HomeMy WebLinkAboutWPO202200024 Review Comments WPO VSMP 2022-07-27County of Albemarle
m COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
VSMP Permit Plan Review
Project title:
Rivanna Solar
Project file number:
WPO-2022-00024
Plan preparer:
Sierra Overhead Analytics - Darin Galloway
[dgalloway@sierraoverhead.com]
Owner or rep.:
American Helios - Phil Horwitch
[phorwitch@america nhel ios.com]
Plan received date:
17 June 2022
Date of comments:
27 July 2022
Reviewer:
Matt Wentland
401 McIntire Road, North Wing
Charlottesville, VA 22902-4579
Telephone: 434-296-5832
WWW.ALBEMARLE.ORG
County Code section 17-410 and Virginia Code §62.1-44.15:34 requires the VSMP authority to
act on any VSMP permit by issuing a project approval or denial. This project is denied. The
rationale is given in the comments below. The VSMP application content requirements can be
found in County Code section 17-401.
A. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
The SWPPP content requirements can be found in County Code section 17-405. A SWPPP
must contain (1) a PPP, (2) an ESCP, (3) a SWMP, and (4) any TMDL measures necessary.
1. Provide a signed DEQ Registration Form.
2. The Virginia ESC Handbook can be removed from the SWPPP.
B. Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP)
The PPP content requirements can be found in County Code section 17-404.
1. The PPP appears acceptable at this time.
C. Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)
VSMP Regulation 9VAC25-870-108 requires the VSMP authority to approve or disapprove a
SWMP. This plan is disapproved, and the reasons are provided in the comments below. The
stormwater management plan content requirements can be found in County Code section 17-
403.
1. A SWM maintenance agreement will be required. Please contact Ana Kilmer in our office
to begin this process.
2. Provide the plans as a single set.
3. Include the General Notes on the cover sheet (linked in email).
4. If the project does not obtain an interconnection approval by December 31, 2024, it will
need to comply with the attached DEQ memos.
5. Show and label all required easements on the plans, including access easements to
proposed facilities. Easements will be dedicated to public use and should include all the
measures used for DEQ compliance.
6. A plat and deed of dedication for the stormwater facility easements will need to be
recorded prior to approval of the VSMP and site plans.
Engineering Review Comments
Page 2 of 3
7. Include the Albemarle County as -built requirements on the plans (linked in email).
8. Include the maintenance and inspection schedules from the DEQ BMP specs for the
proposed facilities on the plans.
9. Provide the Army Corps of Engineers permits for the disturbance of the streams and
wetlands.
10. DEQ water quality and water quantity requirements will need to be met. Include all
calculations regarding these requirements (runoff calcs, VRRM spreadsheet, BMP calcs,
etc.). The existing site condition for this project area should be forested and the posts and
beams along with roads and buildings should be included in the impervious. [9VAC25-
870-65, 66]
11. Show the dry swales and any additional measures at a larger scale. Any concentrated
flow from the measures that outfall into a natural channel will need to meet energy
balance.
12. Will grading be required for the panels or roads? If so, it will need to be shown on the
plans.
13. Provide additional information on the mitigation plan, including areas of mitigation and
the species and quantity of plants. Any areas of plantings outside of the buffer (per
Albemarle GIS) will need to be in an easement (link to additional materials in email).
D. Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP)
Virginia Code §62.1-44.15:55 requires the VESCP authority to approve or disapprove an ESCP.
This plan is disapproved, and the reasons are provided in the comments below. The erosion
control plan content requirements can be found in County Code section 17-402.
1. Include a note that additional measures maybe required at the request of the County
Inspector.
2. Use details from the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook.
3. Specify that non-native plants and grasses are not to be used for stabilization.
4. Perimeter controls will be needed around all areas of land disturbance, including tree
removal.
5. For silt fence, the maximum drainage area is no more than one quarter acre per 100 feet
of silt fence and the maximum slope length behind the barrier is 100 feet. Consider
diversion dikes to sediment traps or basins for the measures. [VESCH 3.05]
The VSMP permit application and all plans may be resubmitted for approval when all comments
have been satisfactorily addressed. For re -submittals please provide 2 copies of the complete
permit package with a completed application form.
Engineering plan review staff are available from 2-4 PM on Thursdays, should you require a
meeting to discuss this review.
Process:
After approval, erosion and sediment control and stormwater management improvements must
be bonded. The bonding process begins when the plan is approved, and the applicant submits a
bond estimate request form and fee to the Department of Community Development. A plan
Engineering Review Comments
Page 3 of 3
reviewer will prepare estimates and check parcel and easement information based on the
approved plans. The County's Management Analyst will prepare bond agreement forms, which
will need to be completed by the owner and submitted along with cash, certificates or sureties
for the amounts specified. The agreements will need to be approved and signed by the County
Attorney and County Engineer. This may take 2-4 weeks to obtain all the correct signatures and
forms.
Stormwater Management Facilities Maintenance agreements will also need to be completed and
recorded. The County's Management Analyst or other staff will prepare the forms and check for
ownership and signature information. The completed forms will need to be submitted to the
County, who will record the agreement.
After bonding and agreements are complete, county staff enters project information in a DEQ
database for state application processing, if a DEQ permit is required. DEQ reviews the
application information based on local VSMP authority approval. At this time, the DEQ portion of
the application fees will need to be paid directly to the state. For fastest processing, this is done
electronically with the emails provided on the application. DEQ should notify applicants with
instructions on how to pay fees. When DEQ approves the application, they will issue a permit
coverage letter, which must be posted at the construction site.
After DEQ coverage is issued, via the coverage letter, the County can hold a pre -construction
conference. Applicants must complete the request for a pre -construction conference form and
pay the remainder of the application fee. The form identifies the contractor and responsible land
disturber, and the fee remaining to be paid. This will be checked by county staff, and upon
approval, a pre -construction conference will be scheduled with the County inspector. At the pre -
construction conference, should everything proceed satisfactorily, a joint VSMP and grading
permit will be issued by the County so that work may begin.
County forms can be found on the county website forms center under engineering;
httos://www.al bemarle.org/government/community-development/aooly-for/engineering-aoolications