Agenda - 09-04-2014-13 (7) - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

vehicular and foot traffic is avoided in the gravel area during and after its placement to avoid compaction of the subsurface and allow water to infiltrate into the subsoil. It has been recommended for exemption due to its size and ability to allow for the natural infiltration of stormwater into the ground. The comment period on these changes is still on -going with the EMC hopeful that proposed amendments will be adopted later this year. Please refer to Attachment 1 for additional detail. County Regulations: Orange County, in accordance with NC General Statute 143 Chapter 21, adopted watershed management standards establishing regulations to prevent significant future water quality deterioration in `existing or potential future drinking water reservoirs'. Part of this included the adoption of impervious surface limits for properties designated as being located within either `protected' or `critical' watershed areas. Impervious surface is defined within Article 10 Definitions of the UDO as: A surface composed of any material that impedes or prevents the natural infiltration of water into the soil. Such surfaces include concrete, asphalt, and gravel surfaces. These include, but are not limited to streets and parking areas, sidewalks, patios, and structures that cover the land. Impervious surface limits on property vary based on the Watershed Protection Overlay District. Please refer to Attachment 2 for more information on the location of overlay districts and the impervious surface limits associated with them. Currently we `count' gravel surfaces as part of the allowable impervious surface area for a given parcel of property. The rationale is rooted in the notion that the areas of property, which are typically utilized as part of a roadway /driveway /parking lot, has to be sufficiently compacted to accommodate vehicle traffic. This, in turn, makes it difficult to allow for the natural filtration of water through the rock/soil thereby turning the area into an impervious surface. This rationale is consistent with current State policy and practice. It should be noted: The County is currently more restrictive than the State with respect to established impervious surface limits within our Watershed Protection Overlay Districts. ii. There is no impervious surface limit on those areas of the county not located within a `protected' or `critical' Watershed Protection Overlay District. This includes areas north of Chapel Hill, around the Town of Hillsborough, and a portion of land area within the Bingham Township. For more information please refer to Attachment 2.