20150955 Ver 1_Public Comments_20100421

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Suzi Moore
507 Wachovia St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
PO Box 2678, Surf City, NC 28445
April 14, 2010
Chad Critcher and Jan Anderson APR 2 1 2010
Topsail Island Bridge Replacement Project Teaj& WATERWALITy ?I??1F1\` V l5
8008 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 410 wi:Tm"A DSTORNMATERVM APR 16 2010
Charlotte, NC 28226
Dear Mr. Critcher and Ms. Anderson, DIV. E WATER QUALITY
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
Thank you for allowing me to voice my thoughts and provide input into the Topsail Island
Bridge Replacement Project.
In 2003, 1 purchased my land near the end of Atkinson Point Road because of its pristine
scenic landscape, the quietness and serenity of the area, and its old-time neighborly
feel. Unlike Topsail Island, a bustling place in the summer that was already being built
up (rental properties abound), this seemed like one of those last refuges reminiscent of
what Surf City and Topsail Island used to be - a place where people quietly enjoy the
water, nature's offerings, and good neighbors. I had just told my mom 2 weeks ago that
the wonderful thing about this street is that developers could build on the land across
from my property, but they couldn't ruin the beautiful marsh and water. Never, in a
million years, would I have thought that a bridge might be so close to or on my property.
Then I received the letter from NCDOT last week. and was in shock by what I read. How
could this happen? What were they thinking? A bridge and road through this area
would affect (directly or indirectly) around 90 properties on Atkinson Point Road and
possibly 14 on Sea Manor Drive (not to mention those properties on the Topsail Island
side as well). There would be forceful removal of some people's property, and
unpleasant conditions for those having to live near the bridge - in essence, damaging
the neighborhood and community. A large, obtrusive bridge would change the beautiful
landscape of the area, and disturb an already fragile ecosystem including the marsh,
islands and water in Waters Bay and Topsail Sound. It would also ruin the peace and
quiet as well as the picturesque views of the waterway northeast of Roland Ave. that
many of us (residents and tourists) have enjoyed.
I called a neighbor on my street who told me how upset, stunned and fearful people are
about this issue. She then mentioned it was common knowledge that Richard Sullivan,
the person who sold property to many of us on Atkinson Point Road (complete with
restrictive covenants to protect the nature of the area), has offered free land on the other
side of the marsh for the project in exchange for road frontage. This clearly benefits one
individual at the expense of many others. If this is true (and not just rumor), I certainly
hope the project leaders will not regard this as an overwhelming factor in determining the
location of the bridge corridor. If this is the case, then concessions and offerings could
be made to large land owners on the other side of NC 50/210 such as the Batts',
Rochelle's, and Lopp's (tax incentives, land exchanges, etc.). If the new bridge is not
going to be in the current location, this area would be a good alternative as it is already
in or near the Roland Ave. corridor, is on the same side as the existing bridge (people
are used to the views of and sounds from the bridge), and would pose fewer new
environmental issues to the waterway. In either case, I do not think these areas are the
best solution for the new bridge.
Suzi Moore
507 Wachovia St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
PO Box 2678, Surf City, NC 28445
I think it is important to make the following comment because it is this which has caused
the bridge dilemma we are in. It is very unfortunate that NCDOT allowed the amount of
commercial and residential development in the current Topsail bridge corridor, from
Atkinson Point Rd. to New River Dr. Without regulations, restrictions and proper
planning from NCDOT years ago, the City of Surf City developed this area with little
foresight for a new bridge in the future. For example, two recent developments, Harbor
Pointe and Harbor Sound Townhomes, as well as the new power poles, do not allow as
much right-of-way for a wider road and bridge (at least, power poles can be moved).
And as much as I enjoy Soundside Park, it too, affects bridge development in this area
(and should be used for the bridge project first before residential or commercial
properties are considered).
Unfortunately, because of poor planning, the burden of a new bridge will quite possibly
be in areas or neighborhoods where a bridge was never intended. Building in these
other areas, however, as outlined by the Design Study Area, would come at a greater
expense than using the old bridge corridor. This includes the monetary expense of
construction and maintenance of new roads through many acres of vacant land and
existing neighborhoods, and a bridge that would span the water from the mainland to the
island. This would be at a tremendous expense to taxpayers and the State of North
Carolina which is already in serious financial trouble (estimated costs by NCDOT are
$26 million). In addition, multiple private properties would be lost or ruined, property
values decreased, tax bases removed, n&ighborhoods broken up, and the beautiful
ecosystems, sounds and sights diminished.
