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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20001195 Ver 14_Modifications_20120306Ci e a Ler C1earWater Environmental Consultants Inc www cwenv com March 2, 2012 Ms Amanda Jones US Army Corps of Engineers Asheville Regulatory Field Office 151 Patton Avenue Room 208 Asheville, North Carolina 28801 Mr Ian McMillan NC Division of Water Quality 512 N Salisbury Street, Floor 9 Raleigh North Carolina 27604 RE Charlotte- Douglas International Airport Action ID 2008 -03090 — Permit Modification New Entrance Road and Parking Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Dear Ms Jones and Mr McMillan, �quL-4,V'� amrs"ROW111 MAR 6 2012 DENR WATER QUALITY WETLANDSANDSTORMMAT WS" A permit application requesting written authorization for impacts associated with parking expansion at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (hereafter Airport ) was submitted by C1earWater Environmental Consultants Inc (CEC) on behalf of the Airport, in November 2008 The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued the requested permit under Action ID 2008 03090 on June 15, 2009 and the NC Division of Water Quality issued the final 401 Water Quality Certification on June 8, 2009 Since that time, there are changes to the project and the original scope of work As a result, the Airport is requesting a modification to the existing permit The proposed modification, along with a revised scope of the protect is discussed below Project Purpose The purpose of the previously authorized project was to provide additional parking for airport patrons The initial phase of the intended project was completed in late 2009 with the construction of the Airport s Valet Parking Deck #1 Although additional parking is planned to be built upon the previously permitted jurisdictional water features certain portions of the site are needed for other use The purpose of the modification request, therefore, includes expansion of surface parking to one of the Airports Long Term parking lots and additions and alterations to the Airports entrance roadway infrastructure 224 South Grove Street Suite F Hendersonville NC 28792 828 698 9800 Tel 828 698 9003 Fax CLT Airport — Permit Modification 3/2/2012 Page 2 of 7 (Figures 1 3) The primary purpose of the roadway changes is to provide a single centralized Airport entrance and exit and a more fluid traffic pattern overall Figure 4 shows the master plan for road and parking improvements as well as proposed impacts to streams Specifically, the improvements are proposed for the following reasons • To provide a direct connection between the airport and the regional freeway system (I 85 and 1485), Improvements include the elimination of traffic signals, elimination of at grade intersections and the addition of travel lanes to and from the main passenger terminal • To provide a more direct, dominant, preferable route between Center City and the airport (Currently, when approaching the airport from downtown , there are five marked routes off of Wilkinson Boulevard and none of them make it apparent that you are near the airport nor do they clearly indicate the path to the airport), • To achieve significantly improved way finding and orientation through the provision of a common entry experience for airport users regardless of the direction or facility from which they approach the airport, and • To ensure that all on airport destinations are served by this new access route • To increase parking that will meet growing demand and compensate for the loss of parking associated with the new international concourse and road construction These projects are needed as the Airport anticipated growth projections indicate that there will be 6 million local hoardings by 2015, as opposed to the approximately 16 million local boardings in 1988 when the current entrance road system was built Project Area The June 15, 2009 permit authorized impacts in the area that is bound by Harlee Avenue, Wilkinson Boulevard Marshall Avenue and Josh Birmingham Parkway Impacts in this location were expected to be associated with the construction of three large parking decks, a building, a large stormwater facility, and an access road to future parking As stated previously one parking deck has been completed Another deck (west of the existing deck and shown on Figure 4 as Proposed ) is planned for construction A third parking deck will not be constructed, the space available for this deck is necessary to accommodate a new Airport entrance ramp emanating (Figure 4) from Josh Birmingham Parkway inbound This proposed ramp is within the previously permitted project boundary However, this modification requests an extension of that boundary to include properties west of the parking decks and also north of Wilkinson Boulevard The new additional acreage was delineated on February 18 2011 and verified by the Corps on March 8, 2011 Figure 4 illustrates the proposed project, the boundaries, and the expected disturbances CLT Airport — Permit Modification 3/2/2012 Page 3 of 7 Description of Modification CDIA is proposing several improvements to access roads including constructing new roadways and bndges, widening existing roadways, reconfiguring (re marking/re surfacing) existing pavement, and abandoning certain existing roadways These roadway improvements and their impacts to streams and wetlands are illustrated on Figure 4 The specific proposed improvements are listed below • Extending Little Rock Road from the north straight through the existing wooded area to line up with the new Airport Entrance • Construct a new signalized intersection at the new airport entrance (Wilkinson Boulevard and the new airport road) • Close the short section of existing Little Rock Road that is between Wilkinson Boulevard and the new airport road • Reconfigure and widen Wilkinson Boulevard in the vicinity of the new airport entrance • Construct a new contiguous one way airport circulation road that provides access to all on airport destinations — terminal curbs, parking rental car return, and service access Includes constructing new ashphalt roadways widening and reconfigunng the existing roadway, and erecting a bndge over the Norfolk Southern Railway • Close Old Dowd Road (between the new airport road and Josh Birmingham Parkway to the public) Parking shuttles will continue to use this portion of Old Dowd Road which will become part of the long term parking area • Construct a roundabout at the intersection of Old Dowd Road and Rental Car Road for improved vehicular flow • Close the east west portion of the current terminal approach road located between the Daily Parking Decks and the Daily North parking lot The road may be kept open for use by Airport personnel vehicles • Reconfigure the existing outbound Josh Birmingham Parkway lanes and close the inbound portion of Josh Birmingham Parkway south from Old Dowd Road to the closure descnbed in the previous bullet • Construct a new Parking Connector between the current Long Term 1 and Long Term 2 parking lots including a bndge over the airport entrance road Construct a single revenue control area for all three long term lots would be located at the parking exit • Construct a new Long Term Parking exit which provides access to all airport exits as well as a return to terminal ramp Impacts Impacts to streams (Figure 4) are necessary to accommodate proposed additional surface parking adjacent to and east of Long Term Lot 2, as well as the new entrance road proposed north of Wilkinson Boulevard (rerouting of Little Rock Road) Previously authonzed impacts associated with the onginal permitted parking deck project are not CLT Airport — Permit Modification 3/2/2012 Page 4 of 7 complete Impacts associated with both the modification (Figure 4) and previously issued permit are as follows New Stream Impacts Associated with Modification Linear Feet 1 — Little Rock Road 46 2 — Josh Birmingham Parkway 46 3 Parking 309 4 Parking 365 Total for Modification 766 Previously Permitted Impacts 2,395 Total for Permitted Impacts and Modification 3,161 There are no new wetland impacts associated with this permit modification request Discussion of Alternatives — New Roadway Infrastructure The Airport is proposing new roadways and modification of existing roadway infrastructure to develop new entrances into the airport and a one way traffic pattern The primary purpose of the project is to provide users approaching the Airport from the west side of Charlotte with a more convenient direct approach Currently and historically, the primary Airport entrance for Interstate travelers has been the use of Exit 33 (I 85) at Billy Graham Parkway This is a convenient approach for travelers coming from the north and east of the City that are using parking facilities close to the terminal or the valet or daily parking decks It is, however, several miles out of the way for travelers using 185 northbound or 1 485 Since the Billy Graham Parkway and the Airport Entrance (Josh Birmingham Parkway) road were built in the mid 1980 s traffic has increased significantly Since the opening of the western leg of 1 485 in 2006, many travelers from South Charlotte and points south that 'formerly used Billy Graham Parkway (to get to the Airport) are now using Interstate 485 to either US 74/29 or to 185, because it is quicker and easier These travelers are overwhelmingly using Exit 32 (Little Rock Road) or Wilkinson Boulevard and accessing all areas through the long term parking areas Little Rock Road therefore and especially the intersection with US74/29, have become increasingly congested over the past several years The proposed action allows travelers heading directly to the Main Terminal area to avoid traffic tie ups in the vicinity of the