Starleaf PS Task 1 Site Study 12-07-2015 Technical Memorandum
(Starleaf Pump Station Study, Task 1 – Site Study)
Page 1 of 5
To: Jamie Brierton, CIP Coordinator
Keith Marvin, PE; Assistant Director of Public Works
From: Bryant Caswell, PE (Texas PE # 91721)
Dorian French, PE, RPLS, DWRE (Texas PE #40453)
Date: December 7, 2015
Subject: Starleaf Pump Station – Site Study
As part of the Starleaf Pump Station Study, Brown & Gay Engineers Inc., (BGE) has performed
an evaluation of the site on Starleaf Street for a proposed 25 MGD Pump Station (PS) and 6
million gallon (MG) Ground Storage Tank (GST).
This evaluation considers the physical and administrative site constraints for the proposed pump
station project. Physical constraints include items such as the roadway and underground
infrastructure such as existing pipelines. Administrative constraints include easements, building
setbacks, architectural development codes and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ) regulations. Other constraints include the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) 500 year floodplain and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) flood
inundation mapping.
SITE EVALUATION
Building Area
The site is to consist of two lots, A and B, separated by Starleaf Street. Lot A on the north side is
1.94 acres and bounded on the West by the Irving ISD and the North by the Saint Joseph Village
development. Lot B on the south side is 2.18 acres and is bounded on the East by a power line
easement and to the West by the City of Coppell’s MacArthur Park.
As shown in Exhibit 1, with multiple easements and setbacks on each lot the usable acreage for a
structure is reduced to 1.15 acres for Lot A and 0.80 acres for Lot B. Although drainage and
sewer easements on each lot reduce the space available for a tank or building, the space may
available for paving for vehicular access or parking.
Floodplain and Inundation Mapping
The most current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) from July 2014 includes the Starleaf
site within the 500-year floodplain, but outside of the 100-year floodplain (Exhibit 2).
The North Central Texas Council of Governments, as part of the Trinity River COMMON
VISION Program, has developed a floodplain development permitting process in cooperation
with nine municipalities including the City of Coppell. A permit called a Corridor Development
Certificate (CDC) must be applied for by any development within the 100 year floodplain of the
Trinity River, in this case the Elm Fork. As the project site does not lie within the 100 year
floodplain, a CDC does not appear to be required.
Technical Memorandum (Task 1 – Site Study)
Page 2 of 5
In May 2015, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers performed a study on the impact of flood events
and the related dam release flooding downstream of Lake Lewisville. During a high flow
scenario, defined as a 30,000 cfs release, there is potential flooding along the property
boundaries and is shown on Exhibit 2. However, the potential inundation area per the USACE
mapping is outside the easements and setbacks except for a small section in the northwestern
corner of Lot A.
Tank Size & Location
Considering easements and set back constraints, the approximate maximum tank diameters were
determined for both Lot A and B.
Table 1 – Approximate Maximum Tank Sizes
Lot
Max Interior
Tank Diameter
(ft)
Tank
Capacity
(MG)
Approximate
Head Range
(ft)
A 200 6.0 26
B 140 6.0 52
Lot A would allow up to a maximum diameter of 200 ft providing a draft less than 30 feet for a 6
MG tank (Exhibit 3). Lot B is less suited for the tank as the maximum diameter is limited to 140
feet, which would require a tank height of over 50 feet for a 6 MG tank (not shown). For more
consistent pump suction conditions, a wider shallower tank is desired. In addition to improved
pump suction conditions, a lower tank profile may be aesthetically desirable and it is common to
bury taller tanks at least partially to improve their appearance. However, TCEQ rules require that
tanks are not to be buried below the groundwater level and no storage tank or clearwell located
below ground level is allowed within 50 feet of a sanitary sewer. Although the exact
groundwater level at the site is unknown until borings can be made, per the discussion below on
the anticipated geologic conditions and the proximity to low lying areas that flood, groundwater
is expected which may limit the depth of bury available for the tank. Also, the proximity of the
sanitary sewer force main along the West boundary of the site may affect the ability to bury the
tank as well.
Considering these limitations on Lot B, in contrast with the availability of Lot A, we recommend
that the tank be located north of Starleaf St. on Lot A (Exhibit 3).
Pump Station Footprint
An approximate maximum size of 75 feet by 100 feet is assumed for the pump station footprint.
