(A) This chapter is written as a storm water drainage ordinance for all unincorporated areas included within the county. The City of Bicknell and all incorporated towns within the county may also be regulated by this chapter if adopted by the appropriate legislative body.
(B) Storm water drainage within the incorporated limits of the City of Vincennes and its receiving streams are regulated under separate ordinance by the City of Vincennes. All tracts or development sites located wholly or partially outside the incorporated limits of the City of Vincennes that drain into the territory of the city or facilities operated by the city shall be under the jurisdiction of the City of Vincennes storm water ordinance.
(C) It is recognized that smaller streams, storm sewers, culverts and drainage channels serving the county may not have sufficient capacity to receive and convey storm water runoff resulting when land use changes from open or agricultural use to a more urbanized use, or when redeveloped to a more dense land use. Also, deposits of sediment from developments during and after construction can reduce capacities of storm sewers, culverts and drainage systems and result in damages to receiving lakes and streams.
(D) Therefore, it shall be the policy of Knox County that the storage and controlled release of storm water runoff shall be generally required of all new development, any re-development, and other new construction in the county, unless specifically exempted in later sections of this section. The release rate of storm water from developed lands shall not exceed the release rate from the land area in its present land use according to the details and specifications outlined in later sections of this section.
(E) It is further recognized that any grading and other earthwork to alter the storm water runoff for a particular site can affect public road and drainage structures. These activities frequently result in damages to receiving roadside ditches, pavement and other road improvements, resulting in increased burden and costs for road maintenance.
(F) Therefore, it shall also be the policy of the County Drainage Board that any grading or other earthwork proposed on a particular site that results in a change or alteration to the storm water runoff which in any way impacts or affects a public road or roadside ditch, shall require review and approval by the Highway Department prior to conducting the activity. Any proposed drainage facilities serving a public road or within a public road right-of-way shall also be approved by the Highway Department prior to installation or modification.
(Ord. 8-2014, passed 7-21-2014)