(a) The intent of this chapter is to establish technically feasible and economically reasonable standards to achieve a level of storm water management, and erosion and sediment control that will minimize damage to public and private property and degradation of water resources, and will promote and maintain the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Lakewood. The standards, or best management practices (BMPs ), referred to and required by this chapter shall be in accordance with the current version of the Ohio Rainwater and Land Development Manual promulgated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
(b) This chapter applies to all parcels and projects located within the City that disturb an area greater than 8,000 square feet regardless of public sewer configuration in the project area, unless specifically exempted in Section 1339.01.
(c) This chapter does not require a storm water management plan for routine public maintenance projects, such as sewer or watermain replacement or street reconstruction, which does not result in the installation of additional impervious surface and does not disturb more than five acres, as determined by the City Engineer.
(d) This chapter requires owners who develop or redevelop their property within the City to:
(1) Control the volume, rate and quality of storm water runoff from their property to minimize the potential for downstream flooding, erosion, and sedimentation;
(2) Reduce damage to receiving water resources and drainage systems that are caused by new development or redevelopment activities;
(3) Preserve to the maximum extent practicable the natural drainage characteristics of the building site and minimize the need to construct, repair, and replace enclosed storm drain systems;
(4) Preserve to the maximum extent practicable natural infiltration and groundwater recharge, and maintain subsurface flow that replenishes water resources, wetlands, and wells;
(5) Assure that storm water controls are incorporated into site planning and design at the earliest possible stage;
(6) Prevent unnecessary stripping of vegetation and loss of soil, especially adjacent to water resources and wetlands;
(7) Reduce the need for costly maintenance and repairs to roads, embankments, sewage systems, ditches, water resources, wetlands, and storm water management practices that are the result of inadequate control of soil erosion, sediment and storm water;
(8) Reduce the long-term expense of remedial projects needed to address problems caused by inadequate control of storm water, erosion and sediment;
(9) Maximize the use of storm water management practices that serve multiple purposes including, but not limited to, flood control, soil erosion and sediment control, and water quality protection; and encourage such practices that promote recreation and habitat preservation;
(10) Ensure that all storm water management, soil erosion and sediment control practices are properly designed, constructed, and maintained;
(11) Protect and maintain the receiving stream's physical, chemical, biological characteristics and stream functions;
(12) Incorporate water quality protection practices that encourage and promote habitat preservation; and
(13) Provide perpetual management of storm water runoff quality and quantity.
(Ord. 28-14. Passed 12-15-2014.)