Minutes 05-26-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Burroughs asked if there was a detailed explanation of the process involved in monitoring impervious surfaces. Michael Harvey said there is a requirement in the UDO, as well as in State law, that all stormwater features have a recorded operations agreement. He said this agreement will detail the care and maintenance of that facility in perpetuity, including the responsibility of the current, and all future, property owners. He said the property owner would have to submit documentation showing that the system is functioning properly. He said the County is required to inspect biannually. He said some difficulty arises based on the complexity of the various systems. He added that the Applicant's documentation would have to be certified by an Engineer. He said the long term concern is that, over time, the property owners may have to remove and reinstall, or massively up-fit, the system to guarantee its viability as an infiltration based stormwater feature. Commissioner Burroughs asked if there is a reason that the surface would fail. Michael Harvey said the generic term of infiltration based storm water feature as the State is currently revising its manual. He said the current stormwater feature, which is recognized by the State, is permeable pavement. He said permeable pavement calls for the removal of dirt, planting of rock, sand and other substrata allowing the water to percolate through. He said permeable pavement is still not completely pervious and the allowance is based on the soil content. He said not all soil can take advantage of this program. Michael Harvey said permeable pavement is not going to be the only option. He said engineers may come up with other solutions consistent with the State stormwater management manual with respect to the development and installation of what can be classified as an infiltration based stormwater feature. These alternatives will be evaluated by local and State staff. Commissioner Burroughs said the budget recommendation includes another soil erosion staff person and asked if that position would conduct the inspections to which Mr. Harvey refers. Craig Benedict said yes, the Erosion Patrol Stormwater staff would conduct the inspections. He said they are very aware of best practices. He said vacuuming is a maintenance that can occur on permeable pavement where sediments clog its permeability. Commissioner Rich said two or three emails were received about this topic. She asked if these emails should be passed along to the Planning Department. Michael Harvey said he has received one email. Commissioner Rich said it is important that the Planning Department receive these communications and perhaps determining a way to insure this in the future would be helpful. Bonnie Hammersely said she would forward all the emails to the Planning Department. Commissioner Rich said one of Orange Water and Sewer Authority's (OWASA) comments stated, "this conclusion is predicated on the assumption that development densities and riparian buffer requirements are not relaxed." She said the General Assembly may change some of these things and asked if such changes would affect OWASA's comment.