20010406 Ver 1_Mitigation Information_20051019

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Land Management Plan u'ST?My" 3
Mingo Creek Mitigation Parcel
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Town of Knightdale, NC
Prepared for:
North Carolina Department of Transportation
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
October 19, 2005
INTRODUCTION
As part of the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) mitigation
obligations for the construction of the U.S. Highway 64 Bypass south of Knightdale,
preservation and stream/wetland restoration opportunities within approximately 205
acres of wetlands, associated buffers and adjacent uplands at the confluence of
Mingo Creek and the Neuse River were taken. With the construction of the Bypass now
complete, the 205 acre mitigation parcel has been divided into two parcels - one north
of the Bypass and one to the south of the Bypass as seen below (in green).
Today the two parcels comprise approximately 191 acres - 107 acres in the north
parcel and 84 acres in the south parcel. They are bounded generally on the west by
the Neuse River and its associated floodway, on the north by the Norfolk-Southem
railroad, on the east by Hodge Road (SR 2516) and on the south by large undeveloped
tracts leading to Poole Road (SR 1007).
Mingo Creek Mitigation Parcel
Land Management Plan
October 19, 2005
BACKGROUND AND GOALS OF TOWN OWNERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP
Within its Restoration and Conservation Management Plan (09/2001), the NCDOT
identified the following benefits of this site:
1. On-site mitigation for streams and vegetated wetlands;
2. Water quality enhancement in an intensely developing watershed;
3. Water quality function in the sensitive Neuse River Basin and located in proximity
to the main stem;
4. Opportunity to preserve existing mature forest riparian buffer in the Neuse River
Basin;
5. Opportunity to maintain and extend buffers beyond regulated limits;
6. Preservation of established mature plant communities in unique proximity to
each other,
7. Provide aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitat/corridor in a suburbanizing area,
8. Opportunity to enhance and continue greenway trails and open space; and
9. Opportunity for recreation and public education in a diverse wetland/upland
complex.
As U.S. Highway 64 Business at the Neuse River had long been the western gateway to
the Town of Knightdale for the traveling public, the new U.S. Highway 64 Bypass at the
Neuse River will now be the western gateway to the Town (see below).
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Mingo Creek Mitigation Parcel 3
Land Management Plan
October 19, 2005
ents but Knightdale is a community not only dedicated
itemsdthe Town hastundertak nn in
cultural resources as well. Following is a list of some arks and
the past exhibiting its continued dedication to the provision of quality p
protection of environmental resources:
¦ 1994 - Adopted Parks and Recreation Master Plan
¦ 1994 - Began accepting dedication of lands for the future Mingo Creek
Greenway
¦ 1997 - Town begins maintenance and enhancement of some landscaping
along U.S. Highway 64 Business within its jurisdiction
• 1998 - Phase 1 of Town Environmental Park adjacent to Town Hall completed
¦ 2001 - Became member of the Wake County led "POSE" (Partnership for Open
Space and the Environment)
¦ 2002- Adopted Open Space and Greenways Master Plan separate from Parks
and Recreation Master Plan
¦ 2003 - Incorporated Open Space'and Greenways Master Plan into 2027
Comprehensive Plan along with an update to the Parks and Recreation Master
Plan
¦ 2003 -Partnered with Wake C Road Elementary and community
center at new Knlghtdal High School/Forestville
complex
¦ 2003 - Completion of Town Environmental Park adjacent to Town Ha on
donated land
¦ 2003 -Town extends maintenance/enhancement of U.S. Highway 64 Business
median to entire length within its jurisdiction
2005 - Re-write of Unified Development Ordinance establishing or amending
buffer, landscaping, tree protection and stormwater regulations holding
developer to higher standards
maintained at rninimurn levels, the maintenance of U S Highway 64 BusViness
While many state and federal highways are
Knightdale stepped up years ago to take over ide for more
in an effort to enhance the landscape iate one's arrivaldinto corridor, he Town. vWhile the Bypass
enjoyable driving experience an
is a limited-access freeway, the Town has been looking for an obviously doff {roenttryet
similar opportunity to ensure a naturally enhanced western gateway prir
arrival at a potentially busy Hodge Road interchange.
