Fayetteville planning commission considers a gravity sewage system for project in the county and a variance request from stream side-protection ordinance in south Fayetteville

Planning commission meeting of 25 March 2013.

Condo plan proposed for stream-side prairie parcel at southwest corner of Razorback Road and 15th Street

Developer Plans Condos

City’s Streamside Protection Ordinance Could Force Changes

By Joel Walsh

Posted: March 25, 2013 at 5 a.m.

Photos of native plants on the site at link on Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7295307@N02/sets/72157625389384557/?page=11

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE.

Concept plan as of Monday, March 25, 2013

Developer Plans Condos

City’s Streamside Protection Ordinance Could Force Changes

By Joel Walsh

Monday, March 25, 2013

FAYETTEVILLE Developers plans to build a 68-unit condominium project at 15th Street and Razorback Road may have to be adjusted to conform with the streamside protection ordinance.

About 1.6 acres, or 35 percent, of the 4.4-acre site south of Baum Stadium lies close enough to a tributary of Town Branch creek to make the land essentially undevelopable, according to Steven Beam, an engineer for the project with Crafton, Tull & Associates.

The streamside protection ordinance, which aldermen approved in March 2011, limits construction activity and parking lots within 50 feet of waterways in an effort to protect water quality.

MEETING INFORMATION

Fayetteville Planning Commission

When: 5:30 p.m. today

Where: Room 219, City Administration Building, 113 W. Mountain St.

On the Agenda: A request by Crafton, Tull & Associates for a variance to the city’s streamside protection ordinance on 4.4 acres at 15th Street and Razorback Road.

The ordinance, given the property layout relative to the stream, takes ... the site out of development potential, Beam wrote in a March 8 letter to city planning staff. Leaving only a narrow developable portion significantly hinders the use of the property.

Preliminary site plans show a 234-space parking lot closest to the stream on the west side of the property. Crafton, Tull & Associates will seek a variance to the streamside ordinance at todays Planning Commission meeting. City staff is recommending commissioners deny the request.

There seems to be several things that could happen to move the parking lot away from the creek, Sarah Wrede, a city engineer, said at an agenda review session Thursday.

Planning staff suggested reducing parking spaces; elevating the building and putting parking underneath it; installing retaining walls along Razorback Road and moving the parking lot further east; or reducing the overall size of the development.

According to city code, commissioners can only grant a variance to the streamside ordinance if an undue hardship is identified.

Beam did not return a phone call Friday asking what changes might be made to the projects design. Neither did Wes Bradley with University Housing Group, the Roanoke, Va.-based company that plans to build the condos.

According to Beams correspondence with city staff, University Housing Group plans to replace invasive species along the Town Branch tributary with native shrubs. A preliminary site plan also shows a rain garden on the west side of the property and pervious pavement that would capture and slow stormwater runoff.

City Council members approved zoning and development plans for what was then called the Champions Club condos in 2007. University Housing Group planned to build 143 condos in two phases. One-, two- and three-bedroom units were going to be marketed to University of Arkansas alumni, graduate students and fans of UA athletics.

The project was never built.

Current plans show 68 units with 232 bedrooms in two buildings.

World Water Day

A couple days ago, I awoke to the news of a major water main break in my neighborhood — which meant restricted water use for up to a week! Fortunately, we haven't had to boil our water during that time, but it made me appreciate something that I tend to take for granted: the fact that I can get all the clean, fresh water I want, anytime I open my tap. Tell us: how is water meaningful in your life? Today is World Water Day, and we should all take time to reflect on this essential and often under-appreciated resource. For many people around the world, safe water is not so easy to access. Millions lack access to the basic infrastructure that provides clean water. Even here in the United States, water is not guaranteed: contamination by fracking, aging infrastructure, and abuses by private water companies are all challenges that hurt people's ability to get safe, clean, affordable drinking water. With climate change-induced drought as an ever-present danger, the challenges facing our water will undoubtedly get worse in years to come. Here are three easy ways to get involved in World Water Day: 1. Tell us a story about why water matters to you. We'll share quotes from supporters like you on Twitter throughout the day. Follow us to see why others value their water. 2. Celebrate your safe, clean water by ditching your bottled water habit. We've got all the resources you need to tell how clean your tap water is, how to choose a water filter, and more. 3. Spread the word by forwarding this email to a friend. We've noticed this year that a number of big corporations, including Monsanto and Nestlé, are trying to cash in on World Water Day by making themselves look green. But we know that water is one of our most essential resources, and it belongs to the people, not to big business. Help us celebrate the right way by spreading the word. Thanks for taking action, Jo Miles Online Organizer Food & Water Watch act(at)fwwatch(dot)org

Share This   Food & Water Watch is a consumer advocacy nonprofit that challenges the corporate control of our food and water. We empower people to take action and transform the public consciousness about what we eat and drink. Donate Contact Us  •  Visit the Website

Food & Water Watch, 1616 P Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 • (202) 683-2500

Floodplain in urban setting seldom protected by local, county, state or federal regulators

Another floodplain along Spout Spring Branch about to be dredged and filled for construction.

