The Village of Wales finds that uncontrolled stormwater runoff
and construction site erosion from land development and land-disturbing
activity can have significant adverse impacts upon local water resources
and the health, safety and general welfare of the community, and diminish
the public enjoyment and use of natural resources. Specifically, uncontrolled
soil erosion and stormwater runoff can:
A. Degrade physical stream habitat by increasing stream bank erosion,
increasing stream bed scour, diminishing groundwater recharge, diminishing
stream base flows and increasing stream temperatures;
B. Diminish the capacity of lakes and streams to support fish, aquatic
life, recreational and water supply uses by increasing pollutant loadings
of sediment, suspended solids, nutrients, heavy metals, bacteria,
pathogens and other urban pollutants;
C. Alter wetland communities by changing wetland hydrology and increasing
pollutant loads;
D. Reduce the quality of groundwater by increasing pollutant loading;
E. Threaten public health, safety, property, and general welfare by
increasing runoff volumes and peak flood flows and overburdening storm
sewers, drainageways and other storm drainage systems;
F. Undermine floodplain management efforts by increasing the incidence
and levels of flooding; and
G. Generate airborne particulate concentrations that are health-threatening
or may cause other damage to property or the environment.
The Village Board has designated the Plan Commission to oversee
and administer the provisions of this chapter, working in concert
with Village staff, the Village Engineer, and Building Inspector.
The Village Engineer and Building Inspector will review and enforce
erosion control and stormwater management plans, within their respective
purviews, advise the Village Clerk to issue permits, as appropriate,
and monitor the effectiveness of erosion control and stormwater management
facilities and measures.
Jurisdictional boundaries. This chapter applies to all land
development activities within the boundaries and jurisdiction of the
Village of Wales, as well as the division of land in the Village's
extraterritorial jurisdiction.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
APPLICANT
Any person or entity holding fee title to the property or
their representative. The applicant shall become the "permit holder"
once a permit is issued. The applicant shall sign the initial permit
application form in accordance with Subsections A through E below,
after which the applicant may provide the Village written authorization
for others to serve as the applicant's representative:
A.
In the case of a corporation, by a principal executive officer
of at least the level of vice president or by the officer's authorized
representative having overall responsibility for the operation of
the site for which a permit is sought.
B.
In the case of a limited liability company, by a member or manager.
C.
In the case of a partnership, by the general partner.
D.
In the case of a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor.
E.
For a unit of government, by a principal executive officer,
ranking elected official or other duly authorized representative.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP)
Structural and nonstructural measures, practices, techniques
or devices employed to avoid or minimize sediment or other pollutants
carried in runoff to waters of the state.
BUSINESS DAY
A day when the Village office is routinely and customarily
open for business.
CEASE AND DESIST ORDER
A court-issued order to halt land-disturbing construction
activity that is being conducted without the required permit.
CONNECTED IMPERVIOUSNESS
An impervious surface that is directly connected to a separate
storm sewer or waters of the state via an impervious flow path.
DESIGN STORM
A hypothetical depth of rainfall that would occur for the
stated return frequency (i.e., once every two years, 10 years, or
100 years), duration (i.e., 24 hours) and timing of distribution (i.e.,
Type II). All values are based on the historical rainfall records
for the area. Design storms used in this chapter are summarized in
§ 384.12.
DEVELOPMENT
Residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional land
uses and associated roads.
DEWATERING
The removal of trapped water from a construction site to
allow land development or utility installation activities to occur.
DIVISION OF LAND
Either a subdivision or minor land division, as defined by Chapter
395, Subdivision of Land, of the Village Code.
EFFECTIVE INFILTRATION AREA
The area of the infiltration system that is used to infiltrate
runoff, and does not include the area used for site access, berms,
or pretreatment.
ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDOR (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY)
A composite of the best individual elements of the natural
resource base including surface water, streams, and rivers and their
associated floodlands and shorelands; woodlands, wetlands and wildlife
habitat; areas of ground water discharge and recharge; organic soils,
rugged terrain and high relief topography; and significant geological
formations and physiographic features. A description of the process
of defining and delineating Environmental Corridors is set forth in
the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission's Technical
Record, Volume 4, No. 2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA
Any area that, due to the natural resources present or the
lack of filtering capacity, is more susceptible to the adverse impacts
of sediment and other pollutants associated with erosion and urban
runoff. Examples include environmental corridors, direct hydrologic
connections to lakes, streams, wetlands, groundwater or other water
resources, or very coarse or shallow soils above groundwater or bedrock.
EROSION
The process of detachment, transport and deposition of soil,
sediment or rock fragments by action of water, wind, ice or gravity.
FILTERING LAYER
Soil that has at least a three-foot deep layer with at least
20% that passes through a No. 200 sieve (fines); or at least a five-foot
deep layer with at least 10% that passes through a No. 200 sieve (fines);
or another medium exists with an equivalent level of protection, as
determined by the Village Engineer.
FINAL PLAT
A map of a proposed condominium, subdivision, or other development
to be recorded with the Waukesha County Register of Deeds pursuant
Wis. Stats.
