Mark Williams

  • 6411-6599 Valley Estates Dr Raleigh, NC, 27612, USA - Raleigh Council District A

    See the previously reported Illegal Spills / Water Pollution (15908792)
    6300 Creedmoor Road Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612.

    Observation Made from Valley Estates Drive looking West toward the Lynnwood Shopping Center.
    It seems that the Dumping Santa has struck again. Santa just moved up the back alley way behind Aldi's about twenty feet to where one of the open curb egress that drain the alley is located. There appears to be about five 55 gallon black trash bags and some other debris (large mechanical fixtures of some unknown type) scattered from the top of the egress to the gully that drains into Valley Estates Dr stormwater drainage system.

  • 6300 Creedmoor Road Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    The Lynnwood Center located at 6300 Creedmoor Rd eems to have undergone some unapproved/unplanned stormwater drainage mitigation. It seems to be consistent with Raleigh's Engineering Department policy of using environmental specialist to publish design calculation that should be more typically executed by NC Professional Engineers (Issue ID: 14166006).

    The unapproved/unplanned project seems to have occurred during the night of January 18-19. It was discovered as the observer was driving along Valley Estates Drive approaching Lynn Road at about 0830 hours. Material used in the suspect project seems to be an assembly of commercial grade drywall. The designer of the project seems to have been attempting to construct a sluice of some type. That is actually a fairly good idea. But extremely poorly designed and executed. The results of the project can not yet be truly judged. Although the photographs seem to confirm that the "suspect project" apparently covers what may be a stormwater drainage egress from a "retaining wall". That would suggest a restriction of a large stormwater flow. In addition the casual observation that was made was unable to establish any inherent damage that the "suspect project" may have had on the existing stormwater drainage features. The casual photographs acquired seem to suggest the "critical stormwater drainage" region (Issue ID: 11216873) in which the "suspect project" was constructed.

    Alternately, the "suspect project" may have been a simple event of "dumping". If that is the case the property manager/owner should expedite cleanup prior to the next major rain event. That would help to maintain property value of the Lynnwood Center and the Valley Estates neighborhood.

    One can only hope the City of Raleigh has real Professional Engineers reviewing and inspecting the large projects currently underway along the stretch of Creedmoor just South of the Lynnwood Center. Those projects suggest that the the City has learned that water retraining features should be located on the lowest corners of the project. At the meetings with the public project and City representatives promised that all would be well planned and executed. But......

  • 6301 Belle Crest Drive Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    It seems that neighbors in Valley Estates or Leadmine Lake have elected to come/go at high rates of speed in gulf carts. There appeared to by an adult driving at a rather high speed for a gulf cart with at least one juvenile headed North on Belle Crest Dr (approx 6301 Belle Crest Dr) at about 1845 hr today 10/13/2023.

    They appeared to head up towards the pond turnaround and then dashed back past at least three walkers at the same apparently high speed. The operator had the top lights on, no tag of any type. The usage of seat belts was no apparent.

  • 2104 Lynn Rd Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    Once again it seems that the owner/manager of the retail shopping site at 2104 Lynn Rd Raleigh, NC, 27612 has re-instituted a new retail business: camp ground sites. See prior Issue ID: 5317681. This time the "tent" is light green. This tent is in the "buffer" between the shopping mall (Aldi's at Creedmoor Rd see the attached image)

    Please have the appropriate human resources conduct a health and welfare check on the occupants. There were no obvious water, utilities, or sanitation facilities visible from Lynn Rd. The encampment first appear June 28, 2023.

  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A
    Upstream from the stormwater drainage easement ditch crossing in back of 6305 Belle Crest Dr. styrofoam packing material enter the drainage system. The drainage easement ditch is fed from the Valley Estates Drive City of Raleigh Stormwater curb collection drains located on Valley Estates Dr. 6304-6308 and 6305-6309.
  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    Upon returning from a ten day trip (230321), it was discovered that what appears to be sediment from a construction site has collect in the City of Raleigh Storm Drainage collection curb and drain.

    Pictures were taken on 230322. A video camera covering the entire period of trip clearly show the event. That video (3.9 GB) is available for review upon request.

    Additional pictures will be added in subsequent comments.

