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.