[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Cohasset 7-10-2008 (Art. XV of the 1988 General bylaws). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Sewers — See Ch. 198.
Wetlands protection — See Ch. 260.
Zoning — See Ch. 300.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 325.
This bylaw is adopted under authority granted by the Home Rule Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution, the home rule statutes, and pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 to 1386 (the "Act") and regulations issued pursuant to the Act which are found at 40 CFR 122.34.
The purpose of this bylaw is to:
A. 
Prevent and reduce existing and future flooding.
B. 
Protect water quality.
C. 
Increase groundwater recharge.
D. 
Reduce erosion and sedimentation.
E. 
Promote environmentally sensitive site design practices.
F. 
Ensure long-term maintenance of stormwater controls.
G. 
Help the Town of Cohasset meet federal requirements under Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
H. 
Establish the legal authority by which the Town of Cohasset can enforce the provisions of this bylaw and accompanying regulations.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and implementation of this bylaw:
ALTER
Includes, without limitation, the following activities:
A. 
Changing of preexisting drainage characteristics, adding impervious area or changing type of land cover, or changing sedimentation patterns, flow patterns or flood retention characteristics;
B. 
Dumping, discharging or filling with any material, or removal of material, which would alter elevations or change drainage patterns or degrade water quality;
C. 
Driving of piles, erection, or expansion of buildings or structures of any kind;
D. 
Destruction of plant life, including clearing of trees;
E. 
Any activities, changes or work which may cause or tend to contribute to pollution of any body of water or groundwater.
A. 
Regulated activities requiring a stormwater permit. The following activities, developments or redevelopments require the issuance of a full stormwater permit by the Conservation Commission (the "Commission") after the filing by the applicant of a full application and full review by the Commission through a public hearing:
(1) 
Any activity that will alter 5,000 square feet or more of land.
(2) 
Any construction or development activity on an undeveloped parcel of any size that will increase the impervious surface area, or increase the amount or rate of runoff from the parcel.
(3) 
Any development or redevelopment of land uses with higher potential pollutant loads as defined in the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Policy, which include, for example:
(a) 
Auto salvage yards (auto recycler facilities).
(b) 
Auto fueling facilities (gas stations).
(c) 
Exterior fleet storage areas (cars, buses, trucks, public works equipment).
(d) 
Exterior vehicle service, maintenance and equipment cleaning areas.
(e) 
Commercial parking lots.
(f) 
Road salt storage and loading areas.
(g) 
Commercial nurseries.
(h) 
Outdoor storage and loading/unloading of hazardous substances.
(i) 
Marinas (service, painting and hull maintenance areas).
B. 
Regulated activities requiring administrative approval. The following activities, which are smaller than activities requiring a full stormwater permit, shall require approval under an administrative approval process by the Commission or its Stormwater Agent:
(1) 
Any activity that will result in a net increase in impervious surface area of more than 500 square feet of land but which will alter less than 5,000 square feet of land.
(2) 
Any replacement of an existing building with a new building of more than 500 square feet.
C. 
Regulated activities completed in phases requiring a stormwater permit or administrative approval. Activities that are completed in phases, such as subdivision developments and phased commercial developments, which could be reasonably expected to alter more than the thresholds in Subsections A and B shall require a stormwater permit or administrative approval prior to beginning construction, even if the planned alteration is conducted over separate phases and/or by separate owners.
This bylaw shall not apply to the following activities:
A. 
Normal use, maintenance and improvement of land in agricultural use.
B. 
Maintenance of existing landscaping.
C. 
Repair or modification of a building that remains within its existing footprint.
D. 
Construction of a fence that will not alter existing terrain or drainage patterns.
E. 
Repairs or alterations to any stormwater management facility or practice that poses a threat to public health, safety, or the environment.
F. 
Emergency work associated with accidents, spills or releases of oil or hazardous wastes, or natural disasters.
G. 
Repair or maintenance of a sewage disposal system when required by the Board of Public Health for protection of public health, provided the post-repair condition drainage is similar or more effective than the pre-repair condition.
[Amended 5-24-2021 ATM by Art. 28]
H. 
Any work or projects for which all necessary approvals and permits have been issued before the effective date of this bylaw.
A. 
The Commission shall be responsible for issuing a stormwater permit.
B. 
