Stormwater Task Force Comments

Little River Reservoir Discussion

May 10, 2007

At the Stormwater Task Force meeting of May 10, 2007, Mr. Joe Durham, Deputy County Manager for Wake County, presented information regarding the implementation of the Little River Reservoir in eastern Wake County. Following are comments offered by individuals of the Stormwater Task Force in response to Mr. Durham’s presentation.

1) An individual expressed support for the proposals to (a) require 100-foot buffers on streams that are tributary to the Little River Reservoir and, (b) prohibit development in the floodplain.

2) An individual expressed support for the proposal to prohibit the extension of municipal water and sewer into the watershed.

3) An individual suggested that there be a prohibition on the use of curb and gutter in the watershed.

4) An individual suggested that a drainage design manual or drainage design standards be prepared specific for the watershed. Additionally, several members suggested that performance standards, rather than prescriptive measures, be established for the Little River watershed for development activities.

5) Several members suggested that the proposed location of Activity Centers be reviewed to determine if there are more appropriate locations to reduce potential adverse water quality impacts.

6) An individual suggested that a public education program be designed specifically for individuals that live in the critical area and non-critical area of the watershed. The purpose of the public education program would be to educate individuals about how their activities can impact the water quality of the reservoir.

7) An individual suggested that a coordination effort be undertaken to ensure that the watershed boundaries do not result in creating two types of zoning on a single parcel. (e.g. Do not split parcels with the watershed boundaries).

8) An individual suggested that buffers not be included in the density calculations for development projects.

9) Several members commented positively about providing more restrictive stormwater runoff requirements for the critical area of the watershed. However, the members also suggested that Wake County staff needed to determine how to coordinate the proposed 6% and 24% impervious surface limitation requirements with (a) the proposed rezoning from R-80 to R-120, and (b) the current stormwater permitting approach based on meeting a targeted curve number.

10) Several members suggested that Wake County implement an open and comprehensive public participation process to discuss any, and all, proposed changes in the development ordinances for the Little River watershed.

11) An individual suggested that water quality modeling be conducted for the watershed to evaluate water quality impacts associated with proposed changes in development ordinances.