L-1.1. Norton Land Design. Attachment 1 WWES MODERNIZATION. Landscape Architecture + Environmental Planning GRAPHIC SCALE. Ashtion, Maryland, 20861

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1 Ashtion, Maryland, New Hampshire Avenue p f Landscape Architecture + Environmental Planning Norton Land Design. Attachment 1 SURVEY TOPO MNCPPC TOPO GRAPHIC SCALE NAD ( IN FEET ) 1 inch = 30 ft. GWWO INC. 800 WYMAN PARK DRIVE, SUITE 300 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21211, I CERTIFY THAT THESE DOCUMENTS WERE PREPARED OR APPROVED BY ME, AND THAT I AM A DULY LICENSED ARCHITECT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF A MARYLAND, LICENSE NUMBER, EXPIRATION DATE WWES MODERNIZATION Montgomery County Public Schools 1308 Author AS SHOWN Checker 16 MARCH 2015 Approver PRELIMINARY FOREST CONSERVATION PLAN L-1.1

2 . Ashtion, Maryland, Landscape Architecture + Environmental Planning Norton Land Design New Hampshire Avenue p f GWWO INC. 800 WYMAN PARK DRIVE, SUITE 300 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21211, I CERTIFY THAT THESE DOCUMENTS WERE PREPARED OR APPROVED BY ME, AND THAT I AM A DULY LICENSED ARCHITECT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF A MARYLAND, LICENSE NUMBER, EXPIRATION DATE WWES MODERNIZATION Montgomery County Public Schools 1308 Author AS SHOWN Checker 16 MARCH 2015 Approver PRELIMINARY FOREST CONSERVATION PLAN L-1.2

3 Attachment 2 July 10, 2015 REVISED July 24, 2015 Ms. Amy Lindsey Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, Maryland Re: Wheaton Woods Elementary School Modernization Request for Specimen Tree Variance MNCPPC NRI# Dear Ms. Lindsey: On behalf of the Montgomery County Public Schools and pursuant to Section 22A-21 Variance provisions of the Montgomery County Forest Conservation Ordinance and recent revisions to the State Forest Conservation Law enacted by S.B. 666, we are writing to request a variance(s) to allow impacts to or the removal of the following trees identified on the approved Natural Resource Inventory/Forest Stand Delineation and proposed Preliminary Forest Conservation Plan for the above-named County construction project: Project Description: The proposed Wheaton Woods Elementary School is located at 4510 Faroe Place in Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland. The site is approximately 8.03 acres and is comprised of one parcel owned by The Board of Education. The site currently hosts ballfields, play areas and associated parking. There is no forest onsite. The site is within a residential neighborhood. Proposed construction consists of a new school, improved circulation and parking, ball fields additional play areas and updates for ADA accessibility. Requirements for Justification of Variance: Section 22A-21(b) Application requirements states that the applicant must: (1) Describe the special conditions peculiar to the property which would cause the unwarranted hardship; (2) Describe how enforcement of these rules will deprive the landowner of rights commonly enjoyed by others in similar areas; (3) Verify that State water quality standards will not be violated or that a measurable degradation in water quality will not occur as a result of the granting of the variance; and

4 (4) Provide any other information appropriate to support the request. Justification of Variance: (1) Describe the special conditions peculiar to the property which would cause the unwarranted hardship; Response: As part of the program, the task was to provide the community with an area elementary school facility that can accommodate a growing number of students as well as a modernized, safe and healthy environment for young students to learn. This work will require impacts and/or removal of a total of twenty four (24) specimen trees. Several designs were studied as part of the feasibility period with the specimen trees mapped to work at minimizing the impacts. At the end of the study period, it was determined to compact the parking and drive aisles with retaining walls and multi-story building If MCPS is not allowed to remove the trees as requested, the school will not be able to be construct the school and facilities due to the close proximity of specimen trees to the school parking, amenities and stormwater facilities. As such, this would cause an unwarranted hardship to the community that it serves. (2) Describe how enforcement of these rules will deprive the landowner of rights commonly enjoyed by others in similar areas; Response: If the County were required to keep all improvements outside the root zones of the specimen trees, the building would fail to be built due to the close proximity of specimen trees. (3) Verify that State water quality standards will not be violated or that a measurable degradation in water quality will not occur as a result of the granting of the variance; Response: This property will be developed in accordance with the latest Maryland Department of the Environment criteria for stormwater management. This includes Environmental Site Design to provide for protecting the natural resources to the Maximum Extent Practicable. This includes limiting the impervious areas and providing on-site stormwater management systems. A Stormwater Management Concept is currently under review by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services to ensure that this criterion is enforced. Therefore, the proposed activity will not degrade the water quality of the downstream areas and will not result in measurable degradation in water quality. (4) Provide any other information appropriate to support the request.

