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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.04.23_RF #482 TRC Comment Response Letter 880 Island Park Drive, Suite 400, Charleston, South Carolina 29492 843.501.0333 | bowman.com April 23, 2025 New Hanover County Attn: Zach Dickerson Current Planner 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 110 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 798-7165 Re: Royal Farms #482 Wilmington (Castle Hayne Rd) Dear Mr. Dickerson: We are providing the following responses to address review comments received by email on June 11th 2024, regarding the above referenced project. Email Comment from Zach Dickerson, 6/11/2 Comment 1: Following up on the tree removal permit, I had a few questions about the tree chart shown on the application and in the site plan. Trees 6, 10, 20 and 31, do you know if these are loblolly or long leaf pines? I ask because per our ordinance, if they are loblollys then they do not become significant until they reach 24” dbh, but if they are long leaf pines then they are all considered significant since the threshold for that species is 18” It looks like the intent is to not include trees 21, 22 and 23 which are in a state of decline. This is permissible under Section 5.3.1.F of the UDO which states “Trees that are subject to the requirements of this section, but that are demonstrated to be dead, dying, or diseased by greater than 50%, as a result of natural factors” are exempted from the tree removal standards. Just wanting to confirm this is the case with these three. Response: Pine Trees that were not of the longleaf species were identified as OTHER CONIFER “OC”. Therefore trees 6, 10, 20, and 31 are not longleaf pines. Yes, the intent is to remove these trees due to their state of decline. Planning Comments, provided in 6/11/24 email Comment 1: Foundation plantings look good, and noted on the car wash being removed. Response: Acknowledged. Royal Farms #482 Wilmington Page 2 of 3 Comment 2: With the parking lot plantings, my math came out as follows: 35,311 x 8% = 2,825, which would require 19 trees planted. Are the trees along the southern boundary of the site adjacent to the stormwater pond intended to be counted in this? I think the requirement would be more feasibly met by planting those trees in the clouded area here: Response: Trees and shrubs have been rearranged on site to the area above, while maintaining the requirements. Comment 3: With 15 trees/acre requirement, we had formal interpretation meeting about this with director, staff and legal. This and the other proposed Royal Farms are what prompted those discussions in the first place. The formal determination of the UDO made in the most recent meeting (May 2024) was the trees planted towards street yard/parking lot landscaping as long as they are at least 2” DBH, can count towards the 15 tree\acre requirement. The landscape plans as show does meet this requirement, so no further action is needed, but if you wanted to reduce some of the extra trees planted on site to save money, that is okay too, as long as the street yard and parking lot requirement for trees are met. Response: Based on the 15 trees per acre calculation, the site has the capacity to remove 20 trees. However, to adhere to best practices in landscape design, the updated plan reduces only 18 trees while still meeting the street yard and parking requirements. Comment 4: I am processing the Tree Removal Permit and hope to have that over to you for payment shortly. Response: Will provide upon receipt. Currently in coordination for tree removal permit. Army Corps of Engineers Comments, provided in 12/12/23 email Royal Farms #482 Wilmington Page 3 of 3 Comment 1: I read their responses to Corps comments, and I will caution them if the impacts have changed and they will be impacting in a different location (understanding there is no difference in amounts) they will need to get the plans re verified under a new nationwide. If they are in the same footprint than nothing further is necessary. Response: Acknowledged. NCDOT Comments, provided in 12/12/23 email Comment 1: Due to the proposed drainage improvements conveying stormwater through their site I have copied you on an email that was sent to our Hydraulics Unit. Once I receive any comments they have I will formally send in the Preliminary TRC Comments from the District Office. Response: Acknowledged. We have received the additional NCDOT comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me at ssurrett@bowman.com directly if you have any questions. Very respectfully, Sara Surrett Sara Surrett BOWMAN CONSULTING GROUP LTD.