The Commission may appoint a licensed professional engineer with expertise in stormwater management as its Stormwater Agent to assist the Commission. This position shall be funded from application and review fees charged to applicants during the stormwater permit and administrative approval process.
C. 
The Commission shall review stormwater permit applications, conduct necessary site inspections and investigations, issue final permits, and monitor and enforce permit conditions. For administrative approval of projects regulated under § 223-4B of this Stormwater Management Bylaw, the Stormwater Agent may represent the Commission by conducting site inspections as necessary, issuing a decision based on review, and monitoring conditions stated in the administrative approval.
D. 
The Commission shall establish application fees and review fees which are sufficient to recover the cost for application review including assistance from the Stormwater Agent. Separate application and review fees shall be established for the stormwater permit process and for the administrative approval process which requires no public hearing. Said fees and charges shall be established by regulations issued by the Commission.
A. 
The Commission shall adopt and amend rules and regulations related to the submittal requirements and performance standards required to obtain a stormwater permit or administrative approval conducted pursuant to this bylaw. Rules and regulations shall be adopted and amended after a public hearing and public comment period. The public hearing shall be advertised in a newspaper of general local circulation at least seven days before the hearing date.
B. 
Other boards, commissions, and departments are encouraged to adopt those rules and regulations by reference.
C. 
Failure to promulgate such rules and regulations shall not have the effect of suspending or invalidating this bylaw.
A. 
The purpose of the stormwater permit and administrative approval program shall be to maintain the post-development runoff characteristics (including peak flow, total volume of runoff, and water quality of the runoff) for development and redevelopment projects as equal to or less than the pre-development runoff characteristics.
B. 
Performance standards for site design, erosion control, stormwater management, materials, vegetation, and other aspects of developments shall be outlined in the rules and regulations. Performance standards shall include (but are not limited to) standards for the following:
(1) 
Peak discharge rates and runoff volumes (flooding protection and channel protection).
(2) 
Recharge volume.
(3) 
Pretreatment and water quality.
(4) 
Erosion control and property damage.
(5) 
Vegetation, site design, and site restoration.
(6) 
Integrity of stream channels, surface water, and aquatic habitats.
(7) 
Application of low-impact development measures to facilitate the maximum possible infiltration of precipitation on site.
C. 
Applicants shall meet these performance standards and those of the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Policy (as may be amended), whichever are more stringent.
[Amended 5-1-2023 ATM by Art. 18]
A. 
Submittal requirements for a stormwater permit, administrative approval, or amended stormwater permit or administrative approval shall be as required below and as further defined in the rules and regulations.
B. 
Submittal requirements for a stormwater permit or amended stormwater permit shall include (but may not be limited to) the following:
(1) 
Stormwater management plan stamped by a professional engineer certifying post-development runoff characteristics (including peak flow, total volume of runoff, and water quality of the runoff) for development and redevelopment projects as equal to or less than the pre-development runoff characteristics. The plan shall show proposed grading, description of stormwater management system with map of pre- and post-development drainage, existing and proposed vegetation, recharge analysis, hydrologic calculations, and estimated seasonal high groundwater.
(2) 
Abutters list.
(3) 
Erosion control plan.
(4) 
Operations and maintenance plan listing responsible parties, maintenance agreements, maintenance schedule, and estimated annual budget (including anticipated sources of funding) for operations and maintenance.
(5) 
Record(s) of stormwater easements.
(6) 
For subdivision applications, a plan showing the building envelope within each house lot and proposed grading, drainage, and stormwater disposal for each lot.
(7) 
Application and review fees.
C. 
Submittal requirements for an administrative approval or amended administrative approval shall include (but may not be limited to) the following:
(1) 
A stormwater management plan stamped by a professional engineer describing the proposed alteration activities and the mitigation measures and best management practices to be employed to manage stormwater generated by the alteration, and certifying post-development runoff characteristics (including peak flow, total volume of runoff, and water quality of the runoff) for development and redevelopment projects as equal to or less than the pre-development runoff characteristics. The following additional submittals may be required, but only if determined necessary by the Commission or its Stormwater Agent to support the engineer's stormwater management plan and certification: plan of proposed grading, more detailed description and/or drawings of proposed stormwater management system with map of pre- and post-development drainage, existing and proposed vegetation, recharge analysis, hydrologic calculations, estimated seasonal high groundwater, and erosion control plan.
(2) 
Abutters list.
(3) 
Application and review fees.
