HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10 Updates to the Municipal Code in the Grading Section (8.300) and Adding a New Code Section for the Lane and Drainage Alteration Program Section (8.400) AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 3/16/2015
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
Staff Contact/Dept.: Matthew Ruettgers Todd Singleton
Staff Phone No: 736-1035 Estimated Time: 10 Minutes
S P R I N G F I E L D
C I T Y C O U N C I L
Council Goals: Provide Financially
Responsible and Innovative Government
Services ITEM TITLE: UPDATES TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE IN THE GRADING SECTION (8.300)
AND ADDING A NEW CODE SECTION FOR THE LAND AND DRAINAGE ALTERATION PROGRAM SECTION (8.400).
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Conduct a public hearing and first reading of the following ordinance: AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 8.300-8.338 ABOUT GRADING, AND ADDING NEW SECTIONS 8.400-8.420
CODIFYING THE LAND AND DRAINAGE ALTERATION PROGRAM
ISSUE STATEMENT: As part of the City’s MS4 Implementation Plan as required by the Department of Environmental Quality the City’s existing stormwater management regulations must be updated to reflect new state laws.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Amended Municipal Code Section 8.300 Grading.
2. Proposed Municipal Code Section 8.400 Land and Drainage Alteration Program (LDAP).
3. Final Draft Ordinance
DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The goal of the Land and Drainage Alteration Program (LDAP) is the protection of: public and private property; the City’s infrastructure; and all Goal 5 Natural Resources inventory of significant sites from potential adverse effects of
construction activities. The exact provisions or conditions of a Land and Drainage Alteration Permit are based on the circumstances present at the development site and as a result, the program allows the applicant and the City the flexibility to
design and apply the most effective erosion prevention measures on a case-by-case basis. This flexibility extends to modifications of these conditions after the permit
has been issued to situations where the City determines the measures are not
achieving the intended results.
The purpose of the proposed amendments to Section 8.300 (Grading) is make its
terminology consistent with the proposed Section 8.400.
The purpose of the proposed Section 8.400 is to codify the existing Land and Drainage Alteration Program currently administered by the City’s Development and
Public Works Department. The code language is designed to enhance the existing
Section 8.300 with code that is specific to the LDAP program by defining the program, its outcomes, the permit process, and Construction Site Control Measures
and Design Standards. It is also meant to provide regional consistency for
contractors who do work in multiple jurisdictions because it is modeled after code language currently utilized by the City of Eugene. Council reviewed the proposed
changes at their Work Session of February 9, 2015.
GRADING
8.300 General.
Sections 8.300 to 8.338 sets forth specific rules and regulations to control excavating, grading,
and earthwork construction, including fills and embankments; establishes the administrative procedure for
issuance of permits; and of safeguarding persons and property against unreasonable hazards resulting
from uncontrolled grading and excavating practices in the interest of protecting the public health, safety
and general welfare. The permit issued by the city for this work is called the Land and Drainage
Alteration Permit. [Section 8.300 amended by Ordinance No. 6065, enacted July 28, 2003.]
8.302 Permits Required, Exceptions.
(1) Permits Required. Unless exempted herein, no person shall perform any grading work
without first having obtained a permit as provided for herein. Grading work shall include.
(a) The excavation or removal of earth or rock from the surface layers of the ground.
(b) The movement or transportation of earth around, along, over, or on the surface of the ground other than transporting the material in trucks from one site to another over public or private roadways, or;
(c) The deposition, placement or compaction of earth materials for the construction of fills.
(2) Exceptions. No grading permit will be required for the following work; however, all
grading work exempted from permit requirements shall comply with all other regulations of the city and
laws of the state of Oregon:
(a) An excavation below finished grade for basements of a building, retaining wall,
swimming pool or other structure authorized by a valid building permit so long as the excavation conforms to an approved grading plan. Where there is no approved grading plan, the director of public works or designee, herein after referred to as Director may require submittal of such a plan for approval. This subsection shall not exempt any fill made with material from such excavation or
exempt any excavation having an unsupported height greater than five feet after the completion of such structure.
(b) Cemetery graves.
(c) Refuse disposal sites controlled by other regulations.
(d) Excavations for wells or tunnels or utilities.
