BELLA VISTA — The Planning Commission on Monday night voted to amend the city's subdivision code to allow for new regulations regarding storm water drainage and management.
Amendments to the subdivision code, which must be adopted by the City Council as an ordinance, would allow for adoption of a drainage criteria manual outlining regulations for the city issuing MS4 (Small Municipal Storm Sewer Systems) permits in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water Act.
The city in 2012 was notified by the Arkansas Department of Environment Quality that it will be part of northwest Arkansas' urbanized area, and therefore would be required to comply with MS4 permitting.
The changes in legislation will repeal the current section of the code that relies on a designer's professional judgment regarding how to best control storm water.
The goal of the regulations is to keep sediment out of local water sources, Planning Director Chris Suneson said in a work session Feb. 26. The regulations will be a transition for the city because of the land area and typical type of construction.
The manual was authored by Jonathan Ely, the city's contracted Crafton Tull engineer.
New regulations will likely increase the cost of development in the area. They will apply to the city's designated planning area, which by state statute extends beyond city limits. Exceptions to these regulations as outlined in the amendments to the code will be for residential construction, existing commercial or industrial buildings, maintenance activity, agriculture and emergency conditions.
The amendments also clarify by whom property should be maintained, such as the city in the case of public rights of way and the property owner on privately held land.
Adoption of this legislation would satisfy two of six minimum criteria of the city's ADEQ-approved Storm Water Management Plan.
The group also elected officers at the meeting. Daniel Ellis was elected chairman, and Andy McCown will serve as vice chairman. Newest commission member Jaime Kemp was elected secretary.
NW News on 03/11/2014