Title
"Low Impact Development" Briefing - An Overview of Work in Progress and the Planning Commission's Role
Recommended Action
Informational briefing -no action required.
Report
Issue:
The City of Olympia has begun an update of its stormwater management standards and regulations. This effort was initiated in 2014 and will probably be part of the Planning Commission's 2015 work program.
Staff Contacts:
Andy Haub, Water Resources Director, Public Works Department, 360.570.3795; and
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development Department, 360.753.8206
Presenter:
Todd Stamm, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Department, 360.753.8597
Background and Analysis:
As part of implementation of the Federal Clean Water Act, the City of Olympia receives and must periodically renew a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Department of Ecology. Among other things, this permit sets standards for the release of stormwater by the City into streams, lakes and marine waters. This renewal requires that the City update its stormwater standards and regulations in accordance with guidance provided by Ecology. In the past, this periodic update has focused on the City's Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual.
However, the new 'Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit' requires that 'Low Impact Development' (LID) be the "preferred and commonly-used approach to site development" in Olympia. (In this context the term "low-impact development" and the abbreviation 'LID' relate to stormwater and run-off impacts. In other contexts 'LID' may refer to development designs which minimize impacts in general; or to "Local Improvement Districts," a special taxation area.) This approach will result in a
re-evaluation of nearly every regulation and standard related to stormwater management.
In January of 2014, City staff began a comprehensive review of currently adopted regulations ...
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