Kirkwood holds lengthy public hearing on proposed stormwater ordinance changes; residents and builders raise cost and clarity concerns

Assistant City Engineer Jennifer Brown presented proposed updates to Kirkwood’s stormwater ordinance and design manual during a public hearing, saying the changes are based on HR Green’s stormwater master plan and staff recommendations. Brown told the council the staff recommendation would "lower the threshold for requiring stormwater mitigation from a thousand square feet to 500 square feet" and include a maximum impervious coverage cap of 55% on a lot.

The proposals also would limit new home basement depths unless a geotechnical report shows groundwater is at least 2 feet below the proposed finished floor or unless a provided groundwater map applies; require that sump-pump discharge not be routed into site BMPs; and tighten inspection and maintenance rules tied to stormwater permit refunds.

Why it matters: staff and the consultant framed the changes as an effort to reduce off-site flooding and improve water quality amid increased infill development. Councilmembers and residents said the city’s existing system has been strained and that the changes would help “catch up” with…