[R.O. 1998 § 530.025; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
For the purpose of this Article, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein.
ADVERSE IMPACT
A negative impact on land, water, and associated resources resulting from grading activity. The negative impact includes increased risk of flooding, degradation of water quality, increased off-site sedimentation, reduced groundwater recharge, adverse effects on aquatic organisms, wildlife, and other resources, and threats to public health, welfare and safety.
APPLICANT
The person responsible for the grading activity who executes the necessary forms to obtain a grading permit subject to this Chapter. This definition encompasses co-applicants.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES or BMPs
Practices, procedures or a schedule of activities to reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with construction and grading activities. For examples of BMPs, refer to the City of St. Ann's Sediment and Erosion Control Manual.
CITY
The City of St. Ann.
CLEARING
Any activity that removes vegetative surface cover.
CODE
St. Ann Municipal Code.
CONTRACTOR
A person who contracts with the owner, developer, or another contractor to undertake any or all grading activities covered by this Chapter. This definition encompasses subcontractors.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Public Services of the City of St. Ann.
DEVELOPER
Any person causing the performance of grading activities, and/or any subsequent construction activity associated with improvements or modifications on any portion of the site.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES (DIRECTOR)
The Director of Public Services for the City of St. Ann, Missouri, or an authorized representative of the Director of Public Services.
EROSION
The wearing away of the land surface by the action of wind, water or gravity.
EROSION CONTROL or SEDIMENT CONTROL
Practices, measures or a schedule of activities to reduce the wearing away of the land and reduce the sediment and other pollutants carried by stormwater, wind or gravity.
EXCAVATION
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is cut into, dug, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed, and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
EXISTING GRADE
The vertical location of the existing ground surface prior to excavation or filling.
FILL or FILLING
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is deposited, placed, pushed, pulled or transported to a place other than the place from which it was excavated and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
FINISHED GRADE
The final grade or elevation of the ground surface conforming to the proposed design.
GRADING or GRADING ACTIVITY
Clearing, excavation or fill or any combination thereof and shall include the conditions resulting from any excavation or fill.
GRADING PERMIT
Written approval from the City of St. Ann authorizing grading activities.
GRADING PLAN
A plan that accurately depicts a representation of the existing, intermediate and final grading prior to construction of improvements and structures.
HEAVY RAIN
A rainfall event of one-quarter (0.25) or more inches of precipitation.
INSPECTOR
A person who, under the direction of the Director of Public Services, reviews any grading activity for compliance with this Chapter.
LICENSED ENGINEER
A person registered as a professional engineer in the State of Missouri by the Missouri Board of Architects, Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
MANUAL
See "Sediment and Erosion Control Manual."
NATURAL WATERCOURSE
A channel formed in the existing surface topography of the earth prior to changes made by unnatural conditions.
NON-POINT SOURCES AND LAND DISTURBANCE PERMITS (NPDES)
Refers to Section 402 of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Water Pollution Control Program.
OWNER
A person, firm, or governmental agency, or other entity holding legal title, or possession or control of the land.
PERMITTEE
The applicant in whose name a valid permit is duly issued pursuant to this Chapter, and his/her agents, employees, and others acting in his/her direction.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, club, fraternal organization, corporation, estate, trust, receiver, organization, syndicate, City, County, municipality, district, or other political subdivision, or any other group or combination acting as a unit, and any agency or instrumentality thereof.
SEDIMENT AND EROSION CONTROL MANUAL (MANUAL)
A manual which establishes minimum requirements, and provides guidance and additional resources to facilitate control of soil erosion on land that is undergoing development for non-agricultural uses, and to preserve the natural terrain and waterways within the incorporated limits of the City of St. Ann.[2]
SEDIMENT or SEDIMENTATION
Solid material, mineral or organic, that has been moved from the point of origin by erosion.
SITE
Contiguous lots, tracts, projects or subdivisions of a single owner or several owners.
SITE DEVELOPMENT
Altering terrain and/or vegetation and constructing improvements.
STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN (SWPPP)
The SWPPP, as required by Section 415.090, covers required sediment and erosion control practices specific to site conditions and maintenance and adherence to the SWPPP. Its purpose is to ensure the design, implementation, management and maintenance of BMPs in order to reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with land disturbance activities, comply with the Missouri Water Quality Standards and ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the NPDES.
STREAMBANK, TOP OF EXISTING
The usual boundaries, not the flood boundaries, of a stream channel located at the top of the natural incline bordering a stream.
[1]
State Law reference — "Excavation" defined, RSMo. 319.015.
[2]
Editor's Note: The Sediment and Erosion Control Manual is on file in the City offices.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.160; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
Except as herein provided, no grading activity shall commence on any site without obtaining a grading permit from the department. Such activities include clearing, excavation, fill, or any combination thereof within the limits of the property. These activities must be shown on an approved grading plan and in accordance with an approved SWPPP. A separate permit shall be required for each site, provided, however, that one (1) permit may cover both the excavation and fill made from excavated materials. An application for such permit shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount established by the Board of Aldermen. This permit shall not be issued for new development until all improvement plans and final plans have been approved.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.170; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
The permit applicant must also obtain a land disturbance permit from the State of Missouri Department of Natural Resources for any site where one (1) acre or more of land will be disturbed, before beginning any work authorized by a City permit. This requirement applies to sites of less than one (1) acre that are part of a proposed development that will ultimately disturb one (1) acre or more.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.180; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
A. 
A grading permit shall not be required in the following instances, provided that no change in drainage patterns or sedimentation onto adjacent properties will occur:
1. 
Grading for the foundation or basement of any building structure or swimming pool for which a building permit has been duly issued.
2. 
Grading of less than five (5) cubic yards for sites ten thousand (10,000) square feet or less or less than ten (10) cubic yards for sites in excess of ten thousand (10,000) square feet.
3. 
Grading for or by any public utility for the installation, inspection, repair or replacement of any of its facilities.
4. 
Grading of property for or by any governmental agency in connection with a public improvement or public work on said property.
5. 
Grading of land for nurseries, landscaping, or gardening or similar horticultural use whenever there is substantial compliance with recommendations or standards of the local soil conservation authority.
6. 
Grading activities in public rights-of-way covered by an excavation permit.
7. 
Trench excavation covered by a right-of-way permit.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.190; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
A. 
The manual, as may be updated and modified by the department, will set forth minimum requirements that must be met in order to obtain a grading permit. This document also provides guidance and additional resources to facilitate control of soil erosion on land that is undergoing development.
B. 
No permit shall be issued until the applicant has deposited with the City a sum covering the cost of all review, inspections or other administrative costs hereunder as determined by the Director of Public Services. The Director of Public Services shall estimate the cost using the schedule of fees as listed in the manual and any other costs as deemed necessary. The Director of Public Services also maintains the right to waive any and all fees.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.200; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
An application for a grading permit shall be in writing on forms provided by the Department, and submitted to the City. The application shall be completed in the form and manner prescribed by the department and shall include required information as outlined in the manual. The grading plan and the SWPPP shall be prepared and sealed by a licensed engineer, unless the requirement is specifically waived by the Director of Public Services.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.210; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
A. 
Performance Guarantee. Prior to the issuance of a grading permit, the applicant shall deposit a surety with the City as determined by the Director of Public Services as required for particular sites. Said grading permit shall be issued upon the approval of the department and the applicant depositing with the City a sum equal to that which would be required to guarantee the performance, restoration, maintenance and/or rehabilitation of said site based upon the approved grading plans and the approved SWPPP.
B. 
If at any time the department determines that the surety deposited with the City is in an amount that is not sufficient to guarantee the performance, restoration, maintenance and/or rehabilitation of the site based upon the approved grading plans and the approved SWPPP, the permittee shall deposit additional surety with the City in an amount determined by the department within fifteen (15) days after receiving notification from the department. If the permittee does not deposit the additional surety with the City, the department may issue a stop-work order.
C. 
