Flooding Tops Questioning Of Hekemian Engineer

Michael Dipple, Hekemian's engineering expert, was recalled to answer questions from the public at Thursday's special meeting of the Zoning Board. Dipple faced further questioning by members of about the effectiveness of the infiltration systems designed to control flooding that he has proposed for the site. 

Dipple testified that during a flood event, surface runoff would not compromise the basin from beneath because in determining his calculations, he looked at the seasonal high and went two feet above it. 

SOD member John DeSantis asked Dipple if he felt an obligation to go beyond the regulatory flood map and consider the actual flood events. Dipple responded that that although there may be "bigger storms" it is not relevant to his site design.  

Dipple is confident that the two infiltration systems that will be installed by the courtyard of the 221 unit apartment complex and behind the bank will be sufficient in controlling runoff. 

By design, infiltration systems work by turning water that would normally become surface runoff into a resource that waters trees, recharges groundwater and provides stream baseflows. They are also designed to function to improve water quality by removing some pollutants from the runoff as it infiltrates. According to Dipple, these contaminates go into an "isolator row" or chamber wrapped in fabric that filters the contaminates. Also, because these systems serve to reduce the volume of runoff, they contribute to flood control. 

Other questioning centered on the proposed 221 unit multi-family housing complex. When questioned by Michael Gadaleta about the square footage on that portion of the proposed development, Dipple referred him to the architect who would have that information.

The site plan includes the square footage of the proposed supermarket (70,500) and the proposed bank (4300), but it does not include the square footage of the proposed housing complex or parking garage. 

Considering the residential element to the proposed development, Gadaleta pressed Dipple about the types of variances Hekemian is applying for.

Dipple explained that Hekemian is seeking the following use variances based on a Residential Zone A zoning. 

221 families

826

The hearing on the United Water property will continue on Sept. 19 at 7pm.

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