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Garner adopts stormwater text amendment moving nitrogen controls into UDO and plans technical toolbox for 100-year storm guidance
Summary
Council adopted ZTA24002 to move nitrogen program language into the UDO for clearer enforcement and approved staff to develop a technical 'toolbox' and site-prioritization approach for when 100-year detention may be appropriate.
Garner Town Council on April 1 voted 5–0 to adopt zoning text amendment ZTA24002, which incorporates language from the town’s nitrogen program into the Unified Development Ordinance to clarify enforcement and recordkeeping requirements for stormwater controls.
Planning and engineering staff explained two wording changes made after the planning commission review: (1) Section O now requires that at project closeout and/or certificate of occupancy "all engineered stormwater controls and public storm drain infrastructure shall be submitted to the town of Garner for review and approval" to confirm construction matches approved plans and that controls will function as designed; and (2) Section Q now requires annual inspection records and SCM certifications or documentation of required maintenance with an accompanying plan.
Senior staff also told the council they will not change the town’s current discretionary ability to require detention for the 100-year storm across the board immediately. Instead engineering staff will develop a "toolbox" of nature-based and other enhanced stormwater control recommendations and a site-prioritization rubric to identify locations where higher detention or additional measures are appropriate. Staff cautioned that over-detaining can alter natural flow patterns and that green stormwater infrastructure to mimic natural conditions is often preferable.
Council adopted the amendment so staff could apply the clearer enforcement language to pending enforcement cases and move forward while the toolbox is completed. The measure passed on a voice vote recorded as 5–0.
