JumpCreek GeoTech Letter to CouncilNORTHSIDE
MANAGEMENT
Re: Jump Creek Subdivision - Geotechnical and Groundwater Measures Summary
Please accept this letter and associated attachments regarding questions posed at the November 5th,
2014 City Council Hearing. There was a concern from the City of Meridian that projects adjacent to the
proposed Jump Creek Subdivision had problems with water in crawl spaces. We have since met with
the City to discuss the measures we could take to ensure that this would not be a problem in the Jump
Creek Subdivision.
Present were:
Bob Arnold — Site Consulting LLC — Soils Consultant
David Bailey—Bailey Engineering, Inc. —Civil Engineer
Shawn Brownlee—Developer's representative
Scott Noriyuki — Project Planner
Warren Stewart — City of Meridian
Bruce Freckleton—City of Meridian
Bill Parsons — City of Meridian
There was some discussion as to background of the parties, soils monitoring conducted on the site and
problems with adjacent projects.
There was some discussions as to water in crawl space problems in previous projects, causes and
potential solutions.
Bob Arnold stated, based on soils investigations, groundwater monitoring and participation in and
review of adjacent projects, that groundwater would NOT be high enough on the Jump Creek Site to
cause water to be in crawl spaces.
It was agreed that because of the types of soils on the site and the adjacent site problems, specific
measures should be taken to prevent or minimize cases of water in crawl spaces as well as means to
implement.
The following measures were proposed:
1. Continue groundwater monitoring of the site through at least next irrigation season to more
accurately gage peak levels and confirm current estimates. The soils report and groundwater
monitoring are to be referred to and documented in the construction documents as each phase
is designed. Particular attention is to be paid to finished lot grades in relation to estimated
ground water levels.
2. Construction drawings are to include a grading plan addressing drainage within each block and
drainage patterns on each lot. The plan will include:
a. Finished grades for all roads, back of curbs at lots, rear lot line swales, side lot line
swales where appropriate.
b. Lot existing grade prior to grading operations
c. Lot finished grade to be achieved following grading operations
d. Minimum and Maximum top of foundation wall elevations for each lot.
e. Reference to the soils reports and recommendations provided by the soils consultant
f. Reference to the "Recommendations for Homebuilders" memo provided by the soils
consultant (attached to this email)
g. Note requiring the homebuilder to comply with required top of foundation elevations or
submit an engineered site grading plan certifying compliance with grading plan intent.
3. The "Recommendations for Homebuilders" memo is to be provided to all builders obtaining
building permits within the project.
4. The "Recommendations for Homebuilders" and "Comments to Homeowners" memo (attached
to this email) are to be incorporated into the CC&R's for the project and referenced in any
architectural or maintenance guidelines specified in the CC&R's
Water in crawl spaces is a complicated issue so we can't expect to solve every problem in this area but
we believe these measures provide the basis for best practice for investigation, approval, construction
and successful occupation of the home while minimizing the problems that may arise.
Thank you,
NorthSide Management
Scott Noriyuki