A. General Prohibition: Except as expressly permitted pursuant to subsection B of this section, no construction activities, including, without limitation, grading, excavating, filling, terracing, or stockpiling or dumping of excavated material, shall be permitted in any bluff or ravine protection area.
B. Permitted Construction Activities: Notwithstanding the general prohibition set forth in subsection A of this section, the following construction activities shall be permitted in a bluff or ravine protection area, with the prior approval of the village engineer and in accordance with the following regulations and other applicable regulations of this chapter:
1. Erosion control and slope stabilization activities.
2. Public utility and other public improvement projects.
3. Drainage improvements that are necessary to prevent or mitigate erosion.
4. General maintenance and landscaping, including the removal of diseased, dead, or damaged trees.
5. Action necessary to remediate an unstable or unsecure slope that poses an imminent danger to persons or property.
6. The construction of an electric lift system on a bluff in accordance with section 10-12-4 of this chapter.
C. Protection Standards: All construction activities permitted pursuant to this subsection shall be performed in a manner: 1) to cause the least possible disruption of the natural features of a bluff or ravine protection area; and 2) to be consistent with the purposes and intent of this chapter as expressed in section 10-12-1 of this chapter. Specifically, during any such permitted construction activities, natural drainage shall be maintained to the maximum extent possible. Runoff from impervious surfaces shall be conveyed to existing storm sewers, wherever possible, or, if approved by the village engineer, channeled into the bluff or ravine in a manner to minimize the impact or damage to the bluff or ravine protection area. (Ord. 99-9, 3-8-1999; amd. Ord. 2016-17, 6-27-2016)