(e) Mining, quarrying, excavating, processing, stockpiling of rock, sand, gravel, aggregate or
clay where established or provided for by law provided such operations do not affect the lateral support or increase the stress in or pressure upon any adjacent or contiguous property.
(f) Exploratory excavations under the direction of an engineer, registered geologist, or registered certified specialty geologist.
(g) An excavation which (a) is less than two feet in depth, or (b) which does not create a cut slope greater than five feet and steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical, which does not extend to within two feet of adjoining property, and which does not adversely affect drainage
from or onto adjoining properties.
(h) A fill less than one foot in depth, and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than
five horizontal to one vertical, or less than three feet in depth, not intended to support structures, which
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does not exceed 50 cubic yards on any one lot and does not adversely affect drainage from or onto
adjoining properties.
(i) All excavation and grading done under other valid permits is exempt.
8.304 Actions Prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
(1) Perform any work within the scope of this code without first having obtained a permit
from the Director pursuant to this code unless specifically exempted from permit requirements.
(2) Excavate, grade or place fill material on or within any property, whether or not a permit
is required under the provisions of this code, so as to cause or allow dirt or debris to be washed, eroded or
carried from said property by natural or artificial means onto other property or on to a public road or
street. The depositing of earth, soil, rock, mud or litter upon the public roads either by grading operations
or by hauling equipment is prohibited, except as otherwise provided for street improvements and/or
stockpiling for which a permit has been issued.
(3) Obstruct, divert or interfere with natural or artificial surface drainage way, except for
such construction or operation that may be approved by the Director.
(4) Perform any work or construct any facility, including excavation or embankment,
trenching, driveway construction or drainage facility, within the right-of-way for a public road or street,
or easement under the jurisdiction of the city of Springfield without a permit from the Director issued
pursuant to sections 8.300 to 8.338 of this code.
8.306 Hazards.
Whenever the Director determines that any existing excavation or embankment or fill on private
property has become a hazard to life and limb, or endangers property, or adversely affects the safety, use
or stability of a public way or drainage channel the owner of the property upon which the excavation or
fill is located, or other person or agent in control of said property, upon receipt of notice in writing from
the Director, shall within the period specified therein repair or eliminate such excavation or embankment
so as to eliminate the hazard and be in conformance with the requirements of this code.
8.308 Grading Permit Conditions.
Approval of grading permits will be made subject to appropriate conditions or reservations as
may be required to insure the protection of public health, safety, or general welfare including, but not
limited to:
(1) Execution of a “hold harmless” clause on the permit as follows: “The permittee, for
himself, his contractors, and employees, agrees that the approval of the grading permit in no manner
presumes or implies the approval or terms of approval of any other future permit required by the city for
the site and indemnifies and holds approval and further agrees to save, indemnify and hold harmless the
city of Springfield and its representatives from all liabilities, claims and judgments for damages by reason
of injury or death to any person or persons, or damage to property from any cause whatsoever while in,
upon, or in any way connected with the work covered by this grading permit, and does further agree to
defend the city in any claim arising out of or as a result of the work done under this permit.”;
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(2) Completion of the work within the time period approved by the Director;
(3) Cleaning up area and planting in accordance with approved grading plans;
(4) Designation of area in which work may be done;
(5) Designation of the slope to which excavation may be made, and elevation of filling;
(6) Reasonable provisions for controlling excessive dust;
(7) Hours during which operations may proceed;
(8) Safety precautions which must be taken to guide pedestrian and vehicular traffic
movements in, around and by said operation, in accordance with Chapter 44 of the State Building Code;
(9) Posting of a good and efficient bond as provided in section 8.334 to assure compliance
with the conditions;
(10) Other conditions which may be established as necessary by the Director based upon
accepted engineering practices;
(11) Furnishing a survey or other positive evidence of property boundary lines at the site to be
graded, if deemed necessary by the Director.
(12) Furnishing a qualified inspector working under the supervision of an engineer on the site
during construction operations, if deemed necessary by the Director. [Section 8.308 amended by
Ordinance No. 6065, enacted July 28, 2003.]
8.310 Permit Application Forms.
To obtain a permit the applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on a form
prescribed by the Director for that purpose. Each application shall:
(1) Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made;
(2) Describe and furnish the proposed route to the location of the filling or disposal site for
excavated material if other than on the site of the excavation.
