SW3210801_Email_20210730

Farkas, Jim J
From:Farkas, Jim J
Sent:Friday, July 30, 2021 7:21 AM
To:Smith, Brad
Subject:RE: \[External\] Fast Track questions for I-85 Commerce Center Review
Brad,

I’d say about 10-ish% of projects that I review are fast-track projects. I’m not sure what percent of the larger projects
that I review are fast-track projects. Of the fast-track projects I’ve reviewed, most are housing subdivisions (most of the
projects we review, fast-track or not, are housing subdivisions) and some of them are industrial sites (similar to what you
are describing). Size isn't really a limiting factor for fast-track projects.

-Jim

From: Smith, Brad <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 3:51 PM
To: Farkas, Jim J <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: \[External\] Fast Track questions for I-85 Commerce Center Review

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Report Spam.

Thank you, Jim. How often do you see developers pursue a Fast Track for larger projects like this?

BRAD SMITH, PE, PMP | Project Manager
THOMAS & HUTTON
p 980-201-5512
e [e-mail]
a 1020 Euclid Avenue | Charlotte, NC 28203
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From: Farkas, Jim J <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 2:37 PM
To: Smith, Brad <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: \[External\] Fast Track questions for I-85 Commerce Center Review

Brad,

The short answer is that the first part of the Fast-Track program (The Authorization to Construct or ATC) is just an
administrative completeness review (essentially determining if it is possible to design the project in a manner that meets
all of the relevant requirements), the details of the design are not reviewed at this step in the process (For example, we
only require the locations of the proposed SCMs to be shown at this stage, we don’t require or review detailed
drawings/calculations at this point). The ATC allows you to construct the project under the assumption that all of the
rules and design requirements will be met once construction is complete (It is the designer’s responsibility to ensure
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this). Once construction is complete, the second part of the Fast-Track process begins. The second part of the Fast-Track
process involves submitting as-built plans of the site and SCM at which point, we will review these and determine if the
site meets all of the requirements. If it does, you get the permit, if not we will indicate which items need to be changed
(which could potentially be costly depending on what needs to be changed since it has already been constructed. It
could be as simple as increasing the diameter of the drawdown orifice by half of an inch, or something more
complicated like regrading an entire SCM). The Fast-track process is quicker than the normal process, but it is also
riskier. (Rules about the Fast-track ATC can be found here: http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2015a%20-
%20environmental%20quality/chapter%2002%20-
%20environmental%20management/subchapter%20h/15a%20ncac%2002h%20.1043.pdf and rules about the standard
process can be found here: http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2015a%20-
%20environmental%20quality/chapter%2002%20-
%20environmental%20management/subchapter%20h/15a%20ncac%2002h%20.1042.pdf)

As for the other permits, we don’t require that you have any of those other permits in-hand when you apply for the
post-construction stormwater permit, but you should have an idea which other permits you will need to get (Part C3 of
the Fast-track ATC Application). With regard to the wetlands, you will need to show the extents of any on-site wetlands
(a required part of the plan set that needs to be submitted as part of the ATC application).

NOTE: Once you get the E&SC approval, you can begin work on the site (clearing, grubbing, grading, & other
construction activities that do not involve placing BUA) even if you don’t have the post-construction stormwater
approval yet. The post-construction permit is required prior to placing BUA on the site, but other activities can be done
while waiting for approval.

Give me a call if you would like to discuss more.

Jim Farkas
Environmental Engineer
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Energy, Mineral, & Land Resources – Stormwater Program

512 N. Salisbury Street
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612

[phone]
[e-mail]

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

Based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Environmental Quality has
adjusted operations to protect the health and safety of the staff and public. Many employees are working remotely or
are on staggered shifts. To accommodate these staffing changes, all DEQ office locations are limiting public access to
appointments only. Please check with the appropriate staff before visiting our offices, as we may be able to handle your
requests by phone or email. We appreciate your patience as we continue to serve the public during this challenging
time.
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From: Smith, Brad <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 2:04 PM
To: Farkas, Jim J <[e-mail]>
Subject: \[External\] Fast Track questions for I-85 Commerce Center Review

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
Report Spam.

Jim,

I’ve reviewed the Fast Track application form and would like to discuss this with you if you have a moment. Other than
the $505 processing fee, I’m not clear why this is different than a standard submittal. The proposed project is for a large
spec building with two entrance drives, employee parking, and truck court areas for the warehouse/spec building.

We are waiting on our 401/404 approvals and anticipate those in about 45 days per the wetland consultant. Erosion &
Sediment controls are under review by Rowan County EC department.

We will have offsite work within the NCDOT road r/w for road and driveway improvements. Also, we have to extend
water to the site across a NCDOT road, a private parcel, and across a NCRR (NC Railroad) right-of-way to get water to the
site. Sewer will be routed in the NCDOT r/w to an existing gravity sewer system offsite. I’m not sure if this work would
impact the Fast Track or not.

Thank you for your assistance with this project!

BRAD SMITH, PE, PMP | Project Manager
THOMAS & HUTTON
p 980-201-5512
e [e-mail]
a 1020 Euclid Avenue | Charlotte, NC 28203
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PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL: This electronic message and any attachments are confidential property of Thomas &
Hutton. The information is intended only for the use of the person to whom it is addressed. Any other interception, copying,
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From: Farkas, Jim J <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 12:00 PM
To: Smith, Brad <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: \[External\] I-85 Commerce Center Review

The 30-45 calendar day review time is per submission (so the second/third submissions would also take about 30-45
calendar days). It’s not so much that the review itself takes a long time to complete, it’s that the queue is about a month
long (For example, if you were to submit today, I would need to review about 30 other projects before I could review
yours). We do have a Fast-Track submittal process that guarantees the review be complete in under 30 calendar days
(typically 2 weeks for a review, but can be faster with special approval from my boss). Information on the Fast-Track
process can be found at the following link: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/energy-mineral-and-land-
resources/stormwater/stormwater-program/post-construction

Let me know if you have any other questions.
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Jim Farkas
Environmental Engineer
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Energy, Mineral, & Land Resources – Stormwater Program

512 N. Salisbury Street
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612

[phone]
[e-mail]

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

Based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Environmental Quality has
adjusted operations to protect the health and safety of the staff and public. Many employees are working remotely or
are on staggered shifts. To accommodate these staffing changes, all DEQ office locations are limiting public access to
appointments only. Please check with the appropriate staff before visiting our offices, as we may be able to handle your
requests by phone or email. We appreciate your patience as we continue to serve the public during this challenging
time.

From: Smith, Brad <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 11:46 AM
To: Farkas, Jim J <[e-mail]>
Subject: \[External\] I-85 Commerce Center Review

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
Report Spam.

Jim,

Thank you for taking my call a few minutes ago to discuss general review times with NCDEQ Stormwater. Is the 30-45
ndrd
calendar day review time the same for 2 and 3 round resubmittals, or is it a lesser review period after the first
submittal & review? Is there an expedited review option for Stormwater for the Mooresville region, or is it only for
Erosion & Sediment Controls review in this area? My client will likely ask me these questions, so that’s why I’m asking.

Thanks again and I appreciate your assistance!

BRAD SMITH, PE, PMP | Project Manager
THOMAS & HUTTON
p 980-201-5512
4

e [e-mail]
a 1020 Euclid Avenue | Charlotte, NC 28203
vCard | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL: This electronic message and any attachments are confidential property of Thomas &
Hutton. The information is intended only for the use of the person to whom it is addressed. Any other interception, copying,
accessing, or disclosure of this message is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify
Thomas & Hutton and purge the message received. Do not forward this message without permission.

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