It is hereby determined that the system of headwaters, rivers, streams, wetlands, and other natural watercourses within the City of Painesville contributes to the health, safety and general welfare of its residents. The purpose of these regulations is to protect and enhance the functions of riparian areas by providing reasonable controls governing buildings, structures, uses, and related soil disturbing activities within a riparian setback or wetland setback. It is the further intent of this chapter to regulate uses and developments within riparian and/or wetland setbacks that would impair the ability of those areas to:
(a) Reduce flood impacts by absorbing peak flows, slowing the velocity of floodwaters, and regulating base flow.
(b) Assist in stabilizing the banks of watercourses, reduce stream bank erosion, and the downstream transport of sediments eroded from such watercourse banks.
(c) Reduce pollutants in watercourses during periods of high flows by filtering, settling, and transforming pollutants already present in watercourses.
(d) Reduce pollutants in watercourses by filtering, settling, transforming, and absorbing pollutants in runoff before they enter watercourses.
(e) Provide watercourse habitats, including many of Ohio’s endangered and/or threatened species, with shade and food by maintaining diverse and connected wetland and riparian vegetation.
(f) Benefit the City by minimizing encroachment on wetlands and watercourses minimizing the need for costly engineering solutions or other invasive measures that may be necessary to protect persons, buildings, structures, and uses as well as to reduce the damage to real property and threats to overall public health and safety within the affected watershed.
(g) Benefit the City by contributing to preserving the scenic beauty of the environment in order to maintain the character of the City of Painesville, the quality of life of the residents, and the corresponding property values.
(Ord. 16-19. Passed 9-16-19.)