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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSection 4: Goals & Policies 4.0 Section 4 - Goals and Policies St. Joseph has established and continues to refine goals and policies that address water resource and storm water issues that arise through general development, construction, or other changes to the land. Goals and policies are most often used as a guide in the design and construction of private and public developments impacting water resources in the City. They also address the routine operations of the city. The City of St. Joseph has adopted several ordinances that address storm water management issues. Portions of the Zoning ordinance (52.18, 52.19, 52.20) and the Subdivision ordinance (54.07, 54.09, 54.12, 54.15, 54.17) contain requirements for addressing water resource or storm water related concerns. Other local jurisdictions and agencies have regulations that also must be addressed by the City. The Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD), Steams County, and State agencies have Water Resource Management Plans and rules that impact St. Joseph policies. These are presented in Section 1.4 of this report 4.1 Analysis of Management Strategies Storm water runoff goals and policies are based on the specific and changing needs of the City in combination with a management strategy, or philosophy, which addresses how storm water issues should be handled. 4.1.1 4.1.2 4,1.3 4,1.4 Storm Water Management Plan S1. Joseph, Minnesota A storm water management strategy for handling runoff is developed based on one or more of the following: Conveyance Philosophy A conveyance philosophy involves storm water collection and discharge without the use of ponding areas. This strategy is less land intensive, but requires construction of large storm sewer or ditch systems. Ponding Philosophy A ponding philosophy uses natura110w areas to temporarily store or detain runoff until the conveyance system can safely discharge the runoff downstream. Combination Ponding and Conveyance Philosophy It is likely that a combination of ponding and conveyance will provide the most economical solution. This philosophy takes advantage of available low lands for storm water storage and optimizes the in place conveyance systems, Based on full utilization of the existing systems, improvements can be planned. Develop and Treat Philosophy The 'Develop and Treat' philosophy is practiced in most communities (the opposite is land use control philosophy). The Develop and Treat philosophy encompasses the ponding philosophy by allowing full development of the land, with onsite rate control and pollutant removal requirements, resulting in a multitude of small onsite ponds and other BMPs throughout the City. A-STJOE0315 Page 32 4.1.5 Regional Pond Philosophy The regional pond philosophy is related to the 'Develop and Treat Philosophy'. But rather than requiring onsite facilities, the regional pond philosophy relies on a comprehensive plan to identify (and acquire) parcels of land to serve as detention/treatment pond sites that can serve multiple properties. This philosophy often requires up-front funding to acquire the land, but results in fewer ponds and less overall pond maintenance. 4,1.6 Land Use Control Philosophy The land use control philosophy may be radical to some, but is based on reducing the impervious (hard) surface areas related to development. Less impervious surface results in less runoff and less pollutant loading. If done properly, the land use control philosophy can work without adversely impacting development densities. 4,1.7 Enhanced Practices Philosophy The enhanced practices philosophy can be used in redevelopment and new development to meet volume reductions, treatment, and groundwater recharge goals. Typical practices include infiltration and bioretention. A rainwater garden program is an excellent example ofbioretention. St. Joseph has adopted regulations based on the 'Combination Ponding and Conveyence Philosophy', 'Develop and Treat Philosophy' and 'Land Use Control Philosophy.' The ordinances listed below have influences. from each of these prnlosoprnes in the requirements placed on land development. 4.2 St. Joseph Goals and Policies Goals and policies recognize the fundamental relationship between water quality and land use. Development of goals and policies is an ongoing process. Development and storm water routing criteria will change based on pressures from development, emerging flooding problems, new state and federal mandates, and evolving public perceptions. Current St. Joseph policies on storm water concerns can be found in several of the St. Joseph City ordinances, The zoning ordinance contains several chapters relating to storm water regulations: 52.18, 52.19, and 52.20. These chapters cover storm water rate control for watershed and pond discharge, the requirement for a Storm Water Management Plan with newly subllÛtted plats, erosion and sediment control details, and a shoreland overlay district. The subdivision ordinance also has several chapters that include storm water management regulations: 54.07, 54.09, 54.12, 54.15, and 54.17, These chapters cover definitions, shoreland/flood-prone lands, and subdivision drainage requirements. It would be a good management tool to remove the storm water requirements from each of the different ordinances and place them all together into one