Video features photos of poorly planned and constructed urban infill on former wet prairie adjacent to Spout Spring Branch in Fayetteville, Arkansas: See link below and click through to view full-screen on You Tube

Beaver Lake watershed threatened by poorly planned and constructed urban infill.

Proposed Mt. Kessler Reserve in southwest Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on images to ENLARGE.

Ward 4 meeting video link from Feb. 25, 2013

Ward 4 meeting video 25 Feb 2013 Fayetteville, Arkansas

Water Headlines from US EPA office of water

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A Weekly Newsletter from the Office of Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency February 19, 2013         Visit our website Press Releases Presque Isle Bay Removed from Great Lakes "Area of Concern" List; Second Area in U.S. to be Delisted Transocean Pleads Guilty, Is Sentenced to Pay $400 Million in Criminal Penalties for Criminal Conduct Leading to Deepwater Horizon Disaster Pompano, FL among Recipients of Smart Growth Assistance Provided by EPA Bowling Green and Zolfo Springs, FL among Recipients of Smart Growth Assistance Provided by EPA see more EPA Issues Revised Total Coliform Rule On February 13, EPA published in the Federal Register the revisions to the 1989 Total Coliform Rule. The Revised Total Coliform Rule, which applies to all public water systems (approximately 154,000 public water systems), offers an opportunity for greater public health protection against waterborne pathogens while at the same time reducing implementation burden for water systems. The rule is based on the Agency's consideration of public comments and recommendations from the total coliform distribution system advisory committee, which consisted of a broad range of stakeholder groups, including States, environmental groups, utilities, and public health and public interest groups.  Public water systems and primacy agencies must comply with the revised requirements by April 2016. For more information please visit:http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/tcr/regulation_revisions.cfm March 6 Webcast on Water Quality Exchange Tool Join us for a webcast on March 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST to learn more about how tribes, volunteer monitoring organizations and others can enter their water quality monitoring data into EPA's Water Quality Exchange (WQX) and make the data available to the public via the water quality portal.  The webcast will focus on simple methods smaller organizations can use to transfer their water quality data into WQX. WQX provides a framework for users with small data sets to upload and store their data to EPA's STORET data warehouse and share water quality monitoring data online. The webcast will help water quality program managers, data managers, and others understand WQX, how it relates to STORET and the water quality portal, and how to begin submitting data using WQX.  For more information and to register for the webinar, please visitwww.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts. March 7 Webinar on Consumer Confidence Report Rule Electronic Delivery Framework On March 7, 2013, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST, EPA will hold a webinar to explain the consumer confidence report electronic delivery framework. Panelists will discuss electronic delivery methods and approaches appropriate to meet consumer confidence report rule requirements to "mail or otherwise directly deliver" the report to customers.  The webinar is intended for community water systems, state and federal drinking water regulators and other interested parties. The webinar will also provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of the EPA representatives regarding delivery requirements. Space is limited. Reserve your webinar seat now at:https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/217178782 Climate Ready Water Utilities Workshop Planner Available for Download  Extreme weather events such as hurricanes and continuing drought can have devastating impacts to utilities. It's important that utilities identify actions they can be taking to better prepare for these events. EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities initiative has released a workshop planner to help utilities plan for extreme events. The workshop planner provides all of the materials needed to plan, conduct, and facilitate an adaptation planning workshop on five extreme event scenarios:  floods, drought, wildfire, sea level rise, and reduced snowpack. Download the workshop planner at http://epa.gov/climatereadyutilities. Success Spotlight: Big Creek in Kansas EPA's Clean Water Act Section 319 Program provides funding for restoration of nonpoint source-impaired water bodies. This week's success spotlight shines on Big Creek in Kansas. Excess levels of fecal coliform bacteria from livestock activities prompted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to add three areas of Big Creek to the state's 1998 list of impaired waters. Project partners implemented several livestock and agricultural best management practices throughout the watershed, such as: implementing prescribed grazing; planting pasture and hay land; restoring agricultural ponds, which serve as alternative watering sources for livestock; planting cropland borders to reduce runoff into the creeks; installing livestock fencing, and repairing 30 failing onsite wastewater systems.Bacteria levels dropped, and as a result, the state removed, approximately 56.6 stream miles, in the Upper Neosho watershed from Kansas' 2012 list of impaired waters for bacteria. Click here for more information. Features From the Web Students Give Water Conservation A New Beat (Huffington Post) http://tinyurl.com/bzucex6

OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology spring meeting today

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

Full-length video from the event.

