The purposes of this article are to preserve the regional drainage patterns and natural swales without modification insofar as is feasible; to insure that artificial drainage systems, when they are necessary, be of an inconspicuous design; and to minimize erosion and sedimentation by using vegetative ground covers wherever they are a practical substitute for engineering structures.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
Drainage systems shall be designed to minimize the effects of erosion, situation, and flooding on immediate or distant downstream neighbors. They shall follow regional patterns and use natural swales wherever possible.
Provisions shall be made to prevent surface waters from damaging the cut face of an excavation or any portion of a fill. All drainage ways and structures shall carry surface waters to the nearest practical street, storm drain, or natural watercourse approved by the City Engineer as a safe place to receive such waters. The City Engineer may require drainage structures to be constructed or installed as necessary to prevent erosion damage or to prevent the saturation of the fill or material behind cut slopes. Drainage facilities and impervious surfaces shall be designed to prevent adjacent properties from receiving run-off from a project site, except through approved drainage channels. Drainage facilities shall be constructed according to standard specifications developed by the City Engineer.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
The City Engineer shall consider the following in making recommendations to the Site Development Authority regarding the adequacy of proposed drainage facilities:
(a) 
The design and location of any terraces in cut and fill slopes, including the distance between terraces, the gradient of any swales or ditches in the terraces, and the tributary area from which water is discharged into a swale or ditch.
(b) 
The capacity of proposed subsurface drainage on cut and fill slopes to carry run-off from the site, based on the amount of impervious surfaces, the absorption characteristics of the soil, the proposed discharge point of subsurface drainage, and effects of vegetative cover in absorbing water.
(c) 
The location(s) and type(s) of devices, such as downdrains, used to prevent erosion in the area of discharge.
(d) 
The extent to which proposed drainage facilities prevent standing water or other localized conditions of soil saturation on a site.
(e) 
The extent to which proposed drainage facilities decrease the velocity and concentration of water runoff to reduce the potential for soil erosion.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
Whenever a site development permit is requested for an activity which may affect natural drainage patterns or rates, the Planning Director or Planning Commission may, upon recommendation of the City Engineer, require the dedication of an easement sufficient to accommodate natural or installed drainage systems.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985; § 5, Ord. 384, eff. October 18, 1996)