HomeMy WebLinkAbout20061539 Ver 2_Public Comments_20120718C�Lp-153q U�_
Jean Ann Kaufman
David E Robinson
232 Three Creeks Road
Lake Lure NC 28746
July 15 2012
Amanda Jones
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue Room 208
Asheville NC 28801 5006
Ms Cyndi Karoly
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699 -1650
JUL 1 8 2012 J
Re Grey Rock Community Association Negative Development Impact
Dear Ladies
This letter is in reference to the Public Notice issued by the US Army Corps of
Engineers regarding the application from the Grey Rock Community Association for
impacts associated with their development
The intent of this letter is to express local citizens (Rosy Branch Taylor Creek Cedar
Creek Watershed Association and Three Creeks Community) concerns about the
integrity of the proposed development and its cumulative impacts on the public interests
as stated in the Public Notice
As referenced in the Public Notice specific concerns as regards the probable impacts
on the public interest are as follows
1 The request for a permit lists only 467 linear feet of stream channel and 0 03
acre of wetlands associated with road construction as impacts The proposed
375 single - family lots associated infrastructure and their individual driveways
excavations drain fields wells etc are not included as constituting impact
With that much construction the cumulative impacts increase dramatically in all
areas mentioned in the Public Notice These being specifically Water Quality
Essential Fish Habitat and Endangered Species
2 a) As mentioned in the section Existing Site Conditions the site is
almost entirely forested and the streams are bordered by mature riparian
forests These riparian forests are essential to the health of the ecosystem
wildlife and water quality In this section there is no mention of the steepness of
the slopes of this 'mountainous land or what measures will be taken to protect
against erosion
b) Also in this section are mentioned two unfinished spec" homes and
the HGTV Dream Home These existing structures and the unfinished
infrastructure thereof represents the kinds of development practice that leave a
burden on the landscape and local community in the form of erosion eyesores
and increased financial burden on the municipalities to correct and /or finish the
uncompleted road construction
c) Conspicuously this section fails to mention the series of switchback
roadways on the north face of Joel Ridge below the "spec" homes This is a
prime example of the kinds of impact that concerns local residents This is an
eroding mess seeded with an invasive species whose impact' will last forever
and resists effective mitigation
3 When construction was initiated in 2005 it was noticed that
a) Streams became silty water temperature in the creeks rose and the
local trout population declined
b) A significant increase of displaced wildlife (black bears etc) showed up
in adjacent residential areas
c) Property taxes were doubled These are all noted impacts
experienced directly by the local community
In the Evaluation section of the Public Notice mention is made of the probable and
cumulative impacts on the public interest The following impacts likely to occur affecting
the needs and welfare of the people are conservation economics* aesthetics
general environmental concerns wetlands damage to historic properties ** fish and
wildlife values flood hazards water supply water quality and safety
*There are environmental educators and others who rely on this watershed being an
agn- tourism attraction and the Grey Rock construction could potentially have a
negative impact on the economy
* *Please note that historic preservation is also an important element within this project
as many residents have found artifacts such as indigenous pottery arrowheads
spearheads and other tools A State archaeologist (David Moore from Warren Wilson)
has recently confirmed significant artifacts in this particular watershed and the
importance of historic preservation
In addition to these probable impacts our Watershed Association has remaining
questions about aspects to the development not mentioned in the Public Notice These
Questions are as follows
1) Where does Grey Rock plan to get their water to supply 375 homes?
2) How will the septic and leach fields be treated for these homes?
3) What is the plan for the unrecorded roads that switchback down the North face of
Joel Ridge?
4) Where will the water go from the steep (10% grade) impermeable roads during
heavy rains?
5) How much will the property taxes go up after construction is completed at Grey
Rock?
6) We ask that roads that are not directly used as access to the 375 home sites be
taken off the plan
7) We ask that roads which are too steep or risk floods /run -off be taken off the plan
The neighboring residents of Grey Rock recognize many plant and animals species that
should be acknowledged and protected throughout this process of evaluation Attached
to this public letter are lists that have been compiled of species that live in the Rosy
Branch & Taylor /Cedar Creek Watersheds The Grey Rock property is the sole wild
area between the Town of Lake Lure and Taylor Creek Watershed This area is the
home to many species who are already encroached upon who would be impacted by
the large scale of roads and residential housing to be constructed at Grey Rock
As a final statement on this letter and perhaps in reference to the most significant
impact on the people of Rosy Branch Taylor Creek Cedar Creek and Three Creeks
Community is the consideration of such a potentially destructive project and the effects
on the people and ecosystems neighboring Grey Rock without calling for a vote from
those who would be most affected This subtle yet steady influence on the local
democratic rights of the residents of this watershed (as well as others surrounding Grey
Rock) is one that should be considered when granting such large scale privileges We
appeal to the Army Corps of Engineers to protect the Rosy Branch Taylor Creek and
Cedar Creek watershed and the neighbors who live here from an assault on our
properties economies water quality and our ecosystem
We the Rosy Branch Taylor Creek Cedar Creek Association and Three Creeks
Community request a public hearing to be held in regards to our questions and
concerns as residents of this watershed that have already been impacted by the
construction of Grey Rock Association
We the undersigned are concerned residents of Rosy Branch Taylor Creek Cedar
Creek Association and Three Creeks Community living adjacent to Grey Rock
development