Comments sent to me by a Lutz Resident
"In comparing the email that you received from the Gates' Executive Director, as compared with the traffic counts stated in their submission, I find some inconsistencies.
If in fact, the main Key Access Point (main entrance) will be off of Hwy. 41, then why do their projected counts show otherwise?
I still maintain that the projected traffic on Sunset Lane, combined with the recent 60% increase in student load at the Lutz Learning Center, will create an unsustainable "choke point" on Sunset which has already been determined by the County as being unable to be widened or appreciably modified. I already witness near accidents at this point on Sunset on a regular basis.
Since the daycare has increased their number of students (and associated traffic), it is not unusual at all for parents to park in my driveway (a dedicated easement for ingress and egress) and to park on the side of Sunset Lane, right where the Gates' driveway is proposed.
This is a recipe for disaster."
If anyone else has comments on the issue please email me at dbanghart@yahoo.com
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Gates High School - Proposed Conditions
Yesterday, proposed conditions were added to the zoning document site. These conditions were sent to the county by Kevin Mineer of Genesis Group. They are apparently the result of various meetings with the Lutz community.
Lake Commiston
No clearing or development (hardscape, sidewalk or stormwater ponds) within 150 feet of the existing Lake Commiston shoreline. This will preserve the important natural buffer and maintain water quality within Lake Commiston. This will also preserve gopher tortoises and gopher tortoise habitat (Gopher Gardens), which can be used for environmental educational purposes.
Maintain the upland and wetland fringe along Lake Commiston. Only unimproved trails and access to the lake for educational purposes should be allowed within this buffer.
No direct outfall to Lake Commiston from stormwater facilities unless required by stormwater regulations. All stormwater ponds, swales and other features shall drain to the interior of the site and toward Sunset Lane. This includes all stormwater from buildings, sidewalks, parking, gardens, barns, pastures and other agrarian features. Treated stormwater may be returned to Lake Commiston, as necessary to maintain hydrological balance, through the natural wetland “treatment train” and cypress swamp system located in the northeastern aspect of the property.
No internal combustion engines on Lake Commiston; battery, sail or manual power only. Lake Commiston is to be used for environmental (limnology) instruction only, no power regattas. Investigate the possibility of conducting water quality sampling (Hillsborough County Lakewatch participation) in the schools environmental curriculum and post results and analysis to school website.
Minimize the number and amount of water dependent facilities, such as boats, docks and boardwalks on Lake Commiston.
Project Site
Preserve gopher tortoises and their habitat on site to the maximum extent practicable. These areas are principally located along the sandhill immediately south of Lake Commiston and at the north end of the Sunset Manor subdivision. Many gopher tortoises are found within the xeric habitats on site. They are commonly associated with the dry, sandy soils of the site (mapped as Zolfo fine sand). Gopher tortoises also occupy the more mesic transitional areas of the site as well.
Maximize tree preservation on the entire property. Develop an ecological management/restoration plan to re‐introduce native sandhill species, including longleaf pine, to the site.
Investigate the dedication, in perpetual conservation easement (to Hillsborough County or the State of Florida), all upland and wetland buffers preserved on the property.
Exclude walls, fencing and other barriers to wildlife, to the maximum extent practicable, from the entire site. Maximize the use of vegetative buffers, using native plant species, to isolate school operations and facilities from the adjacent neighborhoods.
Infrastructure
Wastewater
Investigate additional wastewater treatment alternatives to septic tanks which may include Dr. Yeh’s experimental NEWgenerator treatment system and try to reduce the effects of a septic field on the property to the maximum extent possible.
Water
Investigate co‐usage of Sunset Manor potable water source to minimize groundwater impacts. If this is not feasible, investigate co‐usage of potable water source with Lutz Elementary School, which is connected to a municipal potable water supply from Crystal Lakes Manor. Minimize groundwater withdrawal on the property to the maximum extent practical.
Traffic
Provide an east bound right‐turn‐lane at the entrance to the school along Sunset Lane. Provide a west bound right‐turn‐lane at the entrance to the school along Sunset Lane.
Stagger commencement and dismissal times for grades within the proposed school as well as Lutz Elementary School.
Site Access
Increase buffers to 100 feet between access roads/school facilities and the existing residential properties. Maintain existing native vegetation within these natural buffers. Include additional planting of native vegetation as necessary to maximize buffer density (opacity).
Minimize the use of asphalt, typical concrete pavement or gravel on the proposed access road. Use pervious road materials, such as concrete pavers, stabilized earth or other pervious materials (perhaps pervious concrete) to the maximum extent practical to minimize wetland and environmental impacts and reduce the size of stormwater treatment facilities.
Access roads shall be buffered to the maximum extent practicable with native vegetation.
Facility Operations
Impose controls and limitations on students driving to school. Enforce parking and driving restrictions, and impose penalties for parking on adjacent streets.
Code required exterior lighting (as well as nighttime interior illumination) shall be minimized to the extent practicable. Minimize nighttime activities (e.g., three evening a month), with activities terminating at 11:00 p.m.
Provide adequate security of the facility and the neighboring community.