8.312 Required Information for Grading Plans and Specifications.
Submittal Requirements:
(1) Each application for a grading permit shall be accompanied by sets of plans and
specifications, and supporting data consisting of a soils and geology report, unless waived by the
Director.
(2) Site data, when required by the Director, shall be furnished. This information shall
include but not be limited to the following items;
(a) Vicinity map showing location of site or sites involved;
(b) Map showing property boundaries and dimensions or area covered by application for permit;
(c) Map showing buildings, roads, utilities, or other improvements within the area, and adjacent thereto, that may be affected by the proposed work;
(d) A map drawn to a convenient scale, showing the contours of the ground and details of terrain and drainage, for the conditions existing before and after the proposed work. This map
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should show the locations of observed springs, swampy areas, areas subject to flooding, landslides and mud flows;
(e) Cross section of the ground, if required by the Director, showing both original and
proposed ground surface with grades, slopes, and elevations noted;
(f) A statement as to the general description of the earth materials involved in the work, including classification, bedding, or other geological features, results of test borings; and reports by an engineer as to slide conditions existing or anticipated, and as to the suitability of the material for construction of stable embankments with recommendations for construction procedure to obtain required stability and relative compaction.
(3) Unless otherwise incorporated in site data, or waived by the Director, the following data
shall be furnished:
(a) A plan showing dimensions and elevations within the limits of the area to be graded that will result upon completion of the work, and indicating proposed drainage channels and facilities;
(b) The planned elevations, grades, and slopes of excavations and embankments;
(c) Specifications controlling construction methods and materials in construction of the work including:
(1) Provisions for control of grading operations within the construction area on public roads;
(2) Safety precautions to be observed, and facilities to be provided;
(3) Compliance with all pertinent laws and local regulations;
(4) Control of dust;
(5) Hours during which work will be permitted;
(6) Other related matters.
(d) Plans and details of walls, cribbing, slope protection, facilities and planting. Planting plans will be subject to the approval of the Director.
(4) Specifications for the removal and disposal of excess material.
8.314 Soils and Geology Report.
(1) Unless waived by the Director, a soils and geology report, prepared by an engineer, shall
be submitted by the developer or his representative. The Director may require that the engineer consult
with a registered geologist or registered certified specialty geologist in preparation of this report.
(2) In order to provide the engineer with the information necessary for determining both the
types of structures which can be placed on the land and the types of drainage facilities which will be
necessary, the report shall contain adequate data and recommendations on the following matters:
(a) A general indication of both surface and subsurface drainage facilities necessary to secure stability of native soil or compacted fill.
(b) The location of areas within the boundaries of the development which can justifiably and safely be used for building sites, with accompanying diagram.
(c) Guidelines to be used to adequately and properly develop and maintain the area under consideration, such as the desirable height of cuts and fills, desirable steepness of slopes, recommended erosion control measures, retaining wall locations, necessary corrective measures, etc.
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(d) An analysis of areas immediately adjacent to the proposed development which, after grading, might have an adverse effect upon the proposed development or might be adversely
affected by the grading.
(3) Requirements for excavations and fills for any building or structure, and for foundations
and retaining structures shall be governed by Chapter 29 of the State Building Code.
(4) When the soils and geology report indicates the presence of critically expansive soils or
other soil problems which, if not corrected, would lead to structural defects, the developer or his
representative shall submit a report which addresses each lot or areas with said soil conditions. This
investigation shall recommend corrective action which is likely to prevent structural damage to the
proposed structures. When these further studies are necessary, all buildings, structures, and public or
private improvements shall be designed in accordance with the recommendations contained in these
studies.
(5) When a preliminary report backed by sufficient data and prepared by the engineer
indicates that the soils quality of the proposed development does not require further analysis, the Director
may, based upon this information, determine that a complete soils and geology report is not required.
8.316 Drainage Pollution and Erosion Control.
(1) When required by the Director, drainage facilities and pollution and erosion control
devices shall be provided to convey storm waters to a natural channel or water course or to a storm
drainage facility in an acceptable manner without causing pollution, erosion, or damage and such facilities
shall be designed so as to provide the capacity deemed to be necessary by the Director.
(2)(a) When work done under a grading permit indicates the presence of subsurface waters which
may contribute to sliding or settlement of the earth surface either in an undisturbed state, or that such
subsurface waters are expected to result from the grading operations, the Director may require the
construction of, or installation of such subsurface and surface facilities as may be deemed necessary to
collect anticipated slide or settlement conditions, and require its conveyance to an acceptable point of
discharge.
