Wetlands Board Packets

SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD AGENDA FOR August 15, 2013 PREPARED BY THE CITY OF SUFFOLK DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING THE WORK SESSION WILL BE HELD AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN THE SUFFOLK MUNICIPAL BUILDING PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AT 514-4060 PRIOR TO 12:00 NOON ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013 C. ROBERT JOHNSON CHAIRMAN  AGENDA SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD August 15, 2013 6:00 P.M. I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Special Presentation – Resolution of Appreciation, the late John (Jack) R. Ellison, III IV. Election of Officers V. Approval of Minutes Work Session – July 18, 2013 VI. Wetlands Board Work Session VMRC #13-0689 – Suffolk Parks and Recreation – Sleepy Hole Park Living Shoreline Progress report on VMRC #12-1348 – Living Shoreline VII. Discussion VIII. New Business IX. Old Business X. Adjournment  MINUTES SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD - WORKSESSION July 18, 2013 6:00 P.M. The work session of the Suffolk Wetlands Board was held on Thursday, July 18, 2013, at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Conference Room of the Municipal Building, 441 Market Street, Suffolk, Virginia, with the following persons present: MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF: C. Robbie Johnson, Chairman David Parks, Planner II Gretchen Gonzalez Darius Davenport Sidney Hazelwood, II Steven Barnum ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnson. The roll was called by Mr. Alperin and the Chairman was informed that a quorum was present. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: A motion was made to approve the minutes of the previous meeting that was held on June 20, 2013. The motion was passed by a voice vote 5 to 0. 1 WORK SESSION Progress Report on VMRC #12-1348 – River Bluff Living Shoreline David Parks, Planner II, briefly explained the reason for the work sessions on this project. This was a condition of approval of the wetlands permit to provide the Board with monthly updates on the progress of the project. Mr. Parks then displayed a few pictures that were taken of the site to show the progress of the project. The pictures illustrated mainly the previous two areas of concern from last month’s work session. The Board has issues with the stockpile along the edge of the bank and also the progress of the sod installation on the graded portions of the bank. Mr. Parks explained to the board that work has been done to try and get rid of the stockpile along the bank. Portions of the pile have been taken away, however there is still a couple of existing stock piles that do need to be removed. The sodding of the bank has not progressed as quickly and timely as intended by Mr. Reed from last month’s meeting. An additional amount of sod has been placed along the bank, but the entire graded portion of the bank has yet to be sodded as was hoped for by Mr. Reed from last month’s meeting. It looked to be about 10,000 square feet of sod had been installed since last meeting. Mr. Parks also explained that certain sections of the bank that had blown out have been replaced with new sod. The board members asked if there was still water from the top of the bank washing down to the river where the sod had to be 2 replaced. Mr. Parks then went over the latest progress report that was submitted by the developer. It stated that they expect to lay additional sod within the next week and hope to complete the project within the next 45 days. The board was concerned that this time table is a little generous considering the amount of sod that has been installed over the past month. Mr. Hazelwood was asked about the cutting of sod and he stated that the only day a sod farm does not cut is Saturday. They usually cut the day before for delivery. Mr. Alperin explained to the board that staff has tried to push Mr. Reed to try and contact other suppliers of sod to see if they were able to deliver more quickly then the company they are currently using. Chairman Johnson asked staff what the board can do to get that stockpile of dirt moved from the bank. He is concerned about all the erosion that is taking place during rain events and how it is affecting the bank and the spartina that is planted. Mr. Alperin stated that he would get with the public works inspector to see what they can do moving forward. Chairman Johnson asks if there can be a stop work order issued to focus work on the bank and not the subdivision. Mr. Alperin explained to the board that the approved wetlands permit does not contain any sort of time period to complete the shoreline work. The board has major concerns about the areas that have washed out and the effect that is having on the shoreline and also the river. Mr. Hazelwood asked staff about the time period for public works to ensure site compliance after a storm event. 