Title
Public Hearing on the Draft 2022 Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Utility Advisory Committee recommends the City Council hold a public hearing on the draft 2022 Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual, which includes proposed changes to address previous public comments.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing on the draft 2022 Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual, which includes proposed changes to address previous public comments.
Report
Issue:
Whether to hold a public hearing on the Draft 2022 Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Presenter:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual (DDECM) sets standards and provides guidance on the measures necessary to control the quantity and quality of stormwater produced by new development and redevelopment within the City of Olympia.
To ensure that the City continues to effectively manage stormwater from new development, redevelopment, and construction activities, the City’s 2019-2024 Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (Permit) requires a review of our DDECM for equivalency with the Washington State Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington.
The DDECM review was required to be completed by June 30, 2022 to remain in compliance with our Permit. Through written correspondence, the Storm and Surface Water Utility informed Ecology that additional time is required to complete the public outreach and approval process.
The City’s DDECM was last updated in December 2016 and is equivalent with the 2012 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington, with 2014 amendments, as required by the City’s 2013-2018 Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. The 2016 update was significant due to the requirement to include low impact development regulations in the DDECM and Olympia Municipal Code. The 2022 update is minor in comparison.
An internal DDECM workgroup consisting of staff representatives responsible for private development review, public and private development inspection, stormwater maintenance and Permit requirement implementation and compliance was formed to review and update the DDECM.
Rather than making edits or modifications to the 2016 DDECM, the workgroup elected to use the 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington as its new “base”, only making Olympia-specific required changes to this new base. The DDECM workgroup made this decision because the 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington was updated to enhance its usability, especially for those accessing the document from the internet, and consolidating repetitive information. This is consistent with other local communities with drainage manuals.
Most changes proposed to the DDECM involve reformatting or relocating information and those changes required to be equivalent to the 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington. To explain the proposed changes to the DDECM, a summary of changes document was prepared which includes:
• The changes made to be consistent with the 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington.
• Other changes made to the 2016 DDECM during the 2022 update.
• Information that remains unique to Olympia.
The Storm and Surface Water Utility held two briefings on the update of the DDECM at the Utility Advisory Committee (April and June 2022) and conducted a public review period in August 2022. Two sets of comments were received on the 2022 DDECM, which resulted in proposed changes.
A determination of nonsignificance (DNS) under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) was issued for the 2022 DDECM on September 19, 2022. Under SEPA regulations, the DNS comment period ends September 26, 2022 and the appeals period ends October 3, 2022.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Storm and Surface Water Utility held a public review period on the Draft 2022 DDECM in August 2022. Two sets of comments were received. After reviewing the comments, staff prepared a response, including proposed changes to the Draft 2022 DDECM.
Options:
1. Hold a public hearing on the Draft 2022 Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual, which includes proposed changes to address previous public comments. Staff will bring the Draft 2022 DDECM back to Council at a future meeting to consider adoption.
2. Do not hold a public hearing on the Draft 2022 Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual, including proposed changes to address previous public comments. This would cause the City to be out of compliance with its Western Washington Municipal Stormwater Permit.
3. Hold the public hearing at another time.
Financial Impact:
The City of Olympia currently has stormwater regulations in place that must be followed when property is developed or redeveloped. Staff from throughout the City are involved in permitting and construction inspection of stormwater facilities. The Draft 2022 DDECM is not expected to result in increased costs to developers or property owners or increase time spent by City staff.
Attachments:
Link to DRAFT 2022 DDECM
Summary of Changes
Response to Public Comment
Utility Advisory Committee Letter of Recommendation
Correspondence to the Washington State Department of Ecology
Public Hearing Comment 09.19.22