HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-NHC Fire Station - Gordon Road TRC Comments - ResponseNHC Gordon Road Fire Station – 4812 Gordon Road – TRC Review
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To: Kevin Caison, New Hanover County Facilities Management, kcaison@nhcgov.com
From: Zach Dickerson, Senior Planner
Date: July 3, 2024
PID#: R04300-008-002-000
Egov# SITECN-24-000026
Subject: 4812 Gordon Road – NHC Fire Station - TRC Review
The following comments have been received for the July 3, 2024, 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.
Planning, Zach Dickerson 910-798-7450
1. General Comments (if applicable)
a. Zoning is R-15, Use of Emergency Services Facility, use is permitted by-right
Response: Comment Noted.
b. Proposed use is 14,461 sf of Emergency Services Facility
Response: Comment Noted.
2. UDO Section 5.1, Parking and Loading
a. Emergency Services Facility requires 2.5 parking spaces / 1,000 sf (noted on site plan)
Response: Comment Noted.
b. Our UDO rounds down from the whole number, so the math would be 14 x 2.5 = 35
spaces.
Response: Comment Noted. The required parking on the site data table has changed from
37 spaces to 35 spaces.
c. At any rate, the parking provided is in excess of minimum requirements.
Response: Comment Noted.
3. UDO Section 5.2, Traffic, Access and Connectivity
a. Please show sight triangles at site access.
NHC Gordon Road Fire Station – 4812 Gordon Road – TRC Review
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Response: Site triangles are now shown at the site access points. Refer to the Key plan as
well as the offsite drawings (R-Series)
4. UDO Section 5.3, Tree Retention
a. It appears that there will be trees removed for this site.
Response: Comment Noted. A tree mitigation plan has been submitted to NHC.
b. Please apply for a Tree Removal Permit, please refer to UDO Section 5.3 for Tree Removal
standards.
Response: Comment Noted. A tree removal permit has been applied for.
5. UDO Section 5.4, Landscaping and Buffering
a. Transitional buffer option 3 only has to be 10’ in width (min. setback is 20’, 50% of 20’)
Response: Comment Noted.
b. Is transitional buffer option 1 used on the west and south-facing portions of the site?
Response: Yes, labels have been added to buffers.
c. 15 trees/acre requirement is met, thanks!
Response: Comment Noted.
d. Foundation plantings are required along this portion of the building as well:
NHC Gordon Road Fire Station – 4812 Gordon Road – TRC Review
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Response: Foundation plantings have been added to missing section.
6. UDO Section 5.5, Lighting
a. Lighting plan is approved.
Response: Comment Noted.
7. UDO Section 5.6, Signs
a. Please note that all signs are subject to Section 5.6 of the UDO.
Response: Comment Noted.
b. Please submit for sign permits prior to installation.
Response: Comment Noted.
8. UDO Section 5.7, Conservation Resources
a. Per the New Hanover County Conservation Resource Overlay map, there is a small
amount of Pocosin on the site. However, it does not meet the minimum 5 acre of resource
on the site to trigger the requirements.
Response: Comment Noted.
NHC Fire Services, David Stone 910-798-7458
1. The complete TRC/Site plans comments from New Hanover County Fire staff shall be submitted
along with the building plans for review to New Hanover County Building Safety. This shall
include the complete set of civil plans. Failure to submit the comments or complete set of civil
plans will result in a resubmittal for review for verification of compliance.
Response: Comment Noted.
2. All new structures larger than 7,500 square feet must comply with Section 510 of the NC Fire
code. An Emergency Responder Radio Coverage (ERRC) survey must be conducted, and results
given to the Building Safety Fire Plan Reviewer. 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).
Response: Comment Noted.
3. Street and road signs are required, temporary signs during construction are acceptable as long
as they are legible and weather resistant. (Chapter 5).
Response: Comment Noted.
4. Key Boxes (KNOX Boxes)
Response: Comment Noted.
5. Required if the structure is required to have a fire alarm system or automatic sprinkler system.
NHC Gordon Road Fire Station – 4812 Gordon Road – TRC Review
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Response: Comment Noted.
6. Knox Box required at front (main) entrance, above eye level. Larger facilities may require more
than one.
Response: Comment Noted.
7. The customer may order online from Knox.
Response: Comment Noted.
8. 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). Buildings constructed under the 2018 code shall require additional
signage per Appendix J.
Response: Comment Noted.
9. 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).
Response: Comment Noted.
10. Fire Command Centers are required for high rise occupancies (Chapters 5 and 9)
Response: Comment Noted.
11. Generator and solar installations shall be in accordance with Chapter 6.
Response: Comment Noted.
12. Fire Hydrants
Response: Comment Noted.
13. 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.
Response: Comment Noted.
14. 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.
Response: Comment Noted.