FINANCIAL GUARANTEE
A performance bond, surety bond, irrevocable letter of credit,
or similar guarantee submitted to the Village Clerk by the responsible
party to assure that requirements of this chapter are carried out
in compliance with the erosion control and stormwater management plans.
GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AREAS
Lands identified in a document published by the Southeastern
Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission as groundwater recharge areas;
or where, prior to any land-disturbing or land development activity,
precipitation or runoff could only leave the area by infiltrating
the ground, thereby recharging the groundwater.
ILLICIT CONNECTION
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface,
which allows an illegal nonstormwater discharge to enter the storm
drain system, including but not limited to: sewage, process wastewater
and wash water, any connections to the storm drain system from indoor
drains and sinks, regardless of whether said drain or connection had
been allowed, permitted, or approved by a government agency, prior
to the adoption of this chapter.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
An area that releases all or a large portion of the precipitation
that falls on it, except for frozen soil. Conventional rooftops and
asphalt or concrete sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and streets
are typical examples of impervious surfaces. For purposes of this
chapter, typical gravel driveways and other examples listed shall
be considered impervious unless specifically designed to encourage
infiltration or storage of runoff.
IMPRACTICABLE
That complying with a specific requirement would cause undue
economic hardship and that special conditions exist that are beyond
the control of the applicant and would prevent compliance.
IN-FILL DEVELOPMENT
Land development that occurs where there was no previous
land development and is surrounded by other existing land development;
INFILTRATION
The entry of precipitation or runoff into or through the
soil.
INFILTRATION SYSTEM(S)
A device or practice such as a basin, trench, rain garden
or swale designed specifically to encourage infiltration, but does
not include natural infiltration in pervious surfaces such as lawns,
redirecting of rooftop downspouts onto lawns or minimal infiltration
from practices such as swales or road-side channels designed for conveyance
and pollutant removal only.
KARST FEATURES
An area or surficial geologic feature subject to bedrock
dissolution so that it is likely to provide a conduit to groundwater,
and may include caves, enlarged fractures, mine features, exposed
bedrock surfaces, sinkholes, springs, seeps or swallets.
LAND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY or LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any construction-related activity that may ultimately result
in the addition of impervious surfaces, such as the construction of
buildings, roads, parking lots and other structures.
LAND-DISTURBING ACTIVITY (OR DISTURBANCE)
Any man-made alteration of the land surface that may result
in a change in the topography or existing vegetative or nonvegetative
soil cover, or may expose soil and lead to an increase in soil erosion
and movement of sediment. "Land-disturbing activity" includes clearing
and grubbing for future land development, excavating, filling, grading,
building construction or demolition, and pit trench dewatering.
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
A document that provides for long-term maintenance of stormwater
management practices. Such document may be a separate document or
part of an overall development agreement for a project.
MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE (MEP)
An acceptable level of implementing best management practices
to achieve a performance standard specified in this chapter, as determined
by the Village Engineer or Village Board. In determining MEP, the
Village shall take into account the best available technology, cost
effectiveness and other competing issues such as human safety and
welfare, endangered and threatened resources, historic properties
and geographic features. MEP allows flexibility in the way to meet
the performance standards and may vary based on the performance standard
and site conditions.
NAVIGABLE
Has the meaning given in the Village of Wales Shoreland and
Floodland Protection Ordinance.
NEW DEVELOPMENT
Development resulting from the conversion of previously undeveloped
land or agricultural uses.
OFF-SITE BMP
Best management practice(s) that are located outside of the
boundaries of the site covered by a permit application. Off-site BMPs
are usually installed as part of a regional stormwater management
plan approved by a local government.
ON-SITE
Located within the property boundary described in the permit
application.
PERCENT FINES
The percentage of a given sample of soil, which passes through
a No. 200 sieve.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD
A narrative or measurable number specifying the minimum acceptable
outcome for a facility or practice.
PERMIT
A written authorization made by the Village Engineer/Building
Inspector/Clerk to the applicant to conduct land-disturbing construction
activity or to discharge postconstruction runoff to waters of the
state.
PERMIT ADMINISTRATIVE FEE
A sum of money paid to the Village Clerk (the administering
authority) by the permit applicant for the purpose of recouping the
expenses incurred by the authority in administering the permit.
PERVIOUS SURFACE
An area that releases as runoff a small portion of the precipitation
that falls on it. Lawns, gardens, parks, forests, or other similar
vegetated areas are examples of surfaces that typically are pervious.
PLAT
A map of a proposed condominium, subdivision, or other development.
POLLUTANT
As per § 283.01(13), Wis. Stats., means any dredged
spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, refuse,
oil, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials,
radioactive substance, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock,
sand, cellar dirt and industrial, municipal and agricultural waste
discharged into water.
POLLUTION
As per § 283.01(10), Wis. Stats., means man-made
or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological or
radiological integrity of water.
PRELIMINARY PLAT
A map showing the salient features of a proposed condominium,
subdivision, or other development submitted to an approving authority
for purposes of preliminary consideration.
PUBLICLY FUNDED
A land development, such as a public road or municipal building,
that is being funded solely by a unit of government. It does not include
new roads or other structures built with private funds, or a combination
of public and private funds, and subsequently dedicated to a unit
of government.
