Land development projects and associated increases in impervious cover alter the hydrologic response of local watersheds and increase stormwater runoff rates and volumes, flooding, stream channel erosion, and sediment transport and deposition; stormwater runoff contributes to increased quantities of waterborne pollutants; and stormwater runoff, soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of stormwater runoff from development sites. It is determined that the regulation of stormwater runoff discharges from land development projects and other construction activities in order to control and minimize increases in stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion, stream channel erosion, and nonpoint source pollution associated with stormwater runoff is in the public interest and will prevent threats to public health and safety. The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public and environment in the watersheds within the City through the following objectives:
A. Minimize increases in stormwater 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.
B. Minimize increases in nonpoint source pollution caused by stormwater runoff from development which would otherwise degrade local water quality.
C. Minimize the total annual volume of surface water runoff which flows from any specific site during and following development to not exceed the predevelopment hydrologic regime to the maximum extent practicable.
D. Reduce stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution, wherever possible, through stormwater management controls and to ensure that these management controls are properly maintained and pose no threat to public safety. (Prior Code § 4-5-1)