized the need for trail access in the area.
• They noted the Evergreen Nature Preserve’s new entrances off Norland Road and
Progress Lane.
• They advocated keeping pine trees as diverse habitat for birds; they said many were removed during construction of the Sheffield Wetland.
• They asked that construction be timed to miss the bird nesting season.
IV.
Monica Kruckow reiterated that the project is completing the Planning Phase and outlined the timeline of events for the rest of the project. The Design Phase is anticipated to begin during the fall of 2008, which includes developing construction drawings for the proposed improvements. This phase typically lasts 21 to 34 months.
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EDWARDS BRANCH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
PHASE III – PUBLIC MEETING
The Permitting Phase, which includes obtaining the required water quality permits from
Federal and State government agencies, runs concurrently with the Design Phase. This phase typically lasts 3 to 9 months.
The Easement Acquisition/Real Estate Phase also runs concurrently with the Design Phase.
During this phase, the City's real estate staff works with citizens and businesses to acquire
Easements needed to construct the recommended improvements and provide future maintenance. This phase of a project typically lasts 12 months but may take longer depending on the property owners and businesses.
It is important to note that the Design Phase cannot be completed until all permits and easements have been acquired. Once the Design Phase is complete, the final plans made available for contractors to bid on them. By state law, the lowest responsible bidder is awarded the construction contract. The Bid Phase of a project typically lasts 4 to 5 months.
Once the Bid Phase is complete and the contract has been awarded by City Council, construction can begin. Projects vary in size, so the typical Construction Phase of a project can last from 3 months to over 2 years. Throughout construction, efforts will be made to minimize disruption to nearby property owners. Construction of proposed improvements will be supervised by City inspectors. Notifications of key construction dates will be mailed to residents prior to construction.
It is also important to note that throughout all phases, citizens will be kept informed on project status via mailers and meetings.
V.
Questions and comments were addressed during the meeting.
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