(a) It is hereby determined that the system of wetlands, riparian areas, rivers, streams, and other natural watercourses within the City of Brook Park contributes to the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents. The specific purpose and intent of this part of these regulations is to regulate uses and developments within riparian and wetland setbacks that would impair the ability of riparian and wetland areas to:
(1) Protect the receiving stream's physical, chemical, and biological characteristics and to maintain stream functions.
(2) Establish consistent, technically feasible and operationally practical standards to achieve a level of storm water quantity and quality control that will minimize damage to public and private property and degradation of water resources, and will promote and maintain the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Brook Park.
(3) Preserve to the maximum extent practicable the natural drainage characteristics of the City of Brook Park and building sites and minimize the need to construct, repair, and replace enclosed storm drain systems.
(4) Preserve to the maximum extent practicable natural infiltration and ground water recharge, and maintain subsurface flow that replenishes water resources, wetlands, and wells.
(5) Prevent unnecessary stripping of vegetation and loss of soil, especially adjacent to water resources and wetlands.
(6) Reduce the need for costly maintenance and repairs to roads, embankments, sewage systems, ditches, water resources, wetlands, and storm water management practices that are the result of inadequate storm water control due to the loss of riparian areas and wetlands.
(7) Reduce the long-term expense of remedial projects needed to address problems caused by inadequate storm water control.
(b) The following regulations have been enacted to protect these services of riparian and wetland areas by providing reasonable controls governing structures and uses within a wetland and/or riparian setback along designated watercourses in the City of Brook Park.
(Ord. 9472-2008. Passed 5-20-08.)