Wetlands Board Packets

SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD AGENDA FOR April 20, 2017 PREPARED BY THE CITY OF SUFFOLK DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING A MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN SUFFOLK CITY HALL PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AT 514-4060 PRIOR TO 12:00 NOON ON WEDNESDAY, April 19, 2017 GEOFFREY HINSHELWOOD CHAIRMAN  AGENDA SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD April 20, 2017 6:00 P.M. I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Approval of Minutes  March 16, 2017 IV. Public Hearings – None VMRC17-0109, submitted by Bob Simon of Waterfront Consulting, Inc., agent, on behalf of Gordon and Kay Shelton, property owners and applicants, to install approximately 176 linear feet of riprap sill and to backfill and sprig to restore a fringe marsh. This property is located at 4103 River Park Drive along the Nansemond River; further identified as Zoning Parcel 6E*RF*FF*113, zoned PD, Planned Development Zoning District. VMRC17-0110, submitted by Bob Simon of Waterfront Consulting, Inc., agent, on behalf of Robert and Kim Lewis, property owners and applicants, to install approximately 220 linear feet of riprap marsh toe backed by coconut coir logs to stabilize existing fringe marsh; to convert approximately 800 square feet of non- vegetated wetlands to tidal marsh; installation of 118 linear feet of Flexamat for upland bank stabilization; and the construction of a 5-foot by 287-foot open-pile pier with a 20- foot by 24-foot L-head and boat lift. This property is located at 4117 River Park Drive along the Nansemond River; further identified as Zoning Parcel 6E*RF*FF*120, zoned PD, Planned Development Zoning District. V. Restoration Hearings – None VI. Permit Extensions – None VII. Old Business – None VIII. New Business – None IX. Compliance and Inspections – None X. Adjournment  MINUTES SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD March 16, 2017 6:00 P.M. The meeting of the Suffolk Wetlands Board was held on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Conference Room of the City Hall Building, 442 West Washington Street, Suffolk, Virginia. MEMBERS: STAFF: Geoffrey Hinshelwood Karla Williams, Associate City Attorney Darius Davenport David Hainley, Director of Planning & Richard Vroman Community Development Jeffrey Colley David Parks, Principal Planner Sidney Hazelwood Amanda Beck, Planner II Brad O’Berry ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hinshelwood. The roll was then called by Mr. Parks and the Chairman was informed that a quorum was present. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written. PERMIT EXTENSIONS: VMRC #13-1859, submitted by Bob Simon with Waterfront Consulting, Inc., applicant, on behalf of Loretta Willis, property owner, for the installation of 1,627 linear feet of rip rap, construction of a 14-foot by 32-foot concrete boat ramp, and construction of timber stairs for beach access. The project is located at 2527 Bridge Road on the Nansemond River. The subject property is further identified as Zoning Parcel 5*32C, zoned RR, Residential Rural District. 1 Mr. Parks presented a request for a permit extension request for the Willis project to the board. The permit was close to expiring and the applicant requested an additional 4 year extension request. This time period would allow the appropriate time to finish the project completely. Staff noted that some of the previous conditions originally approved had been completed. Those being the approval of a buffer restoration plan and also the approval of an erosion and sediment control plan. After discussion, Mr. Vroman made a motion to grant the extension request and to remove the existing condition 2 and 3 which related to the already completed items. Also, included in the motion was the revision to condition 1 to allow a 13-foot by 32-foot boat ramp. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hazelwood and passed by a vote of 6-0. NEW BUSINESS: VMRC05-2245 – Mr. Parks advised the board that the yearly tidal wetlands workshop was upcoming and recommended that any board member interested attend the meeting. OTHER BUSINESS: None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 2  SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD MT: Vroman MT: MT: MT: 2ND: Hazelwood 2ND: 2ND: 2ND: TO: Approve TO: TO: TO: w/modifications March 17, 2017 ATTENDANCE VMRC#13-1859 VOTE: 6-0 VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT ABSENT YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO Colley, Jeffrey X X Davenport, Darius X X Hazelwood, Sidney X X Hinshelwood, Geoffrey X X Vroman, Robert X X Johnson, C. Robert X X O’Berry, Brad X Barnum, Steven - Alternate X Joyner, David - Alternate X  STAFF REPORT DESCRIPTION PROPOSED PROJECT: VMRC#17-0109, to install approximately 176 linear feet of riprap sill, and to backfill and sprig for restoration of a fringe marsh. APPLICANT: Gordon and Kay Shelton, property owners and applicants. LOCATION: 4103 River Park Drive along the Nansemond River. PERMIT HISTORY: In 2009 a no permit necessary letter was issued for VMRC2008-2257, which was to repair 100 linear feet of existing riprap. VIMS REPORT: A VIMS report for this property will be forwarded upon receipt. PUBLIC NOTICE: This request has been duly advertised in accordance with the public notice requirements set forth in Section 28.2-1302 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and with the applicable provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance. Notice to the