(b) Whenever during excavation there are uncovered or become apparent any unforseen springs, aquifers, or sources of underground water, all grading operations in the immediate area may be stopped when deemed necessary by the Director. If grading operations are so halted, they shall
not be resumed until the drainage facilities recommended by an engineer for the remedy of the condition have been completed and approved.
(3) Graded sites shall be sloped a minimum of two percent to provide adequate drainage.
(4)(a) Whenever slope surfaces or excavations and embankments exist, or result from grading
operations on the site, erosion control shall be installed by October 1st; if grading operations occur from
October 1 through April 30, erosion control shall be installed within 14 days from denuding.
(b) Erosion control measures shall conform to the recommendation within the soil and geology report and shall be approved by the Director. Such measures shall consist of surface roughening, interceptor and diversion practices, vegetative soil stabilization, and non-vegetative soil stabilization.
(c) Temporary or short-term stabilization shall be required in accordance with paragraph (a)
above when necessitated by prolonged grading delays or by completion of final grading during seasons of the year when permanent vegetative soil stabilization cannot be performed. Temporary or
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short-term stabilization shall conform to the recommendation within the soil and geology report and shall be approved by the Director.
8.318 General Regulations.
(1) Excavation, grading or construction of fills may be prohibited by the Director during the
period in which rainfall precludes compliance with requirements herein set forth.
(2) If operations under the grading permit are within 500 feet of residential or commercial
occupancies, grading operations shall be limited to the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with Sunday
operations prohibited, excepting that maintenance and service work on equipment may be performed at
any time subject to regulation by section 5.220.
(3) Encroachment of operations on public rights-of-way without a permit from the Director is
prohibited except for hauling of legal loads by vehicles permitted to operate on public roads by law.
(4) Operations shall be controlled to prevent nuisances to public and private ownership
because of dust, drainage, water pollution, soil erosion, removal of natural support of land and structures,
encroachment, noise and vibration.
(5) Blasting, or other uses of explosives shall be subject to regulation by applicable state
laws and regulations of the Springfield Code.
(6) Excavation, grading, and construction of embankments in, on, under, over or adjacent to
old fills, and areas known to be, or believed to be, potential slide areas, shall not be permitted until a soils
and geology report prepared by an engineer has been submitted to the Director with the application for a
grading permit, and such report certifies that the proposed construction will be stable within itself and will
not be hazardous to any adjoining property or to any public road, utility or other facility.
Recommendations presented in the soils and geology report as to materials, equipment or procedures to
be incorporated in the construction area or operations to ensure adequate stability and safety in the
construction area, or to the adjoining areas which may be affected by the proposed construction, together
with other reasonable requirements, may be incorporated in the grading permit as a condition of approval
of the application.
(7) All grading done under sections 8.300 to 8.338 must substantially conform to the design
and layout of any approved or conditionally approved preliminary or tentative plan and violation of this
clause may be grounds for suspension or revocation of the grading permit as prescribed in section 8.330
of this code, as well as being subject to the penalty provisions of this code. Exception: If an applicant
requests a grading permit in the absence of an approved or conditionally approved preliminary or
tentative development plan, the following requirements shall apply:
(a) The grading shall not result in the need to extend public storm systems to the site or to alter, reconstruct or redirect any existing public open-water stormwater facility,
(b) The permit application shall contain the following additional information:
(i) The name, location, dimensions, direction of flow and top of bank of all adjacent watercourses including those that are shown on the city’s Water Quality Limited Watercourse Map;
(ii) The 100-year floodplain and floodway boundaries and areas of special
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flood hazard designated by the city engineer as susceptible to inundation of water from any source that
may affect the site. If fill occurs in the flood plain, the public works director may require analysis of the
effects of the fill on flooding of adjacent properties;
(iii) The Time of Travel Zones as delineated on the Springfield Wellhead Protection
Areas Map that affect the site; and
(iv) Physical features including, but not limited to riparian vegetation, trees over 5 inches or greater DBH, open drainage ways, watercourses shown on the Water Quality Limited Watercourse Map and their riparian areas, identified archeological and/or historical sites, identified threatened or endangered species habitat, areas considered for inclusion in the City’s Goal 5 lands inventory, jurisdictional wetlands and rock outcroppings.