long term lots At the same time, the proposed action also allows easier uninterrupted access to long term parking for those who desire it A significant portion of the planned project will be to eliminate the current dog leg portion of Little Rock Road that is between 185 and US74/29 by re routing Little Rock Road through the wooded area north of Wilkinson Boulevard Because this section of roadway should be built by the NCDOT, the construction may be on a different timeline than the rest of the project The Airport however is in agreement with DOT to move CLT Airport — Permit Modification 3/2/2012 Page 5 of 7 forward with Section 404 permitting, thus this area is included as part of the overall project The current traffic pattern creates significant vehicular congestion, particularly around the airports long term parking areas This is especially true during peak summer and holiday travel times An aggravating factor is the opposing traffic patterns along Little Rock Road Old Dowd Road, and Rental Car Road This pattern creates the need for left hand turns into parking lots, and left turns at intersections, stop signs, traffic lights, etc The planned improvements include wider one way roadways, grade separated crossings, and common parking entry points for service to multiple lots One way traffic patterns are advantageous at large facilities with large vehicle volumes Some of the advantages to a one way traffic pattern include increased vehicle capacity greater regulation of traffic speeds reduction of certain intersection accidents, and greater safety to pedestrians and airport patrons The "No Action" alternative The no action alternative would stipulate that the proposed projects would not be built Vehicular traffic would continue to use existing roads for Airport access Long Term parking would not be expanded The no action alternative provides no additional capacity for increased traffic even though local passenger boardmgs at the Airport have doubled in the last 15 years Travelers to the Airport would continue to experience congestion on local roads at various times An increase in delays and confusion among drivers trying to reach the main terminal would be expected to continue Discussion of Alternatives — Parkm Increasing parking capacity at the Airport is ,justified by the significant, consistent, and continual growth and projected growth of local hoardings that has occurred during the last fifteen years Available parking will be diminished as the Airport is preparing to build the international concourse that will eliminate approximately 3,900 parking spaces To accommodate displaced spaces and continued growth, additional parking areas need to be developed Seven other areas discussed below were considered for additional parking (Figure 5) however the proposed plan is the most feasible and the least damaging practicable alternative Area A Long Term Lot 4 This is an existing parking area (surface lot) with approximately 4,000 parking spaces This lot is highly utilized during peak summer periods, special events, holidays, and other times when other existing parking is unavailable Parking decks at this location are not feasible in part due to FAA height restrictions off the approach of Runway 18L The size of the lot is constrained and currently maximized by Harlee Avenue Old Dowd Road and Josh Birmingham Parkway CLT Airport — Permit Modification 3/2/2012 Page 6 of 7 Area B Daily North Lot This is an existing parking area (surface lot) This lot is known as Daily North and is utilized as overflow on an as needed basis This parking lot has a history of flooding dunng times of heavy rains, and is not used unless no other parking options are available A 2009 flood at this lot cost the Airport approximately $50,000 dollars in auto claims and other damages Area C Long Term Lots 1, 2, and 3 Currently Area C is long term parking (surface lot) divided into three lots Long Term Lot 1 is west of Little Rock Road and contains approximately 3,324 spaces Long Term Lot 2 is north of Old Dowd Road and contains approximately 3,158 spaces and Long Term Lot 3 is south of Old Dowd Road and contains approximately 1,040 spaces The proposed project includes approximately 1,890 additional spaces being added to Long Term 2 This addition of spaces will compensate somewhat for those lost through the construction of the International Concourse and new entrance ramp from Josh Birmingham Parkway, which prevents the third parking deck from being constructed Long Term lot expansion options are limited because of the proximity of Wilkinson Boulevard to the North, the Norfolk Southern Railway to the South, and the Duke Power facility to the west Area D Rental Parking and Future International Concourse This area currently houses rental car facilities employee parking, and additional surface parking Since this area will be developed in the future with the