Effective December 31, 2016, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) required cities and counties that operate regulated municipal stormwater systems to make LID “the preferred and commonly used approach to site development.” Ecology has granted the city an extension to June 29, 2018 to achieve compliance with all minimum standards.
The proposed LID ordinance is intended to increase protection of creeks, lakes (Ballinger Lake and downstream), and private property from flooding and pollutant loading. It is designed to create flexibility for implementing LID on a site-by-site basis, and emphasizes use of LID techniques such as bioretention swales, reestablishment of healthy soils, and minimization of impervious surface. The code updates are intended to support increased LID in more locations, and to lower LID implementation costs for development.
The Planning Commission will consider the presentation by city staff and take public testimony before making a recommendation to City Council. The Council is tentatively scheduled to hold a public hearing and make a decision on adoption of the ordinance on May 21, 2018.
For more information, please call Stormwater Program Manager Laura Reed at (425) 744-6226.
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