06/12/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 Mr. Saul noted for Council there were limiting factors regarding the scope of this appeal: The original Council decision in which it remanded the appeal back to the Hearings Official; and City Code stipulates only those items designated in error shall be -- considered by the appellant body. In other words, Council is to consider only those items in the written appeal. No ex parte contacts or conflicts of interest were declared by Council ors. Staff notes and minutes were entered as part of the record. Betty Smith arrived at the meeting. Public hearing was opened. Dan Knapp, 639 West 29th Place, spoke in favor of the appeal. A main concern was the many marshes and standing water which consti- tute a hazard on large portions of the site. He said there are active portions of the site which are in the process of moving down the hi 11 . He felt the geologist's report was ambiguous regarding the bearing strength, and noted one geologist called the bedrock material sandstone, while the other called it shale. He presented to Council samples of soil from the outcropping and demonstrated how it crumples, noting it is not suitable for construction. He also questioned the footing design, in that there is considerable loose topsoil and it would be difficult to go down to the bedrock. However, he said the developers want to fill with gravel and he did not think that would provide stable conditions for building. He cited the potential e for large-scale soil movement, and noted there were six conditions out of the eight identified in the South Hills Study that are present on thi s site. These would all contribute to large-scale soil movement. He said the effects of a dewatering system are unknown, and he felt dewatering would subject the structures to unknown stresses. He was also concerned that building in this area would increase the runoff on the Amazon Drainage System. He introduced a letter from Connie Holvey and submitted a picture showing the Amazon in a full stage. He was concerned that high water runoff would result in destruction to the bridges across the Amazon Channel. He felt there was a major potential for flood with increased drainage into the channel. He also felt there were some problems with legal liability, i.e., continuity of the design team, flood liability responsibility, and bonding for the houses. He felt the design needed to address the question of flood control regarding the Amazon Drainage System. Gary House, 325 West 38th, described'some of the conditions existing in the block in which he lives: An attempt to build a house which was subsequently withdrawn because of foundation problems; water accumulation; cracks in foundation. He noted these are not cheap houses, but in the $60,000-$90,000 range. He felt these conditions needed to be considered. 6/12178--2 - If 2.0 ,~