HomeMy WebLinkAboutWPO201900039 Correspondence 2022-07-21John Anderson
From:
John Anderson
Sent:
Thursday, July 21, 2022 11:22 AM
To:
'Tom Shumate Jr'; mmcginnis@r717.net
Cc:
Repp Glaettli; John Yerby, Emily Cox; Frank Pohl; Dan Ratzlaff,
sroderick@monteverdedesigns.com
Subject:
WP0201900039 - Tasting Room / Venue, Hillcrest Vineyard: As -Built drawing,
easement, bond, pond 1 stabilization (2/1/22 and 7/20/22 bond insp. site visits)
Michael, Tom,
I apologize for length of this note, but hope to get us on the same page concerning: As -built drawing (WP0201900039),
easement/s (vacation of existing SWM facility /ingress -egress), WPO plan bond, and pond 1 stabilization. Please take items in
turn, and feel free to call if any questions (434.296-5832-0069).
Dan, John Yerby and I are assigned ESC /SWM plan bond and As -built drawing reviews. Frank has a role where easement
vacation is concerned, but Engr. Division supervisors entrust /delegate bond reduction (or release) and As -built drawing review
and approval tasks to review and inspection staff. Thank you
As -built drawing
I visited Hillcrest, yesterday, in response to 7/5/22 bond inspection request, and to check 4-sheet As -built drawings dated 1-20-
22 against pond 1 and 2 basins. Pond 1 (top of the hill) discharges to a flow splitter with high flow diverted to swale and first
flush routed to a level spreader —below these: vineyards. While 4-sheet As -built includes representative photos, we need As -
built to compare As -built condition of multiple structures against Monteverde Engineering and Design WPO plan design for
pond 1 (including flow splitter /level spreader), and pond 2. Visual inspection reveals no apparent issues, except stabilization of
interior sidewalls of pond 1 (see below), but for SWM plan bond release, we need as -built lengths, diameters, and riser /orifice
INV or rim elevations (vs. design) for: level spreader, flow splitter, risers (both ponds) to be shown on a revised As -built
drawing. This information is typical of As-builts, and similar to information provided for the wine processing facility on Dick
Woods Road, WPO201900024, in April 2021. What we have is a good start.
We notice the 1-20-22 As -built shows revised and Ex. SWM facility easements, so if decision is made to vacate, vacated
easements should not appear on final As -built for WPO201900039. Please update As -built drawings.
Easement (vacation)
Tom, it is helpful you raised question of vacating easements not required at Hillcrest Tasting Room /Venue. Ingress /egress
easement is not required since SWM Facility maintenance agreement ensures access to inspect facilities or forest /open
space. Platted forest -open space easement is required, and is platted and recorded. SWM facilities themselves are required, but
in context of a different project, question was raised concerning requirement for easement for SWM facilities if a development
is exempt from site plan requirements (Hillcrest is, by virtue of agricultural designation). It is our understanding that no
structure at Hillcrest (now, Hazy Mountain Vineyards & Brewery) required a building permit. Since building code was not
invoked, a site plan was not required. Hillcrest /Hazy Mountain is not a subdivision. Subdivision and site plan ordinance
require easement for SWM facilities. Hillcrest only requires platted forest -open space easement since acreage is placed in FOS
easement to comply with state stormwater (water quality) requirements. Platted easement for FOS is required, and exists.
WPO plan bond
WPO plan bond — currently <20% of original bond amount. With revised As -built (above), we can recommend SWM plan
bond release.
Current WPO plan bond amounts:
• SWM plan (component of WPO plan bond)=$6,390.
• ESC plan (component of WPO plan bond)=$56,644.
• Mitigation plan bond amount, not required, now =$0.
Earlier this year, responding to Atlantic Union Bank outreach (Gregory C. Godsey email, February 15, 2022 3:59 PM),
Engineering wrote (JA, 2/15/2022 4:22 PM):
`Greg,
We try to be as helpful as possible, but there are variables beyond our control (uncertain weather, erosion, plant failure to
thrive). With that in mind, we wait for warmer weather to reassess (April or May). I could visit mid- to late March as a
courtesy (ref. 4/1/22 date, below), but given site elevation and prevailing winter conditions just 4 weeks removed, it is
guesswork, what we may find in mid- to late -March. Today, it was 15-deg. In one month, will it be possible to evaluate all
portions of the site with permanent vegetation that is uniform, will survive, and inhibit erosion? —doubtful. We like to be
definitive when possible, understand your perspective, appreciate everything undertaken by Michael McGinnis, and anticipate a
positive outcome —but when, approximately, the site will reach adequate permanent stabilization is unpredictable. I am sorry
not to be more helpful. best,'
Pond 1 stabilization (SWM facility at top of hill, at Venue)
While SWM plan (component of WPO plan) bond may be released with an updated As -built drawing, stabilization of pond 1
interior side slopes is not uniform. Photos, below. Certain areas appear to resist adequate stabilization. This fall, with cooler
weather, circumstance may change. We share link to VESCH Std. & Spec. 3.32, Permanent Seedine. Engineering cannot
recommend further reduction of the ESC plan component of the WPO plan bond until stabilization of interior side slopes of
pond I is adequate, defined by Minimum Standard 3 thus: `Permanent vegetation shall not be considered established until a
ground cover is achieved that is uniform, mature enough to survive and will inhibit erosion.'