I think rebuilding a new bridge in the existing corridor (Roland Ave.), in the same
location, is the best option. Very little if any property would need to be purchased
(unless a bike lane is desired and a little more space is needed). A similar height or
higher bascule bridge could replace the existing bridge. If the bridge is higher, to allow
more boats to pass under it without opening so often, there would certainly need to be
more road construction due to elevation of the bridge. Otherwise, there would be
minimal road construction. This would involve the least amount of construction expense,
no or very few right-of-way changes, little to no land acquisition, no neighborhood
disturbances or destructions (except during construction), and no new environmental
impacts. Plus the residents and businesses on the street are already accustomed to the
bridge and traffic. It would also take less time to rebuild the bridge than building new
roads, reconfiguring old ones, and building a larger, longer bridge from the mainland to
the island. It would maintain the low profile look and scenic beauty that people have
enjoyed about the area.
So, what about the cost of staff operating the bridge and delays when the bridge is up?
According to the NC Office of State Personnel (July 2008), the annual salary range of a
Bridge Operator was $22,915 to $32,299. Hypothetically, let's add $7000 of benefits to
the highest paid person. If there are 5 full-time operators making the top salary of
$40,000 a year, that would be $200,000 annually in salaries. This is not a tremendous
amount of money. I would hope that the state would pay for these salaries as the
savings of providing 5 jobs and building a new bridge in the existing corridor would be
considerably less than the construction and maintenance of new roads and a longer
bridge across the water, plus the reduction of tax base due to the loss of property.
7
5uzi Moore
507 Wachovia St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
PO Box 2678, Surf City, NC 28445
Note: If for some reason Surf City, Topsail Beach and North Topsail Beach were
responsible for these salaries, it would cost @ $20 per year per parcel of land. There
are around 10,000 parcels (developed and undeveloped) in the three towns, according
to current tax data. Funds could also be raised through user's fees charged to visitors
which would reduce taxpayers' portion (e.g., motel or rental taxes).
Regarding the delays from the bridge openings: The Surf City bridge, for the most part,
accommodates people in Topsail Beach, Surf City, and only a small portion of North
Topsail Beach. Most of North Topsail Beach is served by the North Topsail bridge.
Topsail Island does not have a large number of full-time residents. It is mostly a rental
island. Its population generally swells during the three summer months because of
tourism. Except for the hourly delays during the busiest daytime hours in the summer, 1
have rarely experienced long delays waiting for the bridge. Because this is not a huge
commercial, shipping area like Wilmington, most of the delays are due to personal
watercraft and some small commercial fishing boats. When there have been
emergencies or hurricanes, Surf City, Topsail Beach and North Topsail Beach have
done an excellent job of transporting the injured and evacuating the island in a timely
and efficient manner. If people need to get off of the island when the bridge is up, they
can always use the North Topsail bridge.
One last point - It would have been very useful to everyone involved in this process had
NCDOT sent a survey to every parcel owner, in at least Surf City, similar to the one
given to the participants at the first workshop in June, 2009. We all would have had the
opportunity to provide input instead of finding out a year later about the project and its
potential ramifications. It would have also been respectful to all of the people of Topsail
Island who have invested themselves in this community.
Again, thank you for allowing me to state my views. I hope they have been helpful and
insightful. If you would like to contact me, I can be reached at 910-617-5922 or email
suzi.moore(cDsalem.edu. Mail correspondence should be sent to the Winston-Salem
address. Please keep me informed as this project progresses, and when meetings are
scheduled. Please note that this letter is being forwarded to the people below as they
should also be aware of my views.
Sincerely,

Suzanne "Suzi" Moore
cc: Mayor Zander Guy, City of Surf City
Secretary Gene Conti, NC Department of Transportation
Michele James, NC Department of Transportation
? Coleen Sullins, NC Division of Water Quality
Gordon Myers, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Carolyn Justice, NC State House Representative