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Public Hearing Draft Environmental Impact Evaluation

Public Hearing Draft Environmental Impact Evaluation. Graduate Student Housing and Downtown Mansfield Concept Master Plan Storrs, Connecticut November 21, 2002. Presentation Outline. Introductions and Overview Project History and Purpose & Need UConn Richard Miller, Esq.

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Public Hearing Draft Environmental Impact Evaluation

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  1. Public HearingDraft Environmental Impact Evaluation Graduate Student Housing and Downtown Mansfield Concept Master Plan Storrs, Connecticut November 21, 2002

  2. Presentation Outline • Introductions and Overview • Project History and Purpose & Need UConn Richard Miller, Esq. • Key Issues and Findings Baystate Environmental Consultants, Inc. James E. Walsh, Ph.D., P.E. Paul G. Davis, Ph.D., P.W.S., CPSSc Steve Lecco, C.E.P. EarthTech Jeff Maxtutis, AICP • Public Comment Period

  3. Project History • Original plan consisted of 500-1,000 graduate student beds without Downtown Mansfield Master Plan (DMMP) Projects • Several sites considered: • Moss Sanctuary Site • North Campus • Depot Campus • Northwood Site • Storrs Center Site • Analysis of Alternative Sites indicated only Northwood and Storrs Center Sites merited additional consideration • Plans revised to integrate graduate housing and DMMP at Storrs Center Site in order to consider cumulative effects

  4. Purpose and Need • Sharp rise in student enrollment • Demonstrated demand for additional graduate student housing (633 estimate) • Town of Mansfield and UConn shared interest in developing a formal town center

  5. Graduate Student Housing and DMMP Projects EIE Identification of State Action Public and Agency Review and Comment July 31-August 31, 2001 Project Scoping Public Scoping Meeting August 15, 2001 Identification of Issues Analysis of Impacts Public and Agency Review and Comment October 22-December 5, 2002 Draft EIE Public Hearing November 21, 2002 Final EIE Record of Decision Submitted to OPM

  6. Public Hearing on Draft EIE • Opportunity for the Public to Present Comments on the Draft EIE • All Oral and Written Comments will be Responded to and the Comments and Responses will become Part of the Final EIE • To Submit your Comments you may • Sign in to speak tonight • Use the printed comment forms • Submit your written comments to: Mr. Larry Schilling Architectural and Engineering Services University of Connecticut 31 LeDoyt Road, Unit 3038 Storrs, CT 06269-3038 or Email To: larry.schilling@uconn.edu • Comments will be accepted until December 5, 2002

  7. Physical Air Quality Noise & Light Traffic, Parking & Circulation Public Utilities Potable Water Supply Stormwater Drainage Solid & Hazardous Waste Aesthetics Cultural Resources Impact Analysis Natural • Geology, Topography & Soils • Surface Water • Groundwater • Floodplains • Wetlands • Fisheries • State Listed Species Socioeconomic • Land Use & Zoning • State, Local & Campus Master Planning • Public Health & Safety • Economy, Employment & Income • Environmental Justice Key issues in bold

  8. Northwood Site

  9. Storrs Center Site

  10. Graduate Student Housing Program • 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments—400 Beds • Clustered Buildings not to Exceed 3 Stories Above Grade • Development Footprint Estimated to be 58,000± SF • Parking Spaces Planned at a Ratio of 0.75 spaces per Bed

  11. Downtown Mansfield Concept Master Plan Program • The Village Green • University Housing • Mixed Use Block • Residential Block

  12. Proposed Layout for the Northwood Site

  13. Proposed Layout for the Storrs Center Site A.Create Village Green / Mixed Use Buildings by re-configuring Dog Lane. B.Provide a Loop Road/ UConn Grad Housing connecting Dog Lane to Post Office. C.Develop Mixed Use Block to east of existing development. D.Use Residential Buildings to create "Gateway" @ 275 / 195 intersection. N B. C. A. D. The Miniutti Group ROUTE 195 (STORRS ROAD)

  14. Selection of Storrs Center as Preferred Site for Graduate Student Apartments • Located Adjacent to Campus and Existing Commercial Area • Pedestrian Oriented Design • Availability of Utilities; Especially University Telecommunications and Internet Access • Significant Distance from Closest Private Residences • Opportunity to Stimulate and Reinforce Joint Town/UConn Efforts to create a Vibrant Retail/Commercial Village Center and Town Green to Meet the Needs of Mansfield and University Communities

  15. Potable Water Supply Existing UConn Water Supply System • Willimantic River (2.31 MGD) and Fenton River (0.84 MGD) Wellfields Yield Maximum Permitted Withdrawal of 3.15 MGD • Treatment includes Chlorination, Fluoridation and pH Adjustment • 90% University Users 10% Other

