11-20-06 Council Workshop Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 20, 2006 Keis noted that the Watershed standard for one acre of disturbance is more stringent than the NEMO standu~d. Keis estimated that a one acre site was the equivalent of four minimum sized residential lots. He did not feel the City should be more restrictive than the Watershed standard for one acre of disCUrbed area. Allan suggested that the City address disturbance in the category of 20,000 square feet to one acre. The City Engineer felt regulating this category would apply to many individual commercial/industrial properties. He pointed out the difficulty of compliance for lots in Ryan Industrial Park given the fact that soils in This area do not infiltrate water. The Engineer noted that the risk is that properties would not redevelop or make improvements if the standards are too restrictive. Barraclough asked if it would be better to apply the Watershed or the NEMO standards in Ryan Industrial Park. The City Engineer did not feel volume reduction standards could be met in Ryan Industrial Park given the soils will not infiltrate water. Keis asked if soil types could be a consideration in applying the standards. The City Engineer indicated that the Watershed rules to that given the payment to the impact fund if their standards cannot be met. Duray asked for an example of what the cost would be in applying either standard to a 30,000 square foot lot in Ryan Industrial Park. The City Engineer did not have an estimate. He also noted that the $20,000 cap on the payment to the Watershed's stormwater impact fund is per acre and only on linear projects. A rectangular project would pay a higher fine. Blesener stated that these regulations will make redevelopment much more difficult. Allan noted Chat most of Ryan Industrial Park is impervious surface. Keis pointed out Chat most commercial development is. Allan felt that there must be a compromise between protecting the environment and encouraging redevelopment. Keis noted that residential properties are much easier to apply the standards to given there is a great deal less impervious surface. McGraw asked if the same standard had to apply to all properties. He suggested that natural condiCions be taken into account when applying the stormwater regulations. The City Engineer stated that the City could have different standards based on soil condiCions, for example. Keis pointed out a site such as Brady's ChaC was virtually all blacktop. The Engineer noted that stormwater could be managed on this site through an underground system. Allan noted that some of the blacktop could be