ROCK CREEK CROSSING PART II LEGAL ISSUES PART I

摘要

Rock Creek Crossing (RCC) is a housing project sliced out of the side of a mountain in northern New Jersey. The first phase of the RCC slope stability project saga was presented at the 57th HGS. A number of the suspect areas discussed lay behind two three-story condominium structures and a parking lot. Potential slope failure modes mapped included the ravelling of glacial materials atop the slope as well as wedge and plane failures along bedrock discontinuities (foliation, faulting and fracturing).rnSubsequent to the remediation work in this area, an adjacent landowner (Applicant) proposed to construct three large homes with associated roadways, utilities, septic systems and recharge basins above that slope. A review of the development plans prepared by the engineering firm headed by the Applicant indicated that the property encompassed the slopes behind three RCC facilities (Buildings B and C, as well as the intervening parking area).rnSubsequent discussions, and meetings with, as well as sworn testimony from, various professionals for the adjacent project indicated little knowledge of rock slope engineering and ground water movement within a fractured rock medium. During the progress of the hearings, it also began to appear that the existing slope on the other side of the proposed development that was thought to be part of a third project was also on the Applicant's property. This slope, along the entrance road to a large housing development, was also mapped and evaluated by the authors. Despite taking the developer's professionals on guided tours of the two slopes of interest, their apparent lack of understanding of potential rock mechanics failures and ground water flow out of the slopes strongly contributed to the local Planning Board denying the developer's application.