Agenda - 05-26-2015 - C-4 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

/.' TOWN OF CARRBORO �O NORTH CAROLINA W W W.TOWNOFCARRBORO.ORG PLANNING DEPARTMENT TRANSMITTAL TO: Michael D. Harvey, Orange County Current Planning Supervisor — Planner III FROM: Patricia J. McGuire, Planning Director DATE: May 1, 2015 DELIVERED VIA EMAIL SUBJECT: Request for Peer Review — Proposed Orange County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendment on allowable modifications to impervious surface limits Thank you for the opportunity to review the proposed amendments to the UDO relating to impervious surface limits. Town staff has read through proposed changes and offer the following comments. 1) Overall, the proposal to allow permeable pavement seems to offer county residents a reasonable way to gain some additional impervious surface for low density uses. 2) Since permeable pavement is a stormwater best management practice (BMP), design and installation by a licensed engineer seems critical. Strengthening the language under subsection 4.2.8(C)(3) to specify a licensed engineer for these activities, and requiring either a licensed engineer or a certified BMP inspector for the completion of annual inspections and the supervision of required maintenance activities, such as vacuuming, would seem a good way to reinforce this point. 3) Some mechanism to ensure that future homeowners are well aware of these BMPs and their annual maintenance requirement is important. The proposal to place these areas under the umbrella of easements seems to be one way to accomplish this task, but there may be other methods, such as a notation within tax records, where real estate agents and future home buyers would be able to learn about the presence and location of these devices, and be alerted to the maintenance responsibilities, prior to purchase. 4) The maintenance aspect is an important one, critical to the correct performance of permeable pavement and essential to allowing this measure within water supply watersheds. Does the county have sufficient staff and funding to review annual reports submitted by a homeowner /engineering team and regularly inspect projects installed under the new provisions? Maintenance based on complaint- driven enforcement after a failure may be problematic. 5) Finally, should the Board of County Commissioner decide to adopt this amendment, it will be interesting to learn how many residents choose to use this stormwater management device, once they understand the complexities and expense of proper installation and the associated challenges with annual maintenance considering leaf debris and potential soil erosion, particularly for long driveways in large lot rural settings. Town staff looks forward to learning more about the County's experience with this effort over the long term. XC: Henry Wells, Town Engineer Christina Moon, Planning Administrator 301 WEST MAIN STREET, CARRBORO, NC 27510' (919) 918 -7327' FAX (919) 918 -4465* TDD (800) 826 -7653 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER