Corinth council tables proposal to require minimum water level in retention ponds

Planning Director Melissa Daly told the Corinth City Council that staff is proposing an amendment to subsection 3.05.16A (drainage and storm water) of the city's unified development code to require a minimum three-foot conservation pool in retention ponds so they are not dry.

The proposal, which the Planning & Zoning Commission considered and tabled at its February 23 meeting, would set a required conservation pool water level for retention ponds. "This is an item to consider allow requiring a minimum of three foot of water in retention ponds, so they're not in essence dry," Daly said.

Council members discussed the item briefly and agreed to keep the public hearing open to allow additional testimony and to give staff more time to gather details. A council member moved to continue and table the item to April 2 at 6:30 p.m.; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The council left the public hearing open when it continued the item.

Why it matters: the amendment would change the city's development code to require a baseline volume of standing water in certain drainage retention facilities, a measure proponents say prevents permanently dry basins and can improve stormwater management and habitat. The Planning & Zoning Commission had previously deferred the item after further discussion, and council members signaled they wanted more time before taking final action.

Next steps: the public hearing remains open and the item will return to the council's April 2 meeting at 6:30 p.m. for further testimony and potential action.