Wetlands Board Packets

SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD AGENDA FOR July 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, July 19, 2017 GEOFFREY HINSHELWOOD CHAIRMAN  AGENDA SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD July 20, 2017 6:00 P.M. I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Approval of Minutes  April 20, 2017 IV. Public Hearings VMRC#16-0300, submitted by Brian D. Smith, applicant and property owner, for the repair of 150’ linear feet of rip rap and the repair of a 30’x48’ pier along the Nansemond River. This property is located at 1337 River Road along the Nansemond River; further identified as Zoning Parcel 26B*41, zoned RLM, Residential Low Medium Zoning District. VMRC17-1035, submitted by Jim Cahoon of Bay Environmental, Inc., agent, on behalf of BC Marina, LLC, property owner and applicant, to install approximately 235 linear feet of flex-a-mat to protect from erosion and to install a floating dock with gangway. This property is located at 3300 Yeates Drive along Bennetts Creek; further identified as Zoning Parcel 12*49B, zoned RR, Rural Residential 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 April 20, 2017 6:00 P.M. The meeting of the Suffolk Wetlands Board was held on Thursday, April 20, 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 C. Robert Johnson 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: Mr. O’Berry noted that he was not at the meeting on March 16th; however, his name was on the roll call. The minutes of the previous meeting were then approved as amended. PERMITS: 1 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. The first item of business was introduced by the Chairman followed by a staff report presented by Amanda Beck, Planner II. Mrs. Beck stated that this request is for the installation of approximately 176 linear feet of riprap sill (a breakwater) and to restore a fringe marsh by backfilling and sprigging with spartina alternaflora, all within the intertidal range. The project will involve installing approximately 2,816 square feet of quarry stone riprap on the non-vegetated wetlands, and converting 1,668 square feet of non-vegetated wetlands to vegetated wetlands. All of the work is to occur via barge due to existing site conditions and to mitigate for impacts. The breakwater sill will help to defend the existing shoreline from further erosion problems. The 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. This sill will function to dissipate wave energy from the large fetch in this section of the Nansemond River, as well as to help create a stable beach planform which will allow for the establishment of a tidal marsh at the site. To establish a tidal fringe marsh the agent proposed to backfill 2 with 125 cubic yards of clean sand, graded and established at the correct elevation, and then to sprig 16 inches on center with spartina alternaflora. As all of the proposed work will occur within the intertidal range between mean low water and mean high water, the extent of this project is subject to Suffolk Wetlands Board action. VIMS noted some concerns with the proposed design, noting the structure is isolated from the surrounding marine environment. VIMS suggested an alternative design, creating a breakwater parallel to the shore, closed on the northeastern side to protect against wave action, and open on the southwestern side to create a tombolo and then sprigging of spartina alterniflora and patens. Due to the erosion issues witnessed on site, and the unique nature of this section of the Nansemond River, it is staff’s opinion that the proposed project to install 176 linear feet of riprap sill breakwater and to establish a fringe marsh by backfilling and sprigging is appropriate for the site, and recommended approval of this application with the condition noted in the staff report. The public hearing was opened and speaking in favor of this application was Bob Simon, Waterfront Consulting, Inc. There being no speakers in opposition, the public hearing was closed. After discussion by the Board, Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve this application with the conditions and completed within 3 years, seconded by Mr. O’Berry and recorded by vote of 5 to 0 to 1. (Mr. Vroman abstained.) 3 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. The next item of business was introduced by the Chairman followed by a staff report presented by David Parks, Principal Planner. Mr. Parks stated that this application is to install a 220 linear foot riprap marsh toe sill to stabilize the existing marsh fringe and non-vegetated wetland areas and convert 800 square feet of non-vegetated wetlands to tidal marsh by back filling with sand landward of the breakwater. All work will be installed in the intertidal range between mean low water and mean high water. VIMS noted that this is an undefended shoreline with high maximum exposure to the water. The Best Management Practices Mapper noted 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. Two different cross sections have been submitted. Project impacts will include: Breakwater and Sill – Designated to dissipate waver energy before it reaches the shoreline and create stable tidal marsh areas, the breakwater will be 3-4’ thick class II and III quarry stone over number 1 stone core and over two layers 4 of filter fabric, the top of the breakwater will be at an elevation of 5.5 feet and there are no vegetated wetland impacts associated with this request. The applicant will back fill the area behind the sill with sand to help establish an area of vegetated wetlands. Sprigging will consist of spartina alternaflora. The area will be monitored for three (3) growing seasons. VIMS recommended that the northern end of sill should be pulled back from the property line to allow for a gap if structures are built on the adjacent lot in the future. These gaps enhance the ecological function of the wetland by allowing increased access for marine fauna. VIMS recommended that the proposed fill to be used to establish the marsh fringe be composed clean sand. They also encourage the homeowners to work on a phragmites control plan to help minimize the invasion of this species into the newly planted wetland. It was 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 recommended approval of this application with the conditions noted in the staff report. The public hearing was opened and speaking in favor of this application was Bob Simon, Waterfront Consulting, Inc. There being no speakers in opposition, the public hearing was closed. 5 After discussion by the Board, Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve this application with the conditions and completed within 3 years, seconded by Mr. O’Berry and recorded by vote of 6 to 0. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 6  SUFFOLK WETLANDS BOARD MT: Johnson MT: Johnson MT: MT: 2ND: O’Berry 2ND: O’Berry 2ND: 2ND: TO: Approve TO: Approve TO: TO: w/conditions w/conditions April 20, 2017 ATTENDANCE VMRC#17-0109 VMRC#17-0110 VOTE: 5-0-1 VOTE: 6-0 VOTE: VOTE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT ABSENT YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO Colley, Jeffrey X Davenport, Darius X X X Hazelwood, Sidney X X X Hinshelwood, Geoffrey X X X Vroman, Robert X Abstained X Johnson, C. Robert X X X O’Berry, Brad X X X Barnum, Steven - Alternate X Joyner, David - Alternate X