Agenda - 02-21-2012 - 7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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30 APPLICANT RESPONSE: Carolina Friends Schooi does not intend to erect athletic field lights around any proposed or existing athletic fields. The school understands the current staff interpretation that any such lights would trigger the need for a major modification of the SUP. The school will accept a condition of approval for the SUP that acknowledges such a requirement. Further, the school does not intend to use any public address or other sound amplification system during athletic events. D. Concern that the proposed footbridge is wide enough to allow for emergency evacuation of classroom buildings. APPLICANT RESPONSE: The proposed footbridge will not be the primary emergency exit for any existing or proposed building. All buildings will have code-compliant emergency access routes approved by Orange Couniy Emergency Services and the first-responding Fire Department. Further, in the event of pending adverse weather events or threats, school administrative staff will be able to proactively suspend planned school activities if appropriate. E. Concern over the proposed location of a new driveway along Mt. Sinai Road. APPLICANT RESPONSE: A second point of access is a required element of all new or expanded schools in Orange County. The proposed driveway will primarily serve the western portion of campus, and will be a secondary access and egress in case of any emergency which may require it. In addition, the driveway will be used as a construction access route for the new buildings on the west side of campus, as a purposeful measure to mitigate traffic safety concerns on the main part of campus. The location and design of the driveway connection to Mt. Sinai Road has been reviewed by NCDOT, which has given preliminary concurrence. This driveway is not expected to significantly change vehicular patterns at the school or in the community, due to the expected low volume of usage. F. Concern over the need for the County to ensure the perpetual maintenance and operational status of State approved waste management systems. APPLICANT RESPONSE: Although the current wastewater system is under DWQ jurisdiction, the Orange County Health Dept., Environmental Health Division (EH) does provide annual supplemental inspections under the local WTMP program, and the County collects an annual fee for this service. In conversation with EH staff, we understand that the new wastewater system will be monitored by the County in the same manner as the current system. The school supports this dual approach, realizing that the County has a legitimate interest in this matter, and that the County's inspection regimen typically is more detailed than a DWQ inspection. It is important to realize that primary monitoring and operational oversight of the new wastewater system will be provided by a State-certified system operator, who will also submit regular reports to DWQ. The system will include an auto-dialer (with battery back-up) that will make phone or text contact with the appropriate persons in the event of adverse trends or conditions within the treatment units or tanks (such as pump failure, potential or actual high-water conditions, etc.). Further, the system components will be redundant, so that mechanical failure of any single device will not cause the system to cease treatment or operation.