[Durham INC] SWCD should be at the table wrt Trinity Park Fitness Center site plan(s)

Thu May 17 12:22:57 EDT 2012

With regard to the ultimate/eventual plans for the Trinity Park Fitness Center wetlands or alternative site plan...

Based on last month's INC meeting, at which we talked at great length with SWCD (Soil and Water Conservation District) board member Danielle Adams and SWCD, Durham Water Conservationist and CCAP administrator, Mike Dupree, I think that INC should make clear that we expect the SWCD to at least have a seat in the room, if not at the table...and before the big decisions are effectively made.

It's my understanding that in 2008 the SWCD along with John R. McAdams Engineering developed a conceptual plan for the building and property. The plans are on the wall in an SWCD conference room. Dr. Curtis Richardson, Director of Duke University Wetlands Center Nicholas School, is a Supervisor on the board of the SWCD. Dr Richardson had been working on the effort in the past.

There are a lot of true field experts over at SWCD, and it would be a shame for the city (and the taxpayers) to reinvent the wheel here, and to likely do a second-rate job as a result.

Durham has a plethora of extensive Stormwater drainage problems and this could be the first step to really solving them (instead of patching them).

Based on the wonders they have done for the drainage issues at my kids' school, my house, and my rental property, I will definitely regret it if SWCD isn't involved.

Durham has not utilized the SWCD anywhere near to the extent it should be; to some, it often appears that Durham tries to ignore that SWCD even exists. 

The SWCD exists for our city and county's benefit, and making use of them could save a lot of Stormwater Services and Planning staff time (and city $). 

Just something to think about moving forward...
Time will tell if we need a resolution (and if other INC members agree with me on this).

Just another ten cents,
Melissa

________________________________
 From: Melissa Rooney <mmr121570 at yahoo.com>
To: pats1717 at hotmail.com; theocean1 at aol.com; John Martin <bulldurhamnc at yahoo.com>; Inter neighborhood council <inc-list at durhaminc.org> 
Sent: Thursday, 10 May 2012 5:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Help --Trinity Park Wetland could save Durham $20 M and more...

Totally understand where everyone is coming from on the other issues. However, I know first hand of properties (my own and others) being literally washed away due to the velocity with which storm water is directed through them...particularly those containing what should be a small intermittent stream. I have spoken on site with storm water services and soil and water conservation people as well as an environmental landscaper, and all said the best solution is to convince upstream residents to donate land for a retention pond to slow down (as well as filter) the water.

So when I read this article, I was thrilled that the city was looking into this.

This does not just affect these particular neighborhoods. It stands to benefit properties far downstream as well.

Other BMPs may only treat the chemical content of the water, not
 the damage caused to properties  by the accumulated stormwater (and erosion) that is the source of the problem.

I do not see how a wetland or retention pond that is home to beavers, turtles, frogs and water foul can do anything but improve the aesthetics and the values of the homes in the nbhds directly impacted.

Would certainly love to hear from all sides at upcoming INC meetings (including Stormwater Services and SWCD) and for INC to discuss and contemplate weighing in on this.

Melissa (Rooney) 

________________________________
 From:  Pat Carstensen <pats1717 at hotmail.com>; 
To:  bill anderson <theocean1 at aol.com>; john martin <bulldurhamnc at yahoo.com>; Melissa Rooney <mmr121570 at yahoo.com>; inc listserv <inc-list at durhaminc.org>; 
Subject:  RE: [Durham INC] Help --Trinity Park Wetland could save Durham $20 M and more... 
Sent:  Thu, May 10, 2012 10:13:53 AM 

I thought we discussed this at a delegate meeting and thought the question for us was less "yes or no" but "how do we do it in a way that is most compatible with neighborhood needs?"

Regards, pat

________________________________
From: TheOcean1 at aol.com
Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 22:57:18 -0400
To: bulldurhamnc at yahoo.com; mmr121570 at yahoo.com; inc-list at durhaminc.org
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Help --Trinity Park Wetland could save Durham $20	M and more...

Yup, I'm 
with John, those neighborhoods (and any that might be forming in that area) 
should have first and heavier weighted votes - for want of a better 
term.

That also 
allows other neighborhoods to scratch their heads awhile and examine such things 
as cost benefits.  Personally, the total estimated cost seemed shocking to 
me. They had this property under contract to buy for well under $3 million a 
couple years ago, and you'll need to add demolition and tipping the building 
into the landfill fees. (I hope some things can be salvaged, like the gym 
floor)

So it will 
cost how many million to create a natural area?

Bill 
Anderson

In a message dated 5/9/2012 10:09:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
bulldurhamnc at yahoo.com writes:
Melissa, 
>
>
>Before you and others rush to embrace this, I think it would be  wise to get input from the neighborhoods most directly affected:   Trinity Park, Old North Durham, and Central Park.
>
>
>I have a lot of questions about this and the effects it will have  on those neighborhoods. The cost savings and environmental concerns are  not the only issues.
>
>
>John 
>
>
>
>
>
>--- On Wed, 5/9/12, Melissa Rooney <mmr121570 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>>From: 
          Melissa Rooney <mmr121570 at yahoo.com>
>>Subject: [Durham INC] 
          Help --Trinity Park Wetland could save Durham $20 M and more 
          ---
>>To: "INC" <inc-list at rtpnet.org>, "Durham Enviro" 
          <durhamenviro at yahoogroups.com>
>>Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 
          9:15 PM
>>
>>
>>Please review the article below and consider writing Mayor Bell  and the City Council (council at durhamnc.gov) with  your support for construction of a wetland at the old Diet and Fitness  Center on Trinity Avenue for the following reasons:
>>
>>
>>1) this wetland will help to reduce the velocity of water runoff  during storm events, thereby reducing erosion of private properties  that now suffer from storm water run-off directed through those  properties. We NEED more wetlands and retention ponds in this  watershed to protect existing structures and private  properties.
>>
>>
>>
>>2) this wetland would be aesthetically pleasing and provide  wildlife with a much needed habitat in our urban area;
>>
>>
>>3) this wetland would immensely help naturally filter Nitrogen  and Phosphorous and other pollutants out of the Ellerbe Creek  Watershed, which flows into Falls Lake and could save Durham as  much as $20 Million in the long run with regard to costs of BMPs (best  management practices) required to reduce N and P runoff into Falls  Lake (as a result of the Falls Lake Rules).
>>
>>
>>The Durham News | Wetland could save city  up to $20M
>>
>>
>>
>>http://www.thedurhamnews.com/2012/05/08/212014/wetland-could-save-city-up-to.html
>>
>>
>>Thanks for your consideration and input!
>>Melissa (Rooney)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Inline Attachment 
          Follows-----
>>
>>
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>>Durham 
          INC Mailing List
>>list at durham-inc.org
>>http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
>> 
>
>_______________________________________________
>Durham 
  INC Mailing 
  List
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>
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