All landscaping shall consist of vegetation native to west central Florida.
The community garden shall be sited as to minimize impacts to the natural environment. Gardening standards and practices should minimize the amount of chemical addition for fertilization and pest control.
Any barns or other agricultural facilities anticipated to generate nutrient‐rich waste shall be properly sited to minimize impacts to surface water, ground water and existing adjacent wetland systems. Ecological reuse of animal waste in gardens and planting areas, as appropriate, should be investigated.
Stagger commencement and dismissal times for grades within the proposed school as well as Lutz Elementary School.
Lake Commiston
No clearing or development (hardscape, sidewalk or stormwater ponds) within 150 feet of the existing Lake Commiston shoreline. This will preserve the important natural buffer and maintain water quality within Lake Commiston. This will also preserve gopher tortoises and gopher tortoise habitat (Gopher Gardens), which can be used for environmental educational purposes.
Maintain the upland and wetland fringe along Lake Commiston. Only unimproved trails and access to the lake for educational purposes should be allowed within this buffer.
No direct outfall to Lake Commiston from stormwater facilities unless required by stormwater regulations. All stormwater ponds, swales and other features shall drain to the interior of the site and toward Sunset Lane. This includes all stormwater from buildings, sidewalks, parking, gardens, barns, pastures and other agrarian features. Treated stormwater may be returned to Lake Commiston, as necessary to maintain hydrological balance, through the natural wetland “treatment train” and cypress swamp system located in the northeastern aspect of the property.
No internal combustion engines on Lake Commiston; battery, sail or manual power only. Lake Commiston is to be used for environmental (limnology) instruction only, no power regattas. Investigate the possibility of conducting water quality sampling (Hillsborough County Lakewatch participation) in the schools environmental curriculum and post results and analysis to school website.
Minimize the number and amount of water dependent facilities, such as boats, docks and boardwalks on Lake Commiston.
Project Site
Preserve gopher tortoises and their habitat on site to the maximum extent practicable. These areas are principally located along the sandhill immediately south of Lake Commiston and at the north end of the Sunset Manor subdivision. Many gopher tortoises are found within the xeric habitats on site. They are commonly associated with the dry, sandy soils of the site (mapped as Zolfo fine sand). Gopher tortoises also occupy the more mesic transitional areas of the site as well.
Maximize tree preservation on the entire property. Develop an ecological management/restoration plan to re‐introduce native sandhill species, including longleaf pine, to the site.
Investigate the dedication, in perpetual conservation easement (to Hillsborough County or the State of Florida), all upland and wetland buffers preserved on the property.
Exclude walls, fencing and other barriers to wildlife, to the maximum extent practicable, from the entire site. Maximize the use of vegetative buffers, using native plant species, to isolate school operations and facilities from the adjacent neighborhoods.
Infrastructure
Wastewater
Investigate additional wastewater treatment alternatives to septic tanks which may include Dr. Yeh’s experimental NEWgenerator treatment system and try to reduce the effects of a septic field on the property to the maximum extent possible.
Water
Investigate co‐usage of Sunset Manor potable water source to minimize groundwater impacts. If this is not feasible, investigate co‐usage of potable water source with Lutz Elementary School, which is connected to a municipal potable water supply from Crystal Lakes Manor. Minimize groundwater withdrawal on the property to the maximum extent practical.
Traffic
Provide an east bound right‐turn‐lane at the entrance to the school along Sunset Lane. Provide a west bound right‐turn‐lane at the entrance to the school along Sunset Lane.
Stagger commencement and dismissal times for grades within the proposed school as well as Lutz Elementary School.
Site Access
Increase buffers to 100 feet between access roads/school facilities and the existing residential properties. Maintain existing native vegetation within these natural buffers. Include additional planting of native vegetation as necessary to maximize buffer density (opacity).
Minimize the use of asphalt, typical concrete pavement or gravel on the proposed access road. Use pervious road materials, such as concrete pavers, stabilized earth or other pervious materials (perhaps pervious concrete) to the maximum extent practical to minimize wetland and environmental impacts and reduce the size of stormwater treatment facilities.
Access roads shall be buffered to the maximum extent practicable with native vegetation.
Facility Operations
Impose controls and limitations on students driving to school. Enforce parking and driving restrictions, and impose penalties for parking on adjacent streets.
Code required exterior lighting (as well as nighttime interior illumination) shall be minimized to the extent practicable. Minimize nighttime activities (e.g., three evening a month), with activities terminating at 11:00 p.m.
Provide adequate security of the facility and the neighboring community.
All landscaping shall consist of vegetation native to west central Florida.
The community garden shall be sited as to minimize impacts to the natural environment. Gardening standards and practices should minimize the amount of chemical addition for fertilization and pest control.
Any barns or other agricultural facilities anticipated to generate nutrient‐rich waste shall be properly sited to minimize impacts to surface water, ground water and existing adjacent wetland systems. Ecological reuse of animal waste in gardens and planting areas, as appropriate, should be investigated.
Stagger commencement and dismissal times for grades within the proposed school as well as Lutz Elementary School.
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