This footprint includes space for the pump suction and discharge headers as well as the electrical
and control room, but does not include added office or storage space. A horizontal split case
pump station, similar to the Village Parkway Pump Station, may require most of this footprint to
be the building footprint where pipe headers, valves, and ancillary equipment are within. A
vertical turbine pump station may allow a much smaller building, but the space required for the
supporting yard piping would require approximately the same footprint.
Technical Memorandum (Task 1 – Site Study)
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Although both lots have sufficient space for the assumed footprint we recommend the pump
station be located on lot B per the discussion above regarding tank location. As shown on Exhibit
3, Lot B appears to have sufficient space for the pump station, emergency generator, vehicle
fueling station and adequate vehicular access. There also appears to be space to accommodate a
slightly larger footprint for additional office and shop space.
The piping layout shown in the exhibit is conceptual and only shown for feasibility. Multiple
site layout arrangements will be developed as part of the preliminary site layout (Task 5). In
general, the size of the site will require close proximity of large buried structures and pipe.
Strong consideration for the maintenance and repair of these improvements will be required
during design and construction.
ARCHITECTURE
Quorum Architects, Inc. evaluated the site for applicable development codes and planning and
zoning requirements, including discussions with City staff. The proposed pump station will
likely be designed primarily as a load bearing masonry construction, type II-N construction per
the 2012 International Building Code, in which the walls and roofs are constructed of non-
combustible materials. Specifically, the primary walls will likely be reinforced masonry while
roofs will likely have steel structural members and decking. Depending on the final design, a
simulated stone or full depth masonry veneer (brick or stone) will likely be used around the
exterior perimeter walls. Per discussion with the City staff, the zoning designation PD-114R S-7
will require 80% masonry and no stucco will be allowed. The roof will be designed either as a
pitched standing seam metal roof or a low slope modified bitumen roof. All occupied areas of
the building will be designed to conform to the current International Energy Conservation Code
(IECC) requirements for envelope, lighting and mechanical, and therefore will likely need
perimeter studs filled with insulation along with extra insulation on the underside of the roof
deck in the occupied areas. The 2012 International Building and Plumbing Code requires one
water closet, one lavatory in a toilet room and allows for a single uni-sex toilet room for
occupancy under 15. This will need to be confirmed during design by a local building official
since some Cities have an amendment that requires a minimum of one for each sex.
Screening walls (6-8 feet high) will be required per City development code. However this will
be 8 feet per TCEQ as a minimum of 8 feet is required to avoid a barbed wire topping. The City
requires this to be double width masonry or CMU with a brick or stone veneer. No split face
CMU is allowed for the screen wall per development standards. Landscaping, in the form of
trees and shrubs, shall be used to break up long continuous lengths of wall. In general, a
minimum of 15 percent of the wall elevation should be screened with vegetation.
Off street parking will be required at one space per 300 square feet for office space and one
space per 1,000 square feet for the storage/industrial area. One (1) accessible parking space and
access aisle will be required. All off-street parking areas for nonresidential uses in a
nonresidential district which is used after dark, shall be illuminated beginning one-half hour after
sunset and continuing throughout the hours of use or until midnight, whichever is earlier. In case
only a portion of a parking area is offered for use after dark, only that part is required to be
illuminated in accordance with these standards. However, the portion offered for use shall be
clearly designated. No intermittent or flashing lights are permitted.
Technical Memorandum (Task 1 – Site Study)
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Site plan submittal will be required for review and approval from the Design Review Committee,
then Planning and Zoning, as well as City Council. The site may also require a replat.
ANTICIPATED GEOLOGIC CONDITIONS
The Starleaf Pump Station and Ground Storage Facility is proposed along Starleaf Street, east of
MacArthur Boulevard in Coppell, Texas. Reed Engineering Group has experience with projects
adjacent to this site (Exhibit 4). Information about the adjacent sites and the anticipated geologic
conditions for the proposed Starleaf site are provided below.
Church Property at the Corner of Starleaf Street and MacArthur Boulevard
Reed Engineering Group performed a site investigation for the Church of the Apostles site
located at the corner of Starleaf Street and MacArthur Boulevard in September, 1996. The
subsurface conditions consisted of terraced and recent alluvial soil overlying the Cretaceous
Eagle Ford Formation. Recent alluvial soil associated with Holocene deposition in the
floodplain of the Elm Fork Trinity River were encountered. These deposits consisted of low
plasticity sandy clay and extended to the 30-foot termination depth of the borings. The sandy
clay was overlain by eight feet of high plasticity clay fill with a trace of gravel and sandy clay.
