Site Plan TRC Comments 11.2.2022
Middle Sound West – Commercial Site Plan – TRC Review
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To: Brad Schuler, Paramount Engineering bshculer@paramounte-eng.com
From: Ron Meredith
Current Planner
Date: November 2nd, 2022
Subject: Middle Sound West – Commercial Site Plan – TRC Review
The following comments have been received for the November 2nd, 2022 TRC meeting. Additional
comments may be made upon further review of subsequent revisions.
Please note: following the TRC meeting, a revised preliminary plan addressing each of the below items
must be resubmitted prior to receiving preliminary plan approval.
Please update the plan with the following general corrections:
Planning, Ron Meredith 910-798-7441
1. Zoning: B-2
a. Use: Mixed-Use. It appears that the proposal generally meets the requirements specified
in UDO Section 4.3.2.A.2, requiring multi -family dwellings in the B-2 districts to comply
with the following standards specified in UDO.
2. Building Height: 3 stories/50’. Site plan is following the zoning district requirement.
3. Open space conforms with UDO Section 5.8.2, with the proposal showing about 22% of the design
containing 15.6 acres of with a proposed 3.44 acres of open space.
4. Landscaping:
a. Interior landscaping
i. It does appear that there are several places where proposed plantings are near or
on top of proposed infrastructure. Please verify with NHC Engineering and the
CFPUA if these locations of landscaping are acceptable.
b. Street yard:
i. Street yard plantings meet the UDO requirements. Please be sure to check with
New Hanover County Engineering regarding any required maintenance easements
for the top of the pond.
5. Tree Retention:
a. Tree removal permit has been received and is being processed (TR-22-000057).
Middle Sound West – Commercial Site Plan – TRC Review
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6. Easements:
a. UDO Section 6.2.2, please label all Storm Sewer, Sanitary Sewer, and Water Main Utility
Easements.
7. Please clearly indicate the location for any proposed signage, if applicable, UDO Section 5.6.
8. Lighting:
a. Please note that with the latest update to the UDO, a lighting plan is not required at time
of TRC Approval. See below excerpt from Section 5.5.3:
i. Information about the exterior lighting for the site that demonstrates compliance
with the standards in this section shall be submitted in conjunction with an
application for site plan approval (Section 10.3.6, Site Plan) or zoning compliance
approval (Section 10.3.8, Zoning Compliance Approval), whichever comes first,
approved no later than at time of construction plan approval.
b. The lighting plan should illustrate that street lighting, all exterior lighting, and indoor
lighting visible from outside shall be designed and located so that the maximum
illumination measured in foot candles at ground level at a residential lot l ine meet the UDO
Section 5.5. Please refer to Table 5.5.4.B of the UDO for additional standards.
9. As a recommendation please clearly show ADA accessible connections and warning strips to the
sidewalks in the required locations.
10. Please note that no building permit for any structure shall be issued which requires NCDOT
approval for a Driveway Permit until NCDOT has issued the approval. Evidence of approval shall
accompany the application for building permit.
New Hanover County Zoning, Christine Bouffard 910-798-7074
1. Please have the applicant show structure separation distance(s) on site plan, as well as to the
property lines.
Fire Services, David Stone 910-798-7458
1. All new structures larger than 7,500 square feet must comply with Section 510 of the NC Fire code.
Emergency Responder Radio Coverage (ERRC) survey must be conducted, and results given to the
Building Safety Fire Plan Reviewer. Regardless of square footage, all buildings that are more than
one story, underground, windowless or buildings with a basement must complete an ERRC survey.
(It is highly recommended that a pre-construction survey be conducted however a pre-
construction survey is not required).
2. All new structures must comply with Appendix J of the NC Fire Code, Building Information Signs.
An example can be provided upon request.
