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SECTON 6 – MITIGATION FOR SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
6-25
between actual field conditions and USGS maps, the Town will perform a stream
determination to verify the existence of the surface water. To ensure buffers are protected,
the Town requires developers to show streams and buffers on their site plans.
The Town strives for undisturbed riparian corridors, as outlined in its UDO. However,
where alternatives are not practicable, the UDO allows for some allowable uses, such as
utility lines and roads, in the buffer. The exact location of allowable uses and their proximity
to streams is determined during the design and permitting stages. Where practicable, utility
lines are directionally bored, and roads are bridged. As another example, greenways are
allowed within the riparian corridor provided disturbance is minimized and water quality
is protected to the maximum extent practicable. Some allowable uses also require buffer
mitigation. Mitigation may include a combination of onsite or offsite buffer enhancement,
restoration, or preservation; payment of a compensatory mitigation fee; and/or donation of
property. The amount of mitigation required ranges from 1.5:1 to 3:1, depending on the
buffer zone impacted.
For Crabtree Creek, the Town protects a wider riparian corridor through its conservation/
buffer zoning district, described in this section (map included in Appendix D). This zoning
district was developed to keep development out of the floodplain.
6.2.3.2 Stream and Riparian Buffer Restoration
The Town funded and completed a stream restoration project on the Hatchet’s Grove Stream
segment, which parallels Morrisville Parkway. This Priority II stream restoration project is
located within the Prestonwood Golf Course and consists of the relocation and restoration of
3,800 linear feet of stream and the creation of over 6 acres of vegetative riparian buffer. The
objective of this project was to take a historically channelized stream and restore the natural
channel pattern, profile, and functionality by isolating present golf course activities. As a
result of the final restoration, the number of fairways crossing the creek was reduced from 6 to
3, and 3 of the 6 existing cart bridges were removed. This project increased the stream length
by approximately 500 linear feet. The Town preformed this project within Town limits in
order to ensure that the benefit of the potential mitigation credit would remain local.
The Town is proactively seeking restoration opportunities to improve its watersheds. The
Town contracted to complete a watershed assessment for tributaries of Kit Creek. This
included all the area of the Town within the Jordan Lake watershed. The assessment includes
field investigations of stream stability, restoration opportunity, stream buffer integrity,
invasive plant species, and stormwater outfall stability. The outcome of the assessment is to
plan for and define potential restoration and retrofit projects. The Town plans to do a similar
watershed assessment of the Neuse River basin areas of Town in different phases, beginning
in 2014.
6.2.3.3 Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Town developed a hazard mitigation plan to eliminate or reduce losses of life and
property from natural forces, such as water and wind, and adopted it in 2010. The plan
contains provisions to mitigate the negative effects of natural disasters. By regulating
development in floodplains, the Town is able to:
Prevent or reduce public and private damage costs from storms
Save lives and reduce injuries