RECORD DRAWING
The final project drawing of the project or facility in which
the professional engineer, professional land surveyor, or other responsible
party updates community-approved construction plans with survey or
other data that show the final location, elevation, and other pertinent
data or information for that facility.
REDEVELOPMENT
Land development that replaces previous land development
of similar impervious conditions.
REGIONAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
A planning document, adopted by a local unit of government,
that coordinates stormwater management activities for an entire drainage
area or watershed, including future land development activities within
the watershed. The plan may prescribe the use of BMPs for individual
development sites and for selected points within the watershed to
meet the goals and objectives of the plan.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY
Any person or entity holding fee title to the property or
acting as the owners representative, including any person, firm, corporation
or other entity performing services, contracted, subcontracted or
obligated by other agreement to design, implement, inspect, verify
or maintain the BMPs and other approved elements of erosion control
and stormwater plans and permits under this chapter.
ROAD
As used in this chapter, means any access drive that serves
more than two residences or businesses.
RUNOFF
Water from rain, snow or ice melt, or dewatering that moves
over the land surface via sheet or channelized flow.
SHORELAND
Has the meaning given in the Village of Wales Shoreland and
Floodland Protection Ordinance.
SITE
The entire area included in the legal description of which
the land-disturbing or land development activity will occur.
STABILIZED
That all land-disturbing activities are completed and that
a uniform, perennial vegetative cover has been established on at least
70% of the soil surface or other surfacing material is in place, and
the risk of further soil erosion is minimal, as determined by the
Village Engineer or Building Inspector.
STOP-WORK ORDER
An order issued by the Village Board, Building Inspector,
Village Engineer, or law enforcement official, etc., that requires
that all construction activity on the site be stopped.
STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM (or SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM)
A publicly owned facility by which stormwater is collected
and/or conveyed, including but not limited to any roads with drainage
systems, municipal streets, gutters, curbs, inlets, piped storm drains,
pumping facilities, retention and detention basins, natural and human-made
or altered drainage channels, reservoirs, and other drainage structures.
STORMWATER
Has the same meaning as the term "runoff."
STORMWATER BMP
Any best management practice that is designed to collect
or manage the quantity or quality of stormwater runoff for an indefinite
time period. This term is a subset of the term "best management practice"
and distinct in that they require long-term maintenance. Some examples
include, but are not limited to: wet or dry detention basin, infiltration
trench or basin, bioretention basin, stilling basin, green roof, filter
strip, artificial wetland, or any combination of these or other permanent
stormwater management practices, as determined by the Village Engineer.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
A comprehensive plan designed to reduce the discharge of
pollutants from stormwater both during construction and after the
site is stabilized, following construction activity.
STORMWATER PERMIT
A written authorization made by the Village to the applicant
to conduct land-disturbing or land development activities in accordance
with the requirements of this chapter. A stormwater permit regulates
both construction site erosion and postconstruction stormwater runoff
from a site.
SUBDIVISION
A division of a lot, parcel or tract of land by the owner
thereof or the owner's agent for the purpose of sale or of building
development that meets the subdivision definition criteria under § 236.02(12),
Wis. Stats., or a more restrictive definition adopted by a local unit
of government.
TECHNICAL STANDARD
A document that specifies design, predicted performance and
operation and maintenance requirements for a material, device or method.
TOP OF CHANNEL
An edge, or point on the landscape, commencing landward from
the ordinary high-water mark of a surface water of the state, where
the slope of the land begins to be less than 12% continually for at
least 50 feet. If the slope of the land is 12% or less continually
for the initial 50 feet, landward from the ordinary high-water mark,
the top of the channel is the ordinary high-water mark.
TR-55
The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources
Conservation Service Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds, Second
Edition, Technical Release 55, June 1986.
UTILITY
A wire, pipe, tube or other conduit designed to distribute
or collect a product or service, including but not limited to electricity,
natural gas, oil, telecommunications, drinking water, stormwater,
sewage, or any combination of these items.
VILLAGE MAPPING STANDARDS
That the maps are drawn to national map accuracy standards
using the Wisconsin State Plane Coordinate System, Wisconsin South
Zone, North American Datum 1927 (NAD27) and National Geodetic Vertical
Datum of 1929 (NGVD-29).
WARM SEASON AND WETLAND PLANTINGS
Seed or plant stock that are native to a prairie or wetland
setting. These types of plantings usually take a couple of years to
get established and require diligent removal of invasive species during
this time. Upon maturity, warm season plants generally have a deep
root system, which enhances infiltration.
WETLANDS
An area where water is at, near or above the land surface
long enough to be capable of supporting aquatic or hydrophytic vegetation
and which has soils indicative of wet conditions.
WOODLAND
An area where a grouping of 10 or more trees exist that have
trunk diameters of at least four inches at four feet above the ground
surface. The boundaries of a woodland shall be defined by the canopy,
commonly referred to as the "drip line".
WORKING DAY
Any day the office of the Village is routinely and customarily
open for business, and does not include Saturday, Sunday and any official
holidays.