HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-5-8 Piotr Domaszczynski, PhD, PE, Ramboll, Comments on DEIS Draft Scoping Document
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May 8, 2024
Ramboll
333 West Washington Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
USA
T 315-956-6100
F 315-463-7554
https://ramboll.com
Ref
Confidential
Mr. Greg Usry
City Manager
City Hall
1051 Boston Post Road
Rye, NY 10580
Dear Mr. Usry,
On April 30, 2024, Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions Inc. (Ramboll) was
commissioned by the City of Rye to conduct a technical review of Section 6, titled
“Stormwater Management,” of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
Scoping Document for the proposed redevelopment of the 975 Anderson Hill
property.
The proposed redevelopment includes the construction of a mixed-use project
comprising a new lodge (hotel and conference center, residential units,
ballrooms, and other amenities), a separate multifamily residential building, and
a wellness center/medical office building, along with associated amenities,
landscaping, parking, and other site improvements. This project spans
approximately 84 acres of land formerly known as Doral Arrowwood and Doral
Greens.
The site is adjacent to Blind Brook, a stream with a significant history of flooding,
causing substantial damage to properties, businesses, and infrastructure in local
communities. Given the considerable public interest in the hydrologic impacts of
any development within the Blind Brook watershed, it is imperative that the EIS
thoroughly evaluates the project’s impact on stormwater runoff.
After reviewing Section 6 of the associated DEIS, we propose the following
additional elements for consideration:
a) The proposed evaluation of existing conditions (Section 6.2) should provide a
detailed breakdown of impervious and pervious areas, associated hydrologic soil
groups, slope steepness, and land cover. A hydrologic model should be developed
to define peak runoff rates for a 1-year, 2-year, 5-year, 10-year, 25-year, and
100-year (24-hour) storm event.
b) Potential impacts (Section 6.3) should include a summary of changes to land
cover, particularly any increase in impervious areas or introduction of steep
slopes. A "proposed conditions" hydrologic model should be developed to
compare peak runoff rates with the rainfall conditions listed in point a.
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Confidential
c) The stormwater management system description should include all discharge points to existing
stormwater system conveyances at or near the project site, as well as any runoff toward Blind Brook.
Evaluation of conveyance capacity for any existing elements should be conducted for design storm
conditions.
d) Stormwater mitigation methods should address any increase in stormwater runoff rates and include
water quality measures required by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(Construction General Permit) as well as applicable Village of Rye Brook regulations.
e) Development within existing FEMA-defined floodplain should be identified and minimized, with
standard evaluation of floodplain impacts if such impacts are present.
f) Preservation of undisturbed areas, riparian buffers, vegetation, and impervious areas should be
maximized.
g) Given the significant flooding potential of Blind Brook, the project should consider implementing Best
Management Practices (BMPs) that exceed minimum requirements and provide a net benefit to the
community. Examples of such practices include rain gardens, stormwater planters, rainwater harvesting,
ponds capable of accepting stormwater runoff, constructed wetlands, and infiltration practices, with
design implementation following the New York State Stormwater Design Manual.
Yours sincerely,
Piotr Domaszczynski, PhD, PE
Project Manager
Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions, Inc.
www.ramboll.com
cell: 319-400-9607
piotr.domaszczynski@ramboll.com