ordinance, which addresses storm water regulations. Storm water related goals address the larger picture of what storm water management is trying to achieve. Some Storm Water Management goals that St. Joseph is considering are: Storm Water Management Plan S1. Joseph, Minnesota A-ST JOE0315 Page 33 . Stonn Water Runoff Management (Water Quantity): Control flooding and minimize related public capital and maintenance expenditure necessary to control excessive volumes and rates of runoff. Collection System: . New Development: Stonn drain system shall be designed to convey 10-year stonn events, · Existing Infrastructure: Stonn drain system shall be designed to convey a 10-year stonn event where possible, or the largest stonn possible within physical limitations. Stonn Water Ponds: · Release discharge rates shall be less in developed conditions compared to existing conditions for the 100-year and 10-year stonn events, · Ponds with overflow outlets shall be designed for the 100- year event. Downstream flooding shall be checked, · Ponds without overflow outlets shall be designed for the 1 OO-year back-to-back stonn event. · Pond design characteristics will be unified and specified by City ordinance for different pond and landuse types. · A reasonable effort will be made to reduce the runoff volume according to prudent and practical criteria. Where required for state-listed Special Waters, volume controls will be met. · Pond and wetland high water levels will be two feet below lowest building opening elevation for new construction. · State NPDES water quality requirements shall be met. · Consideration shall be given, in cooperation with St. Joseph staff, to the best use of regional or onsite ponding locations. · St. Joseph shall identify locations of potential regional ponding sites and investigate the acquisition of right-of-way to secure these sites. · St. Joseph should establish and implement a capital improvement plan to acquire land for regional drainage and ponding areas. . Water Quality: Achieve water quality goals in St. Joseph waters and wetlands consistent with intended use and classification. Use vegetative measures where possible for erosion control and nutrient uptake. Storm Water Management Plan 51. Joseph, Minnesota Ä-ST JOE0315 Page 34 Storm Water Management Plan St. Joseph, Minnesota Use native seed mixes or other mixes as appropriate (controlling noxious weed problems). Encourage vegetation in regional ponding areas or wetlands that will utilize nutrients, Meet State NPDES requirements. 80 percent Total Suspended Solids removal through ponding for the MPCA defined water quality storm event (0.5 inch of rain over the new impervious area), or better. Encourage use of phosphorus-free fertilizer. · Erosion Control: Minimize soil erosion control through enforcement and education 4,3 Enforce erosion control requirements of the St. Joseph Building Permit, Finalize St. Joseph Erosion Control Ordinance in keeping with NPDES MS4 permit time schedule. · Wetland Management: Maintain the amount of wetland acreage and increase the wetland values within St. Joseph. Utilize Stearns County requirements for wetland management as required. Post wetland boundaries so they can be identified · Public Participation, Information and Education: Increase public participation and knowledge in management of the water resources, · Drainageway Maintenance (Maintenance and Inspection): Preserve the function of water resource facilities through routine inspection and regular maintenance activities. Maintain drainage easements and drainageways. · Recreation, Open Space and Wildlife: Manage water recreation opportunities and improve fish and wildlife habitat. · Groundwater: Prevent contamination of the aquifers and promote groundwater recharge. Groundwater quality and withdrawal are regulated by state and county policies. St. Joseph will coordinate studies and policies with these regulations as needed. · Regulations/Intergoverrunental Relations: Ensure compliance with ordinances, standards, criteria, and policies with other goverrunental units that have regulatory authority within the city boundaries. Identification and Implementation of Improvements The final task associated with a Storm Water Management Program includes establislunent and implementation of improvement and maintenance programs. These final tasks are necessary to ensure storm water management measures are implemented in a timely fashion and their effectiveness in maintaining St. Joseph's drainage system can be quantified. The program Ä-ST JOE0315 Page 35 also provides St. Joseph with the flexibility to adjust the implementation of stonn water measures to maximize effectiveness. This task will begin as the Stonn Water Management Plan is completed. Appendices I to L are references that point out BMPs, Guidelines and Agreements which can be used to improve practices and communication for stonn water management. · Appendix I provides some examples of Best Management Practices that can be used for pond design and stonn water infiltration · Appendix J presents Regulatory Responsibilities for different government agencies with respect to stonn water issues · Appendix K provides an Example Agreement for stonn water pond management practices · Appendix L is a list of References that can be used to find further information about stonn water issues and BMPs Storm Water Management Plan St. Joseph, Minnesota Ä-ST JOE0315 Page 36