HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2001-015City of Lake Elmo
Washington County, Minnesota
Resolution 2001 -15
A Resolution Requesting the Lower St. Croix Watershed District (fka): Valley Branch
Watershed District) Consider Adoption of Rules and Regulations for the
Control of the Rate and Volume of Water Leaving a Development Site
WHEREAS, volume control is important because it addresses water runoff, flooding
issues, prevents damage to infrastructure, and has the potential to save significant resources;
and
WHEREAS, millions of dollars have been spent on "after the fact" remedial projects
in caused by uncontrolled development in the Lower St. Croix Watershed District; and
WHEREAS, communities with a desire for high - density development have that
right. They do not have the right to disregard the negative impact of such development on
communities downstream; and the LSCVWS is best equipped and has the statutory authority
to deal with those cross jurisdictional boundary issues; and
WHEREAS, there are viable alternatives to allowing water to leave a development
site at a rate and volume that exceeds what it was prior to development; and
VI1EREAS, in the interest of protecting the health, safety and welfare of its
residents and residents downstream from its corporate limits, the City of Lake Elmo has
adopted the "One Percent Rule "; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lake Elmo City Council hereby
petitions the Lower St. Croix Watershed District to amend its rules to consider volume
control such as the following "One Percent" requirement:
The rate and volume of surface volume runoff within the boundaries of a proposed
property subdivision shall not, in any event, be greater than the rate and volume of
runoff existing on the proposed property division prior to the proposed
development. To the extent possible, provisions shall be made for controlling
runoff by construction or enhancement of ponding facilities (and other stormwater
management techniques) on the site of land within the boundaries of the proposed
property division, which ponding facilities should provide for both permanent and
temporary storage and runoff waters.
The increased runoff volume from development shall be calculated at 0.35 -acre feet
for each acre of impervious surface proposed in the development. Impervious
surface shall be all streets, parking lots, roofs, walks, driveways or other hard surface
materials proposed in any development. For residential developments, each lot shall
be assumed to contain 3,000 square feet of impervious surface for the house, garage
and driveway. Existing ponds or other facilities may be used for runoff volume
control. Any storage ponds shall be designed to retain the volume of runoff
calculated under this provision below its outlet or overflow point and above the
water table.
The Soil Conservation Service method of analysis shall be used to calculate the
runoff rate prior to development. The pre - development land use shall be considered
permanent meadow with a soil conservation curve number of 58. The 100 year, 24
hour storm of 5.9 inches of precipitation shall serve as the basis of any such analysis.
Adopted by the Lake Elmo City Council this 6th day of March 2001.
Lee Hunt, Mayor
Attest:
Mary Kueffner, CiYy Administrator