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Board tells Westchester Avenue applicant to address stormwater runoff before approval
Summary
A continued hearing on a driveway repaving and added impervious surface on Westchester Avenue was continued after staff advised the board that the city's stormwater code requires minimizing runoff and that applicant should provide a subsurface system or alternatives to discharge to the street.
The Zoning Board of Appeals continued a public hearing March 18 on a Westchester Avenue application that would increase driveway pavement and impervious surface area, after city staff identified stormwater management problems that must be addressed before approval.
Staff cited Chapter 226 of the city code (Stormwater Management) and advised the board that while the code does not explicitly outlaw discharge to the street, it requires that increases in runoff be minimized and that developers use appropriate controls. Staff recommended the applicant design a subsurface infiltration or detention system to handle any increased flow rather than directing additional stormwater to the public way.
Board members and staff discussed potential basement flooding concerns if surface runoff is redirected inappropriately; staff said the applicant could also undertake basement waterproofing measures if subsurface solutions produced unintended effects.
The applicant did not have a full stormwater engineer response in the record at the meeting; the board asked staff to include the city stormwater ordinance and guidance in the record and told the applicant to return with a proposed stormwater system consistent with the code. The hearing was continued pending those submissions.
Ending: The board said it will revisit the application after the applicant submits a stormwater plan that demonstrates compliance with Chapter 226 and addresses any basement drainage concerns.
