HomeMy WebLinkAboutGroocock, Chris & Gloria1030 West Creek Ave
Cutchogue NY t 1935
The Trustees
Southold Township
PO Box 1179
Southold 11971
April 27 2001
Dear Sirs/Madam,
Having just moved back into our house in Cutchogue after an absence of 20 years, we
wish to apply for permission to construct a wooden bulkhead along the edge of our
property bordering Wickham's Creek.
The property was purchased in December 1976 and, at that time, the seven/eight foot
steep bank down to the creek was retained by a series of misaligned terraced walls of
concrete blocks. The lower structure was a wall of about 5 feet high running the width of
the property, with a break at the steps leading down to the dock. The blocks were loosely
slacked onto each other and were held in place by old steel plumbing pipes driven down
through the cavities in the cement blocks. The pipes poked up irregularly above the
blocks were rusty and unsightly. In addition the entire lower wall leant outwards
towards the creek owing to the constant pressure from the land behind. The whole
structure had an make-shift impermanent appearance.
The structure was not only an eyesore but was unlikely to remain effective, as the pipes
anchoring the loose blocks had became increasingly rusted. The resting of the pipes and
the tilting of the wall had already begun. We removed the whole structure, planning to
replace it with a more aesthetically pleasing and effective barrier. However as we had to
move away from Long Island these plans were put on hold. The bank was planted with
local bushes to help stabilize it and some rocks put at the base to fend offwave acfmn
during high storm tides. Neither measure has been very effective.
Over the years the bank has eroded away by a few feet horizontally but, more seriously,
the whole property above the bank has sunk about two feet. This subsidence has
extended back to the house, which is about 40 feet from the top of the bank. Cracks are
now appearing in the foundation of the house. The subsidence is caused by two factors
the erosion by waves of the bank and the upwelling of springs at the base of the bank
after heavy storms. The upper water table is about at the same level as the base of the
bank. At low tide fresh water constantly seeps out from the sand/mud. The subsidence is
greatest in the center of the property causing the center of the house to sink; the roof-line
has become bowed downwards, the outside chimney now leans slightly inwards.
The problems with the house we will have to deal with later, but it is imperative that the
underlying erosion of the property be stopped as soon as possible.
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