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Nicholasville advances stormwater ordinance changes after state MS4 audit
Summary
Council approved first reading of an updated stormwater-management ordinance to adopt the stormwater BMP manual, add construction-site requirements and create an escalating enforcement matrix following an MS4 audit in Feb. 2023.
On Dec. 9 the Nicholasville City Commission gave first reading approval to Ordinance 175-2024, a package of changes to Chapter 26 (stormwater management) that staff said responds to a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) audit conducted by the state in February 2023.
Presenter Brian Clare (introduced as Mr. Clare during the meeting) told commissioners the audit flagged weak enforcement for repeat violators; the proposed ordinance adds references to the stormwater BMP manual, establishes response plans for illicit discharges and post-construction violations, and creates an escalating enforcement matrix and fee schedule to make enforcement more consistent. Clare said staff will develop response plans tied to the ordinance and provide outreach — including a short summary and seminars — to local designers, developers and contractors.
Commissioners asked for simple one-page summaries and outreach; Clare agreed to develop those materials and publish the documents on the city website. The commission moved, seconded and approved the ordinance on first reading, sending the revised code language and the follow-up stormwater response plans to the next procedural steps.
Staff said the changes are intended to “take all the personal emotion or anything out of it” and provide consistent enforcement across repeat offenses.
