(a) The intent of this regulation is to establish technically feasible, operationally practical, and economically reasonable requirements and controls to achieve a level of storm water quantity management, water quality control and erosion and sediment control that will minimize damage to public and private property and the degradation of water resources, and will promote and maintain the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Rocky River.
This regulation further intends, but is not limited, to:
(1) Allow development while minimizing increases in 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) Reduce deterioration of the receiving waters.
(4) Assure that property owners control the volume and rate of storm water runoff originating from their property so that surface water and ground water are protected, soil erosion is controlled, and flooding potential is not increased.
(5) Preserve to the maximum extent practicable the natural drainage characteristics of the site and minimize the need to construct, repair, and replace enclosed, storm drain systems.
(6) Preserve to the maximum extent practicable natural infiltration and ground recharge, and maintain subsurface flow that replenishes water resources, wetlands and wells.
(7) Assure that storm water controls are incorporated into site planning and design at the earliest possible stage.
(8) Reduce the need for costly maintenance and repairs to roads, embankments, sewage systems, ditches, water resources, wetland, and storm water management practices that are the result of inadequate storm water management.
(9) Reduce the long-term expense of remedial projects needed to address problems caused by inadequate storm water management.
(10) Require the construction of storm water management practices that serve multiple purposes including, flood control, erosion control, and require water quality protection; and encourage such practices that promote recreation and habitat preservation.
(11) Ensure that all storm water management practices are properly designed, constructed, and maintained.
(b) This regulation shall apply to all parcels used or being developed, either wholly or partially for new or relocated projects involving highways and roads; subdivisions or larger common plans of development; industrial, commercial, institutional, or residential projects; building activities on farms; redevelopment activities; grading; and all other uses that are not specifically exempted. The regulation shall apply to roadway construction projects initiated after the effective date of this regulation. Uses specifically exempted include:
(1) Activities regulated by the Ohio Agricultural Sediment Pollution Abatement Rules.
(2) Linear construction projects (e.g. pipeline or utility line installation), which do not result in the installation of increased impervious surface and are independent of other construction projects (not part of a larger common plan of development or sale). However, linear construction projects must be designed to minimize the number of stream crossings and the width of disturbance.
(3) Existing farming, silvicultural operations, or areas regulated by the Ohio Agricultural Sediment Pollution Abatement Rules in Section 1501:15-3 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(4) Existing coal surface mining operations regulated by Section 1513 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(5) Existing other surface mining operations regulated by Section 1514 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(Ord. 70-12. Passed 11-13-12.)