[Durham INC] Black Mountain Ridge petition

[Pat Carstensen]

There is a petition

https://www.change.org/p/durham-government-officials-save-black-meadow-ridge-durham
[https://assets.change.org/photos/8/oc/st/PNoCstMsgGYEhyG-1600x900-noPad.jpg?1580843299]<https://www.change.org/p/durham-government-officials-save-black-meadow-ridge-durham>
Petition · Save Black Meadow Ridge Durham! · Change.org<https://www.change.org/p/durham-government-officials-save-black-meadow-ridge-durham>
We are a group of Durham NC citizens who have joined forces to educate the public and seek the assistance of Durham city officials regarding the likely adverse impacts of a proposed development on Black Meadow Ridge adjoining the City's Crown Jewel West Point on the Eno City Park.
www.change.org
From the February minutes on the issue:

Black Meadow Ridge development – Christie Benson reported that the proposed development, which is south of Eno Park, is going through an administrative review.    The group is expressing concerns on two fronts: first, environmental impact and effects on the watershed, second is the zoning history.  

  *   The neighbourhood had a meeting with Planning Director Patrick Young.  Mr. Young examined a plan submitted in the late 1970’s, and there is no resolution at this point.
  *   On the environmental effect, Christie asked for advice on how best to approach deciding bodies: planning commission, JCCP and others.   
  *   There are three wetlands. A road is needed to access the parcels, which affects the wetlands. The wetland is identified as Federal national wetlands although there is a new definition for wetlands which is more sympathetic to developers, so the group wonders about existing federal regulations on wetland.  In the case of this development, the wetlands are connected to a creek year-round. There is also a large pond next to a stream connected to another wetland.  On the other side of the wetland is Warren Creek, also adjacent to another wetland.
  *   This is all in the vicinity of the Historic mill in West Point.
  *   The developer is using multiple LLC names.
  *   The developer could buy a church lot. There is an underground tank with hydrocarbons that could be released to a creek (on Roxboro before 7 Oaks). The developer will have to build a road in that section which would go over the wetland.
  *   City storm water division did an Eno study of the watershed. It recommended a protection plan.  It identified parcels which are keystone properties to protect the watershed.
  *   The City comprehensive plan designated the area as low density.
  *   Species have been identified potentially in danger category (birds).
  *   There is a historic African American cemetery (Holman Family). There are seven or eight marked graves about 20 feet from lot line. Impervious surfaces could flood the cemetery.

Annette added that there may be historic preservation rules (from the State) which may play a role. Susan, added that storm water agency could be involved, because of issues of preservation and flooding.

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