applicant, containing a copy of the staff report, was also sent on April 14, 2017. STAFF ANALYSIS ISSUE Located in Harbour View, this property consists of a detached single-family home located on River Park Drive along the Nansemond River. There is existing riprap located landward of mean high water, part of the original overall subdivision engineering plans, installed to stabilize the escarpment located in the rear of the property and then the property owners repaired the riprap in 2009. Site visits, review of aerial imagery, and a history of the property from the owners support that this property is suffering shoreline loss and erosion due to the large fetch length for this area of the Nansemond River; subsequent storms have caused the erosion of several feet of the sandy shoreline, as well as the loss of several mature trees which had been at the bottom of the slope. To mitigate the erosion of the shoreline due to future nor’easters, hurricanes, and the general impact of this area’s large fetch, the applicants are proposing the installation of approximately 176 linear feet of riprap sill (breakwater) and to backfill and sprig to restore a fringe marsh. The project will involve installing approximately 2,816 square feet of quarry stone riprap on the non- vegetated wetlands, converting 1,668 square feet of non-vegetated wetlands to vegetated wetlands with spartina alternaflora. The sill will be installed in the intertidal range between mean low water (MLW) and mean high water (MHW). CONSIDERATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS 1. The Center for Coastal Resources Management through VIMS notes that site conditions would be improved by a reduced bank slope allowing wave run-up to improve growing conditions for wetlands vegetation. A marsh sill which allows for the natural movement of sand and wildlife would enhance the proposed vegetated wetlands. The Best Wetlands Board April 20, 2016 VMRC#17-0109 Page 2 of 3 Management Practices Mapper notes the preferred shoreline BMP for this site would be to enhance the upland riparian buffer; also, to maintain and enhance the non-vegetated wetlands an off-shore breakwater to help with the accumulation of sand areas is recommended in addition to planting a tidal marsh adjacent to the existing marsh, which would be protected with a sill. 2. The applicant has proposed a single cross section for the marsh sill (breakwater). Construction of the 176 linear foot sill will be completed using different types of stone to achieve the adequate height within the intertidal range while allowing for the movement of sand and wildlife. The cross section also outlines the area that will be converted from non-vegetated wetlands to vegetated wetlands. The agent will install appropriate tidal wetland species for this conversion area. 3. Project Impacts: a. Sill Breakwater – The breakwater sill will be approximately 176 linear feet and will help to defend the existing shoreline from further erosion problems. The sill will be installed in the intertidal range between MLW and MHW. The breakwater sill will be composed of Number 1 stone core over a double layer of UV protected filter fabric, topped with three to four foot thick Class I and II quarry stone. The top of the sill will be at an elevation of 5.0 feet to allow water to intrude during high tide, helping establish the marsh landward of the sill breakwater. Breakwaters systems are designed to dissipate wave energy before it reaches the shoreline and also create stable beach planforms which in turn will allow establishment of various species of marsh grasses at the site. To establish this marsh fringe, sand is required to bring the backshore up to establish the correct elevation for establishing the marsh fringe. This type of structure has been identified by VIMS as a shoreline best management practice for this particular property. b. Backfill and Sprigging – Given the historic erosion on site, and the large fetch length for this area of the Nansemond River, there currently is no tidal marsh. The agent is proposing to convert 1,668 square feet of non-vegetated wetlands landward of the sill breakwater into vegetated wetlands. The submitted drawings propose to back fill this area with 125 cubic yards of clean sand, at the appropriate elevation for spartina alternaflora, and to sprig at 16-inches on center. Additionally, the application notes this newly established vegetation will be monitored for three growing seasons and will be resprigged to maintain the marsh. Staff will coordinate to ensure that the vegetation is installed during the appropriate growing season. 4. The agent has noted that the proposed work will be completed by barge to provide the minimum disturbance necessary to accomplish the proposed work. Wetlands Board April 20, 2016 VMRC#17-0109 Page 3 of 3 RECOMMENDATION It is staff’s opinion that due to the existing conditions on site that the proposed installation of approximately 176 linear feet of riprap sill (breakwater) and the conversion of 1,668 square feet of non-vegetated wetlands to vegetated wetlands is appropriate. Due to the fetch along this stretch of the Nansemond River the proposed work could also provide relief for the diminishing tidal marsh directly to the south of this property. Therefore, staff recommends approval of Joint Permit Application VMRC#17-0109 with the following condition in addition to the standard conditions outlined in the approved permit. 