§ 1-104. Purpose

(A)

General. The purpose of this ordinance is to protect, maintain and enhance the public health, safety, environment and general welfare by establishing minimum requirements and procedures to control the adverse effects of increased post-development stormwater runoff and nonpoint and point source pollution associated with new development and redevelopment as well as illicit discharges into municipal separate stormwater systems. It has been determined that proper management of construction-related and post-development stormwater runoff will minimize damage to public and private property and infrastructure, safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare, and protect water and aquatic resources.

(B)

Specific. This ordinance seeks to meet its general purpose through the following specific objectives and means:

(1)

Establishing decision-making processes for development that protect the integrity of watersheds and preserve the health of water resources;

(2)

Requiring that new development and redevelopment maintain the pre-development hydrologic response in their post-development state as nearly as practicable for the applicable design storm to reduce flooding, streambank erosion, nonpoint and point source pollution and increases in stream temperature, and to maintain the integrity of stream channels and aquatic habitats;

(3)

Establishing minimum post-development stormwater management standards and design criteria for the regulation and control of stormwater runoff quantity and quality;

(4)

Establishing design and review criteria for the construction, function, and use of structural BMPs that may be used to meet the minimum post-development stormwater management standards;

(5)

Encouraging the use of better management and site design practices, such as the use of vegetated conveyances for stormwater and the preservation of greenspace, riparian buffers, and other conservation areas to the maximum extent practicable;

(6)

Establishing provisions for the long-term responsibility for and maintenance of structural and nonstructural stormwater BMPs to ensure that they continue to function as designed, are maintained appropriately, and pose no threat to public safety;

(7)

Establishing administrative procedures for the submission, review, approval and disapproval of stormwater management plans, for the inspection of approved projects, and to assure appropriate longterm maintenance;

(8)

Coordinating site design plans that include open space and natural areas with City of Burlington open space and natural area protection plans, policies or ordinances;

(9)

Controlling illicit discharges into the municipal separate stormwater system;

(10)

Controlling erosion and sedimentation from construction activities per the City of Burlington Code of Ordinances Chapter 31.5 - Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control;

(11)

Assigning responsibility and processes for approving the creation and maintenance of adequate drainage and flood damage prevention measures per the City of Burlington Code of Ordinance Appendix B - Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.