5 Response: A substantial native landscape planting plan will serve to create greater ecological quality while establishing further buffering of adjacent land uses (residential). As further basis for its variance request, the applicant can demonstrate that it meets the Section 22A-21(d) Minimum criteria, which states that a variance must not be granted if granting the request: (1) Will confer on the applicant a special privilege that would be denied to other applicants; Response: The new school is in conformance with the County s General plan. As such, this is not a special privilege to be conferred on the applicant. (2) Is based on conditions or circumstances which are the result of the actions by the applicant; Response: Montgomery County Public Schools has taken no actions leading to the conditions or circumstances that are the subject of this variance request. (3) Arises from a condition relating to land or building use, either permitted or nonconforming, on a neighboring property; or Response: The surrounding land uses (residences) do not have any inherent characteristics or conditions that have created or contributed to this particular need for a variance. (4) Will violate State water quality standards or cause measurable degradation in water quality. Response: Granting this variance request will not violate State water quality standards or cause measurable degradation in water quality.

6 SpecimenTree Summary Tree Species Species D.B.H Critical Root % CRZ Tree Comments Status # (Scientific Name) (Common Name) (inches) Zone (C.R.Z.) Impacted Condition 2 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % GOOD OFFSITE-ROW/BROKEN LIMBS SAVE&PROTECT 3 ACER RUBRUM RED MAPLE % GOOD OFFSITE-ROW/CUT&BROKEN LIMBS/INCLUDED BARK SAVE&PROTECT 6 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % FAIR OFFSITE-ROW/EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/IRREGULAR BARK/BARK DAMAGE/BROKEN&CUT LIMBS SAVE&PROTECT 7 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % GOOD OFFSITE-ROW/EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/IRREGULAR BARK/DEAD&BROKEN&CUT LIMBS SAVE&PROTECT 8 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % FAIR OFFSITE-ROW/EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/SWOLLEN ROOT COLLAR/SUNKEN&SWOLLEN TRUNK/CONKS/DEAD&BROKEN LIMBS SAVE&PROTECT 14 FRAXINUS PENNSYLVANICA GREEN ASH % GOOD OFFSITE-ROW/INCLUDED BARK/CUT&BROKEN LIMBS REMOVE 19 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % FAIR OFFSITE-ROW/EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/ROOT ROT/INCLUDED SAVE&PROTECT BARK/CAVITIES/CONKS/WATERSPROUTS/BROKEN LIMBS 20 ACER RUBRUM RED MAPLE % POOR EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/TRUNK DAMAGE/LARGE CAVITY/HOLLOW/HEART ROT/DEAD&BROKEN REM OVE LEADER/WEAK ATTACHMENTS/BROKEN LIMBS/POTENTIAL HAZARD 23 QUERCUS RUBRA RED OAK % FAIR EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/LEAN/BROKEN LIMBS/CUT SCAFFOLD REMOVE 24 LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA YELLOW POPLAR % GOOD VINES/BROKEN LIMBS REMOVE 26 QUERCUS ALBA WHITE OAK % GOOD EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/DEAD&BROKEN LIMBS REMOVE 28 QUERCUS ALBA WHITE OAK % GOOD DEAD&BROKEN LIMBS REM OVE 29 QUERCUS ALBA WHITE OAK % GOOD EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/DEAD&BROKEN LIMBS REMOVE 30 QUERCUS ALBA WHITE OAK % GOOD GIRDLED ROOTS/DEAD&BROKEN LIMBS/VINES/DIEBACK REMOVE 31 CARYA TOMENTOSA MOCKERNUT HICKORY % GOOD 75% COUNTY CHAMP/EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/DEAD&BROKEN&CUT LIMBS/VINES REM OVE 32 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % GOOD OFFSITE-ROW/EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/INCLUDED BARK/BROKEN LIMBS SAVE&PROTECT 33 ACER RUBRUM RED MAPLE % FAIR OFFSITE-ROW/EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/ROOT COLLAR DAMAGE&ROT/INCLUDED BARK/BROKEN LIMBS/WATERSPROUTS/TRUNK DAMAGE SAVE&PROTECT 39 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % FAIR OFFSITE-ROW/INCLUDED BARK/BROKEN LIMBS/CAVITY/DECAY SAVE&PROTECT 40 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % GOOD OFFSITE-ROW/EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/INCLUDED BARK/CUT&BROKEN LIMBS SAVE&PROTECT 41 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % FAIR OFFSITE-ROW/INCLUDED BARK/CAVITY/DECAY/BROKEN LIMBS SAVE&PROTECT 43 ACER SACCHARINUM SILVER MAPLE % GOOD OFFSITE-ROW/EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/INCLUDED BARK/CUT&BROKEN LIMBS SAVE&PROTECT 45 ULMUS PUMILA SIBERIAN ELM % POOR EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/ROOT ROT/INCLUDED BARK/DEAD&BROKEN LIMBS/BARK PEELING/DECAY IN LIMBS/HAZARD 50 ACER RUBRUM RED MAPLE % GOOD EXPOSED&DAMAGED ROOTS/INCLUDED BARK/CAVITIES/DEAD&BROKEN LIMBS REMOVE 51 ULMUS PUMILA SIBERIAN ELM % FAIR TRUNK DAMAGE/DAMAGED LEADER/WATERSPROUTS/DEAD&BROKEN LIMBS REMOVE REM OVE

