(A) Findings of fact. It is hereby determined that land development projects increase storm water runoff rates and volumes, flooding, stream channel erosion, and sediment transport and deposit; and contribute to increased quantities of water-borne pollutants; and storm water runoff, soil erosion and non-point source pollution can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of storm water runoff from development sites.
(B) Purpose. This subchapter is intended to set standards to regulate the quantity and quality of storm water runoff when land use changes to a use that may result in increased imperviousness. These minimum requirements are established to protect and safeguard the general health, safety and welfare of the public residing in watersheds within this jurisdiction. It shall be the policy of the town and the Lowell Storm Water Management Board that these minimum requirements shall be required for any new development, redevelopment and new construction located within the town not exempt under this subchapter. This subchapter seeks to meet this purpose through the following objectives:
(1) Minimize increases in storm water runoff from any development in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases in stream temperature and stream bank erosion, and maintain the integrity of stream channels;
(2) Minimize increases in non-point source pollution caused by storm water runoff from development that would otherwise degrade local water quality;
(3) Reduce storm water runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion and non-point source pollution, wherever possible, through storm water management controls; and to ensure that these management controls are properly maintained and pose no threat to public safety.
(C) Applicability. The performance standards herein must be met for all new development areas that disturb one or more acres of land; or disturbances of less than one acre of land that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale, if the larger common plan will ultimately disturb one or more acres of land; and all redevelopment areas that disturb 10,000 square feet of surface area or more within the town. The following activities may be exempt from these storm water performance criteria:
(1) Developments that do not disturb more than one acre of land, provided they are not part of a larger common development plan; or
(2) Any logging and agricultural activity; or
(3) Additions or modifications to existing single-family structures; or
(4) Repairs to any storm water treatment practice deemed necessary by the administering authority.
(Ord. 2006-25, passed 12-28-06; Am. Ord. 2019-10, passed 5-28-19)