Mount Vernon utilities commission adopts stormwater guidance manual as addendum to rules

The Mount Vernon Utilities Commission voted to adopt the stormwater management plan guidance manual as an addendum to the city’s stormwater utility rules and regulations.

Commission members moved and seconded the measure after a brief discussion on the manual’s purpose. A commissioner said the document is intended to guide developers and staff by interpreting federal and state EPA requirements in a local context, reducing the number of review cycles and the delays developers currently face. “This helps our developers when they come here, we can basically point them to this document or they can get it on the website and know what to expect,” a commissioner said during the meeting.

Commissioners noted the manual does not change the substantive rules but would serve as an attachment to existing regulations and provide a clearer roadmap for submittals and expectations. The clerk called the voice vote and the motion carried; the commission recorded affirmative responses from commissioners present and the guidance manual will be added as an addendum.

The adoption follows a 28-day comment period after the last committee meeting; staff reported receiving no public comments during that window. The commission discussed posting the addendum and a plain-language summary on the city website to inform developers and residents.

Next steps: the manual will be attached to the city’s stormwater rules and posted as appropriate; commissioners indicated no immediate changes to the substantive code were adopted at the meeting.

The commission adjourned at 9:00 a.m.