A. 
Pre-application meeting. If a stormwater permit or administrative approval is required under § 223-4 of this bylaw, then applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting with the Commission and/or its Stormwater Agent to review the proposed development plans at the earliest feasible time.
B. 
Review and comment by Town boards and departments. Following receipt of a completed application for stormwater permit or for administrative approval, the Commission shall provide the opportunity for review and comments from the Planning Board, Board of Public Health, Sewer Commission, Water Commission, Building Inspector and Department of Public Works. Failure by these other Town boards or departments to make recommendations within 14 days of receipt shall be deemed lack of opposition.
[Amended 5-24-2021 ATM by Art. 28]
C. 
Stormwater permit. If a stormwater permit application or amended stormwater permit application is filed, then the review process shall include a public hearing held by the Commission in conjunction with public hearings held for other aspects of the project when practicable. The Commission shall hold a separate hearing for the stormwater permit or amended stormwater permit application if necessary. If a separate hearing is required, then written notice shall be given, at the expense of the applicant, in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town at least seven working days prior to the hearing, and the Commission shall also give written notice of the hearing to all abutters, as that term may be defined by the Commission, also at least seven working days prior to the hearing. Such notice shall be given in the form and manner that the Commission shall prescribe.
[Amended 5-1-2023 ATM by Art. 18]
(1) 
The Commission shall commence the public hearing within 21 calendar days from the receipt of a complete application and shall issue its permit, denial or determination in writing within 21 calendar days after the close of said public hearing. The Commission shall have the authority to continue any hearing to a date certain announced at the hearing, for reasons stated at the hearing, which may include receipt of additional information offered by the applicant or others, information and plans required of the applicant deemed necessary by the Commission in its discretion, or comments and recommendations of other Town boards and officials.
(2) 
After review of the stormwater permit application, circulation to other boards, and public hearing, the Commission may take one of the following actions within 21 days after closing the public hearing:
(a) 
Approve the application and issue a stormwater permit if it finds that the proposed plan will protect water resources and meets the objectives and requirements of this bylaw.
(b) 
Approve the application and issue a stormwater permit with conditions, modifications, or restrictions as necessary to ensure protection of water resources or to meet the objectives of this bylaw.
(c) 
Disapprove the application and deny a permit if it finds the proposed plan will not protect water resources or fails to meet the objectives of this bylaw, or if it finds that the applicant has not submitted information sufficient for the Commission to make such a determination.
(3) 
A decision by the Commission shall be final. Any person(s) aggrieved by a decision issued by the Commission may appeal to a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to applicable law. The remedies listed in this bylaw are not exclusive of other remedies available under applicable federal, state, or local law.
D. 
Administrative approval. The administrative approval and amended administrative approval process shall require notification of abutters, as that term may be defined by the Commission, but will not require a public hearing and may be conducted by the Stormwater Agent acting on behalf of the Commission.
[Amended 5-1-2023 ATM by Art. 18]
(1) 
After completing a review and after circulating the application to other boards, the Commission or its Stormwater Agent may take one of the following actions within 21 calendar days of receiving a complete application:
(a) 
Approve the application if it finds that the proposed plan will protect water resources and meets the objectives and requirements of this bylaw.
(b) 
Approve the application with conditions, modifications, or restrictions as necessary to ensure protection of water resources or to meet the objectives of this bylaw.
(c) 
Disapprove the application and require submission of a stormwater permit application to the Commission.
(d) 
Disapprove the application if it finds the proposed plan will not protect water resources or fails to meet the objectives of this bylaw, or if it finds that the applicant has not submitted information sufficient for the Commission or its Stormwater Agent to make such a determination.
(2) 
A decision by the Commission or its Stormwater Agent shall be final. Any person(s) aggrieved by a decision issued by the Stormwater Agent for an administrative approval application may appeal to a court of competent jurisdiction.
[Added 5-1-2023 ATM by Art. 18[1]]
A. 
All stormwater permits and administrative approvals shall expire three years from the date of issuance.
B. 
The permittee, or its agent, shall notify the Conservation Commission and its Stormwater Agent in writing of any changes made to the approved plans or work activities subject to the bylaw and regulations as well as the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Policy for determination as to whether the changes are significant enough to require further review and/or an amendment to the stormwater permit or administrative approval and any conditions. Any errors in the plans or post-approval information submitted by the permittee shall be considered changes.