3. Fire apparatus access roads are required at time of construction. They are to be capable of handling
the weight of fire apparatus and be passable in all weather conditions. Fire apparatus access roads
are to be a minimum of 20 feet wide (Chapter 5), unless there are fire hydrants installed along the
roadway then minimum is 26 feet wide (Appendix D). The fire code official may increase this width
as necessary based on potential for fire apparatus response. Dead end roads greater than 150 feet
in length shall require an approved means for fire apparatus to turn around (Chapter 5 and
Appendix D). Fire apparatus access roads shall provide a clear vertical clearance of 14 feet including
trees, canopies, bridges, etc. (Chapter 5 requirement is 13 feet 6 inches, however AHJ requires 14
feet based on local apparatus).
4. Street and road signs are required, temporary signs during construction are acceptable as long as
they are legible and weather resistant. (Chapter 5).
Middle Sound West – Commercial Site Plan – TRC Review
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5. Fire apparatus access roads that access commercial buildings greater than 30 feet in height are to
be a minimum of 26 feet wide, be capable of handling the weight of aerial fire apparatus (100,000
lbs.) and be passable in all weather conditions.
6. Parking shall not be allowed on either side of the above-mentioned roadway. If roadside parking is
desired the minimum road width shall be increased, contact the fire code official for further
information. No Parking signs shall be a minimum of 12 inches wide and 18 inches tall. Commercial
buildings shall have fire lanes marked (Chapter 5)
7. Fire apparatus access roads shall provide access to within 150 feet of each side of the first-floor
exterior walls unless the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler
system then the distance increases to 200 feet (Chapter 5). If these options are not selected, please
contact the fire code official and fire department for guidance.
8. A secondary fire apparatus access road may be required based on the size of the project 62,000
sqft, or 3 stories or 30ft in height) or if an impairment of a single fire apparatus access road would
limit access under emergency conditions. Secondary access may also be required to facilitate
evacuation during a natural or man-made disaster Chapter 5 and Appendix D).
9. Gates on fire apparatus access roads are discouraged due to the delay in response. If a gated access
is deemed necessary it shall be either staffed with personnel 24 hours per day every day, 365 days
of the year or must include KNOX key bypass switch and siren activation (both). (Chapter 5).
10. Traffic calming devices are highly discouraged due to the delay in response. Speed bumps/humps
are prohibited. Requests for other traffic calming devices must be evaluated during the Technical
Review (TRC).
11. Fire lanes shall be a minimum of 18 feet wide and 14 feet vertical clearance feet including trees,
canopies, bridges, etc. and must be marked.
12. Key Boxes (KNOX Boxes)
a. Must be present if structure is required to have a fire alarm system and/or automatic
sprinkler system.
b. Knox Box required at front (main) entrance, above eye level. Larger facilities may require
more than one.
c. The customer may order online from Knox.
13. Premises identification is required. Address and or unit numbers are required on the street side as
well as unit identification on rear access doors. Letters and Numbers shall not be less than 6 inches
tall and ¾ inches wide; must be weather resistant and contrasting in color to their background.
(Chapter 5).
14. Rooms containing controls for HVAC, fire sprinkler risers, fire alarm control panels, or other fire
detection/protection equipment must be identified with signage (Chapter 5).
15. Fire Hydrants
a. All fire hydrants shall have a 5 ¼ inch barrel, a 5 ¼ inch valve opening, two 2 ½ inch NST
side discharges and a 5 inch pumper nozzle with a 5 inch STORZ connection. Further
information on the technical specifications is available from the fire code official or Cape
Fear Public Utility Authority.
b. All fire hydrants shall be installed so they are visible from the fire apparatus access road
with unobstructed access and a clear space no less than 36 inches in all directions. They
shall be protected from vehicle impact by curbing, guard posts or other means approved
by the fire code official. They shall be oriented with the large discharge facing the nearest
street. All discharges shall meet the NFPA requirements for distance above grade.
c. Fire hydrants in mixed use and commercial areas shall be installed so that all insured
properties are within 250 feet of a hydrant (hydrant spacing approximately 500 feet apart
along fire apparatus access roads and preferably located at intersections when possible).
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d. Additional fire hydrants may be required by the fire code official based on the type of
hazard or use of the protected structure. (Appendix C)
e. Fire hydrants should be located 50 feet or more from the structure they protect.