The surety shall be released as detailed in the manual.
D. 
Any portion of the deposit not expended or retained by the City hereunder shall be refunded when the grading operation is completed and the soil and drainage conditions are stabilized to the satisfaction of the City.
E. 
The director may perform, or have performed, any work necessary to restore, maintain and/or rehabilitate the site based upon the approved grading plan, approved SWPPP, and/or the requirements of this Chapter. All costs incurred in the performance of this work shall be charged against the surety the applicant deposited for the grading permit. By applying for a grading permit, the applicant consents to the City or its contractor entering the property and holds them harmless regarding any work that they perform.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.220; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
By applying for a grading permit, the applicant consents to the City inspecting the proposed development site and all work in progress. Inspections shall be made by the department and the applicant as detailed in the manual. The applicant shall notify the City upon commencement and completion of the following; clearing, rough grading, finish grading before seeding; and all reestablishment and construction work. Said notice shall be in writing to the Department.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.230; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
A. 
Notice. At least five (5) working days prior to the use of any street in the City by trucks or equipment engaged in grading activities, the contractor in charge shall be required to submit a written report to the department, specifying the kind and description of trucks or equipment, and the loaded, and unloaded weight of trucks and hauling equipment, and the number of each and the length of time they will be required to use the streets of this City. The contractor shall furnish the department with all other information required of them to estimate or determine the amount of wear and tear, or damage, if any, that may be caused to streets by such usage. The applicant shall also provide the department visual documentation, such as a video, and/or photographs, of the existing condition of the streets to be used. Before construction actually commences or while the work on the streets is in progress, the Department may require the applicant to post a pavement restoration bond, in such sum as is directed by the department, with the City to guarantee the City compensation for any damage to streets, curbs, sidewalks or public facilities.
B. 
Routes. The Department shall, at least two (2) working days before the commencement of work and usage of the streets of the City, notify the contractor of the route or routes to be used by such trucks and equipment. The permittee and contractor shall be charged with the duty of seeing that the trucks or equipment use only the route or routes approved by the Department. In the event of any emergency requiring a change in route or routes, or if the director finds or determines that any route or routes so designated are not safe or that excessive damage is being caused to any street or streets in the City by such usage, or if he/she finds the welfare of the City so requires, he/she may order that the trucks or equipment use only the alternate route or routes so designated by the Director.
C. 
Inspection. The Director shall cause a thorough inspection to be made of the condition of the pavement of the streets designated and used under the permit as well as the curbs and sidewalks, and shall make written reports of his/her findings, including with his/her report after termination of the work, his/her estimate of the cost of restoring the street, curbs and/or sidewalks to their original condition.
D. 
At the time the Department of Public Services approves the route or routes to be used, the applicant shall be notified that the City will hold the applicant liable for unusual wear and tear or damage to the streets, curbs, and sidewalks resulting from such usage, and that acceptance of the route or routes by the applicant shall constitute an agreement on the part of the contractor to pay the reasonable cost of restoring the streets, curbs and sidewalks in question to their original condition. Within thirty (30) days after notification, the applicant shall cause the streets, sidewalks and curbs to be restored to their original condition. Failure to affect the repairs shall be cause for action against the surety.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.240; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
No grading shall be completed on any property which will adversely affect neighboring properties by discharging, directing or obstructing water flow in such a way that it causes damage to any neighboring properties.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.250; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
A. 
BMPs At Construction Site. The permittee, the owner of the property, contractor or developer in charge of work, shall construct and maintain temporary siltation control devices or other approved measures to prevent washing or spreading of mud and dirt. Until final surfacing is in place, which will avoid washing or spreading of dirt and mud onto other property or improvements, all such material must be removed as necessary on a daily basis. In the event that the BMPs in place are ineffective or experiencing failure on a consistent basis, such measures shall be fortified or replaced with more appropriate measures as directed by the Director of Public Services.
B. 