While sharing all nine of the goals previously identified and 9 through the establishment
further maximize the benefits listed in number
of a low intensity use environmental education 2tand 3 by dent ?r imore, the _ also p
is established plans or
to increase the benefits stated in number
improving the situation with the Town's Mingo Creek Outfall within this document.
Mingo Creek Mitigation Parcel
Land Management Plan
October 19, 2005
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PARK
Throughout the Town's discussions with the NCDOT, the Town has indicated its
willingness to develop an environmental education park within the guidelines
established for the property from access issues to any needed construction materials.
The Town understands, appreciates and respects the purpose of this property as a
wetland mitigation site and the need to keep any improvements and disturbance to a
bare minimum. As such, the Town is proposing a system of natural (no paving, gravel,
etc.) greenways/paths through both parcels that will highlight the diverse upland and
wetland ecosystems, plant species and wildlife for educational purposes. These natural
greenways/paths will follow existing paths and easements to the greatest degree
possible and keep the number of any stream crossings to a minimum. All trails will be
cleared to a width between four (4) and six (6) feet, and all stream crossings will be
bridged according to required specifications.
In taking a closer look at the northern mitigation parcel, the Town proposes
approximately 6,500 feet of natural trails of which 4,830 feet is on existing dirt paths and
easements along with one (1) stream crossing as exhibited in the following graphic. The
trails also incorporate two scenic vistas at which visitors may view the protected
wetlands along Mingo Creek.
Mingo Creek
Northern
Mitigation Parcel
Land Management
Plan Exhibit
Legend
noosed Foot Trads
asnng Streets
Q •,irtrgatron Parcel Boundary
. h=COT P"ct Files for Bypass
- 30' Town Access Easermmm
Pore, Lme R,ght-of-Way
® Railroad Rght-of-Way
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Mingo Creek Mitigation Parcel
Land Management Plan
October 19, 2005
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The educational opportunities will not only be beneficial to residents of the Town and
the areas nearby, but could also be a valuable resource to teachers and students at
the adjacent Hodge Road Elementary School. Furthermore, the Town has initiated
discussions with both faculty and students at the North Carolina State University College
of Natural Sciences to partner on a project to identify both flora and fauna native to
the site along the proposed trail system and to develop prototypes for appropriate
educational signage. Two natural trail heads would exist along Hodge Road across
from both existing and proposed development. The northern trail head would be
positioned directly across from Hodge Road Elementary School where existing parking is
available, and the southern trail head will be positions across from future commercial
development where it is also anticipated that parking will be readily available. Both
trail heads would help to control access to the site and eliminate the need for any on-
site parking and ground disturbance.
Turning to the southern mitigation parcel, the Town proposes approximately another
6,500 feet of natural trails of which 4,650 feet is on existing dirt paths and easements \?On ?h
along with two (2) stream crossings as exhibit ?d in the following graphic. CIO,
Mingo Creek
Southern
Mitigation Parcel
Land Management
Plan Exhibit

Existing Streets
r_J 1,141gatron Parcel Boundary
t,C-?OT Project Fies for Bypass
= 3o' -ro m Access Easement
Power Lrne Rrght-ot-War
- "load Rptrt of•WaY/
Bypacs/Yea
r? Mmgo Creek Greemvayl
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Mingo Creek Mitigation Parcel
Land Management Plan
October 19, 2005

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The southern mitigation parcel is also in a strategic position to help the Town and other
regional organizations achieve a goal to link the Mingo Creek Greenway system to the
City of Raleigh's Anderson Point Park and the state's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The Town is
actively working towards the pursuit of grant opportunities through both the Parks &
Recreation Trust Fund and the Federal Highway Administration to help finance the
connection. This connection will have minimal impact on the mitigation site as it should
only call for approximately 150 feet of trail in the extreme northwest comer as exhibited
above. There would also be no direct connection to the proposed environmental
park's trail system as that would necessitate a crossing of Mingo Creek. Although most
grant projects must be ADA accessible, Town staff has discussed the possibility of using
approved mulch as opposed to pavement in an effort to further minimize the impact of
this project on the site.
