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Council directs staff to advance staff-recommended stormwater update (scenario 5)
Summary
After a workshop and discussion of alternatives, the council directed staff to proceed with the staff-recommended post-construction stormwater ordinance update labeled 'scenario 5.' Councilors debated trade-offs and one member voiced preference to keep current language, but a consensus formed for scenario 5 as the working draft for rewrite.
City staff presented follow-up materials to a prior workshop on proposed updates to Chapter 14 (post-construction stormwater management). The update aims to align the city's ordinance with TMDL implementation and anticipated Wisconsin DNR MS4 permit expectations while setting achievable phosphorus and total suspended solids (TSS) reduction targets.
Staff noted the intent was not to impose requirements beyond what state MS4 practice standards already demand: "the stormwater practices that are required to comply with the current state law as it relates to total suspended solids will result in a higher phosphorus reduction than what we're proposing in this code," staff said. The planning commission had favored scenario 5 (with a proposed tweak on phosphorus for redevelopment), while the sustainability advisory board had favored a more stringent alternative.
Council members debated whether to adopt scenario 5 (staff recommendation), scenario 3 (which would focus higher reductions in the Sawyer Creek watershed) or keep existing rules. Concerns included uncertainty about the next MS4 permit, possible cost impacts to redevelopment, and whether targeting a single watershed would be preferable to a citywide standard.
Several councilors and staff described scenario 5 as a simplification that provides consistency for developers and reviewers; others argued for targeted higher reductions in the Sawyer Creek watershed. Staff and multiple councilors said preliminary analysis showed many sites would already meet scenario 5 targets or could meet them with common practices such as infiltration testing.
After discussion, councilors indicated consensus to have staff proceed with scenario 5 as the basis for a formal code rewrite and return with draft ordinance language. The rewrite will preserve administrative flexibility (the "maximum extent practicable" language) and allow staff case-by-case considerations where site conditions preclude meeting the standards.