16. Fire Department Connections (FDC)
a. Fire Department connections shall utilize 5 inch Storz connections with a 30 degree down
angle.
b. A fire hydrant shall be located no less than 50 feet from the structure and no greater than
100 feet from the fire department connection. For buildings with multiple fire department
connections, each one shall have a dedicated fire hydrant.
c. The fire department connection shall be located that the fire apparatus and the hoses
connecting it to the fire hydrant and to the fire department connection do not obstruct
access to the buildings for other fire apparatus.
d. Fire department connections shall not be obstructed by fences, bushes, dumpster, utilities
or vehicles.
e. Fire department connections are to be unobstructed with 36 inches clearance to both sides
and 78 inches vertically.
f. An audible/visual device indicating water flow or fire alarm activation shall be located
above the fire department connection.
g. The fire department connection shall be labeled with code compliant signage indicating
the type of connection and where more than one fire department connection exists
additional signage is required to indicate the area protected.
NHC Engineering, Galen Jamison 910-798-7072
1. The stormwater permit application has been reviewed and request for additional information was
sent to the designer via email on October 12, 2022. Please resubmit the additional information for
permit issuance.
2. A land disturbing permit issued by the County is required and is currently under review. Any
additional information necessary will be requested from the engineer.
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Bernice Johnson 910-332-6620
1. CFPUA TRC Comments provided are preliminary comments only.
2. Utility Plan review required by CFPUA. CFPUA is moving toward becoming paperless. When ready
to submit plan review package, upload all documents to
https://www.cfpua.org/FormCenter/Engineering-3/Engineering-Plan-Review-103.
3. CFPUA water available.
4. CFPUA sewer available through a mainline extension.
5. CFPUA Meter Sizing Form required.
Environmental Health, Dustin Fenske 910-798-6732
1. Plans reflect site will connect to public water and sewer. Infrastructure developments such as
stormwater diversions, ponds, sewer force mains, sewer manholes must maintain setbacks to
existing well and septic systems on surrounding properties. It appears as properties at 7223-7245
Market St. have mixed well and septic. The stormwater retention ponds appear to meet setbacks
to all of these properties. 7375 Market St appears to be still on a well. Maintain setbacks to sewer
connections from this water supply well.
Middle Sound West – Commercial Site Plan – TRC Review
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NCDOT, Nick Drees/Mike Frank, 910-398-9100
1. These preliminary comments and are based on the plans as submitted for the proposed site and
are subject to further review upon receipt of any additional information. Subsequently,
additional comments and/or requirements may be necessary for this site.
a. An NCDOT Driveway Permit is required. Submit a plan in accordance with pages 14 and
15 of the Policy on Street and Driveway Access to North Carolina Highways to include
access locations within 500’ of the proposed access on both sides of the State Road.
Submit to the local NCDOT District Engineer’s Office.
b. An NCDOT Encroachment Agreement is required for any utility connections or
installation within NCDOT right-of-way.
c. NCDOT Driveway Permits, and Encroachments are submitted through the NCDOT Portal.
d. No comments at this time on the site plan and/or possible roadway improvements until
the TIA is approved.
US Army Corps of Engineers Brad Shaver
1. There are wetlands but they were considered isolated therefore they are wetlands of the State,
not US.
Addressing, Katherine May 910-798-7443
1. Please provide a list of 5 street names without suffixes.
2. Mark any utility meters that require a separate utility address (Entry signs, pool, etc.).
3. Address assignments can begin following TRC approval.
WMPO, Jamar Johnson 910-343-3915
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DCM, Tanya Pietila 910-796-7424
1. These project locations are not within CAMA Jurisdiction. We have no comment.
Comments not received at this time from:
Emergency Services & E911, Steve Still
NCDEQ, Chad Coburn
New Hanover Soil & Water, Dru Harrison
USACE, Rachel Capito
NCDEMLR, Dan Sams
DCM, Tanya Pietila
New Hanover County Schools, Laura Severt