Airport s 25 gate international concourse there is no opportunity to either expand or preserve parking in this area Area E Employee Parking This area is currently used for employee parking Additional acreage to expand surface parking is not available in this area Parking decks in this location are not feasible in part due to FAA height restrictions off the approach of Runway 18L Area F Valet Parking The area houses the valet parking deck built in 2009 under the previous permit authorization A second parking deck is proposed for construction (also authorized under the previous permit) The planned third parking deck associated with the issued permit cannot be built because of the new entrance road project Area G Airport Offices This area houses the Airport offices and has a surface lot for use by office patrons This area can not be used for aviation passengers The "No Action" alternative The no action' alternative for parking would mean that passengers would continue to use the Airports overflow parking area, which would necessitate running additional buses to that area when needed Travelers would also be expected to continue to park in non designated parking areas such as along perimeter lot fencing, on top of grassy CLT Airport — Permit Modification 3/2/2012 Page 7 of 7 medians and on parking lot curbs Overall, the no action alternative for parking will lead to a significant decrease in parking options and efficiency at the Airport Stormwater HDR Engineering Inc will be submitting the stormwater management plan for this site to City of Charlotte/Mecklenburg Stormwater Services for review and approval under their NPDES Phase 2 Program Following local government approval, a copy of the approved stormwater management plan will be forwarded to DWQ The location of the stormwater pond is shown on Figure 4 Mitigation Upon completion and implementation of all practical avoidance and minimization efforts, the impact to 762 linear feet of stream channel associated with the development of the proposed project are unavoidable Impacts associated with the previously permitted project have been mitigated for through payment into the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program (receipt dated September 1, 2009) and the City of Charlotte Stormwater Services (CSWS) in November 2009 The applicant proposes to mitigate for unavoidable impacts (766 linear feet of stream) at a mitigation activity ratio of 1 1 through payment into the CSWS in lieu fee program By letter dated February 20 201, CSWS has indicated they are willing to accept payment for impacts at the project site The acceptance letter is enclosed for review (Appendix A) The applicant respectfully requests that the Corps modify the previously permitted project to include the additional activities and impacts described above Should you have any questions or comments concerning this project please do not hesitate to contact me at 828 698 9800 Sincerely Rebekah L Newton R Clement Rid le, W AS Project Biologist Principal &-ear ter Department of the Army Wilmington District Corps of Engineers Attn Ken Jolly Chief Regulatory Division PO Box 1890 Wilmington NC 28402 1890 and NC Division of Water Quality Attn Ian McMillan 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699 1650 I the current landowner /managing partner of the property identified below hereby authorize C1earWater Environmental Consultants Inc (CEC) to act on my behalf as my agent during the processing of permits to impact Wetlands and Water of the US that are regulated by the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act CEC is authorized to provide supplemental information needed for permit processing at the request of the USACE or DWQ Property Owner of Record C I - " 0 -P CIS ar uL Property Owner Address 660 E4r, � r.-L)Y-4 S+ C[UrWe NC 28262 Phone Number '7a`( -3g1 4000 Property Location 5501 J04 (� rr~t �� I��rti1 far wa CI.T NC Owner/Managmg partner Signature _ iqt,--j Date 223 224 South Grove Street Suite F Hendersonville NC 28792 Phone 828 698 9800 Fax 828 698 9003 www cwenv com Appendix A CSWS Acceptance Letter (February 20, 2012) Chadotte- Mecklenburg STORM600 1 1 ouith titrtet ,. WATER ►,,, 26)b6 rte ,0-1 336 6�h6 Services February 20 2012 Jimmy Jordan Em tronmental Aflairs/Fngmeermg Charlotte Douglas International Auport 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway Charlotte NC 28208 Subject Project Charlotte Airport Nei-, Entrance Road and Parking HUC# 03050103 The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services (CMSWS) is willing to accept p -tyment for stream impacts associated with the subject project Please note that the decision by CMSWS to accept the mitigation requirements of this project does not assure that this payment will be approved by the U S Army Corps of Engineers or the North Carolina Division of Water Quality 401 /Wetlands Unit It is the