(c) Unless specifically allowed by the public works director, the features listed in subsection
(b)(iv) above shall be retained and protected until such features are fully considered through a site plan review preliminary plan, subdivision tentative plan application, partition tentative plan application, and/or tree felling permit. To ensure retention of trees over 5 inches or greater DBH, the public works director may require a tree protection plan.
(d) Except for grading of less than 100 cubic yards associated with the construction of a
single-family dwelling, an informational notification shall be provided to owners and residents of property within 100 feet of the property line where the grading will take place. This notification shall be mailed a minimum of 5 days prior to the date the grading will commence and shall include the property address, an 8 1/2” x 11” map of the location of the property including the area where
the grading will take place, the amount of material to be graded and approximate dates the work is to take place. The permitee shall be required to provide a fee for this notification.
(e) The proposed grading shall not permit or authorize the placement or construction of public or private utilities or facilities, unless, in the opinion of the public works director, such utilities or facilities are necessary to ensure that the proposed land and drainage alteration is adequately protective of public health, safety, and general welfare. In this event, the applicant shall
obtain from the city the additional permits necessary to construct such utilities or facilities.
(f) All work conducted within existing and/or proposed public rights-of-way shall be limited to the minimum necessary, in the opinion of the city engineer, to ensure that the proposed land and drainage alteration is adequately protective of public health, safety, and general welfare.
(g) If the proposed grading includes the demolition of existing impervious surface (concrete, asphalt, etc.) such material shall be legally disposed of off-site not later than one month after its demolition
(h) All other approvals necessary to proceed with the proposed grading, including such
overlay district requirements for floodplain, hillside, historic district, the Willamette Greenway, tree felling or any regulated wetland, or any permits necessary from any other agency having jurisdiction over all or a portion of the work, shall be secured by the applicant prior to issuance of the grading permit. [Section 8.318 amended by Ordinance No. 6065, enacted July 28, 2003.]
8.320 Excavations.
(1) Unless otherwise permitted, the slope of any bank in an excavation shall not be steeper
than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical, except that such slope may be required to be flatter if soil
conditions are found to be unfavorable, or an adjacent foundation or structure may be endangered.
(2) Terraces at least six feet in width shall be established at not more than 30 foot vertical
intervals on all cut slopes to control surface drainage and debris except that where only one terrace is
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required, it shall be at mid-height. For cut slopes greater than 60 feet and up to 120 feet in vertical height
one terrace at approximately mid height shall be 12 feet in width. Terrace widths and spacing for cut
slopes greater than 120 feet in height shall be designed by an engineer and approved by the Director.
Terraces shall have a transverse slope of not less than five horizontal to one vertical sloping down
towards the bank above the terrace and a longitudinal slope of not less than two percent. Suitable access
shall be provided to permit proper cleaning and maintenance pursuant to this code. Swales or ditches on
terraces shall have a minimum gradient of five percent and must be paved with concrete not less than
three inches in thickness or an approved equal paving. They shall have a minimum depth at the deepest
point of one foot and a minimum paved width of five feet. A single run of swales or ditch shall not collect
runoff from a tributary area exceeding 13,500 square feet (projected) without discharging into a down
drain.
(3) Cut slopes shall be provided with subsurface drainage as necessary for stability.
8.322 Ground Preparation for Embankments.
(1) The area on which an embankment or fill is to be placed shall be cleared of all vegetation,
such as trees, logs, stumps, and roots of trees, brush, heavy growth of grass and weeds, and any other
objectionable material, such and debris, concrete foundations, metal, or non-earthen materials which
cannot be properly consolidated or will not support the load of the embankment or structures. The cleared
area shall extend to a width of two feet outside the area to be filled. All trees, existing stumps and large
roots shall be removed, except that within the area where fills will be three feet or more in height, trees
may be cut flush with the existing ground and grubbing of the remaining stumps will not be required
except at locations where subdrainage, trenches, drain pipes, foundations or other structures are to
constructed or where unsuitable materials is to be removed before construction of the embankment.
(2) The existing ground shall be prepared to receive fill construction by:
(a) The installation of subdrains to intercept and dispose of waters from springs, aquifers, or
other underground sources of water; and storm drains to intercept and dispose of surface waters where required on approved plans.
