20070346 Ver 1_Public Notice Comments_20070330 (9)

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Cyndi Karoly 3/28/2007 ~ ~S-7 f-l,,
NC Division of Water Quality
2321 Crabtree Blvd. Suite 250
Raleigh, NC 27604
Ms. Karoly,
I am writing you as the president of the Old Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association. This letter is in regards
to the upcoming construction of a shopping center in Clemmons known as Town Center or Village Point.
Let me start by saying that we are not opposed to construction of the shopping center.
The complex is to be a 560,000 plus square foot shopping center with approximately 70°Io impervious coverage.
A SIDA was granted for this project.
Our concern from the beginning has been the impact such a huge project would have on the lakes in our
neighborhood. Our neighborhood sits directly south of the proposed project across I-40. The 3 main lakes in the
neighborhood are built on the Johnson Creek watershed path. Water flows from the Village Point property
directly into our lakes from 2 places. Under I-40 into the path of the 3 large lakes, and under I-40 into the 2
smaller lakes further west. This water then travels out of our neighborhood and flows under Highway 158 back
into Johnson Creek and eventually makes its way to the Yadkin river.
Our lakes are used for fishing and relaxation. The fish population is doing great in the lakes and the ducks,
geese, muskrats, turtles and even a river otter are all doing very well. Over the years families have grown up
around these lakes.
A study commissioned by the Village of Clemmons in 1998/99, known as the Stormwater Master Plan, Phase II
study or the Cavanaugh Study, points out that our lakes serve as a public utility to the Village of Clemmons.
The study also cites the fact that the lakes capture a large portion of the Village runoff and serve as flood
protection for the Johnson Creek Watershed.
I voiced our concern at the Clemmons Planning Board meeting and again at the Clemmons Village Council
meeting. (It should be noted that the Forsyth County Planning staff recommended that the proposal be turned
down.) Both Clemmons boards voted to approve the project.
Our concerns are two fold. We are concerned about the QUANTITY of water runoff that a project of this
magnitude will pour into our lakes. Two of our dams are already cited as being "high hazard" dams. What
assurance do we have that the increased volume of water will not harm the current dams or reduce their ability to
safely retain water? While we were told that the property will be required to maintain pre-construction runoff
levels, there is no doubt that we will see an increase in water volumes in our lakes. This would be especially
true during the construction phase when no retention facilities are in place.
Our other, and greater, concern is the water QUALITY that this shopping center will dump into our lakes. I am
sure that during construction, the lakes will see a much higher level of silt and particulate runoff. This will be
most evident in the first lake in the path, Brook Lake. After occupancy, we are very concerned about the oil,
pesticides, gasoline, cleaning supply residue and other toxins that will make their way into our lakes. We want
assurance that the "wildlife and aquatic" populations of our lakes are safe and healthy and protected. As well as
the families that use the lakes.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Thank you very much for your time,
Paul W tt
Preside
Old Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association
336-766-9986 H
336-302-1104 C
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