To avoid unnecessary delay releasing the ESC plan component of the WPO plan bond, Engineering recommends close
adherence to guidelines /outline of VESCH, 3.32. We quote at length since it is our understanding there may have been several
attempts to stabilize interior sidewalls of pond 1. From VESCH 3.32 Permanent Seeding:
• Planning considerations, VESCH, p. III-290: `Disadvantages which must be dealt with are the potential for erosion
during the establishment stage, a need to reseed areas that fail to establish, limited periods during the year suitable for
seeding, the potential need for weed control during the establishment phase, and a need for water and appropriate
climatic conditions during germination. There are so many variables in plant growth that an end product cannot be
guaranteed. Much can be done in the planning stages to increase the chances for successful seeding. Selection of the
right plant materials for the site, good seedbed preparation, and conscientious maintenance are important.'
• Low maintenance areas, VESCH, p. III-292: `Low -maintenance areas will be mowed infrequently or not at all; lime
and fertilizer may not be applied on a regular basis; the areas will not be subjected to intense use, nor required to have a
uniform appearance. These plants must be able to persist with little maintenance over long periods of time. Grass and
legume mixtures are favored for these sites because legumes are capable of fixing nitrogen from the air for their own
use, and the use of the plants around them. Such mixed stands are better able to withstand adverse conditions. Sites that
would be suitable for low -maintenance vegetation include steep slopes, stream or channel banks, some commercial
properties, and "utility turf areas such as road banks.'
• Seedbed preparation, VESCH, p. III-293: `The soil on a disturbed site must be modified to provide an optimum
environment for seed germination and seedling growth. The surface soil must be loose enough for water infiltration and
root penetration. The pH (acidity and alkalinity) of the soil must be such that it is not toxic and nutrients are available,
usually between pH 6.0-7.0. Sufficient nutrients (added as fertilizer) must be present. After seed is in place, it must be
protected with a mulch to hold moisture and modify temperature extremes, and to prevent erosion while seedlings are
growing.'
• Selection ofplant materials, VESHC, p. III-293 thru III-304, and Appendix 3.32-b. (Keys to Successful Establishment
of Grasses and Legumes). Note (p. III-312): `The most effective times for establishing perennial grass in Virginia
generally extend from March through May and from August through October. Outside these dates, the probability of
failure is much higher.'
With $56,644 (ESC plan bond amount) at issue, a deliberate approach to stabilization may yield best outcome. Sodding Pond 1,
VESCH Std. & Spec. 3.33 is also an option. We appreciate your help and patience.
Thank you, best,
John E. Anderson, PE I Civil Engineer 11
Department of Community Development I County of Albemarle, Virginia
401 McIntire Road I Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.296.5832 eat. 3069
photos —POND 1
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o Upper /lower detention ponds
o Level spreader
o As -built routings
o As -built SWM DAs
We appreciate this very much.
We have a favorable impression of facilities at this site. We acknowledge effort and resources spent to date to stabilize steep
(typical meaning) slopes, address ESC issues, convert ESC basin to detention pond 1, construct multiple conveyance channels,
and construct detention pond 2. With chance to monitor stabilization in warmer weather, we anticipate we should be able to
recommend WPO plan bond release in late April /May. Additional seeding or stabilization effort of interior of detention pond 1
may be required if barren spots are not densely vegetated in April, or May. A final bond release request and fee will be required
at that time.
Seth,
Tom, Michael,
As follow-up to 2/l/22 bond inspection (WPO2019000391.
ATTENDING
County: Repp Glaettli, John Yerby, J. Anderson.
