Elm Lane Flooding and the Gillespie Property

While concerns about stormwater hard surface runoff into Schitt's Creek, Mitchell Pond Number Six, Fourmile Creek are concerning our fears are not limited to Rea Road.

On the West side of the Gillespie Property lies Elm Lane. A picturesque tree lined ribbon of asphalt that connects Ballantyne Commons Parkway to Pineville Matthews Road.

Just out of sight lies Stuart's Creek which runs along the east side of Elm Lane and then crosses under Elm Lane to enter the Ivy Hall gated community before transiting into a storm drain and running underground through the White Oak subdivision towards Pooh's Corner and the wetlands owned by Mecklenburg County and the White Oaks HOA. 

Stuarts Creek

Stuart's Creek starts at the Stonecrest Shopping Center, a Mecca for impervious surface. Then the creek collects more stormwater from 485. Unfortunately the addition of the 485 express toll lanes doubled the stormwater runoff into Stuart's Creek. 

As the water flows into Piper Glen golf course it empties in into the Par 4 No 14 pond. 

TPC Piper Glen No. 14 Par 4 Green

Leaving the pond via a spillway. Stuart's Creek flows north between the fairway and Elm Lane. 

TPC Piper Glen No. 14 Par 4 Fairway and Tee

Then in crosses under Elm Lane and heads toward Ivy Hall and the homes of White Oak.

This is where the trouble shows up. Ten years ago before the additional 485 lanes and the widening of Elm Lane and development south and north of 485 and at End Haven the water volume was somewhat manageable. 

Now even a mild ran causes standing water on Elm Lane. And if it is this bad now just think what this will look like with an additional 50 acres of impervious surface added by the Gillespie Property if it is developed as requested.