  16. Potable WaterAverage Daily Demand 1.71 * * Projected demand from new construction, additions and remodeling planned from 2002 to 2006

  17. Other Water Supply Considerations • Town of Mansfield and University are Assessing Long Term Water Supply Needs and Potential Sources • Long Term Impact Analysis of UConn’s Fenton River Wellfield on the Habitat of the Fenton River

  18. Topography and Geology • Undeveloped portion of site is high in center and drops to north and south at intermittent stream channels • Site is underlain by till with shallow bedrock • The final site plan should be designed to work as much as possible with the existing grades to minimize cuts and fills

  19. Stormwater • Existing Conditions • Post Construction Changes • Mitigation Measures

  20. Wetland Types • Small Wetland and Intermittent Watercourse, Highly Impacted by Stormwater. Sedimentation and erosion evident. • Intermittent Watercourse and Wooded Riparian Inland Wetland - Stable wetland, with good habitat. Some stormwater impacts in upper reaches. • Vernal Pool. Only wood frog observed, but good habitat structure.

  21. Wetlands at Storrs Center Site

  22. Vernal Pool at Storrs Center Site Seasonal Pooling of Water Adult Wood Frog

  23. Potential Impacts Direct filling of 1000± SF of watercourse Stormwater runoff/discharge - Quantity and quality Alteration of watershed and hydrology to vernal pool Alteration of important habitat supporting vernal pool Mitigation Minimization of direct impacts Enhancement of degraded wetland and watercourse Stormwater management BMPs 100 ft minimum setback to vernal pool Preservation of water quality and hydrology to vernal pool Slope stabilization Erosion and sedimentation controls Potential Effects on Wetlands

  24. Potential Resources Historic Report of Siting of Cooper’s Hawk in 1975 Not observed in 2001 & 2002 field investigations State Listed Species at Storrs Center Site

  25. Transportation Evaluation Approach • Evaluate Existing Conditions • Evaluate Future Conditions (2010) with and without Project • Evaluate Incremental Impacts of Project • Identify Mitigation Measures

  26. Traffic Evaluation • Used UCONN Traffic Model • Assumed UCONN 2000 and North Campus Developments • Assumed Proposed Roadway Improvements, Hillside Road Extension • Performed Intersection Level of Service Analysis at Study Intersections

  27. Intersection Level of Service Grades • A through F – (Similar to Report Card) • LOS A through D Considered Acceptable • LOS E and F have Delays/Deficiencies

  28. Existing Traffic Conditions • Route 195/Gurleyville Road is LOS F in PM Peak Hour • Delays at Individual Approaches at Other Intersections – Route 195/N. Eagleville Road • Safety Issues – Accidents and Pedestrian Crossings on Route 195

  29. Site Trip Generation

  30. Trip Distribution

  31. Trip Characteristics • Different Patterns for Various Users • Student Housing Trips Tend to be Local, Many Walk Trips • Office Trips can be Generated from Outside of Immediate Area • Many Retail Trips are NOT NEW, but Passing-By Site

  32. Traffic Impacts • Largest Traffic Increases on Route 195, N. Eagleville Road, and Hillside Road in PM Peak Hour • Traffic Increases to Dog Lane at Willow Brook Road (+75 in PM Peak Hour – Non-Traffic Calmed) • Worsens LOS at: • Route 195/Mansfield Road • S. Eagleville Road/Separatist Road (Minor Left Turn) • Improves LOS at Route 195/Dog Lane/Bolton Road • Left Turns Exiting Site Experience delay during PM Peak Hour • Construction Traffic

  33. Site Issues • Left Turns In/Out of Central and South Driveways May be Difficult • UCONN Student Housing Requires 300 Parking Spaces

  34. Mitigation • Prohibit Left-Turns In/Out of the Site at Central and South Driveways on Route 195 • Willowbrook Road and Dog Lane: Traffic Calming Program • Route 195/Mansfield Road: Upgrade Signal Timing and Phasing • S. Eagleville/Separatist Road: Monitor Traffic Volumes and Signalize Intersection When warrants are Met • Route 195/Bolton Road/Dog Lane: Incorporate Pedestrian Signals and Crosswalks • Traffic Management Plan for Construction Phase • Bus Stop at Site

  35. State Local and Campus Master Planning • University Planning • Downtown Mansfield Master Plan • Mansfield Plan of Development • Local Zoning • Draft Windham Region Land Use Plan • State Plan of Conservation and Development

  36. Positive Impacts • Satisfies University’s Need for Additional Graduate Student Housing • Satisfies Town of Mansfield and UConn Interest in a formal Town Center with Expanded Retail, Office, and Residential Opportunities • Stormwater/Wetlands • Aesthetics • Economy, Employment and Income

  37. Public Comments N B. C. A. D. ROUTE 195 (STORRS ROAD)

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