Sungate Design Group, P. A.

CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

915 Jones Franklin Road Raleigh, NC 27606 Phone 919.859.2243 www.sungatedesign.com

October 31, 2016

Mr. James Thomas

Planning Department
Town of Carrboro
301 West Main Street
Carrboro, NC 27510

Re: Drainage Complaint 205 Robert Hunt Drive

Dear Mr. Thomas:

At your request, we have investigated a drainage complaint made by Mr. Chris Bail, the property owner
of 205 Robert Hunt Drive. The property is located on the west side of Robert Hunt Drive. This area is
located within the study area included in the Preliminary Engineering Report for Morningside Drive
Bolin Forest Drive Hydrologic analysis dated May 16, 2016. Based on our site observations and
discussions with Mr. Bail made on October 13, 2016 and subsequent review of the report, it is evident
that the house is located within the floodplain of the unnamed tributary to Bolin Creek.

During our site visit, Mr. Bail noted that while his yard and crawl space had previously been flooded,
water had never been above the finished floor elevation of his home. Recently, he has completed several
upgrades to his home including a sump pump and a sealed crawl space. Mr. Bail stated that since this
installation his crawl space has been dry including during Hurricane Matthew. Mr. Bail also recently
replaced his HVAC unit. The new unit is sitting directly on the existing grade and could be impacted by
future flooding events (see Photograph #1). It is recommended that the unit be elevated to the finished
floor elevation of the home to avoid damage.

The drainage area to the 3 30 concrete pipes adjacent to the property owners home is approximately
40 acres with a 25-year discharge of 167 cfs. The existing stream is mostly located within the home
owners association easement. Adjacent to and upstream of the property, the stream is approximately 2
feet deep with very little conveyance capacity which therefore contributes to the frequency of overbank
flooding occurrences (see photograph #2). Deepening or widening the stream would likely not be allowed
by permitting agencies since this is likely considered a jurisdictional stream. Mr. Bail noted that the
existing 3 30 pipes do not flow full even during large storm events. Based on our previous study,
stormwater from this stream overtops the adjacent driveway at 207 Robert Hunt Drive and flows down
the roadway ditch to the next pipe crossing.

Mr. Bail inquired about adding berms along the stream bank to confine the flooding events. Berms are not
recommended at this location for several reasons. They do not allow stormwater runoff from behind the
berm to drain properly. Also since stormwater overtops this basin and flows to another pipe, berms could
block the overflow from occurring and increase flood elevations during storm events.
I would recommend that this flooding event be added to the Towns list of flooding problems and to be
evaluated for inclusion in the one of the Tiers (TBD). I am prepared to meet with the property owner
and/or Town staff to discuss this item further at your discretion. If you have questions or need additional
information, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Joshua G. Dalton, PE

Cc:
Trish McGuire, Town of Carrboro Planning Director
JD Freeman, Town of Carrboro Public Works Director

10/31/16
 Photograph #1 HVAC unit on grade.

Photograph #2 Looking downstream from rear of property.