Title
Low Impact Development (LID) Code Revisions
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to forward the LID code revisions to Council as recommended by the Planning Commission.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to forward the Low Impact Development (LID) code revisions to Council for a Study Session and then a Public Hearing.
Report
Issue:
Whether to forward the LID code revisions to Council study session and public hearing.
Staff Contact:
Laura Keehan, Senior Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Nicole Floyd, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3768
Presenter:
Laura Keehan, Public Works Water Resources
Background and Analysis:
Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) requires that Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater NPDES permit holders evaluate their various codes and regulations in order to "make LID the preferred and commonly used approach to site development." These new rules must be in place no later than December 31, 2016. Regardless of the DOE mandate, our community has a strong interest and a rich history related to LID.
DOE defines LID as "a stormwater and land use management strategy that strives to mimic natural hydrologic processes such as infiltration, filtration, and evaporation of precipitation." The strategy emphasizes integrating natural resource conservation site planning and small-scale stormwater management practices into the project design. The techniques include minimizing impervious surfaces and adding bioretention and compost-amended soils.
In 2014, staff began drafting proposed LID-related updates to Olympia's development regulations. Specifically this includes Olympia's Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual (DDECM), the Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) and the Olympia Municipal Code (OMC).
During fall 2015, the Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) reviewed proposed LID technical and policy recommendations ...
Click here for full text