responsibility of the applic'ini to contact these agenues to deterinme ifpaymeni to CMSWS for impacts associated Aifi this project is appropriate This acceptance is valid for 6 months from the date of this letter The folloiimg documents must be submitted to CMSWS within this time frame for this acceptance to remain valid 1 404 Permit Verification 2 401 Water Quaht) Certification 3 Executed Departmental Transfer Imoict (DTI) bet»een the A%iation Department and Storm Water Services detaihng the use of and pa) ment for the credits described in the table belmi Based on the information supplied by your office the stream and wetland credits that are necessary to satisfy the compensatory mitigation requirements for thus project are detailed in the table below The total mitigation Lredns available for this project are also indicated in this table The stream and wetland mitigation will be provided as specified in the Section 404 Permit or corresponding 401 Water Quality CertifLation for impacts assocm-ited with the subject project in Hydrologic Unit 03050103 of the Cata,%Oa Rut er Basin The mitigation will be performed in accordance A ith the Agreement to Establish the City of Charlotte Umbrella Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank in Mecklenburg County North Carolina dated June 16 2004 11 you hay a any questions or need additional information please contact me at (704) 432 0966 or jk irl(ueharlotten(, j-O\ Sincerely Jarrod J Karl Mitigation Admmistrator CL Amanda Jones USAGE Ian McMillan NCDWQ File cxrb 1 I i I)oit I)ol►ution 01 chi tin ii L h101-)lLm5 L ill 311 11 t1 1) tol III liIILI �htimcCk oi, 1 H11t 11 Stream (linear feet ) Wetlands (acres Credits Requested for This Project 766 N/A Credits A%ailable for This Project 766 N/A The stream and wetland mitigation will be provided as specified in the Section 404 Permit or corresponding 401 Water Quality CertifLation for impacts assocm-ited with the subject project in Hydrologic Unit 03050103 of the Cata,%Oa Rut er Basin The mitigation will be performed in accordance A ith the Agreement to Establish the City of Charlotte Umbrella Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank in Mecklenburg County North Carolina dated June 16 2004 11 you hay a any questions or need additional information please contact me at (704) 432 0966 or jk irl(ueharlotten(, j-O\ Sincerely Jarrod J Karl Mitigation Admmistrator CL Amanda Jones USAGE Ian McMillan NCDWQ File cxrb 1 I i I)oit I)ol►ution 01 chi tin ii L h101-)lLm5 L ill 311 11 t1 1) tol III liIILI �htimcCk oi, 1 H11t 11 CDIA - Little Rock Road Entrance 'k SR Y606 `., 0) � 1619 0) F�a�j,� t619 R it :'� ti cc cv N obF 160 : , 06-4ve 124$ e 1150 � � 1 I- < "4 N 5 55 1177 w t� Legend 0 0.25 0.5 1 1.5 Disturbance Limits i Miles Drawn by: RLN 02.23.11 SR Mecklenburg County, g y , Site Vicinity North Carolina Figure 1 224 South Grove Street, Suite F Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792 1601 1620 o �- 1644 t 6 0 SR 1E1d 04vid Ave 1603 1625 1641 �0� SR S,� w co 21 16�a Sri st ? .- r•. -_ Site Location , ►� _ t = ' 119 '' _ f I7en 9 R _ Ghatfotte Douglas International Airport _ cc cv N obF 160 : , 06-4ve 124$ e 1150 � � 1 I- < "4 N 5 55 1177 w t� Legend 0 0.25 0.5 1 1.5 Disturbance Limits i Miles Drawn by: RLN 02.23.11 SR Mecklenburg County, g y , Site Vicinity North Carolina Figure 1 224 South Grove Street, Suite F Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792 CDIA - Little Rock Road Entrance CDIA - Little Rock Road Entrance lUOdm1V IVNOIIVNV31NI 1333O91=HONII 37 4WN 3113 sej$nod•ajjojaey' uoisuedx 3 5ui ae � d '8 peon aoueaju�3 jjodmy � <�) :podjiy jeuoijewalul selbnoQ a}}oljeyo w O _ �Q �i, �� •� r� �d w ��Q ow /IR �C) pQen SIN g� I -, MQ a0N M O >§ N M ON 0 M M 00 0 ' N 0 Sao �� � ^� � 0 co a W ., .mod SON" � " I � 1 w1� V 1 71 _ IS o IIV lot 1. , It ft AI l� • 0 ,__ i i *00 \ � �00. 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O N 21 3 i� 7 - C li o< Q ➢�N ��w \\ _ OD N N Q N � a O � o � � a .0 o Q � c m A Ir i N a a� 0 � _ -- J E J J a dPL( .o ° "I ma IMOdWIV IVNOIIVNV31NI 133:1N =HONIL :ffms 31WN 3113 sel2nod•a:}ol.iey' m L # IONS I1ela(7 b- :aodaiy leuoi}euialul seibnoa allolaeuo M O CL a Lm �y an d 1 1 II �COD cd cd cis � M w 5 W , " b ti H h G7. CDIA -Alternatives Map 0 250 500 1,000 1,500 Feet N Long Term Lot 1 A' .� r 4 Valet Parking Long Term Lot 2 CDIA Offices Long Term Lot 4 Employee Parking Daily North Lot Legend i i Limits of Disturbance Area A - Long Term Lot 4 Area B - Daily North Lot Area C - Long Term Lots 1, 2, and 3 - Area D - Rental Parking and Future IC Existing Rental Parking Area E - Employee Parking Future International Concourse (IC) Area F - Valet Parking Area G - CDIA Offices Drawn by: RLN 07.19.11 C�earWater Mecklenburg County, Locations of Alternatives North Carolina Figure 5 224 South Grove Street, Suite F Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792