1. All proposed wetland vegetation that is to be installed as part of the marsh fringe area will be required to be inspected by City staff after the initial installation. This vegetation shall be maintained by the applicant for three (3) full growing seasons. If any replacement is necessary within the first three (3) growing seasons it will be the applicant’s responsibility to replace the vegetation to ensure its survival. Attachments  Exhibit A – Zoning/Land Use Map  Exhibit B – VMRC Application  Exhibit C – CCRM Map  JOINT PERMIT APPLICATION VMRC17-0109 CONDITIONS 1. All proposed wetland vegetation that is to be installed as part of the marsh fringe area will be required to be inspected by City staff after the initial installation. This vegetation shall be maintained by the applicant for three (3) full growing seasons. If any replacement is necessary within the first three (3) growing seasons it will be the applicant’s responsibility to replace the vegetation to ensure its survival. GENERAL LOCATION MAP VMRC17-0109 JAMES RIVER Subject Property Location ! ( RIVER NANSEMOND Northern Growth Area s Use Districts MIXED USE CORE CORE SUPPORT INNER-RING SUBURBAN SUBURBAN RURAL CONSERVATION RURAL AGRICULTURE VILLAGE Esri, HERE, DeLorme, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, SuffolkGIS.DBO.City_Boundary and the GIS user community  EXHIBIT A ZONING/ LAND USE MAP VMRC17-0109 RL NANSEMOND RIVER PA RK 6E*RF*FF*113 ER PD RIV s END NO RT HJ SB AM ES RIV ER  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0109  EXHIBIT C 4103 River Park Drive 1:1 ,1 28 April 12, 2017 0 0.005 0.01 0.02 mi Parcels Maintain Beach Plant Marsh 0 0.01 0.02 0.04 km OR Offshore with Sill Center for Coastal Resources Management, Maintain/Enh... Breakwaters Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Riparian Buffer with Beach Revetment Point, Virginia Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Nourishment Area of Special Created from the City of Suffolk 2013 Concern Comprehensive Map Viewer VMRC17-0109  STAFF REPORT DESCRIPTION PROPOSED PROJECT: Install approximately 220 linear feet of riprap marsh toe sill to stabilize existing fringe marsh; to convert approximately 800 square feet of non-vegetated wetlands to vegetated wetlands; installation of 118 linear feet of Flexmat (geo-web) for upland bank stabilization; and the construction of a 5-foot by 287-foot open-pile pier with a 20-foot by 24-foot L-head and also a boat lift. APPLICANT: Bob Simon of Waterfront Consulting, Inc., agent, on behalf of Robert and Kim Lewis, property owners. LOCATION: The affected property is located at 4117 River Park Drive along the Nansemond River. PERMIT HISTORY: There is no permit history associated with this property. VIMS REPORT: A VIMS report for this proposed work is pending and will be forwarded to you upon submittal. PUBLIC NOTICE: This request has been duly advertised in accordance with the public notice requirements set forth in Section 28.2-1302 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and with the applicable provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance. Notice to the applicant, containing a copy of the staff report, was also sent on April 14, 2017. STAFF ANALYSIS ISSUE The applicant is requesting a permit from the wetlands board to install approximately 220 linear feet of a riprap marsh toe sill to stabilize the existing fringe marsh areas on site and also to convert approximately 800 square feet of non-vegetated wetlands to tidal marsh and vegetated wetlands. The property under consideration is located within the Riverfront Subdivision and in particular, this property is located along the banks of the Nansemond River. Currently, this portion of the shoreline along the property boundary is undefended and shows sign of active erosion, due to the large fetch, with sporadic areas of existing tidal marsh leading landward to a beach area containing non-vegetated wetlands. This transitions into an undercut bank landward of mean high water up to the Lewis’ residence. Also associated with this request is the stabilization and grading of the bank to install a type of geoweb mat as an erosion control measure and also to construct an open-pile pier with a boat lift. These two request are located outside of the Wetlands Board jurisdiction, and therefore, will be handled by staff administratively. CONSIDERATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS 1. The Center for Coastal Resources Management (VIMS) describes this existing shoreline as undefended and also the property has been classified as having a high maximum Wetlands Board April 20, 2017 VMRC#17-0110 Page 2 of 3 exposure to the water. The Best Management Practices Mapper notes that the preferred shoreline BMP for this property would be to enhance the riparian buffer and also to utilize offshore breakwaters to help with establishment of additional beach areas and establishment of additional tidal marsh. 