20210224 Ver 1_Public Notice Comments_20211021 (6)

Public Notice Comment Form
ID#*
20210224
Project Name*
Westpoint
First Name
Steven
Affiliation (if applicable)
Phone Number
9196416240
Version*
1
Number only.
Last Name
Gardner
Email *
[e-mail]
***The intent for collecting an email address is to allow us send you a receipt for submittal of this comment.
Please pick the response below that represents your stance on the above mentioned project? *
Yes - I agree with the project. No - I do not agree with he project.

Comment
My wife and I have lived backed up to this piece of property for nearly 20 years now. We love living here and
seeing all the wildlife that frequents our backyard. We love hearing the barred owls calling out from the tops of
the old growth trees. We've seen foxes, rabbits, hawks, pileated woodpeckers and even a coyote come from the
woods. These are all the reasons that we love living backed up to this beautiful property with easy access to the
Eno, just a 10 minute walk from our backdoor.
I'm also a real estate agent and know that Durham has a housing shortage and one of the best ways to combat
that problem, which affects lower income people more than anyone else, is to increase the housing supply. So
with that said you'd think I would be all for this development. Here's why I am not:
1. Water management - Behind our house is a creek that feeds the runoff from the neighborhood streets into the
Eno River. When I moved in there was an 8-foot long board that spanned the creek so that we could walk across
when it was full. Due to the incredible and historic amounts of water that have passed this spot this creek is now
about twice as large due to erosion. Also, during a very rainstorm that creek will overflow its banks and become
a 40 foot wide raging river. Luckily, or house is on high ground but some of my neighbors have dealt with flood
issues. The water is not being managed well and we've spoken to the county about this on multiple occasions
and the answer we always get is that there's nothing they can do. It is what it is due to the amount of water
coming through our neighborhood.
The Westpoint development will be directly dowstream from us, adding to this water management issue due to
the impervious surfaces and extra population. It's worth noting that the water from here flows into the Eno and
into our drinking water. There have been spills in recent years and all of the sewer pipes from our side of the
street, which used to be under the creek, are now exposed and sitting in the middle of the river. These pipes are
all cast iron and over 50 years old. It's an accident waiting to happen.
In addition to environmental reasons this flash flooding right next to our houses is incredibly dangerous. I often
find children's bikes and toys in the creek that got caught up in the flooding and washed away. One day it will be
an actual child. It's a safety issue.
2. Trees - This is a lot of trees that are being cutdown and trees cut down on CO2 in the air. Its one of our best
tools for good air quality. The city of Durham has initiatives to plant more trees. Much of that will be negated by
this large scale tree removal.
3. Historic West Point on the Eno Park - The city park at West Point on the Eno WILL be affected by this change.
All the water issues I've already mentioned are already causing problems. The old mill is losing it's foundation
due to the flooding. Putting another development between us and all that impervious surface will have a
devastating affect on the historic buildings there.
4. Dishonesty - Frankly, the builder has not been going forward with this in the proper way. There is already a
large swath of trees that he cut down on the property to build a path that was done deliberately and knowingly
against the rules. Has he gotten in trouble for this? Doubtful. It's likely a way to test to see how the city will
respond. In addition this piece of land is not zoned properly for what he is wanting to build. He's trying to go
around the rules in place to push this through. That's not the way development should be done in our city.
Like I said when I started this, I'm a real estate agent. We need new housing in Durham. It needs to be in an
area less fragile that won't have such a negative impact on the environment and our drinking water.
Steve Gardner
Upload Supplementary Files
Pdf file type only
Any information (e.g., personal or contact) you provide on this comment form or in an attachment may be publicly
disclosed and searchable on the Internet and will be provided to the Department or Agency issuing the notice.
Date
Will be filled in automatically.