Cambridge Phase 1-CS 950111MEMORANDUM
January 11, 1995
To: Ami Patel, Engineering
From: Greg Jones, Chief Building Offi~
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Subject: Estates at Cambridge Manor/Retaining X4fill construction
I am concemed vfith regard to the release of the above referenced subdMsion conditioned on
16 of the 47 lots needing further Engineering review for retaining wall design prior to our
being able to issue building permits.
It is rny opinion that the subdivision should be put on hold until such time as all the retaining
walls have been constructed and released by Engineering Department for the following
reasons:
1. It seems that since there could be a different engineer involved on each lot. Having
experienced the usual reluctance of an engineer to certi~ the performance of his design x~.hen
other structures (walls) are allowed to be connected to it leads me to believe that we may
have problems down the road if these walls are allowed to go in piecemeal.
2. Since all the faces of the walls in any plane align, it looks like we need to construct all
walls out of the same construction materials such as all bric~ railroad ties or stone. I was
unable to fred the materials called out an).~vhere on the drav, fngs provided.
3. Since the walls on lots 1 and 2, Block B and lots 1.2, and 3 Block A are sho,~m to be
constructed on the rear property line and retaining the adjacent land. it seems that an3:
backfill, cribbing and deadmen will all have to be located on the adjacent prope~';
as such our office cannot issue a permit to the builders to construct a wall in this
subdMsion without some ~l~e of access and maintenance easement from the adjacent
landovmer.
4. From visiting the site it seems obvious that the backfill/wall construction ~ill require
removal of a line of trees along the West side of the development and in several pad areas.
I would prefer to resolve this problem at one time so a replacement tree count (along '~5th an
agreement/fund to replace these trees) can be provided by the developer who has caused the
problem.
Ami Patel, Engineering
Memo Page 2
I would also like to clear up a final item regarding a considerable amount of fill placed in the
development and note no. 3 on the "as-built" grading plans that indicates the fill shall be
properly compacted. The fill seems spongy and I wonder if testing reports have been
submitted to 3'our department regarding proper compaction, etc. of fill on pad sites.
I would still like to be able to walk the project with you in order that we m~..' resolve these
items. This will allow the permitting process to proceed ~x4th a minimum amount of
inconvenience to the home builders that w411 be submitting permit applications. Please
contact either Mike Hodge or myself so we can re-schedule this site visit.