(A) It is recognized that most streams and drainage channels serving the City of Decatur do not have sufficient capacity to receive and convey storm water runoff resulting from continued urbanization.
Accordingly, the storage and controlled release of excess storm water runoff as well as compensation for loss of floodplain storage shall be required for all developments and redevelopments located within the City of Decatur. Release rate requirements, downstream restriction considerations, acceptable outlet, adjoining property impact considerations, policy on dams and levees, policy on fluvial erosion hazard corridors, and compensatory floodplain storage rates are detailed in the City of Decatur Storm Water Technical Standards.
(B) Due to unknowns regarding the future development patterns and the associated proposed storm water quantity management systems within a watershed, it is the policy of the Department to discourage direct release of runoff from a new development or redevelopment without providing detention. However, in rare circumstances, where a comprehensive watershed-wide hydrologic study or watershed plan of a major stream (not a "beat the peak" analysis) adopted by the Department substantiates the benefits of (or allows for) direct release for a proposed development located adjacent to a major stream, the detention requirements set in this chapter may be waived. Other special circumstances when such a waiver may be considered by Department include situations where the design of a regional pond has already taken into account the provision of direct release in certain areas in the watershed.
(Ord. 2023-11, passed 8-1-2023)