It is hereby determined that:
(A) Land development projects and associated increases in impervious cover alter the hydrologic response of local watersheds and increase surface and storm water runoff rates and volumes, flooding potential, stream channel erosion and sediment transport and deposition;
(B) Surface and storm water runoff contributes to increased quantities of water-borne pollutants;
(C) Surface and storm water runoff, soil erosion and non-point source pollution can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of surface and storm water runoff from development sites;
(D) The regulation of surface and storm water runoff discharge from land development projects and other construction activities in order to control and minimize increases in surface and storm water runoff rates and volumes, erosion and non-point source pollution associated with surface and storm water runoff is in the public interest and will prevent threats to public health and safety;
(E) Existing surface and storm water runoff and drainage systems must be adequately maintained, operated and replaced through a funding program that is fair and equitable;
(F) All developed real property within the service area contributes runoff that impacts the surface and storm water management system and should participate financially in the development, operation, maintenance and administration of the surface and storm water management system;
(G) The extent of a parcel's impervious surfaces and rate of surface and storm water runoff from the parcel are primary factors determining the parcel's contribution to flow rate and quantity of runoff and impacts upon the surface and storm water management system;
(H) The public health, safety and welfare is adversely affected by poor ambient water quality and flooding results from the quality and quantity of surface and storm water;
(I) All real property in the city either uses or benefits from a properly maintained surface and storm water system;
(J) The extent of use of the surface and storm water system by each property is dependant on factors that influence runoff, including but not limited to, land use and the amount of impervious surface on the property;
(K) The costs of improving, maintaining, operating and monitoring the surface and storm water system should be allocated, to the extent practicable, to all property owners/developers/applicants based on the impact of runoff from the impervious areas of their property on the surface and storm water management system; and
(L) Management of the surface and storm water system to protect the public health, safety and welfare requires adequate revenues and it is in the interest of the public to finance surface and storm water management adequately with a user fee system that is reasonable and equitable so each user of the system pays to the extent to which he or she contributes to the need for it.
(Ord. 32-2005, passed 12-6-2005)