Presently, there are no public roads providing access to the southern mitigation parcel.
The only access is via an access easement to the Town's water tower and lift station. It
is anticipated that as the parcels to the south develop, the Town Planning Department
will work with developers to provide a parking area/gateway/trail head to the
environmental park as part of the Town's open space and recreation area
requirements. Again, this will help provide controlled access to the park while
minimizing the impact of any impervious surfaces and disturbances on the park site
itself.
Mingo Creek Mitigation Parcel
Land Management Plan
October 19, 2005
SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS
The Town of Knightdale's primary sewer outfall runs through the western tip of the
northern mitigation parcel and through the western half of the southern mitigation
parcel. The associated 30-foot easement (shown in yellow on the graphic on the next
page) also includes a larger square area where the Town's lift station sits and pumps
sewage across the Neuse River into the Raleigh Interceptor feeding the Neuse River
Wastewater Treatment Plant. Although a good portion of the Mingo Creek Basin has
been developed, there are still large areas remaining to be developed according to
Town adopted plans. The existing 12-inch force main from the existing lift station is
nearing capacity and this has led the Town to plan for its future sewer options.
According to the Town Engineer, the lift station is currently averaging a flow of 530,000
gallons per day and has a capacity of about 850,000 gallons per day. This capacity
gap equates to about 1,200 new homes, the majority of which have already been
preliminarily approved by the Town Council.
In the last four years, the Town has participated in two utility studies in an effort to plan
for future growth. These studies are summarized in the following graphic and
paragraphs. No matter which sewer projects are ultimately determined to be the best
options, it is the Town's desire to minimize the impact of any improvements on the
mitigation properties. Nevertheless, it is likely that the Town will need to expand upon its
30-foot easement to accommodate the necessary improvements.
2002 Plan
In 2002, the Town hired
consultants to plan and
prioritize improvements to
both its water and sewer
systems. The study identifies
the need for a higher
capacity gravity crossing
(36-inch) and a 214nch line
parallel to the existing Mingo
Creek Outfall (in green). The
new river crossing and
connection to the Raleigh
Interceptor was identified as
the number one sewer
priority. An excerpt of that
2003-2005
plan map can be seen at Hodge Road I
right. (Note: the 154nch line 36" Dia. Neu.
running south from Princeton
Manor will connect into the
Mingo Creek Outfall north of
the railroad tracks as
opposed to the point identified on the southern mitigation parcel.)
Mingo Creek Mitigation Parcel
Land Management Plan
October 19.2005
2005 Plan
More recently, the City of Raleigh, along with the towns of Knightdale, Wendell and
Zebulon contracted with consultants again to re-examine the regional sewer issues in
anticipation of all three towns merging their utility systems with the City of Raleigh. The
final report (East Wake Sewer Study) for this study was released on September 29, 2005.
The preferred alternatives at this time show that the existing lift station on the southern
mitigation parcel would be abandoned and replaced by a regional lift station at Poole
Road. However, these alternatives would also require the construction of a large
gravity main from Mingo Creek south along the Neuse River to the Poole Road lift
station. Therefore, it is highly likely that the existing 30-foot easement running south from
the existing lift station would need to be kept and possibly expanded upon. This most
recent study also indicates that if all other sewer improvements around Knightdale can
be constructed in the near future, the existing Mingo Creek Outfall may be of sufficient
size and will not necessitate a parallel line.
Mingo Creek
Mitigation Parcels
Sewer Plans
Exhibit
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Legend
Postib:e Saver Improvements
Cal..'.n;?freeK
?': rr3atwn Parcel Boundary
r 1i:DCT Protect Res for Bypass
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39 Town Sewer Easement
- 30' Town Access Easernent
Power Line Rlglrt-01-Way
- Radtoad Rlgnt-of-Vyay
Bypass Area
Mingo Creek Greenway
A
NORTH
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The timing and scope of each of these plans has obviously led to some different
conclusions. However, it is the goal of this plan to identify all possibilities for future sewer
improvements as shown in the preceding graphic so that all identified options may be
allowed for in the conservation easement restrictions.
Mingo Creek Mitigation Parcel
Land Management Plan
October 19, 2005