(b) Compacting the ground area upon which any embankment is to be constructed to a minimum relative compaction of 90 percent throughout the top six inches.
(3) Embankment fills shall not be constructed upon natural ground slopes which are steeper
than five horizontal to one vertical unless such embankments are keyed into the natural ground; and the
native material together with the fill material shall be recompacted to a relative compaction of 90 percent.
The width of the benches for keying new embankments to existing slopes shall not be less than 10 feet.
The construction operation shall be such that a slip plane is not created between the original material and
the newly compacted material.
8.324 Embankment and Backfill.
(1) The slopes of an embankment shall not be steeper than two horizontal to one vertical,
except where the soils and geology report indicates that steeper slopes may be constructed and maintained
safely without creating a potential sliding or erosion condition.
(2) In fills over 20 feet in height, a terrace having a minimum width of six feet shall be
constructed in the fill slopes, with a maximum vertical spacing of 20 feet between terraces or from the top
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or bottom of the fill slopes, except that the vertical spacing may be increased if slopes are
commensurately flattened where such increase and flattening is recommended by an engineer and
approved by the Director. The terrace shall have a transverse slope of not less than five horizontal to one
vertical sloping down towards the embankment, and a longitudinal slope of not less than two percent.
Drainage along the terrace shall be provided as required by section 8.322 of this code.
(3)(a) Except as noted below for rock fill, material for embankments and backfills for
excavations, slides, walls and other structures shall be spread in layers not exceeding eight inches in loose
thickness before compaction, and each layer shall be compacted to a relative compaction of not less than
90 percent.
(b) The side slopes of all embankments shall be compacted by means of tampers or rollers to a minimum of 85 percent relative compaction.
(4)(a) When fill material includes rock, individual rock shall not be greater than three feet in
greatest dimension, and no rock larger than six inches in greatest dimension will be permitted less than 18
inches below finished grade of the embankment. No large rocks will be permitted to nest, and all voids
shall be filled with earth or other fine material and properly compacted.
(b) Material used for backfilling within 18 inches of walls or other structures shall be free from stones or lumps of material exceeding four inches in greatest dimension.
(5) At the time of compaction, the moisture content of the embankment material shall be
such that the minimum relative compaction specified may be obtained with the compacting equipment
being used. Water shall be added in the required amount to obtain the optimum moisture content for
achieving maximum density. Compaction of embankment material which contains excessive moisture
shall be delayed until the material has been allowed to dry to such an extent that the relative compaction
specified may be produced with the compacting equipment being used.
(6) Sufficient field and laboratory tests to determine the relative compaction of the ground
and embankment material shall be taken and shall not be less frequent than necessary to obtain
compaction tests in each two feet of vertical lift of the embankment. The results of such testing shall be
included in the reports required by section 8.338 of this code.
(7) The absence of compaction test reports, or inaccuracies or inconsistencies in the test
results shall be deemed sufficient to reject the completed construction or to delay issuance of a
certification of completion until additional test reports are satisfactory and indicate compliance. The
Director may require a certificate by an approved soils testing agency based on the tests of the fill at
selected elevations.
8.326 Setbacks.
(1) General. The setbacks and other restrictions specified by this section are minimum and
may be increased by the Director or by recommendation of an engineer, if necessary, for safety and
stability or to prevent damage of adjacent properties from deposition or erosion or to provide access for
slope maintenance drainage. Retaining walls may be used to reduce the required setbacks where approved
by the Director.
(2) Setbacks from Property Lines. The tops of cuts and toes of fill slopes shall be set back
from the outer boundaries of the permit area and behind any easements, in accordance with Figure A-33-1
of the State Structural Specialty Code.
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8.328 Permit Issuance.
(1) Issuance. The application, plans and specifications and other data filed by an applicant
for permit shall be reviewed by the Director. Such plan may be reviewed by other departments and
agencies to verify compliance with any applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. If the Director
finds that the work described in the application for permit and the plans, specifications, and other data
filed therewith conform to the requirements as stipulated by the controlling agencies, and other pertinent
laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in section 8.332 of this code have been paid, he shall
issue a permit to the applicant.
