(A) Storm water regulations. It is not the intent of this chapter to take areas out of use for the sole purpose of storing excess storm water. Nor is it the purpose of this chapter to restrict land use or increase development costs. The basic purpose of this chapter is to eliminate the storage or transportation of excess storm water in or through habitable structures. The use of "natural" paths of storm water runoff to form the "by-pass" channel and the restriction of this channel to form storage areas is encouraged. Since political and ownership boundaries often make the use of "natural" drainage patterns difficult, the earthmoving that is accomplished to create the maximum land usage should also be planned to provide a "by-pass" channel for storm water that will not create a diversion of storm water drainage or radically change the watershed boundaries. The drainage scheme presented by those who wish to develop property in the city should be planned to accomplish all of the storm water controls of this chapter without major loss of land use.
(B) Soil erosion and sedimentation control. In regards to soil erosion and sedimentation control, the purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the people of the city and the environment in which they live by guiding, regulating and controlling the design, construction, use and maintenance of any development or other activity which disturbs or breaks the topsoil or otherwise results in the movement of earth on land, or removes natural or cultivated vegetation, and which thereby creates the increased possibility of soil erosion, sediment deposits or flooding.
(Ord. 3270, passed 8-28-00)