Feb. 4 and 7, 2013, video slideshow by Aubrey James Shepherd

Flooding, bridge destruction, failed silt fences on public TV in Fayetteville AR: Please click on headline below to go to YOU TUBE and select full-frame view

Waterfowl on urban storm water pond Springdale, Arkansas, Jan 23 2013

http://youtu.be/ydu2Z3fHaT0

waterfowl short take

Wetland major protector of watershed: Please click on headline below to go to You Tube and choose full-frame view

tub

Developers still haven't gotten the message about proper protection of soil, vegetation and water quality in the Beaver Lake Watershed

Clint McDonald shared Landscape Earth Property Services Co.'sphoto.

‎....Riverwalk has views of downtown and is only a few mintutes away!

We cleared out an area along the White River for the new Riverwalk Subdivision in SE Fayetteville on Deadhorse Mt Rd. The residents will have this park/ river access amenity. Also planed for the park...stone fire pit, benches, tent camping spots, BBQ grills etc... Call 479.236.2286 for subdivision info.

Like ·  · Share · 2 hours ago ·  · Sponsored

• Jack Lovin and 3 others like this.
• 

  Beth Hamilton Roberts Is this by the subdivision?

  about an hour ago via mobile · Like
• 

  Clint McDonald yes its is...

  about an hour ago · Like
• 

  Aubrey James Shepherd Appears the city's streamside ordinance was ignored and the vegetation removed. Might still be able to collect some seed from some prarie areas and restore it. But any flooding this winter will erode the banks this year. Sorry to see this earth-moving so near the river.http://www.flickr.com/photos/7295307@N02/sets/72157623592391446/

  

  Streamside protection aka riparian-zone managment

  www.flickr.com

  Sets let you organize your photos on Flickr. Explore the 1336 photos in this set.

  a few seconds ago · Like · Remove Preview
• 

2008 essay

Watershed warrior wearing Louisiana Tech sweatshirt.

2012 video by Aubrey James Shepherd aubunique said...on September 29, 2008 in talking about problems during the Coody administration.
Some big farms hurt the Beaver Lake watershed, but most of the farms in the area with a dense animal population hurt the Illinois River watershed. 
The development sites allowing uncontrolled runoff of red dirt affect the water quality of Beaver Lake the most. And the yellow fill dirt is as bad in its own way, probably causing the most algae bloom in the lake. 
That yellow dirt, like runoff from golf courses and many private lawns and other green space where pesticides and herbicides and FERTILIZER are used, also contributes tons of silt and chemicals that affect the cost of cleaning Beaver Lake water. The algae bloom results in the poor taste and smell of the water. 
Dan has had eight years to stop the use of chemicals in the urban part of the Beaver Lake watershed. Decades ago, many Fayetteville residents were trying to get chemical fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides banned in the city. A lot of longtime residents mention the failure of the Coody administration to address those concerns adequately and make them a part of the development code among the reasons they will not vote for him now. The council voted for a strong hill side ordinance but the mayor protested strengthening the tree ordinance on the hills without doing so in the rest of the urban forest. But, so far, he has not brought forth a strengthened tree ordinance for the whole city. Mature trees and understory vegetation keep the shallow topsoil on the hillsides. Clear-cutting a slope guarantees siltation and pollution downstream
Federal and state environmental officials will tell you and have stated publicly that cities can make their own stricter rules for managing stormwater and urban pollution.
Those plastic bottles are bad for the environment. But using the bully pulpit to announce that city projects would no longer pollute or destroy trees and vegetation would be a lot more valuable than announcing a ban of city use of water in plastic bottles. 
Both are important. But laws to prevent pollution are many times more significant than laws to prevent litter. Right now, our city allows violations of state and federal law frequently, not only with city projects but also by failing regularly to inspect construction sites that have been approved by city government.
September 29, 2008 7:06 PM

Beaver Lake watershed Dec 28, 2012, takes on Fayetteville Public TV

Deirdre Susanne Shepherd pictured with father, Aubrey James Shepherd, in public television volunteer spotlight series: Please click on headline below to go to You Tube and select full-page view

http://kbimages.blogspot.com/post-template.jpg

Volunteer spotlight from Fayetteville, Arkansas, government channel

Mallards feel safe on urban ponds and streams: Please click on image to go to You Tube and select full-screen view

Please click on headline below to go to You Tube and view full screen

City of Fayetteville meetings abound on 3 Dec. 2012