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 water-borne
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
stream bank erosion and sedimentation.
E. Impervious surfaces allow less water to percolate into the soil,
thereby decreasing groundwater recharge and stream base flow.
F. Substantial economic losses can result from these adverse impacts
on the waters of the municipality.
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.
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 L.L. No. 2-2014 is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing within this jurisdiction and to address the findings of fact in §
177-1 hereof. Local Law No. 2-2014 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 New York State 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 stream bank 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 of the Municipal Home Rule
Law of the State of New York, the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated
Village of Lawrence has the authority to enact local laws and amend
local laws and for the purpose of promoting the health, safety or
general welfare of the Village of Lawrence and for the protection
and enhancement of its physical environment. The Board of Trustees
of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence may include in any such local
law provisions for the appointment of any municipal officer, employees,
or independent contractor to effectuate, administer and enforce such
local law.
The following activities may be exempt from review under L.L.
No. 2-2014:
A. Agricultural activity as defined in L.L. No. 2-2014.
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 Lawrence on or before the effective date
of L.L. No. 2-1014.
F. Land development activities for which a building permit has been
approved on or before the effective date of L.L. No. 2-2014.
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, vegetables 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.
L. Land development activity undertaken by a federal, state or local
governmental unit, when the Village makes a finding that the public
interest would not be served by application of the law.
The Incorporated Village of Lawrence may require any person
undertaking land development activities regulated by L.L. No. 2-2014
to pay reasonable costs at prevailing rates for review of SWPPPs,
inspections, or SMP maintenance performed by the Incorporated Village
of Lawrence or performed by a third party for the Incorporated Village
of Lawrence.