Model Watershed Protection Ordinances Incentivizing Green Infrastructure · 2017-07-21 · Heather...

Heather Elmer, Executive Director Keely Davidson-Bennett, Senior Project Manager

Chagrin River Watershed Partners

Great Lakes Green Infrastructure Conference May 31, 2017

Model Watershed Protection Ordinances Incentivizing Green

Infrastructure

Chagrin Watershed – 264 square miles – Four counties – State Scenic River – Native brook trout – High quality streams

www.crwp.org

Auburn Township Mantua Township Aurora Mayfield Heights Bainbridge Township Mayfield Village Bentleyville Mentor Chagrin Falls Township Moreland Hills Chagrin Falls Village Munson Township Chardon Newbury Township Chardon Township Orange Village Cleveland Metroparks Pepper Pike

Eastlake Russell Township

Gates Mills Solon Geauga Park District South Russell Hunting Valley Waite Hill Kirtland Wickliffe Kirtland Hills Willoughby Lake County Willoughby Hills Lake Metroparks Woodmere

2017 Members

Collaborating for a Healthy Lake Erie

CRWP Sponsors

CRWP Sponsors

www.crwp.org

Services o Development plan review o Model code adoption and implementation o Landowner assistance o Open space & stormwater projects o Training for professionals and local officials o Watershed planning o Stormwater retrofits o Dam removal and stream restoration o Stormwater research and monitoring

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Why Green Infrastructure?

• Reduces stress to gray infrastructure

• Dual function - stormwater and usable area

• Capital cost savings for new development

• Adds property value

www.crwp.org Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc.

Model Codes Riparian setbacks Wetland setbacks Comprehensive

stormwater Erosion & sediment

control Conservation

development Other natural resource

codes (floodplain, steep hillside protection, etc.)

www.crwp.org

Riparian areas, streams & wetlands…..

Sinks for storm water and its

pollutants

Free flood and erosion control &

water quality protection

Hunting Valley

Chardon

Setback zoning is a tool

to maintain these services as land is

developed.

Model Riparian Setback Code

• Zoning tool to limit development within specific distances of streams and maintain services of riparian areas

• Developed with regional and national technical advisors

• Details permitted & prohibited structures and uses, non-conformities, and variances

• Include provisions to examine combined impact of all setbacks on a subdivision or parcel

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• 25 foot setback for streams

draining < 0.5 mi2

• 75 foot setback for streams draining 0.5 – 20 mi2

• 120 foot setback for streams draining 20 – 300 mi2

• Extend to 100 year floodplain

and wetlands within setback

www.crwp.org Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc.

Model Riparian Setback Distances

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Riparian Setbacks in Chagrin River Watershed and Ohio

• Aurora • Bainbridge Township • Bentleyville • Chagrin Falls • Hunting Valley • Kirtland • Lake County • Mantua Township • Mayfield Village • Mentor • Moreland Hills • Orange Village • Pepper Pike • Russell Township • Waite Hill (sensitive areas) • Willoughby Hills (protected areas) • Woodmere • Over 80 Ohio communities

Variances & Riparian Setbacks • Community’s existing

variance code applies

• Model prefers maintaining riparian setback over other setbacks

• Provide variances to front, side rear yard setbacks first

www.crwp.org

CRWP Site Plan Review – Supplements community review – Identify & explain relevant federal & state

regulations (i.e. Clean Water Act section 404 & 401 permits, Ohio EPA NPDES construction stormwater permit)

– Comment on relevant local codes

www.crwp.org

Riparian & Wetland Setback Assistance

– Is this a stream? – Is this a wetland? – Where is the ordinary high

water mark? – Unexpected or uncommon

permit requests – Suggestions for limiting the

need for riparian setback variances

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Griswold Creek, Russell Township

Comprehensive Stormwater Management Code

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Why use stormwater codes as tool?

• Required for many communities to meet state permit requirements

• Where TMDLs exist MS4s must consider in stormwater control selection

• Reduce costs of private development to public infrastructure

• Especially appealing for communities with aging & undersized infrastructure

www.crwp.org

Stormwater Code Recommendations 1. Credit for stormwater controls

that reduce runoff volume 2. Stormwater management for

commercial and industrial development less than 1 acre

3. Reduce impervious area or increase infiltration of runoff on redevelopment sites

4. Soil preservation and post-construction soil restoration

5. Controls to reduce runoff temperature for sites in cold water habitat watersheds

LID Volume Reduction Credit for Peak Discharge

• Permeable pavement & bioretention reduce runoff volume – should count toward flood control

• Not crediting LID results in pond + LID -> makes LID less economically feasible

• LID offers water quality improvements & aesthetic benefits

Soil Preservation & Restoration

• Healthy soils reduce runoff • Minimize soil disturbance and

protect soil from compaction • Restore disturbed soils

– Till subsoil to 15-18” – Incorporate compost top 12” – Replace topsoil to min. 4”

depth Photo from King County , Washington

Coldwater Habitat Streams

Stormwater Controls to Protect Coldwater Habitat (CWH)

• Require stormwater controls that reduce temperature in CWH watersheds.

• Can help meet permit requirements

Photo from stormtech.com

Stormwater management for commercial and industrial development <1 acre

Especially valuable for :

• Areas largely developed before stormwater management required

• Areas with urban flooding problems

All of these outparcels are < 1 acre

Early Adopters • Lakewood - 8,000 ft2 • Aurora – 0.5 acre of disturbance

for additions to commercial or industrial properties

• Mentor and Willoughby Hills – All Commercial and Industrial Development

• Federal Government - 5,000 ft2 threshold for LID

Recently installed 14,000 ft2 CVS in Lakewood uses bioretention

Implementation Considerations

• Review building permits to determine what threshold is appropriate for your community

www.crwp.org

Maximizing Treatment for Redevelopment

REQUIRE Impervious area reduction OR Infiltration of runoff OR Treatment of larger runoff volume

Photo from NY Times

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Model Parking Code

• Space maximums & minimums by land use

• Bicycle parking standards • Shared parking & land banking • Allow bioretention &

permeable pavement • Adopted by Mentor and

Mayfield Village

Conservation Development

• Preservation of rural character, natural resources, historical structures

• 50% recommended protected open space (40% minimum)

• Less infrastructure to maintain

• Density-neutral development or modest density bonuses

Flood Damage Reduction

• ODNR’s recommended higher standards – Fill Restrictions – Foundation Design – Compensatory Storage – 2 Foot Freeboard – Cumulative Substantial Damage/

Substantial Improvement

• More conservative than minimum NFIP standards

• Further reduces flood risk and enhances the natural benefits of floodplains

• May allow better rates on flood insurance

Thanks to our funders! • National Estuarine Research Reserve

System Science Collaborative • Ohio Lake Erie Commission’s Lake Erie

Protection Fund • Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Coastal Management Assistance Grant

Model Codes Available at www.crwp.org Click on member services

www.crwp.org

Thank you! Any Questions?

Heather Elmer, Director Keely Davidson-Bennett, Senior Project Manager

(440) 975-3870 helmer@crwp.org

Kdavidson-bennett@crwp.org

Keep the Chagrin healthy today and for future generations.

Visit www.crwp.org and click on ‘support us’.