  • 6304 Valley Estates Dr Raleigh, NC, 27612, USA - Raleigh Council District A

    One of the owners of 6304 Valley Estates Dr casually mentioned that the City of Raleigh was funding a "rain garden" on the property. There was no further communication from the owners nor the City of Raleigh regarding the construction of a substantial, permanent water containment feature.

    Today a construction crew appeared and began digging and shaping a kidney shape basin water containment feature. The basin appears to be about 1.5 to 3 feet deep. At its longest length it appears to be 40 feet. The foot of the containment feature is a mere 6 feet from the "back" property line (survey complete 6-27-2018).

  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    Regarding prior Illegal Spills / Water Pollution Issue ID: 13783035

    There appear to be two problems.

    1> There does not appear to be anyway to re-open this report as instructed by the closure notice. This problem has persisted as made evident by today's rain event.

    2> Today's rain event (12/15/2022) magnified the impact of the 'leaf dumping/collection' by neighbors who live upstream of the riprap stormdrainage easement running through 6305 Belle Crest and 6301 Belle Crest. As a result of the additional clogging of the 'dumped leafs' the drainage has become clogged.

  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A
  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    Once again the City of Raleigh has failed to properly institute appropriate protocols when citizens are forced to deal with cable franchises. This is a multi-day saga with a host of characters which started with a simple decision made by a next door neighbor to add Google fiber.

    Day One: 12/01/2022
    From there the No-Cuts technician who marked the existing relevant utilities. In the process he removed the Spectrum cable distribution box. He was not able to reseat the cover. He recommended calling Spectrum to have them reseat the cover. Note that all this is transpiring at 6305 Belle Crest Dr in support of adding a new Google fiber customer at 6301 Belle Crest Dr.

    Day Two: 12/02/2022
    A Google fiber Contractor arrived to bury the cable and size a hole for the distribution box. This task was completed with a minimum of anxiety.

    Day Three: 12/03/2022
    The anxiety heightens as a Google fiber contractor arrives to exhume the buried cable at the street so that a street distribution box can installed on the cable. That collection of cable and distribution box is then re-buried.

    Day Four: 12/04/2022
    Part 1a> A set of two Google fiber contractors arrived to establish service for the next door neighbor. The exhumed the street distribution box (6305 Belle Crest Dr). The made the first installation of the day. They shortly discovered that there is a now a "break" in the fiber between the Google distribution boxes. They installed a temporary fiber cable from the "good" Google distribution box along the curb to the for the google. The cable was then connected to the distribution box at the street (6305 Belle Crest Dr) and subsequently reburied. They attempted to secure the temporary cable to the curb-street using specialized tape. The instructed residence at both 6301 and 6305 Belle Crest Dr to contact Google for regarding any questions. They projected that "some" level of fiber cable burial will be needed involving the lawn slicing of sod and boring under multiple concrete driveways . They were unable to provide an appropriate Google contact number. They subsequently departed leaving an exposed unmarked tripping hazard.

    Day Four: Part 1b> Using several different search strings an appropriate Google number was located. The first number 833-999-2889 was a Google number that gave a message that the number was no longer active. The message continued by providing a second number (877388-3464). The problem with the message was that it was inappropriately broadcasted for the hearing impaired. But once contact was make with Google three issues were raised.
    i> Google will review submitted invoice required to restore property (lawn and or driveways) damaged during installation activities.
    ii> There is a need beyond the residential liability issue to address the unmarked exposed due to the proximity of the hazard to the mailbox and service easements.
    iii> One of the resident in the immediate vicinity who maintains the lawn of interest has a handicap related to military service that requires prosthesis for movement.
    iv> Both parties agreed that Google contracts should be provided with business cards on which an individual will find appropriate contact information for addressing questions and issues.

    Day Four: Part 2>
    In parallel with the activity underway the Spectrum technician properly installs the Spectrum distribution box cover after insuring that all is well.

    In summary, a casual observer would have expected that with the many years of dealing with utility franchises Raleigh would at least have establish "some" protocols for monitoring franchise field activity and establish firm lines of communication for its citizens to communicate with the City and the franchises.

    Many more pictures are available. We can only hope that the subsequent Google 'work' will end well.