NHC Gordon Road Fire Station – 4812 Gordon Road – TRC Review
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15. Fire hydrants in general residential areas shall be installed so that all insured properties are
within 500 feet of a hydrant (hydrant spacing approximately 1000 feet apart along a fire
apparatus access road, installed at intersections where possible). The first fire hydrant should be
installed at or near the entrance to the residential area.
Response: Comment Noted.
16. 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).
Response: Comment Noted.
17. Fire hydrants for industrial and manufacturing areas shall be installed so that all structures are
within 250 feet of a fire hydrant; distances may be adjusted more or less based on approval of
the fire code official and based on the hazards present.
Response: Comment Noted.
18. 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)
Response: Comment Noted.
19. Fire hydrants should be located 50 feet or more from the structure they protect.
Response: Fire hydrants have been moved so they are a minimum of 50’ away from the fire
station.
20. Fire Department Connections (FDC)
Response: Comment Noted.
21. Fire Department connections shall utilize 5-inch Storz connections with a 30 degree down angle.
Remote FDC’s are discouraged.
Response: Comment Noted.
22. 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.
Response: One of the two fire hydrants on site have been placed greater than 50 feet from the
building they protect and less than 100’ from the fire department connection.
23. The fire department connection shall be located so 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.
Response: Comment Noted.
NHC Gordon Road Fire Station – 4812 Gordon Road – TRC Review
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24. Fire department connections shall not be obstructed by fences, bushes, dumpsters, utilities or
vehicles.
Response: Comment Noted.
25. Fire department connections are to be unobstructed with 36 inches clearance to both sides and
78 inches vertically.
Response: Comment Noted.
26. An audible/visual device indicating water flow or fire alarm activation shall be located above the
fire department connection.
Response: Comment Noted.
27. 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.
Response: Comment Noted.
28. The fire alarm, sprinkler system, any hood systems, and if required, the ERRC system will require
separate permits and reviews.
Response: Comment Noted.
NHC Engineering, Galen Jamison 910-798-7072
1. A stormwater permit issued by the County is required for this project. Please digitally submit the
permit applications documentation with requisite review fees for County issued permit directly
to gjamison@nhcgov.com. Application and forms can be found at
https://www.nhcgov.com/251/Stormwater.
Response: Comment Noted.
2. The erosion control permitting will be issued by NC DEQ DEMLR. Please submit for permit as the
design is completed.
Response: Comment Noted.
3. Will the entrance roadway off Gordon Road be designated as a public ROW? If not, the offsite
drainage coming from the west that will be routed through the site via a culvert shall be placed
in a public drainage easement sized in accordance with NHC Stormwater Manual. Construction
within this offsite drainage conveyance measure that will be maintained by the county will need
to be observed during construction by Stormwater Services and a turnover meeting scheduled
once the system is ready to be conveyed to the county. Please add a plan note to ensure county
construction observation and a turnover meeting occurs. Note, should the applicant elect to
maintain the conveyance measures themselves, the POA covenants shall indicate the operation
and maintenance roles and responsibilities for the conveyance measure. If so, it is assumed the
O&M responsibility of the culvert will fall to the DOT.
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Response: The entrance roadway off Gordon has not yet been designated as a public ROW but
may in the future. This will be decided by Mr. Venters at a later date.
4. Please contact the State for the stormwater permit modification requirements.
Response: Comment Noted.
NHC Environmental Health, Dustin Fenske 910-798-6732
1. Site plan reflects connection to public water and sewer. Location of this parcel does not appear
to affect any surrounding properties’ well or septic systems.
Response: Comment Noted.
NHC Addressing, Katherine May 910-798-7443
1. Please contact me for address assignment following TRC approval.
Response: Comment Noted.
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Bernice Johnson 910-332-6620
1. CFPUA TRC Comments provided are preliminary comments only.
Response: Comment Noted.
2. Utility Plan review required by CFPUA.
Response: Comment Noted.
3. 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.
Response: Comment Noted.
4. Project has been submitted for CFPUA plan review.
Response: Comment Noted.
5. CFPUA water is available.
Response: Comment Noted.
6. CFPUA sewer available via a forcemain extension.
Response: Comment Noted.
7. Capacity is dependent on the analysis of the pipe collection system (gravity and force mains).
Response: Comment Noted.
8. A capacity determination can be provided upon submittal of the NC DWQ FTA/FTSE Application
Form and a Preliminary Plan, this determination does not guarantee capacity.
Response: Comment Noted.
9. Capacity is issued to projects on a first come, first serve basis, when capacity is available, the
plans meet Authority requirements, and the NC DWQ FTA/FTSE forms are signed by the
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Authority
Response: Comment Noted.
NCDOT, Nick Drees 910-343-3915
1. Since the fire station is connecting to a future subdivision road, this may need further discussions.
Response: Comment Noted.
WMPO, Scott James 910-473-5130
1. Comments forthcoming.
Response: Comment Noted.
Army Corps of Engineers, Brad Shaver 910-251-4611
1. The ACOE is currently processing a nationwide permit for this tract.
Response: Comment Noted.
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 Piet