Removing Mud From Vehicle Wheels. The permittee, owners, contractors, and developers, jointly and severally, shall provide their personnel with shovels, a wash-down station, or other equipment as necessary to remove dirt from the wheels of all vehicles leaving any clearing or grading site where mud has accumulated on the wheels, before such vehicles enter any public or private street of the City. It shall be unlawful for the permittee, or any owner, contractor, or developer to permit any vehicle to leave such place with mud on the wheels which is liable to be dispersed over any public or private street of the City. It shall be unlawful for any driver of a vehicle to enter upon the public or private streets of the City without having removed or had mud removed from the wheels prior to such entry. Each occurrence shall be a separate offense.
C. 
Spilling Materials On Streets. The permittee, owners, contractors, and developers, jointly and severally, who may load dirt, mud or other materials on any vehicle at any grading site in the City, during construction or otherwise, shall so load the same that no portion thereof shall be spilled or be liable to be spilled on the streets of the City. It shall be unlawful for any driver to operate a vehicle on the streets of the City which is loaded in such manner that it spills or is liable to spill mud, dirt, or other materials on the streets.
D. 
Boards Over Sidewalks. Boards, tracks, or other protection must be laid over sidewalks, curbs and gutters to avoid dirt and mud accumulating therein, as completely as possible and to prevent breakage or damage to such installations, of whatever material constructed. Damage to walks, curbs and gutters will be repaired by the permittee, owner, contractor, or developer, or the director may, upon ten (10) days' notice, cause to have them repaired at the permittee's, owner's, contractor's or developer's expense.
E. 
Waste Material. During the course of construction, excavation, or grading, the permittee, owners, contractors, and developers are required to collect and dispose of all paper, refuse, sticks, lumber and other building waste, and all other waste material, and to prevent the same from blowing or otherwise being scattered over adjacent public or private property. Any waste material that is blown or scattered over the site, as well as, on any adjacent public or private property, shall be picked up daily, and disposed of properly. Washout from concrete trucks must be controlled in a manner so as not to adversely impact the site, adjacent public or private property, or adjacent streams and storm sewer systems.
F. 
Sanitary Facilities. Adequate provisions must be made for sufficient temporary sanitary facilities to serve the number of workers on the site.
G. 
Planting Ground. All disturbed areas shall be sodded, planted, concreted, paved or otherwise surfaced within fourteen (14) calendar days after completion of each phase of work, to avoid washing or spreading of dirt and mud onto other property, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets and the space between sidewalks and curbs. If determined by the City that an undue hardship exists because of unfavorable ground conditions, the City may grant an extension of time by which the disturbed areas have to be surfaced.
H. 
Timing Of Grading Operations. All grading activity shall be conducted between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Monday through Saturday, unless in the case of an emergency or an extension of hours is specifically granted by the Director of Public Services.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.260; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
A. 
The permittee shall take appropriate measures to prevent spills, and shall develop necessary control facilities for materials such as paint, solvents, petroleum products, chemicals, toxic or hazardous substances, substances regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and any wastes generated from the use of such materials and substances, including their containers. Any containment systems employed to meet this requirement shall be constructed of materials compatible with the substances contained and shall be adequate to protect both surface and ground water.
B. 
On-site fueling facilities shall adhere to applicable Federal and State regulations concerning storage and dispensers.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.270; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
A. 
Agency Responsibility. Enforcement of this Chapter shall be the responsibility of the City or official(s) as determined by the City.
B. 
Responsible Parties For Enforcement Purposes — Defined. The party or parties responsible and liable for actions or non-action taken in relation to this Chapter, including responsibility for abating violations of this Chapter, shall be the owner, applicant, any co-applicants, permittee, contractor, developer and any other responsible party and employees thereof.
C. 
Complaints. The City shall receive complaints and inquiries and route the complaint/inquiry to the appropriate responsible enforcement agency.
D. 
Notice Of Violation/Stop-Work Order. If a complaint investigation or inspection results in a finding of non-compliance with this Chapter, the appropriate inspector is authorized to issue a notice of violation that may, at the discretion of the inspector, include a stop-work order.
E. 