  • 1936 Amity Hill Ct Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    The home owner at 1936 Amity Court (location of mailbox) actually fronts Belle Crest Dr. The "Spill" actually is along the Belle Crest Dr (front door) side of the house. This house was prepared for sale but has since been pulled-off the market after ninety days. The house is not abandon, but yard maintenance has not been observed since the first days of sale. As such the "leaves" accumulated in the street causing an eye-sore. To benefit the home owner, the leaves where finally removed and place in a local compost-pile.

    Upon removal of the leaves it was observed that a sizable "paint" dump had occurred. Apparently, someone used the stormwater drain as a convenient place to dump a project's paint.
    Some time ago a contractor repaired some siding and painted. Unfortunately, the stormwater drain flows directly into the Leadmine Lake from the City of Raleigh's road easement.

  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    Last night at about 1900 hours I moved the City of Raleigh Waste Bin (Dark Green) to the curb immediately in front of my residence, 6305 Belle Crest Dr. It was there overnight and throughout the day. As of 1635 hours this afternoon, 9/06/2022 everyone else along Belle Crest has had their Green Trash Bin emptied. But mine remains un-emptied. Rather than violated HOA covenants I elected to remove the Green Trash Bin from the curb.

    If you "want' to send PAC-MAN around to empty the trash bin fine. But there is plenty of room still in the bin. So alternately, you can just give us credit on the monthly bill.

  • 12333 Strickland Rd Raleigh, North Carolina, 27613 - Northwest

    Enough is enough. I never confront! But.....

    Today 9/01/2022, at almost 0900 hr, a white Toyota heavy duty SUV pulled into one of two Handicap slots that front the Nora Cafe coffee house. The female driver did not display a NC Handicap placard. Nor as was established later did her vehicle have an NC Handicap license plate. (License Tag Number available upon request.) She exited the vehicle with a small designer breed dog. She was wearing shower style clip/clop tongs, managed her dog on a leash, and displayed no apparent difficulty in walking to join her female friends.

    When I departed from the other Handicap slot at just after 0945 hour she was still engaged in a social gathering outside the main entrance to Nora's Cafe. The principle individual of this observation could have been likened to 'early Ellie caricature' role in the movie "Legally Blond".

    During the time of this social gathering it was that another patron of Nora's Cafe with an extremely obvious handicap was forced to negotiate the steps and the social gathering. In an effort to 'free-up' a one of the two Handicap slots, I asked my wife to cut our social meeting short to avoid having another Handicap person negotiate the steps.

    I earned my permanent NC Handicap placard the old fashion way, military service. Raleigh's Ellie may have earned hers during the sorority rush.

    Utilization of the Handicap parking slots involving deliveries and "dropping-off" a Nora customer were not included in the issue report. Such usage is probably the 'most prudent' behavior in a busy parking lot.

    As a casual observer the following was noted and appears to have become an accepted normal of behavior involving rising disregard of NC Handicap parking regulations/enforcement:

    Site: 12333 Strickland Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 Handicap Parking slots facing the Nora Cafe and State Farm Office

    09/01/2022: White Toyota (Tag Number Available upon request) as described beginning at about 0900 hours.

    08/29/2022: A Ford smoke-gray/slate sedan driven by a woman in work-out attire parked her vehicle parked between the two Handicap slots voiding the wheelchair access space at about 0900. The woman appeared to be in 'work-out clothes', Additional details provided upon request.

    08/26/2022 and 08/15/2022: (Ego plate Tag information provided upon request) A Red pickup driven by a man with a baseball cap parked in one of the two handicap slots. Both times seem to be about 0815 hours.

    08/25/2022: At about 0850 hours both Handicap parking slots were being 'bogarted' by two female drivers both who seemed to require privacy. One had a New York vehicle license plate. The other had an NC license plate. Both were engaged in extended celluar phone calls or texting sessions.

  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    Since about 1530 hours today there has been a mass clearing of See/Click/Fix. Has Raleigh hired a substantial number of new employees to handle the 'aging' issues? Or is it just a 'numbers' thing so the City can announce progress on clearing issues?

    From my vantage point it seems that the See/Click/Fix has become a computer virus. It now has consume resources on three different devices that require deletion and discarding. This is commonly called a denial of services or resources flooding.