Hazy Mountain Vineyards & Brewery (Hillcrest Venue & Wine Tasting): John Burnett, Site Manager
Photos taken today available /also, below
We reviewed /photog_raphed:
• upper and lower ponds ( top of hill, bottom of hill)
• level spreader (top of hill; incl. hi -flow diversion)
• hi -flow diversion conveyance /discharge to Ag. /Vineyard
• major riprap conveyance (top of hill that enters /exits woods to lower pond)
• minor site access riprap ditch to lower pond
• lower pond low -flow orifices (yellow debris cages)
• embankments /emergency spillways
At different points earlier today, we discussed items, thoughts, suggestions with Mr. Burnett. Engineering accepts
statement from As -built PE -certification letter, pg. 3, that with respect to Pond 2 (bottom of hill): "the Owner has
agreed to remedy this', but no further as -built notification is deemed necessary due to minimum standards already
having been met." • This being: `It was noticed that the emergency spillway (Pond 2) may not be properly functional,
due to a low point existing elsewhere on the embankment,' yet as `more than 2.0' of freeboard was calculated to exist
during the 100-year event, ... this design still meets minimum standards for such facilities (i.e., no emergency outlet is
required).' PE -certification letter is accepted. I intend to return to review mitigation plantings, having overlooked
Mitigation Plan component of both plan, and bond. Also, Michael may have completed raising low point identified in
letter (Pond 2 embankment). I will check on that, as well. We intend to recommend 80% WPO plan bond reduction
(ESC, SWM, Mitigation), as soon as possible, once checklist items 1, 3, 4, and 7 are received. We anticipate
Albemarle will be positioned to recommend WPO bond release when weather warms in April or May.
It is not possible to confirm final site stabilization at this point (February).
Checklist items:
1. WPO201900039, C6.05, Stream buffer Mitigation plan: Please submit As -built for mitigation planting Areas. Include
as -built planting table. Incl. plant quantities.
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2. Engineering will forward Water Resources recommendations (Ernst mix Native plants) for detention pond 1, and site,
once received. We commend Water Resources plant recommendations.
Note: Water Resources is County Div. that will inspect Hazy Mountain /Hillcrest SWM facilities periodically
(indefinitely) in the future. We rely on /value Water Resources recommendations.
3. Please revise sheet 1 of As -built to include deed bk.-pg. ref. (5301-638) to recorded Forest -Open space easement plat.
4. Also, please correct sheet 1 of As -built to include ref to instrument # 202000004218.
5. Engineering recommends:
a. Ongoing observation [Maintenance of major riprap conveyance since it has a relatively flat cross-section,
which may limit carrying capacity in less frequent storm events. Also, Note, item 6, below.
b. Ongoing observation [Maintenance of minor site access riprap ditch since there is ongoing potential for erosion
of riprap channel during less frequent storm events. Also, see Note, item 6, below.
c. Complete site access riprap ditch in areas without ditch since erosion appears to be undermining edge of
asphalt (site access). Approved WPO plan does not require ditch in areas without ditch.
6. Note: Neither major riprap conveyance (top of hill) nor minor site access riprap ditch (lower on hill) appear on either
WP0201900039 SWM plan, or Amendment # 1, but are instead Applicant /owner -initiated response to steep site and
erosion during construction.
7. Please confirm approximate date sediment from sediment basin floor (at top of hill) was removed. All upslope
drainage reaching the now -converted sediment basin (detention pond 1) appears stabilized, and consists mostly of
paved surface, incl. venue hardscapes.
8. Please monitor (in April or May):
a. Interior side slopes, detention pond 1: seed /place additional permanent stabilization as /if needed.
b. Hi -flow conveyance channel @ LS: seed /place additional permanent stabilization, as /if needed.
Thank you, All
John E. Anderson, PE I Civil Engineer 11
Department of Community Development I County of Albemarle, Virginia
401 McIntire Road I Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.296.5832 ext. 3069
Photos, 2/l/22
Pond 1
-
Pond 2
Additional
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Minor roadside riprap ditch
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Level spreader
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From: Tom Shumate Jr <tom!r@tomshumatesurveyor.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2022 6:17 PM
To: John Anderson <ianderson2@albemarle.org>
Cc: Mike McGinnis <mmcginnis@r717.net>; Seth Roderick<sroderick@monteverdedesigns.com>
Subject: Tasteing Room / Venue, Hillcreast Vineyard As-Builts, Dick Woods Ln., Albemarle County, VA
John,
Hope your New Year is running smoothly!
Attached is the referenced As -Built drawing with Monteverde Engineering & Design Studio calculations. Also
attached is a revision plat for Ingress -Egress and SWM Facility Easement.
I stand ready to answer any questions that may arise.
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Thank you Sir,
Tom Shumate, Jr
Tom Shumate Surveyor, Inc.
1000 West Main Street
Waynesboro, VA 22980
540-942-2990
"In God we Trust"
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