§ 26-115. Purpose/objectives of article.

The purpose of this article is to protect, maintain and enhance the public health, safety, environment and general welfare by establishing minimum requirements and procedures to control the adverse effects of increased post-development stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollution associated with new development and redevelopment. It has been determined that proper management of post-development stormwater runoff will minimize damage to public and private property and infrastructure, safeguard the public health, safety, environment and general welfare of the public, and protect water and aquatic resources. This article seeks to meet that purpose through the following objectives:

(1)

Protect, maintain, and enhance the short-term and long-term public health, safety, and general welfare. This objective will be achieved by:

a.

Establish decision-making processes surrounding land development activities that protect the integrity of the watershed and preserve the health of water resources.

b.

Require that new development and redevelopment maintain the pre-development hydrologic response in their post-development state as nearly as practicable in order to reduce flooding, streambank erosion, nonpoint source pollution and increases in stream temperature, and maintain the integrity of stream channels and aquatic habitats.

c.

Establish minimum post-development stormwater management standards and design criteria for the regulation and control of stormwater runoff quantity and quality.

d.

Establish design and application criteria for the construction and use of structural stormwater control facilities that can be used to meet the minimum post-development stormwater management standards.

e.

Encourage the use of non-structural stormwater management and stormwater better site design practices, such as the preservation of greenspace and other conservation areas, to the maximum extent practicable. Coordinate site design plans, which include greenspace, with the county's greenspace protection plan.

f.

Establish provisions for the long-term responsibility for and maintenance of structural stormwater control facilities and non-structural stormwater management practices to ensure that they continue to function as designed, are maintained, and pose no threat to public safety.

g.

Establish administrative procedures for the submission, review, approval and disapproval of stormwater management plans, and for the inspection of approved active projects, and long-term follow up.

(2)

To satisfy federal (EPA) and state (DNR) regulations that require local programs to control stormwater discharges of pollution.

(3)

To keep streets open to emergency vehicle traffic by reducing the flooding of streets.

(4)

Require construction of drainage systems which aesthetically and functionally approximate natural systems.

(5)

Establish the development and implementation of stormwater management districts.

(95-0093, art. I, § A(3), 3-15-95; Ord. No. 08-0194, 2-20-08)