  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    Power wash debris entering watershed: Somewhere North above 6305 Belle Crest Dr. a power washing event occurred. The debris was apparently 'washed' down the curb and entered the stormwater street drain that feeds Leadmine Lake. This is the second time this has been documented. This specific event occured Friday 7/22 sometime after the red vehicle was parked at the curb ( a little after Noon) and 3:30 PM when the vehicle was moved.

    No effort was made to remove the debris from Friday's event.

    The earlier event resulted in three bucket loads of debris being removed before access to the residence's driveway was possible. (prior event pictures are available upon request). Debris removed from this event was distributed upon a remote section of the owner's property to allow for a gradual release and mitigation. No ill effects were observed over time from this procedure.

  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A
    6/07.2022 Recycle pickup vehicle hydraulic lifting arm reservoir appears to have started leaking on Valley Estates Dr, Amity Hill Dr, and Belle Crest Dr anytime it attempted to lift a 'heavy' Recycle Bin. The photo uploaded is the results of one such 'lift attempt'. The fluid leaked appears to be pinkish in color and smells like standard hydraulic fluid. The pooling of the fluid seems to have caused the 'melt-down' or weakening of the asphalt road surfaces. Although this particular leak spot had 'standing' pools of fluid at about 0840 hr, the fluid seems to have evaporate or seeped into the road surface by 1630 hr when check alter.
  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    The photograph show is the view from the street inlet of the stormdrain located between 6301 and 6305 Belle Crest Dr. The depth of leaf accumulation appears to be several inches.

    We seem to be having an over abundance of Magnolia leaves collecting in the right-of-way storm-drain and curb gutter. This particular storm-drain deserves City maintenance for two good reasons. First the magnolia leaves have accelerated collecting in the bottom of the street drain. This 28 inch drain also collects water from two 32 inch right-of-way drains above on Valley Estates Dr.

    I would prefer not to be flooded again. A considerable investment was made in an effort to mitigate prior issues (coordinated with the Raleigh Stormwater Management Department circa. 2017-2018).

  • 5701 Hedgemoor Dr Raleigh, NC, 27612, USA - Raleigh Council District A

    By the grace of God we were able to avoid an apparent distracted or impaired driver. See the attached image of the near collision.

    This is the second time this has happened in a vehicle in which I was riding. This time my grandchildren were in the vehicle as well. No one was killed or injured. The only damage done was a small wet spot where I was sitting. When one are sitting in the front seat of a small sedan one has a near asphalt level view of traffic.

    The other driver, large SUV, apparently was unaware that the Milbrook is not a five lane road with three lanes going in his/her direction.

    As a Professional Engineer (retired) licensed in NC specializing in the field of safety, reliability, and threat abatement it is incumbent on me to to discharge my duty to traveling public to lodge this formal observation.

    RECOMMENDATION:
    1> City of Raleigh: An appropriate set of video cameras should be array along Milbrook and Hedgemoor to capture normal traffic behavior and the frequency of similar events.
    2> The driving public should be encourage to avoid the Milbrook -Hedgemoor turn lane.
    3> The driving public should be encourage to mount dashboard camera sufficient to record traffic behavior and collision events.

  • 6413 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    The resident at 6413 placed his clippings from the pruning of his crape myrtle in the street for yard waste pickup scheduled for 4/12. Unfortunately he is unaware that the yard waste needs to be bundled or contained. If you can communicate with him please ask him not to place in across the street like he normally does. When he does that (which has been witnessed previously) the HOA paid-for landscape maintenance contract hauls it way.

    He does not seem to understand his neighbors when he is cautioned about how to prepare his yard waste. Delivery a simple set of instructions from the City of Raleigh might 'invite' to participate in a positive manner.

  • 6305 Belle Crest Dr Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612 - Raleigh Council District A

    Discovered a dead opossum in the stromwater easement just at the egress to the drain into the Leadmine Lake Pond. Called RPD Non-Emergency 919-831-6311. The operator said that animal control only dealt with live animal issues. He expressed that it was a waste disposal issue. He indicated that I could secure the body and place it in the Raleigh Waste Collection bin for my regular trash and garbage collection without issue.

    No further action is required.