One of the borings encountered terraced alluvial soil associated with Pleistocene deposition in
the former floodplain of the Elm Fork Trinity River and its tributaries. The terrace deposits
consisted of 1-1/2 feet of high plasticity clay overlying low plasticity sandy clay. Low plasticity
clayey sand was encountered below 13-1/2 feet, grading into dense, gravelly sand and gravel
with increasing depth. The terrace deposits extended to a depth of 20-1/2 feet and were
underlain by severely weathered shale. Dark gray, unweathered shale was encountered below 21
feet and extended through the termination depth of the boring.
Groundwater was encountered during drilling at depths of eight to nine feet (approx. Elev. 438 to
441). Groundwater had risen to within three to six feet of the surface at completion of drilling,
and to within one foot of the ground surface after two days. The groundwater is perched above
the unweathered Eagle Ford shale within the overlying alluvial soil. There appears to be a
slightly descending groundwater gradient to the east, toward the Elm Fork Trinity River. The
depth to groundwater will fluctuate with variations in seasonal and yearly rainfall.
Rehabilitation Facility on Sandy Lake Road, Northeast of Starleaf Site
Reed Engineering Group performed a site investigation for a rehabilitation facility located on
Sandy Lake Road, northeast of the Starleaf site in December, 2011. The subsurface conditions
consisted of fill overlying Holocene alluvial soil, overlying weathered shale of the Cretaceous
Eagle Ford Formation.
The alluvial soil encountered below the fill consisted of high to moderate plasticity (CH to CL)
clay and sandy clay containing varying amounts of sand and gravel. The alluvial soil extended
through the termination depths of all the deeper borings except for one boring. One boring
encountered dark gray and olive, hard, fissile, weathered shale below the alluvial soil at a depth
of 23-1/2 feet and extended through the 25-foot termination depth of the boring.
Technical Memorandum (Task 1 – Site Study)
Page 5 of 5
Groundwater seepage was encountered during drilling at a depth of 12-1/2 feet in one boring.
Based on post-drilling observations, groundwater was present at depths of 12-1/2 to 24 feet in
November-December 2011. The groundwater was perched within the alluvial soil above the
relatively impermeable, unweathered shale (not encountered in the borings). The depth to
groundwater will fluctuate with variations in seasonal and yearly rainfall.
Anticipated Geologic Conditions Summary
Subsurface conditions in the area of the project are anticipated to consist of fill and Holocene
alluvial soil overlying unweathered shale of the Cretaceous Eagle Ford Formation. The alluvial
soil in the area typically consist of high plasticity clay grading with depth into clayey sand and
sandy clay with some coarse sand and fine gravel at the base. The alluvial soil is anticipated to
extend to depths of about 25 to 30 feet.
Historical aerial photographs show that a detention pond was present on the southern portion of
the site, south of Starleaf Street, in 2001. Later aerial photographs indicate that the pond was
backfilled with soil to match adjacent grades.
Unweathered shale is anticipated below the alluvial soil at depths of approximately 25 to 30 feet.
Due to the potential for seasonal movement of the alluvial soil, it is anticipated that remedial
earthwork will be required to allow the proposed ground storage tank and pump station to be
constructed with a ground supported slab. The type of foundation for structures will be
dependent on the tank and building configuration and site specific soil.
REFERENCES
1. RG-195 70, Revised June 2012, Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Chapter
290, Subchapter D: Rules and Regulations for Public Water Systems
2. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Flood Insurance Rate Map, Number
48113C0155K, Revised July 2014
3. USACE Inundation Mapping, Elm Fork Trinity River Downstream of Lewisville Lake,
May 2015
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.
Tel: 972-464-4800 Ɣ www.browngay.com
STARLEAF PUMP
STATION STUDY
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.
Tel: 972-464-4800 Ɣ www.browngay.com
STARLEAF PUMP
STATION STUDY
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.
Tel: 972-464-4800 Ɣ www.browngay.com
STARLEAF PUMP
STATION STUDY
PLATE 1Proposed Starleaf Pump Station SiteCoppell, TexasGEOLOGIC MAPENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTSGEOTECHNICAL ANDGROUPENGINEERINGREEDNOT TO SCALE:CHURCH SITEPROPOSEDSTARLEAF SITEREHAB SITE