As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPLICANTAny person or entity applying for a stormwater permit. Under this chapter, the applicant shall be the landowner as herein defined. 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 or its designee 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.
BASEMENTAn enclosed space of any height below existing grade for a residential or commercial building, including crawlspaces, but not including spaces below buildings supported by pillars or stilts (e.g., for flood control purposes).
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (or BMP)Structural and nonstructural measures, practices, techniques or devices employed to avoid or minimize sediment or other pollutants carried in runoff, or to reduce runoff volumes or peak flows.
COMMON PLAN OF DEVELOPMENTAll lands included within the boundary of a certified survey map or subdivision plat created for the purpose of development or sale of property where integrated, multiple, separate and distinct land developing activity may take place at different times by future owners.
CONNECTED IMPERVIOUS SURFACEAn impervious surface connected to the waters of the state via a separate storm sewer, an impervious flow path, or a minimally pervious flow path.
CONSTRUCTION SITEAn area where one or more land disturbing activities occur, including areas that may be part of a larger common plan of development.
DESIGN STORMA hypothetical depth of rainfall that would occur for the stated return frequency (i.e., once every two years or 10 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.
DEWATERINGThe removal of trapped water from a construction site to allow land development or utility installation activities to occur.
EFFECTIVE INFILTRATION AREAThe area of the infiltration system that is used exclusively 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 groundwater 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 AREAAny 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.
EROSIONThe process of detachment, transport and deposition of soil, sediment or rock fragments by action of water, wind, ice or gravity.
FILTERING LAYERSoil 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 or its designee.
FINAL PLATA map of a proposed condominium or subdivision to be recorded with the Waukesha County Register of Deeds pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes.
GRASSLAND/MEADOWLands on which grass, alfalfa, hay, prairie or a similar ground cover has been growing for at least five consecutive years prior to land disturbing activity.
GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AREASLands 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.
HIGHEST GROUNDWATER TABLEThe upper limit of the zone of soil saturation caused by underlying groundwater at its highest level based on soil and site evaluations in accordance with technical standards prescribed in this chapter. (NOTE: The above definition recognizes that the elevation of the groundwater table will fluctuate by season and from year to year depending on weather patterns, topography and other site conditions, and that soils and site evaluations are the best indicator of the highest groundwater table.)
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (or IMPERVIOUSNESS)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, all existing and proposed driveways, parking lots, streets and roofs shall be considered impervious at the time of application. If these surfaces are specifically designed, built and maintained to encourage infiltration or storage of runoff, and the Village or its designee determines they meet applicable requirements of this chapter, they shall subsequently be designated by the Village or its designee as a pervious surface.
IMPRACTICABLEComplying with a specific requirement would cause undue economic hardship and special conditions exist that are beyond the control of the applicant and would prevent compliance.
IN-FILL DEVELOPMENTLand development that occurs where there was no previous land development and is surrounded by other existing land development.
INFILTRATIONThe entry of precipitation or runoff into or through the soil.
INFILTRATION SYSTEM(S)A device or practice such as a basin, trench, rain garden, pervious pavement 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 roadside channels designed for conveyance and pollutant removal only.
KARST FEATURESAn 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 DEVELOPMENTAny 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, dewatering, or dredging related to stormwater BMP maintenance. Repaving is considered a land disturbing activity only if the subgrade material below the pavement is removed, replaced or significantly regraded.
LANDOWNER (or OWNER)Any person or entity holding fee title to the property. Utility companies shall be deemed as landowner for the subject property if they hold the appropriate easement or have established prescriptive rights under s. §
893.28(2), Wis. Stats.
MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE or MEPAn acceptable level of implementing best management practices to achieve a performance standard specified in this chapter, as determined by the Village or its designee. In determining MEP, the Village or its designee 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.
NAVIGABLEHas the meaning given in the Village of Merton Shoreland and Floodland Protection Ordinance.
OFF-SITE BMPBest 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.
PERMIT HOLDERAny person or entity issued a stormwater permit under this chapter or their successors in interest with respect to the property to which the permit applies. (See also definition of "applicant.")
PERVIOUS SURFACEAn area that releases as runoff a small portion of the precipitation that falls on it. Lawns, gardens, parks, forests and similar vegetated areas are examples of surfaces that typically are pervious.
PLANNED LAND USEThe land use designated in the latest version of the Village of Merton land use plan.
PLATA map of a proposed condominium or subdivision.
POLLUTANTAs per §
283.01(13), Wis. Stats., 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.
POLLUTIONAs per §
283.01(14), Wis. Stats., man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological or radiological integrity of water.
PRELIMINARY PLATA map showing the salient features of a proposed condominium or subdivision submitted to an approving authority for purposes of preliminary consideration.
PUBLICLY FUNDEDA land disturbing or land development activity, such as a public road or municipal building, that is being funded solely by the Village, state or federal 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.
QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALA professional landscape architect, professional hydrologist, or professional engineer licensed in Wisconsin, or a person certified in erosion control planning, implementation or inspection.
REDEVELOPMENTLand development that replaces previous land development of similar impervious conditions.
REGIONAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANA 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.
REGULATORY AGENCYA public agency that the Village or its designee recognizes as having the legal authority to review and approve erosion control and stormwater management plans and enforce their implementation, with requirements at least as restrictive as this chapter.
RESPONSIBLE PARTYThe landowner or any person or entity acting as the owner's 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.
ROADAny access drive that serves more than two residences or businesses.
RUNOFFWater from rain, snow or ice melt, or dewatering that moves over the land surface via sheet or channelized flow.
SEDIMENTSettleable solid material that is transported by runoff, suspended within runoff, or deposited by runoff away from its original source.
SHORELANDHas the meaning given in the Village of Merton Shoreland and Floodland Protection Ordinance.
SITEThe entire area included in the legal description of the subject property.
STABILIZEDAll land disturbing activities are completed and 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 or its designee.
STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEMA 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.
STORMWATERHas the same meaning as the term "runoff."
STORMWATER ADVISORY COMMITTEEA committee created and chaired by the Village or its designee for the purpose of advising the Village or its designee and the Village Board on matters relating to the administration of this chapter. At a minimum, the Committee shall also contain representatives from the Land Use, Parks and Environment Committee of the Village Board, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, local municipal engineers and the Metropolitan Builders Association. All Committee meetings shall be posted in accordance with the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law.
STORMWATER BMPAny 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 or its designee.
STORMWATER PERMITA written authorization made by the Village or its designee 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 post-construction stormwater runoff from a site.
SUBDIVISIONA 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 STANDARDA document that specifies design, predicted performance and operation and maintenance requirements for a material, device or method.
TOP OF CHANNELAn 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.
UTILITYA 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, groundwater, or any combination of these items.
VILLAGE CROPLANDLand cultivated in annual agricultural crops such as corn and soybeans or small grain such as wheat or oats.
VILLAGE MAPPING STANDARDSThe maps are drawn to national map accuracy standards using the Wisconsin State Plane Coordinate System, Wisconsin South Zone, and the most recent horizontal and vertical datums adopted by the Village of Merton Board.
VILLAGE PLANNING COMMISSIONThe local Village plan commission established under Village powers pursuant to Ch.
62, Wis. Stats., or any other agency created by the Village Board and authorized by statute to plan land use.
WARM SEASON AND WETLAND PLANTINGSSeed 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.
WETLANDSAn 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.
WOODLANDAn 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 "dripline."
WORKING DAYAny day the office of the Village or its designee is routinely and customarily open for business, and does not include Saturday, Sunday and any official Village holidays.