News

 

July 25, 2023

Greetings,

The Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee is very concerned that the rezoning petition 2023-
CZN-814, if approved and built according to its associated development plan, will cause future
risks of flooding and degraded water quality to Eagle Creek Park and reservoir.

The site petitioned for rezoning is appropriately designated by the City as an environmentally
sensitive area in low density neighborhoods. The rezoning will allow a large commercial mixed
use development in the Traders Point area of Pike Township adjacent to Eagle Creek Park.

All of the water from the proposed rezoning site flows to Eagle Creek. Quantities of surface
water runoff will increase from new large areas of impervious surfaces from roofs and pavement.
Forest and wetland removal at the site will contribute to increased runoff. Construction activities
will create multiple opportunities for increased runoff and sediment transport that will reach
Eagle Creek. Increased runoff will affect the areas of Eagle Creek Park inundated from floods on
Eagle Creek. Stormwater retention on the site will not decrease the new increased volumes of
runoff to Eagle Creek from the site, only the duration of its release. Increased risks of flash
floods from changing weather with more high-intensity storms will not be fully mitigated.

 

Long-term surface-water quality will be impacted by contaminants from commercial activities,
vehicles, and accidents at the development. Eagle Creek reservoir is a public-water-supply
source. Changes in the Eagle Creek watershed that could increase the frequency or size of
harmful algal blooms in Eagle Creek reservoir deserve serious consideration.

 

In summary, we urgently ask the City to protect Eagle Creek Park and reservoir from the
likelihood of floods and degraded water quality associated with the petitioned rezoning and its
associated development plan. We support the City’s retention of the current, correct zoning for
this area in Traders Point next to the Park as a low density neighborhood in an environmentally
sensitive area.

 

Respectfully submitted for the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee,

Martin Risch, Chairman, 2022-2023