3 Mr. Alperin explained that they are required to be out at the site no later than 48 hours after. Mr. Hazelwood stated that there has been no effort to remove any of the silt that has made its way down the bank and onto the marsh area and into the water. Mr. Alperin stated that he would try and obtain the inspection reports from public works for this subdivision. Chairman Johnson expressed interest in having a meeting with public works to address the continuous problems out in River Bluff and why the regulations seem to no be met out on the site. Mr. Hazelwood stated that there are many areas along the bank where silt is being deposited and affecting the site. Chairman Johnson expressed concerns about the current elevation along the bank and if this is the correct elevation. Mr. Hazelwood asks staff if the board can make recommendations about erosion and sediment control and ask the city to test the areas to see how much silt has been deposited along the bank. Mr. Alperin stated that he doesn’t believe the City has anybody on staff that would be able to do that. Mr. Barnum would like the developer test the area to see if the bank has been compromised. The board stated that they would like to make a motion to request the developer to conduct a soil test along the bank. The motion was introduced by Mr. Hazelwood and stated:  Having observed significant erosion and sedimentation along the shoreline, the City of Suffolk’s Wetlands Board is requiring the contractor to test the sprigged 4  area for silt contamination by a certified soil scientist or a geotechnical engineer within 14 days and provide a plan to remove all contaminated material to the Board at the next meeting on August 15th. The motion was seconded by Mr. Davenport and passed by a vote of 5 to 0. The board then made another motion to consult with public works about the stabilization of the site. The motion was introduced by Mr. Davenport and stated:  After observing numerous uncorrected erosion and sediment control violations at the River Bluff at Hillpoint Subdivision which have resulted in sedimentation of wetlands within the Boards jurisdiction and other adverse impacts to water quality, we request immediate corrective actions and the diligent enforcement of the City’s erosion and sediment program in order to prevent further contamination of the living shoreline project. The motion was then seconded by Mr. Hazelwood. The motion was passed on a vote of 5 to 0. This closed the report on the shoreline project. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Alperin presented to the board a copy of the erosion and sediment control laws that relate to shoreline projects no longer being exempted from erosion and sediment control laws. Mr. Alperin explained to the board that now all applicants that are disturbing more than 2,500 square feet of area would require them to get a land 5 disturbing permit and prepare an erosion and sediment control plan. There are additional fees that will be required by the applicants based on these plans. Mr. Alperin is recommending that all wetland approvals now contain a condition to talk with public works about obtaining a land disturbance permit. This added step will take additional time by the applicant. The board was concerned with the permit fee that will be required by public works and that it will discourage applicants from applying to the wetlands board. Mr. Alperin stated that he is going to talk with public works about modifying the fees so that they will not be as steep for residential projects as they are for commercial projects. There being no more business the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. 6  SLEEPY HOLE PARK 1 LIVING SHORELINE of P1 Drawing Number 4 EXISTING CONDITIONS AND DEMOLITION PLAN  SLEEPY HOLE PARK 2 LIVING SHORELINE of P2 Drawing Number 4 PLAN & CROSS SECTION  GENERAL AND EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL NOTES SLEEPY HOLE PARK 3 LIVING SHORELINE of P3 Drawing Number 4 GENERAL AND EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL NOTES  SLEEPY HOLE PARK 4 LIVING SHORELINE of P4 Drawing Number 4 DETAILS 2 Week of August 8, 2013 River Bluff Shoreline weekly report. Zone 1 - is 100% complete. Zone 2 - sod, large canopy, understory trees and grasses complete – still waiting on saltbush Zones 3 - sod, large canopy, understory trees and grasses complete – still waiting on saltbush Zone 4 – sod 100% complete – grasses complete, large and understory trees not complete. We need to final grade before we can install trees. Zone 5 – 100% of the large dirt piles have been removed. We will begin phase 5 grading on August 12, 2013. We will only grade about 150 l.f. at a time and install sod as we go. Engineers soils report will be sent before the meeting. Thanks Bobby Reed 757-675-4132