Content Of Notice Of Violation. The notice of violation shall specify the deficiencies, what corrective action is necessary, and a specific time frame in which the responsible party is to achieve compliance.
F. 
Stop-Work Order. Issuance of a stop-work order shall result in a suspension of all construction activity on the site, except for work related to remediation of the violation, until the violation is resolved to the City's satisfaction. The stop-work order shall also suspend the right of the permittee, applicant, owner, contractor, developer or any related entity to build or construct any structure or public improvement on any portion of the site. The Director of Public Services, upon the issuance of a stop-work order, is authorized to suspend the issuance of building permits and occupancy permits for structures on any portion of the site, and to suspend all inspections and plan review related to any other work that is taking place on the site, until such time as the violation is resolved to the City's satisfaction. Stop-work orders shall specifically state the provisions of this Chapter or the grading permit being violated. Any person, who shall continue any work in or about the site after having been served with a stop-work order, except such work related to remediation of the violation, shall be subject to penalties as specified in this Code.
G. 
Service Of Notice Of Violation And Stop-Work Order. The written notice of violation, including a stop work order as applicable, shall be mailed, postage pre-paid, to both the permittee and owner. All stop-work orders that are issued by the Department must be posted on the site on which the grading activity is taking place, and in reasonable proximity to a location where the grading activity is taking place. All stop-work orders posted in this manner shall be considered validly delivered.
H. 
Issuance Of Summons To Court. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to ensure that no violation of this Chapter occurs on their property. If the responsible party fails to comply with the notice of violation or there is no immediate settlement, a summons to court may be issued to the responsible party. The summons to court shall contain all the information required by the Code. The Department of Public Services shall have the option of issuing a summons to court immediately upon discovery of a violation, in lieu of a notice of violation.
I. 
Summons, Service Of. The inspector shall fill out and sign as the complainant a complaint and information form, hereinafter referred to as a summons, directed by name to the responsible party, showing the address or legal description of property on which the violation is located, and such other information as may be available to the inspector as shown on the summons, and specifying the selection of this Section or grading permit which is being violated, and may serve the summons on the responsible party or any or all of such persons. The summons shall contain a date on which the case will be on the Municipal Court docket for hearing. The City Prosecuting Attorney shall sign the original copy of all such summons, and the original thereof shall be forwarded to the Clerk of the Municipal Court for inclusion on the Court's docket for the date shown on the summons.
J. 
Summons, Delivery By Mail. If no one is found at the property to accept a summons the inspector shall fill out and sign the summons as the complainant as provided in Subsection (I) and deliver the original and one (1) copy of the summons to the Clerk of the Municipal Court, who shall verify or insert the date that the case has been set for hearing before the Municipal Court. The Clerk shall then mail the copy of the summons by ordinary mail, postage prepaid to the person named therein at the address shown on the summons, or at such other address as the person charged therewith may be found, or shall be known to reside. If the mail is duly addressed to the person named in the summons at the address as provided above and is not returned to the City, it shall be deemed to have been delivered and received by the person to whom addressed.
K. 
Abatement By City, Costs Assessed To Responsible Party. If the responsible party for property for which a notice of violation has been issued fails to abate the violation in the time specified in the notice, whether on public or private property, the City may without further notice abate the violation and, if necessary, may lawfully enter upon the property on which the violation remains unabated to abate such violation at the cost of the responsible party for creating or maintaining the violation.
L. 
Payment Of Costs; Use Of Surety, Special Tax Bill Or Judgment. All costs and expenses incurred by the City in abating any violation may be deducted from the surety deposited with the City or assessed against the property in the form of a special tax bill, which special tax bill shall become a lien on the property. Alternatively, the cost of abating the violation, whether on public or private property, may be made a part of the judgment by the Municipal Judge, in addition to any other penalties and costs imposed, if the person charged either pleads guilty or is found guilty.
[R.O. 1998 § 530.280; Ord. No. 3169, 7-1-2019]
Any person violating any of the provisions hereof shall, upon conviction, be subject to all penalties provided for violation of City ordinances.