Exhibit B (Sandco Response) - Leon County

1.7.1 City of Tallahassee Growth Management
During the pre-proposal meeting the term Linear Infrastructure
Variance was mentioned related to permitting
for this project. We confi rmed with Craig Barkve, P.E. and
Steve Palmer, P.E ., with COT Growth Management, that
the Linear Infrastructure variance provides an exemption
to Policy 1.3.7 of the Comprehensive Plan Conservation
Element. This exemption is utilized for projects
which impact a regulated preservation or conservation
feature more than 5% of the preservation or conservation
feature area. The linear infrastructure variance is not
applicable to this project since it does not impact regulated
preservation or conservation features.
The section of the COT Code which applies is Chapter
5-86(j) Stormwater Standards for Roadway Projects.
Section 5-86(j)(1)c, last sentence, requires that roadway
projects undertaken in phases or segments be aggregated
under this rule. We successfully negotiated with Steve
Palmer, P.E. to waive the aggregation requirements such
that construction on the west side of Magnolia Drive is
considered as a separate project in terms of permitting
from the construction on the east side. Steve Palmer, P.E.
has provided this in writing to us. The signifi cance of this
determination is that construction on the west side of
Magnolia Drive meets the threshold for an “insignifi cant
roadway project” under 5-86(j)(1)d. Construction on
the east side of Magnolia Drive meets the “Type I Minor
Roadway Project” threshold, which requires treatment
and attenuation for the increase in impervious area. It is
proposed that the requisite volume be accommodated
by a swale and ditch blocks within the wide landscape
area between Lafayette Street and the frontage road.
1.7.2 NWFWMD
We reviewed the Department’s criteria for exemptions in
the Florida Administrative Code 62-346.051 (4) (c), which
provides for an exemption for projects proposing sidewalks
6 feet wide or less. The proposed project calls for
8 feet wide sidewalks. We contacted Michael Bateman,
Chief of the Bureau of Environmental Resource Regulation
for the NWFWMD to discuss the issue. Mr. Bateman
revealed that he would be open to providing an exemption
for the project as the majority of the project is essentially
widening the existing 5’ sidewalk to 8 feet. For
the portion east of Indian Head Drive, by demonstrating
that the total additional sidewalk is not greater than a
6’ sidewalk of equal length, the District is agreeable to
provide an exemption. The project as a whole will be
exempt from NWFWMD permitting.
Technical Proposal
Lafayette Street Sidewalk and Roadway Improvements
Section 1
1.8 Environmental Protection/Commitments
As a team of local contractors and design professional,
each member of the Sandco-Inovia Design/ Build team
is well aware of Leon County and Tallahassee’s commitment
to the environment and shares the same ideals.
The following summarizes our team’s standards practices
during design and construction that ensures minimal
impact to environmental features and identifi es specifi c
areas of interest related to the Lafayette Street Sidewalk
and Roadway Improvements project.
1.8.1 Tree Protection
Leon County and Tallahassee are well known for the majestic
live oaks that populate the area. As there currently
exists numerous live oaks within the project limits, the
Sandco/Inovia Team will take the precautions necessary
to allow these trees and other native trees to remain in
place and thriving. At the time of this proposal, there are
not any trees proposed to be removed as a result of this
project. However, tree mitigation is anticipated. South of
the area of the proposed widening (Sta. 460+50 - Sta.
468+50) there exists 15 trees. The trees in this area will
be negatively impacted due to a change in grading for
the widening of the roadway and the relocation and
widening of the sidewalk. Additionally, this area will be
the location of stormwater treatment cells along the existing
ditch. Any trees with an impacted CPZ (critical protection
zone) will be mitigated using a mitigation plan
designed by Bill Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong is our Team’s
go to arborist for any tree mitigation and has preserved
numerous trees for both the County and private sector
clients. With him responsible for the design and implementation
of the mitigation plan for these impacted
trees, the integrity of these trees is assured.
1.8.2 Historical Artifacts
Our County’s history is as much apart of the environment
and the old oaks themselves. Developed on land
occupied by the Seminole Tribe, construction and soil
moving activities in Leon County have the opportunity
to uncover rich history and unusual artifacts related to
the history of the County before its boundaries were
established. Research into the Lafayette Road area produced
interesting facts about the nearby neighborhood
of Indian Head Acres. During the construction of the
subdivision in the 1950’s, numerous Seminole artifacts
were recovered and three ancient Seminole ceremonial
mounds were discovered. Although, extensive soil moving
operations are not anticipated as with this project, a
note will be added to the plans instructing the contractor
to stop work immediately upon discovering artifacts
during soil disturbing activities, as was required by the