Village of Endicott, NY Article I General Provisions

§ 213-1 Findings of fact.

It is hereby determined 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 water-borne pollutants, including siltation of aquatic habitat for fish and other desirable species.

C. Clearing and grading during construction tends to increase soil erosion and add 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 stream bank 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 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 governing stormwater management and site design will mitigate the adverse effects of erosion and sedimentation from development.

§ 213-2 Purpose; objectives.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety and welfare of the public residing within this jurisdiction and to address the findings of fact in § 213-1 hereof. This chapter seeks to meet those purposes by achieving the following objectives:

A. Meet the requirements of minimum measures 4 and 5 of the SPDES general permit for stormwater discharges from municipal separate stormwater sewer systems (MS4s), Permit No. GP-02-02, or as amended or revised;

B. Require land development activities to conform to the substantive requirements of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) general permit for construction activities, GP-02-01, or as amended or revised;

C. Minimize increases in stormwater runoff from land development activities in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases in stream temperature and stream bank erosion and maintain the integrity of stream channels;

D. Minimize increases in pollution caused by stormwater runoff from land development activities which would otherwise degrade local water quality;

E. Minimize the total annual volume of stormwater runoff which flows from any specific site during and following development to the maximum extent practicable; and

F. Reduce stormwater runoff rates and volumes, 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.

§ 213-3 Statutory authority.

In accordance with Article 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, the Village Board of Trustees of Endicott has the authority to enact local laws and amend local laws for the purpose of promoting the health, safety or general welfare of the Village of Endicott and for the protection and enhancement of its physical environment. The Board/Village Board of Trustees of Endicott 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.

§ 213-4 Applicability.

A. This chapter shall be applicable to all land development activities as defined in this chapter.

B. The municipality shall designate a Stormwater Management Officer who shall accept and review all stormwater pollution prevention plans and forward such plans to the applicable municipal board. The Stormwater Management Officer may:

(1) Review the plans;

(2) Upon approval by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Endicott, engage the services of a registered professional engineer to review the plans, specifications and related documents at a cost not to exceed a fee schedule established by said governing board; or

(3) Accept the certification of a licensed professional that the plans conform to the requirements of this chapter.

C. All land development activities subject to review and approval by the Planning Department, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals or Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Endicott under subdivision, zoning, site plan and/or special permit regulations shall be reviewed subject to the standards contained in this chapter.

D. All land development activities not subject to review as stated in Subsection C shall require submittal of a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) to the Stormwater Management Officer, who shall approve the SWPPP if it complies with the requirements of this chapter.

§ 213-5 Exemptions.

Exemptions are as follows:

A. Agricultural activity as defined in this chapter.

B. Logging activity undertaken pursuant to an approved timber management plan prepared or approved by the County Soil and Water Conservation District or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, except that landing areas and log haul roads are subject to this chapter.

C. Routine maintenance activities that disturb less than five acres and are performed to maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity or original purpose of a facility.

D. Repairs to any stormwater management practice or facility deemed necessary by the Stormwater Management Officer.

E. Any part of a subdivision if a plat for a subdivision has been approved by the Village of Endicott, and construction activities have started, on or before the effective date of this chapter.

F. Land development activities for which a building permit has been approved on or before the effective date of this chapter.

G. Cemetery graves.

H. Installation of fence, sign, telephone and electric poles and other kinds of posts or poles.

I. Emergency activity immediately necessary to protect life, property or natural resources.

J. Activities of an individual engaging in home gardening by growing flowers, vegetables and other plants primarily for use by that person and his or her family.

K. Landscaping and horticultural activities in connection with an existing structure.