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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8045-A Staff AnalysisDecember 4, 2014 ITEM NO.: 4 FILE NO.: Z -8045-A NAME: Little Rock Wastewater Utility Peak Flow Storage Facility Expansion — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 5200 Scott Hamilton OWNER/APPLICANT: City of Little Rock/Little Rock Sanitary Sewer Committee PROPOSAL: A revision to a previously approved conditional use permit is requested to allow for the addition of third peak flow storage basin to this 1-2 zoned site. SITE LOCATION: The site is located behind the industrial businesses located on the west side of Scott Hamilton, behind the businesses located on the north side of Hoerner Road, behind the businesses located on the east side of Patterson and south of Fourche Creek. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The peak flow storage facility is located at the northern edge of the 65th Street Industrial Park, adjacent to the Fourche Creek floodway. Uses around the site include a variety of industrial uses and the floodway. The basins are enclosed within a dike structure and the overall site is enclosed by buffers and screening. The facility has existed for approximately five years and has apparently been maintained and cleaned as LRWU committed. To staff's knowledge, there have been no unresolvable issues with the facility since its opening. Notice of the public hearing was sent to all owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site and the SWLR United for Progress, Upper Baseline, Wakefield and Geyer Springs Neighborhood Associations. LRWU has held a series of meetings with the associations and an open house of the facility was scheduled to be held on November 15, 2014. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING. A single driveway off of Scott Hamilton provides access to the site. The driveway is gated at Scott Hamilton. The driveway provides access to the existing buildings and service area. No changes are proposed. December 4, 2014 ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -8045-A 4. SCREENING AND BUFFE A wooded buffer will be maintained around the developed portion of the site. At its minimum, the buffer is 50 ft. in width. On the east side of the site, the buffer ranges from 140 ft. to 400 ft. The buffers will be undisturbed and left in a natural condition to the extent practical. Any areas that must be disturbed will be re-established. Staff believes areas that are to remain undisturbed should be protected throughout construction by orange, contractor's fencing. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. A grading permit in accordance with section 29-186 (c) & (d) will be required prior to any land clearing or grading activities at the site. Other than residential subdivisions, site grading and drainage plans must be submitted and approved prior to the start of construction. 2. A special Grading Permit for Flood Hazard Areas will be required per Sec. 8-283 prior to construction. 3. If disturbed area is 1 or more acres, obtain a NPDES storm water permit from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality prior to the start of construction. 4. The minimum Finish Floor elevation of 258 ft. is required to be shown on plat and grading plans. All mechanized and electrical improvements that could be damaged during a flood event should be elevated above the base flood elevation. 5. Per Section 29-189(d), groups of trees and individual trees that are not to be removed or are located within required undisturbed buffer areas shall be protected during construction by protective fencing and shall not be used for material storage or for any other purpose. 6. UTILITY FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: No Comment. Entergy: No objection. Contact Entergy in advance for any changes or additions to the electrical service. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T: No comment received. Water: No objection. 2 December 4, 2014 ITEM NO.: 4 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -8045-A Fire Department: Maintain access. Building Codes: Project is subject to full commercial plan review approval prior to issuance of a building permit. For information on submittal requirements and the review process, contact a commercial plans examiner: Curtis Richey at 501.371.4724; crichey(a-,)Iittlerock.org or Mark Alderfer at 501.371-4875; ma IderferCa7littlerock. orq. County Planning: No comments. CATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route. A route is located south of the site, at Hoerner and Scott Hamilton. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (NOVEMBER 5, 2014) The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted little additional information was needed. Staff asked the applicants to describe existing and proposed fencing, signage and any new buildings. Public Works Comments were noted. The applicants stated they had met with area neighborhood associations and a tour of the facility was scheduled for November 15. The applicant stated no new above -ground structures were planned but improvements would be made to existing odor control system structure and grit chamber in response to a request from the neighborhoods. The applicants were advised to respond to staff questions by November 12, 2014. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: On May 25, 2006 the Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow for construction of two peak flow storage basins on this site. The development involved approximately 20 acres of the 40 acre, three tract site. The approval was appealed to the Board of Directors but the appellant withdrew the appeal prior to the Board hearing the matter. The facility consists of two large, concrete basins (10 million gallons and 20 million gallons) constructed within levee structures. The facility also includes a grit chamber, odor control system and emergency generator. The developed portion of the site is enclosed by a black; 6 foot tall, chain-link face with barbed 3 December 4, 2014 ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z -8045-A wire for security Access to the site is via a single, gated driveway off of Scott Hamilton. The project is an integral component of a Consent Administrative Order (CAO) with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The CAO, in part, requires adherence to the Sierra Club Settlement Agreement which references the project. The overall objective is to reduce the number of sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's) and associated spill volumes that occur during rain events. SSO's are a violation of Little Rock Wastewater Utility's discharge permit and can result in monetary fines levied by ADEQ. Odor is not typically a problem with this type of facility. This is due in part to the fact that the sewage temporarily stored in the basin is diluted by rainwater. The sewage is typically detained for seventy-two (72) hours at a maximum. LRWU committed to clean the basins within twenty-four (24) hours after the drainback is complete. The facility has been used approximately twelve (12) times per year on average to mitigate sanitary sewer overflows that occur as a result of significant rain events. Since the existing basins were put into service in 2009, they have prevented more than one billion gallons of wastewater from overflowing from manholes across the city. LRWU is now proposing to construct a third basin on the site. This proposed new basin will hold 31 million gallons. A 51 million gallon basin was originally recommended. LRWU met with representatives of several neighborhood organizations, elected officials, city staff and management to discuss the details of that recommendation. Partially, as a result of feedback received during these meetings, the project was re-evaluated. The engineers determined that the size of the proposed third basin could be reduced from 51 MG to 31 MG by shifting a larger portion of the burden to the Adams Field Wastewater Treatment Plant. The proposed new 31 MG basin will be of similar construction as the existing basins and designed for similar use. Wastewater is stored in the basins on a temporary basis and then drained back into the sanitary sewer system for conveyance to one of the Utility's treatment plants. When the basins become full, the pump station directing flow to the facility is turned off. This could result in the reoccurrence of overflows within the collection system. The addition of the proposed new basin will allow the facility to operate over a longer duration and better accommodate larger rainfall events. The existing storage facility has apparently operated incident free since it was placed into service five (5) years ago. Although any odor complaints have been few, the utility is planning to install enhanced odor control measures at the facility. The existing grit chamber, where the overflow first enters the facility, will be enclosed. The proposed new basin will be cleaned after each storage event in accordance to the utility's established practice. 4 December 4, 2014 ITEM NO.: 4 (C FILE NO.: Z -8045-A A portion of the new basin is to be constructed on an easement held by CenterPoint Energy (CPE) for their gas transmission mains that cross this property. LRWU and CPE have entered into a joint use agreement regarding this issue. CPE has installed new piping across the property to minimize the likelihood of a line failure underneath the new basin. LRWU has committed to making provisions within their design to minimize any encumbrances to CPE potentially caused by construction of this facility. The existing fifty (50) foot landscape buffer will be maintained. The existing vegetation in the buffer will be undisturbed and left in its natural state to the extent practical. Any areas that must be disturbed will be re-established. No additional driveways or access points are proposed. The proposed improvements will not include any new mechanical equipment that would require noise abatement. Lighting will continue to be limited to the grit chamber area and will be switched on manually in the event of an after-hours mechanical concern. There is no bill of assurance for this acreage tract. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested CUP subject to compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION- (DECEMBER 4, 2014) The applicants were present. There were two persons present who had registered as objectors. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval as outlined in the "staff recommendation" above. John Holloway, of Little Rock Wastewater (LRWU), stated he would reserve his time to respond to any issues raised by those who had concerns. Pat Gee, Vice-president of SWLRUP and President of Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association, stated they had a few concerns that they wanted addressed. She stated the Wakefield Neighborhood Association had voted to support the proposal and the Geyer Springs Neighborhood Association meeting was not well attended and no vote was taken. She stated SWLRUP wanted assurance that the grit chamber enclosure and automatic odor control chemical feeder would be installed and used to prevent odors. She stated they also wanted assurance no more basins would be requested on this site after this one :7 December 4, 2014 ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -8045-A and made note of the proximity of Fourche creek and Benny Craig Park. She asked the cost of the facility. Mr. Holloway stated the facility had been in use since September 2009 and had been used to collect over one -billion gallons of overflow that would have gone into Fourche Creek. He stated there had been 62 events in the 5 years and 17 where the facility reached maximum capacity and the pumps to the facility had to be turned off. He stated this additional basin would provide that needed extra capacity during those rare events. He stated the grit chamber enclosure and odor abatement system would be installed in early 2015. He stated the cost of the new facility was in the area of twenty-eight million dollars. Mr. Holloway stated there had been meetings with officials and concerned stakeholders and the original concept for the basin had been reduced from 51 million gallons to 31 million in response to concerns the Utility had heard. Commissioner Berry stated the need for the basins came in response to a court order. He asked how many basin sites there would be. Mr. Holloway responded that there was this site, one at the Adams Field waste treatment site and two additional sites that had been identified. In response to questions from Commissioner May, Mr. Holloway stated the Utility located the sites based on the confluence of problem and solution; where the overflows occur and the proximity of major trunk lines. He also commented on the process of potentially locating an overflow facility in the areas of Henderson School and Presbyterian Village. Troy Laha, of SWLRUP, stated he wanted assurance that the odor abatement chemical operation will start when the pump starts, not when they get a complaint about odor. Mr. Holloway responded that they will turn the system on when flow starts occurring at the grit chamber. A motion was made to approve the application, including all staff comments and conditions. The motion was seconded and approved by a vote on 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent. 0 SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS NOVEMBER 5, 2014 ITEM NO_ 4. LITTLE ROCK WASTEWATER UTILITY PEAK FLOW STORAGE FACILITY EXPANSION CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 5200 SCOTT HAMILTON Z -8045-A Planning Staff Comments: 1. There is no bill of assurance for this acreage tract. 2. Describe existing and proposed fencing, locate gates. 3. Will there be any new above -ground buildings? 4. Describe existing and proposed signage. Variance/Waivers. • None requested. Public Works: 1. A grading permit in accordance with section 29-186 (c) & (d) will be required prior to any land clearing or grading activities at the site. Other than residential subdivisions, site grading and drainage plans must be submitted and approved prior to the start of construction. 2. A special Grading Permit for Flood Hazard Areas will be required per Sec. 8-283 prior to construction. 3. If disturbed area is 1 or more acres, obtain a NPDES storm water permit from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality prior to the start of construction. 4. The minimum Finish Floor elevation of 258 ft. is required to be shown on plat and grading plans. All mechanized and electrical improvements that could be damaged during a flood event should be elevated above the base flood elevation. 5. Per Section 29-189(d), groups of trees and individual trees that are not to be removed or are located within required undisturbed buffer areas shall be protected during construction by protective fencing and shall not be used for material storage or for any other purpose. Utilities and Fire Department/Coun1y Planning_ Wastewater: No Comment. Entergy: No objection. Contact Entergy in advance for any changes or additions to the electrical service. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T: No comment received. Water: Fire Department: Maintain access. Building Codes: Project is subject to full commercial plan review approval prior to issuance of a building permit. For information on submittal requirements and the review process, contact a commercial plans examiner: Curtis Richey at 501.371.4724; crichey_(wlittlerock.org or Mark Alderfer at 501.371-4875; malderfer@littlerock.org. County Planning: No comments. ITEM NO.: 4. CON'T (Z -8045-A) CATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route. A route is located south of the site, at Hoerner and Scott Hamilton. Planning Division: No comments. Landscape: Buffer is to be marked and protected by Orange Contractor's fencing prior to site work commencing and throughout construction. Other: Submit responses to staff issues and four (4) copies of a revised site plan (if required) no later than Wednesday November 12, 2014. Required notices are to be sent via certified mail to all owners of properties located within two hundred (200) feet of the site no later than Wednesday November 19, 2014, The City -provided notice form must be used. Proof of notice is to be provided to staff no later than November 28, 2014.