Question / Issue #7: Will the project create environmental concerns?
“A large portion of the Town of Davie is located within an environmentally sensitive region known as the C-11 West basin. Much of the areas surrounding the proposed land use change and up-zoning lies within the 100-year flood zone. State regulations have been put into place to protect natural areas and reduce the risks associated with flooding, including helping handle storm water runoff, minimize water pollution, and maintain water quality.
As more building replaces land, the delicate balance will be negatively impacted. This will result in more flooding, deprecated water quality, and pollution. When landmass is reduced, and impervious surfaces replace it, the probability of flooding increases – there is no place for the runoff to go. When the natural vegetation that filters out water impurities and uses excess nutrients is removed, water quality is impacted and pollutants cannot be filtered.
When water run-off is not appropriately contained, there is a risk of potential well-water contamination. (Non-HOA developments near this location rely on well water to drink. As such, these residents are very careful about to minimize contamination. Those in city water systems are more likely to use fertilizers and are less concerned about getting pollutants in the aquifer.) “
RESPONSE:
Ecological, geological and wetland studies have been undertaken and completed for the Rexmere Reserve project. According to engineers at Calvin Giordano who prepared the drainage study and plans, the project area consists of mucky swampland with largely non-native invasive species of vegetation. It is not home to any endangered species of vegetation or animals. It is not considered an “ecologically sensitive” parcel of land.
We have received approvals from the Army Corp of Engineers, Southwest Florida Water District Management and Central Broward (i.e. Fed, State & Local).
Moreover, the current zoning does not mitigate any of these concerns. 1 acre zoning is not “wild” and also “creates the need to look at water mitigation”. The option is not “tangled forest” or “Rexmere Reserve. High end multi-million dollar 5,000 SF homes with impervious foundations, pools, driveways and accessories like pool houses, garages and basketball courts do not mitigate this objection.
Our site is being designed in compliance with all Central Broward Water Control District requirements. We are required to contain ALL water on our property and prevent water run-off into neighboring properties via swales, retention pond(s) and canal drainage. We are required to ensure that water does not leave our property and we will meet that requirement. In addition, we expect our adjacent southern neighbors to benefit because water from a portion of their properties will be able to run off into extra swales added solely for the benefit of improving drainage for the Southern neighbors. Our project will actually improve drainage for directly abutting neighbors that currently experience flooding.