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Withdraw Approval of the Following Stormwater Storage Basin Projects: Piney Mountain, Red Bud, Daley Road, New Parkside, MLK and Willow and Create a Working Group on Stormwater Management in the Booker Creek Watershed.
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Staff: |
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Mayor Pam Hemminger |
Mayor’s Office |
Overview: On May 5, 2021, the Chapel Hill Town Council adopted the Eastwood Lake Sub-watershed Study Report and Recommendations, including a list of prioritized stormwater projects for the town. Subsequently, significant concerns were raised by members of the Chapel Hill community regarding deforestation and disruption of bottomland ecosystems that accompany construction of large stormwater basins, and Council members petitioned the Town Manager to delay issuance of RFQs for the design and construction of new flood storage basins.
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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council adopt the resolution to withdraw approval of the following stormwater storage basin projects: Piney Mountain, Red Bud, Daley Road, New Parkside, MLK and Willow and create a working group on stormwater management in the Booker Creek Watershed.
Key Issues:
• The Council also wishes to have a greater understand of the financial and (environmental/ecological) costs and benefits of the solutions being consider.
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Where is this item in its process?
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• Resolution |
A RESOLUTION TO WITHDRAW APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING STORMWATER STORAGE BASIN PROJECTS: PINEY MOUNTAIN, RED BUD, DALEY ROAD, NEW PARKSIDE, MLK AND WILLOW AND CREATE A WORKING GROUP ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IN THE BOOKER CREEK WATERSHED (2021-09-22/R-2)
WHEREAS, on May 5, 2021, the Chapel Hill Town Council adopted the Eastwood Lake Sub-watershed Study Report and Recommendations, including a list of prioritized stormwater projects for the town; and
WHEREAS, during public comment significant concerns were raised by members of the Chapel Hill community regarding deforestation and disruption of bottomland ecosystems that accompany construction of large stormwater basins - including several in the Booker Creek area; and
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2021, Council Member Amy Ryan along with Mayor Pam Hemminger, Council Member Hongbin Gu and Council Member Karen Stegman petitioned the Town Manager to delay issuance of RFQs for the design and construction of new flood storage basins to allow the town to re-evaluate project goals and explore alternatives that will preserve functioning natural hydrological systems and protect our mature forests and habitat; and
WHEREAS, on September 13, 2021, a public forum was held to hear questions, concerns and ideas from the community; and
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes the importance to the environmental health of the town and quality of life for our community of expanding the scope and goals of the Town’s sub-watershed evaluations to take into consideration the broader ecological context of Chapel Hill and the goals of the newly adopted Chapel Hill Climate Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Council also wishes to have a greater understand of the financial and (environmental/ecological) costs and benefits of the solutions being consider.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council withdraws approval of the following stormwater storage basin projects: Piney Mountain, Red Bud, Daley Road, New Parkside, MLK and Willow.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council approve creation of a Working Group on Stormwater Management in the Booker Creek Watershed consisting of experts, community members and staff to bring back recommendations to the Council based on the charge provided by the Mayor and Manager.
This the 22nd day of September, 2021.
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
By adopting the resolution, the Council withdraws approval of the following stormwater storage basin projects: Piney Mountain, Red Bud, Daley Road, New Parkside, MLK and Willow and creates a working group on stormwater management in the Booker Creek Watershed.