(1) 
If the proposed changes are determined to be minor by the Commission or its Agent, they shall be approved administratively by the Stormwater Agent without submission of an amended stormwater permit or administrative approval application.
(2) 
If the Conservation Commission or its Stormwater Agent determines that the change or alteration is moderate or significant based on the protected interests and performance and design standards specified in the bylaw, regulations, and/or Massachusetts Stormwater Management Policy, the Conservation Commission or its Stormwater Agent shall require that an amended or new stormwater permit or administrative approval application be filed. The submittal and application review procedures for amended stormwater permits and amended administrative approvals are equal to those outlined in §§ 223-9 and 223-10. If any change or alteration includes significant changes in project schedule, the Conservation Commission or its Stormwater Agent may require the installation of interim erosion and sedimentation control measures before considering whether to allow such change or alteration.
C. 
Any stormwater permit or administrative approval may be renewed once for an additional period of up to one year, provided that a written request for renewal is received by the Commission and/or Stormwater Agent at least 30 days prior to expiration. The Commission and/or Stormwater Agent may exercise its discretion to grant such extension(s) as it finds necessary to allow completion of the permitted work consistent with the objectives and requirements of this bylaw.
(1) 
Extension requests for all stormwater permits and/or administrative approvals shall include all relevant and/or revised stormwater submission documents (including, but not limited to, an explanation of the basis for the proposed extension, proposed timeline for project completion, notification to abutters, site plans, additional plans, stormwater reports, etc.). Extension requests for stormwater permits shall require a public hearing for review by the Commission. Extension requests for administrative approvals do not require a hearing and may be reviewed by the Stormwater Agent acting on behalf of the Commission. Within 21 days after the closing of the public hearing for a stormwater permit extension request or within 21 days of receipt by the Stormwater Agent of a complete request for an extended administrative approval, the Commission and/or Stormwater Agent shall make one of the following decisions:
(a) 
Approve the extension of the stormwater permit or administrative approval for a specified period if the Commission determines that the proposed plan will protect water resources and meet the objectives and requirements of this bylaw.
(b) 
Approve the extension for the stormwater permit or administrative approval for a specified period with additional conditions, modifications, or restrictions to the stormwater permit or administrative approval as necessary to ensure protection of water resources or to meet the objectives of this bylaw.
(c) 
Disapprove and deny the extension to the stormwater permit or administrative approval if it is found that the proposed plan will not protect water resources or fails to meet the objectives of this bylaw or if the Commission determines that the applicant has not submitted information sufficient for the Commission and/or Stormwater Agent to make such a determination.
(2) 
A decision by the Commission or its Stormwater Agent shall be final. Appeal procedures for extension requests are the same as the permit appeal procedures outlined in § 223-10.
[1]
Editor's Note: This article also renumbered former §§ 223-11 through 223-14 as §§ 223-12 through 223-15, respectively.
[Amended 5-1-2023 ATM by Art. 18]
As part of an application for a stormwater permit, or administrative approval, the applicant should grant the Commission and its agents permission to enter the site for inspection. Refusal to grant permission for any inspections may be grounds for denial of the stormwater permit or administrative approval application.
For projects requiring a stormwater permit under § 223-4A, the Commission may require the posting of a surety bond until work is completed.
A. 
The Commission shall enforce this bylaw with violation notices, show cause hearings, administrative orders, and enforcement orders, and may pursue all civil and criminal remedies for any violations. Mechanisms and procedures for enforcement shall be detailed in rules and regulations adopted by the Commission pursuant to this bylaw.
[Amended 5-1-2023 ATM by Art. 18]
B. 
Any person who violates any provision of this bylaw, regulations thereunder, or permits issued thereunder, shall be punished by a fine of $100. Each day or portion thereof during which a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense, and each provision of the bylaw, regulations or permit violated shall constitute a separate offense.
C. 
Noncriminal disposition. As an alternative to criminal prosecution or civil action, the Commission may elect to utilize the noncriminal disposition procedure set forth in MGL c. 40, § 21D, and § 1-7 of the Town's General Bylaws. The penalty for violation shall be $300. Each day or part thereof that such violation occurs or continues shall constitute a separate offense.
[Amended 5-1-2023 ATM by Art. 18]
If any provision, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this bylaw shall be held invalid for any reason, all other provisions shall continue in full force and effect.