The Town Board of the Town of Cazenovia finds 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 waterborne pollutants, including siltation of aquatic habitat for fish and other desirable species;
C. 
Clearing and grading during construction tends to increase soil erosion and adds 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 soil erosion, stream channel erosion, and sedimentation;
E. 
Impervious surfaces allow less water to percolate into the soil, thereby decreasing groundwater recharge and stream baseflow;
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 and design criteria 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 Town Board of the Town of Cazenovia declares that the purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements, define erosion and sediment control requirements, and implement controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing within this jurisdiction and to address the findings in § 140-1 hereof. Furthermore, this chapter seeks to protect property; prevent damage to the environment; and guide, regulate, and control the design, construction, use, and maintenance of any development or other activity which disturbs or breaks the topsoil or results in the movement of earth on land situated within the limits of the Town of Cazenovia.
This chapter seeks to meet the purposes stated in § 140-2 by achieving the following objectives:
A. 
Define methods to control stormwater runoff and control soil erosion and sedimentation caused by development activities in the Town of Cazenovia. Measures taken to control stormwater runoff and control erosion and sedimentation shall be adequate to ensure that sediment is not transported from the site by a storm event of ten-year frequency or less;
B. 
Minimize increases in stormwater runoff from land development activities in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases in stream temperatures, soil erosion, stream channel erosion, and maintain the integrity of stream channels;
C. 
Minimize increases in pollution caused by stormwater runoff from land development activities which would otherwise degrade local water quality;
D. 
Minimize the volume of stormwater runoff which flows from any specific site during and following development to the maximum extent practicable;
E. 
Reduce stormwater runoff rates, 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; and
F. 
Increase the rate of groundwater recharge by allowing surface water runoff to percolate into subsurface aquifers.
In accordance with § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, and the New York Environmental Conservation Law, Article 36, and other applicable provisions of state and federal law, the Town Board of Cazenovia has the authority to enact or amend local laws for the purpose of promoting the health, safety or general welfare of the Town of Cazenovia and for the protection and enhancement of its physical environment. The Town Board of Cazenovia 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.