Editor,
I think that City Council should concentrate on flooding and fire for the canyon when considering the design of this area. It is interesting to note that the canyon residents are asked to step up to the plate for various “infringements,” but the city is very quiet when it comes to doing any thing about improving flood control because it is too expensive!
In particular flooding is one that can be addressed so that residents do not experience this every time there is extreme rainfall like 2010 (flooding in areas of Woodland Drive.) As one of the consultants who responded to a question on flooding, his response was “catch it where it drops.” In this case, it would be out by the Highway 73, where there is a lot of impervious surface. There are no catchment areas for detainment or containment to slow the runoff, which should be the responsibility of the County of Orange. Closer in it becomes the responsibility of the city and the county. Containment and detainment areas are really areas that can stop the water and slow the flow, so that areas downstream do not get inundated. The containment areas can use temporary open space.
A dutch engineer, Henk Ovink, consulted on Sandy Hook, made a number of proposals, especially for Hoboken: use parks, vacant lots, and parking lots as temporary holding areas, and increase permeable surfaces.
It is interesting to note that the creek was blocked near the dog park and it slowed down the flow. The dog park acted as a detainment area (please see 2010 flood level at resource center and Big Bend).
The benefits are that we could cover over the ditch in town and at the village entrance to at least Canyon Acres Drive and maybe further to allow for bike lanes and no flooding for Laguna Canyon people.
Paul Barnard, Laguna Beach
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