(a) It is determined that the system of wetlands, riparian areas, rivers, streams, and other natural watercourses within the City contributes to the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents. The specific purpose and intent of this chapter is to regulate uses and developments within riparian and wetland areas for the benefit of the City for the following reasons:
(1) To establish consistent, technically feasible and operationally practical standards to achieve a level of storm water quantity and quality control to minimize damage to public and private property and degradation of water resources from the impacts of flooding, erosion and storm water pollution.
(2) To reduce flood impacts by absorbing peak flows, slowing the velocity of floodwaters, and regulating base flow.
(3) To reduce urban storm water pollutants, including pollutants already present in watercourses, especially during periods of high flows, through filtration, settlement, and absorption and transformation of those pollutants in the riparian and wetland setback, before the pollutants enter watercourses.
(4) To reduce sediment pollution, especially from erosion, by preventing unnecessary stripping of vegetation and loss of soil, especially adjacent to water resources and wetlands.
(5) To assist in stabilizing the banks of watercourses to reduce bank erosion and the downstream transport of sediments eroded from watercourse banks.
(6) To preserve to the maximum extent practicable the value of the natural drainage characteristics in the City, including on building sites, minimizing the need for costly engineering solutions to flooding and erosion problems such as the construction, repair, and replacement of enclosed storm drain systems.
(7) To minimize encroachment on wetlands and watercourse channels and the need for costly engineering solutions such as dams, retention basins, and rip rap armoring, to protect structures and reduce property damage and threats to the safety of residents; and contribute to the scenic beauty and environment of the City preserving the character of the City, the quality of life of the residents of the City, and corresponding property values.
(8) To reduce the need for costly maintenance and repairs to roads, embankments, sewage systems, ditches, water resources, and wetlands, resulting from inadequate storm water management due to the loss of riparian areas and wetlands.
(9) To protect and maintain the receiving water's or wetland's physical, chemical, and biological characteristics and, in turn, to maintain its riparian or wetland functions, benefits and values.
(10) Provide habitat to a wide array of aquatic organisms and wildlife, including but not limited to many that are on Ohio's Endangered and/or Threatened Species listings, by maintaining diverse and connected riparian and wetland vegetation.
(11) To reduce the long-term expense of remedial projects and maintenance projects needed to address problems caused by inadequate storm water management and control.
(b) The following regulations have been enacted to protect the values, services and benefits riparian and wetland areas provide by establishing reasonable management and controls governing structures and uses within a wetland setback and a riparian setback along designated watercourses in the City.
(Ord. No. 1555-13. Passed 10-17-16, eff. 10-19-16)