(A) For shoreline subdivisions which include docks, piers, marinas, boat ramps, and other water-related development a joint Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) permit application for filling, dredging, or construction in wetlands or waterways shall be submitted by the subdivider with the preliminary plat. The joint application will be forwarded to VMRC which will coordinate permit review with the County Wetlands Board, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other local, state, and federal agencies as required.
(B) The preliminary plat or site plan shall show the location of all proposed docks, piers, marinas, boat ramps, community water access, and other water-related structures and facilities, together with water depths by contours or otherwise, current flow directions, tidal action, and the location and extent of beaches, wetlands, swamps, subaquatic vegetation, and shellfish beds.
(C) Design of waterfront facilities or construction in wetlands and other subaqueous areas shall comply with Subaqueous Guidelines and Criteria for Siting of Marinas or Community Facilities for Boat Mooring of the State Marine Resources Commission, State Institute of Marine Science wetlands guidelines, and other applicable state and federal guidelines, criteria, and regulations.
(D) Designs shall encourage floating docks rather than fixed piers and joint-use facilities rather than single-use facilities.
(E) Designs shall not include filling on subaqueous land or in wetlands for the purpose of creating highland property.
(F) When shoreline stabilization is necessary, the design should rely on nonstructural rather than structural methods in order to preserve natural shoreline vegetation. Bulkheading, riprap, retaining walls, and similar shoreline hardening methods should be avoided. Required shoreline stabilization shall be placed behind vegetated wetlands.
(G) Where structural shoreline stabilization methods are used, the preliminary plat shall be accompanied by a maintenance plan which describes responsibility, procedures, and anticipated frequency of maintenance. In general, structural stabilization methods should be designed and constructed to be maintenance free for at least ten years with an expected life of 30 years.
(Ord. passed 8-10-1989) Penalty, see § 154.999