Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure And Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council updates post‑development stormwater rules, raises detention standard and sets 180‑day compliance window
Summary
City Council adopted updates to the post‑development stormwater ordinance Thursday, raising detention design to a 2‑in/25‑yr standard, clarifying redevelopment credits and adding operation and maintenance rules for stormwater devices.
City Council adopted updates to the city’s post‑development stormwater ordinance Thursday, changing technical standards and adding operation and maintenance requirements for stormwater control measures (SCMs).
Stormwater utility administrator Dannon Lawson said the changes clarify the definition of redevelopment (establishing 2008 as the cutoff year for certain redevelopment credits), refine low‑ and high‑density definitions, and raise detention design from the current 2‑in/10‑yr model to a 2‑in/25‑yr model. Lawson said the change increases the design rainfall retained on an acre of impervious surface by about one inch, roughly 27,000 gallons per acre, and will reduce uncontrolled runoff from new development.
The ordinance revisions also allow SCMs in floodplains under four conditions: approval by the stormwater administrator and floodplain manager; no adverse impact to floodplain function; meeting 2‑in/100‑yr detention requirements where applicable; and review of seasonal high water tables by a licensed soil scientist. Lawson said the city will require qualified maintenance providers, accessible sites for maintenance, invasive species control, and escrow or funding guarantees for long‑term maintenance when appropriate.
Lawson told council the city will give property owners and operators a compliance period of 180 days to work with watershed managers to bring existing SCMs into compliance. He said staff will provide guidance, lists of qualified contractors and a finding/fine schedule consistent with NCDEQ authority for persistent noncompliance. Council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance update.
Councilmembers asked about enforcement and routine inspection of detention basins; staff said watershed managers trained in state minimum design criteria will inspect and help owners return sites to service. The changes take effect on adoption; staff will publish the enforcement schedule and implement outreach to owners of existing SCMs.