7 Conclusion: For the above reasons, the applicant respectfully requests that the Planning Board APPROVE its request for a variance from the provisions of Section 22A of the Montgomery County Forest Conservation Ordinance, and thereby, GRANTS permission to impact/remove the specimen trees in order to allow the construction of this vital project. The recommendations in this report are based on tree conditions noted at the time the NRI/FSD field work was conducted. Tree condition can be influenced by many environmental factors, such as wind, ice and heavy snow, drought conditions, heavy rainfall, rapid or prolonged freezing temperatures, and insect/disease infestation. Therefore, tree conditions are subject to change without notice. The site plans and plotting of tree locations were furnished for the purpose of creating a detailed Tree Protection Plan. All information is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and experience. All conclusions are based on professional opinion and were not influenced by any other party. Sincerely, Michael Norton

8 Attachment 3 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Isiah Leggett County Executive Lisa Feldt Director August 14, 2015 Casey Anderson, Chair Montgomery County Planning Board Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, Maryland RE: Wheaton Woods ES, MR , sediment control permit application accepted on 1/28/2015 Dear Mr. Anderson: All applications for a variance from the requirements of Chapter 22A of the County Code submitted after October 1, 2009 are subject to Section 22A-12(b)(3). Accordingly, given that the application for the above referenced request was submitted after that date and must comply with Chapter 22A, and the Montgomery County Planning Department ( Planning Department ) has completed all review required under applicable law, I am providing the following recommendation pertaining to this request for a variance. Section 22A-21(d) of the Forest Conservation Law states that a variance must not be granted if granting the request: 1. Will confer on the applicant a special privilege that would be denied to other applicants; 2. Is based on conditions or circumstances which are the result of the actions by the applicant; 3. Arises from a condition relating to land or building use, either permitted or nonconforming, on a neighboring property; or 4. Will violate State water quality standards or cause measurable degradation in water quality. Applying the above conditions to the plan submitted by the applicant, I make the following findings as the result of my review: 1. The granting of a variance in this case would not confer a special privilege on this applicant that would be denied other applicants as long as the same criteria are applied in each case. Therefore, the variance can be granted under this criterion. 2. Based on a discussion on March 19, 2010 between representatives of the County, the Planning Department, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service, the disturbance of trees, or other vegetation, as a result of development activity is not, in and of itself, interpreted as a condition or circumstance that is the result of the actions by the applicant. Therefore, the 255 Rockville Pike, Suite 120 Rockville, Maryland FAX montgomerycountymd.gov/ TTY

9 Casey Anderson August 14, 2015 Page 2 variance can be granted under this criterion, as long as appropriate mitigation is provided for the resources disturbed. 3. The disturbance of trees, or other vegetation, by the applicant does not arise from a condition relating to land or building use, either permitted or nonconforming, on a neighboring property. Therefore, the variance can be granted under this criterion. 4. The disturbance of trees, or other vegetation, by the applicant will not result in a violation of State water quality standards or cause measurable degradation in water quality. Therefore, the variance can be granted under this criterion. Therefore, I recommend a finding by the Planning Board that this applicant qualifies for a variance conditioned upon the applicant mitigating for the loss of resources due to removal or disturbance to trees, and other vegetation, subject to the law based on the limits of disturbance (LOD) recommended during the review by the Planning Department. In the case of removal, the entire area of the critical root zone (CRZ) should be included in mitigation calculations regardless of the location of the CRZ (i.e., even that portion of the CRZ located on an adjacent property). When trees are disturbed, any area within the CRZ where the roots are severed, compacted, etc., such that the roots are not functioning as they were before the disturbance must be mitigated. Exceptions should not be allowed for trees in poor or hazardous condition because the loss of CRZ eliminates the future potential of the area to support a tree or provide stormwater management. Tree protection techniques implemented according to industry standards, such as trimming branches or installing temporary mulch mats to limit soil compaction during construction without permanently reducing the critical root zone, are acceptable mitigation to limit disturbance. Techniques such as root pruning should be used to improve survival rates of impacted trees but they should not be considered mitigation for the permanent loss of critical root zone. I recommend requiring mitigation based on the number of square feet of the critical root zone lost or disturbed. The mitigation can be met using any currently acceptable method under Chapter 22A of the Montgomery County Code. In the event that minor revisions to the impacts to trees subject to variance provisions are approved by the Planning Department, the mitigation requirements outlined above should apply to the removal or disturbance to the CRZ of all trees subject to the law as a result of the revised LOD. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Sincerely, Laura Miller County Arborist cc: Amy Lindsey, Planner Coordinator