2. The applicant has submitted two separate cross sections for the marsh sill (breakwater). The two cross sections make up the proposed 220 linear feet of sill. This will be constructed using different types of stone to achieve the adequate height within the intertidal range. These cross sections are attached to the staff report. These drawings also outline the area that will be converted from non-vegetated to vegetated. The applicant will install appropriate tidal wetland species to enhance the area. 3. Project Impacts: a. Breakwater and Sill – The breakwater will be approximately 220 linear feet and will help to defend the western portion of the shoreline which currently contains the majority of the erosion issues. This breakwater will be installed in the intertidal range between MLW and MHW. The breakwater will be 3-4’ thick class II and III quarry stone over number 1 stone core and over two layers of filter fabric. The top of the breakwater will be at an elevation of 5.5 feet. This height will allow water to intrude during high tide and will allow for the establishment of habitat landward of the breakwater. There are no vegetated wetland impacts associated with this request. Breakwaters systems are designed to dissipate wave energy before it reaches the shoreline and also create stable beach planforms which in turn will allow establishment of various species of marsh grasses at the site. To establish this marsh fringe, sand is required to bring the backshore up to establish the correct elevation for establishing the marsh fringe. This type of structure has been identified by VIMS as a shoreline best management practice for this particular property. b. Conversion of non-vegetated wetlands – Given the existing site conditions and the erosion present at the site, there are only sporadic areas that contain existing vegetated wetlands. The applicant is proposing to convert an area landward of the proposed breakwater from non-vegetated wetlands to vegetated wetlands. This area is approximately 800 square feet in size. The drawings submitted propose to fill this area with sand to the appropriate elevation and then sprig with spartina alternaflora at 16” on center. The applicant has also noted that this area of new vegetation will be monitored for three growing seasons and will be resprigged if necessary. This vegetation will be installed during the appropriate growing season to ensure its survival. 4. The applicant, in support of the application, has submitted with the joint permit application an access route for construction purposes. The access will run from the front of the property to the backyard and a temporary access ramp will be installed down the bank for the rock delivery. Wetlands Board April 20, 2017 VMRC#17-0110 Page 3 of 3 5. A sequence of construction has also been provided also noting that all erosion and sediment control measures will be utilized during the entire construction timeframe for this project. 6. The work proposes within the wetlands board jurisdiction will be exempt from the City’s erosion and sediment control regulations. However, the work that is outside of your jurisdiction will be required to be reviewed by the City’s Public Works staff for compliance. This would include the bank grading and installation of geoweb matting. These reviews will be handled administratively by staff. RECOMMENDATION It is staff’s opinion that due to the existing conditions on site that the proposed installation of a 220 linear foot marsh toe sill (breakwater) and converting 800 square feet of non-vegetated wetlands to vegetated wetlands is appropriate. Therefore, staff recommends approval of Joint Permit Application VMRC#17-0110 with the following conditions in addition to the standard conditions outlined in the approved permit: 1. All proposed wetland vegetation that is to be installed as part of the marsh fringe area will be required to be inspected by City staff after the initial installation. Also, this vegetation shall be maintained by the applicant for three (3) full growing seasons. If any replacement is necessary within the first three (3) growing seasons it will be the applicant’s responsibility to replace the vegetation to ensure its survival. 2. Prior to the issuance of a building permit for the construction of the riprap, pier, finger piers, floating pier, boathouse, and boatlift the applicant shall have a Buffer Restoration Plan approved by staff, and which shows the installation of vegetation in the disturbed area within the Resource Protection Area of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay District. Attachments  Exhibit A – Zoning/Land Use Map  Exhibit B – VMRC Application  Exhibit C – CCRM Map  JOINT PERMIT APPLICATION VMRC#17-0110 CONDITIONS 1. All proposed wetland vegetation that is to be installed as part of the marsh fringe area will be required to be inspected by City staff after the initial installation. Also, this vegetation shall be maintained by the applicant for three (3) full growing seasons. If any replacement is necessary within the first three (3) growing seasons it will be the applicants responsibility to replace the vegetation to ensure its survival. GENERAL LOCATION MAP VMRC17-0110 JAMES RIVER Subject Property Location ! ( RIVER NANSEMOND Northern Growth Area s Use Districts MIXED USE CORE CORE SUPPORT INNER-RING SUBURBAN SUBURBAN RURAL CONSERVATION RURAL AGRICULTURE VILLAGE Esri, HERE, DeLorme, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, SuffolkGIS.DBO.City_Boundary and the GIS user community  EXHIBIT A ZONING/ LAND USE MAP VMRC17-0110 C ON AC RU BE NANSEMOND RIVER RL 6E*RF*FF*120 VI LL AG E SQ UA RE K PA R R RI s VE PD BEN IV D ER S R  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT B VMRC17-0110  EXHIBIT C 4117 River Park Drive 1:1 ,1 28 April 12, 2017 0 0.005 0.01 0.02 mi Jurisdiction Maintain/Enh... Groin Field with Maintain Beach Plant Marsh 0 0.01 0.02 0.04 km Boundary Riparian Buffer Beach OR Offshore with Sill Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Nourishment Breakwaters Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, Parcels Land Use Revetment METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, with Beach Esri (Thailand), MapmyIndia, NGCC, © Management No Action Nourishment Area of Special Needed Maintain/Enh... Concern Created from the City of Comprehensive Map Viewer Suffolk 2013 Marsh VMRC17-0110