(A) Initiation/complaint. Whenever a violation of this chapter occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written complaint. Such complaint shall state fully the alleged violation and the basis thereof, and shall be filed with the Stormwater Administrator, who shall record the complaint. The complaint shall be investigated promptly b)' the Stormwater Administrator.
(B) Inspection. The Stormwater Administrator shall have the authority, upon presentation of proper credentials, to enter and inspect any land, building, structure, or premises to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(C) Notice of violation and order to correct.
(1) When the Stormwater Administrator finds that any building, structure, or land is in violation of this chapter, the Stormwater Administrator shall notify, in writing, the property owner or other person violating this chapter. The notification shall indicate the nature of the violation, contain the address or other description of the site upon which the violation is occurring, order the necessary action to abate the violation, and give a deadline for correcting the violation. If civil penalties are to be assessed, the notice of violation shall also contain a statement of the civil penalties to be assessed, the time of their accrual, and the time within which they must be paid or be subject to collection as a debt.
(2) The Stormwater Administrator may deliver the notice of violation and correction order personally, by the Code Enforcement Officer, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by any means authorized for the service of documents by Rule 4 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.
(3) If a violation is not corrected within a reasonable period of time, as provided in the notification, the Stormwater Administrator may take appropriate action under this chapter to correct and abate the violation and to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(D) Extension of time. A person who receives a notice of violation and correction order, or the owner of the land on which the violation occurs, may submit to the Stormwater Administrator a written request for an extension of time for correction of the violation. On determining that the request includes enough information to show that the violation cannot be corrected within the specified time limit for reasons beyond the control of the person requesting the extension, the Stormwater Administrator may extend the time limit as is reasonably necessary to allow timely correction of the violation, up to, but not exceeding 14 days. The Stormwater Administrator may grant seven-day extensions in addition to the foregoing extension if the violation cannot be corrected within the permitted time due to circumstances beyond the control of the person violating this chapter. The Stormwater Administrator may grant an extension only by written notice of extension. The notice of extension shall state the date prior to which correction must be made, after which the violator will be subject to the penalties described in the notice of violation and correction order.
(E) Enforcement after time to correct. After the time has expired to correct a violation, including any extension(s) if authorized by the Stormwater Administrator, the Stormwater Administrator shall determine if the violation is corrected. If the violation is not corrected, the Stormwater Administrator may act to impose one or more of the remedies and penalties authorized by this chapter.
(F) Emergency enforcement. If delay in correcting a violation would seriously threaten the effective enforcement of this chapter or pose an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare, then the Stormwater Administrator may order the immediate cessation of a violation. Any person so ordered shall cease any violation immediately. The Stormwater Administrator may seek immediate enforcement, without prior written notice, through any remedy or penalty authorized by this article.
(G) Variances.
(1) Any person may petition the town for a variance granting permission to use the person’s land in a manner otherwise prohibited by this chapter. To qualify for a variance, the petitioner must show all of the following:
(a) Unnecessary hardships would result from strict application of this chapter.
(b) The hardships result from conditions that are peculiar to the property, such as the location, size, or topography of the property.
(c) The hardships did not result from actions taken by the petitioner.
(d) The requested variance is consistent with the spirit, purpose, and intent of this chapter; will secure public safety and welfare; and will preserve substantial justice.
(2) The town may impose reasonable and appropriate conditions and safeguards upon any variance it grants.
(3) Statutory exceptions. Notwithstanding division (D)(2)(a) above, exceptions from the riparian buffer zone and flood protection zone requirements as well as the deed restrictions and protective covenants requirements shall be granted in any of the following instances:
(a) When there is a lack of practical alternatives for a road crossing, railroad crossing, bridge, airport facility, or utility crossing as long as it is located, designed, constructed, and maintained to minimize disturbance, provide maximum nutrient removal, protect against erosion and sedimentation, have the least adverse effects on aquatic life and habitat, and protect water quality to the maximum extent practicable through the use of BMPs.
(b) When there is a lack of practical alternatives for a stormwater management facility; a stormwater management pond; or a utility, including, but not limited to, water, sewer, or gas construction and maintenance corridor, as long as it is located 15 feet landward of all perennial and intermittent surface waters and as long as it is located, designed, constructed, and maintained to minimize disturbance, provide maximum nutrient removal, protect against erosion and sedimentation, have the least adverse effects on aquatic life and habitat, and protect water quality to the maximum extent practicable through the use of BMPs.
(c) A lack of practical alternatives may be shown by demonstrating that, considering the potential for a reduction in size, configuration, or density of the proposed activity and all alternative designs, the basic project purpose cannot be practically accomplished in a manner which would avoid or result in less adverse impact to surface waters.
(Ord. 2010-27, passed 1-6-2010)