It is hereby determined that:
A. 
Land development activities and associated increases in site impervious cover often alter the hydrologic response of local watersheds and increase stormwater runoff rates and volumes, flooding, stream channel erosion, or sediment transport and deposition;
B. 
This stormwater runoff contributes to increased quantities of waterborne pollutants, including siltation of aquatic habitat for fish and other desirable species;
C. 
Clearing and grading during construction tends to increase soil erosion and add to the loss of native vegetation necessary for terrestrial and aquatic habitat;
D. 
Improper design and construction of stormwater management practices can increase the velocity of stormwater runoff, thereby increasing streambank erosion and sedimentation;
E. 
Impervious surfaces allow less water to percolate into the soil, thereby decreasing groundwater recharge and stream baseflow;
F. 
Substantial economic losses can result from these adverse impacts on the waters of the Village of Horseheads;
G. 
Stormwater runoff, soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of stormwater runoff from land development activities;
H. 
The regulation of stormwater runoff discharges from land development activities in order to control and minimize increases in stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion, stream channel erosion, and nonpoint source pollution associated with stormwater runoff is in the public interest and will minimize threats to public health and safety; and
I. 
Regulation of land development activities by means of performance standards governing stormwater management and site design will produce development compatible with the natural functions of a particular site or an entire watershed and thereby mitigate the adverse effects of erosion and sedimentation from development.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing within the Village of Horseheads and to address the findings of fact in § 217-1 hereof. This chapter seeks to meet those purposes by achieving the following objectives:
A. 
Meet the requirements of minimum measures 4 and 5 of the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems (MS4s), Permit No. GP-02-02, or as amended or revised;
B. 
Require land development activities to conform to the substantive requirements of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Construction Activities GP-02-01, or as amended or revised;
C. 
Minimize increases in stormwater runoff from land development activities in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases in stream temperature, and streambank erosion and maintain the integrity of stream channels;
D. 
Minimize increases in pollution caused by stormwater runoff from land development activities which would otherwise degrade local water quality;
E. 
Minimize the total annual volume of stormwater runoff which flows from any specific site during and following development to the maximum extent practicable; and
F. 
Reduce stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution, wherever possible, through stormwater management practices and to ensure that these management practices are properly maintained and eliminate threats to public safety.
In accordance with § 10(1)(ii)(a)(11) of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, the Village of Horseheads has the authority to enact Local Laws for the protection and enhancement of its physical and visual environment as well as to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the Village. The Village of Horseheads may include in such local law provision for the appointment of any municipal officer or employees to effectuate and administer such local law.
A. 
This chapter shall be applicable to all land development activities as defined in this chapter, § 217-6.
B. 
The Village of Horseheads shall designate a Stormwater Management Officer who shall accept and review all stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and forward such plans to the Village Planning Board for approval. For purposes of this chapter, the Stormwater Management Officer shall be the Code Enforcement Officer for the Village of Horseheads. The Stormwater Management Officer may:
(1) 
Review the plans;
(2) 
Upon approval by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Horseheads, engage the services of a registered professional engineer to review the plans, specifications and related documents at a cost not to exceed a fee schedule established by said governing board; or
(3) 
Accept the certification of a licensed professional that the plans conform to the requirements of this chapter.
C. 
All land development activities subject to review and approval by the Village Planning Board under the Village's Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Law shall be reviewed subject to the standards contained in this chapter.
The following activities may be exempt from review under this chapter:
A. 
Agricultural activity as defined in this chapter.
B. 
Silvicultural activity, except that landing areas and log haul roads are subject to this chapter.
C. 
Routine maintenance activities that disturb less than five acres and are performed to maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity or original purpose of a facility.
D. 
Repairs to any stormwater management practice or facility deemed necessary by the Stormwater Management Officer.
E. 
Any part of a subdivision if a plat for the subdivision has been approved by the Village of Horseheads on or before the effective date of this chapter.
F. 
Land development activities for which a building permit has been approved on or before the effective date of this chapter.
G. 
Cemetery graves.
H. 
Installation of fence, sign, telephone, and electric poles and other kinds of posts or poles.
I. 
Emergency activity immediately necessary to protect life, property or natural resources.
J. 
Activities of an individual engaging in home gardening by growing flowers, vegetable and other plants primarily for use by that person and his or her family.
K. 
Landscaping and horticultural activities in connection with an existing structure.