Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Groundwater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission reviews groundwater separation and site-restricted property flags in code update
Summary
Draft code adds a 'site-restricted' flag for constrained lots and requires at least one foot of separation between highest groundwater elevation and new basement floors. Staff said the requirement applies to new construction and is verified during excavation and soil assessment.
Commissioners reviewed proposed engineering and environmental provisions that would allow the zoning administrator to designate a property as 'site-restricted' based on wetlands, bedrock or poor soils, creating a notice for prospective buyers. Tim Schweki also outlined a proposed groundwater-separation requirement for new construction that would mandate at least one foot between the top of a basement floor and the highest groundwater elevation.
Commissioners asked how applicants would know the groundwater elevation before excavation; Tim said the condition is typically discovered during site exploration or when excavation occurs and is applied to new construction only. "You don't I mean you have to actually dig the hole," Tim said, noting the Village commonly encounters high groundwater and that the rule aims to reduce private and public stormwater costs.