When the Director issues the permit where plans are required, he shall endorse in writing or
stamp the plans and specifications APPROVED. Such approved plans and specifications shall not be
changed, modified or altered without authorization from the Director, and all work shall be done in
accordance with the approved plans. The Director may issue a permit for the grading of a portion of a
larger site if plans and specifications for the entire site have been submitted and approved.
(2) Retention of Plans. One set of approved plans, specifications and computations shall be
retained by the Director indefinitely, or until superseded; and one set of approved plans and specifications
shall be returned to the applicant, and said set shall be kept on the site of the grading at all times during
which the work authorized thereby is in process.
(3) Validity of Permit. The issuance of granting of a permit or approval of plans and
specifications shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the
provisions of this code or of any other ordinance of the city. No permit presuming to give authority to
violate or cancel the provisions of this code shall be valid.
The issuance of a permit based upon plans, specifications and other data shall not prevent the
Director from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said plans, specifications and other data, or
from preventing grading operations being carried on when in violation of this code or any other ordinance
of this city.
(4) Expiration. Every permit issued by the Director under the provisions of this code shall
expire by limitation and become null and void if the grading authorized by such permit is not commenced
within 180 days from the date of such permit, or if the grading authorized by such permit is suspended or
abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. Before such work can be
recommended, a new permit shall be first obtained, and the fee therefor shall be one-half the amount
required for a new permit for such work provided no changes have been made or will be made in the
original plans and specifications for such grading, and provided further that such suspension of
abandonment has not exceeded one year.
Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which
he may commence work under that permit when he is unable to commence work within the time required
by sections 8.300 to 8.338 for good and satisfactory reason. The Director may extend the time for action
by the permittee for a period not exceeding 180 days upon written request by permittee showing that
circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have prevented action from being taken. No permit
shall be extended more than once. In order to renew action on a permit after expiration, the permittee shall
pay a new full permit fee if he fails to reapply within one year of the expiration date.
8.330 Permit Suspension or Revocation.
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(1) The Director may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of
this code whenever it is found that:
(a) The permit was issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information;
(b) Conditions at the site vary appreciably from that stated in the application or shown on the grading plans;
(c) Construction does not conform to the approved plans, grades, or other conditions of the grading permit;
(d) Cessation of work before completion have, left the site in a condition hazardous to public
or to the adjacent properties, and the applicant does not comply with reasonable requirements as to completion of the work within the time specified in the permit or an approved extension of time therefore;
(e) The applicant does not comply with reasonable requirements to safeguard the workmen, the public, or other persons acting in a lawful manner, during his construction operations;
(f) The applicant, in transporting materials, or operating equipment in, around, to and from the site and in connection with the grading operations for which the permit was issued, fails to
operate the equipment properly on or along public roads, or allows materials or litter to encroach, obstruct or be deposited on pavement, or in drainage channels, or otherwise within the road right of way, to the detriment of the public road, or creates a hazard on the public road, or causes unauthorized obstruction or diversion of drainage channels within the site areas;
(g) Failure to have a qualified inspector, working under the supervision of a registered engineer, on the site during construction operations when so required under the permit.
(2) Upon issuance of a notice to cease work, or the suspension of the grading permit, the
applicant shall immediately cause all grading and hauling operations connected therewith to cease until
permission is received from the Director allowing the applicant to proceed after correcting the
objectionable conditions or operations so as to eliminate the hazard or encroachment and to prevent
recurrence of the situation.
Upon the order of the Director, any grading permit so suspended may be either reinstated or
revoked.
(3) Whenever a permit has been revoked, work on the site shall not again commence until a
new application has been filed incorporating the necessary revisions in plans or methods of operation
required to fulfill the intent of sections 8.300 to 8.338 and in accordance with the regulations herein, and
approved by the Director.
8.332 Fees.
(1) Plan Checking Fee. For excavation and fill on the same site, the fee shall be based on the
volume of the excavation or fill, whichever is greater. Before accepting a set of plans and specifications
for checking, the Director shall collect a plan-checking fee. Where not covered by the approved
improvement plans for the development, separate permits and fees may apply to retaining walls or major
drainage structures in accordance with the state building code. There shall be no separate charge for
standard terrace drains and similar facilities. The amount of the plan checking fee for grading plans shall
be based on the average actual costs as set forth by resolution of the city council. The rates and charges
herein provided are for incurred costs based upon the use or availability for use of the public right-of-way
and/or the storm sewer system, as well as for meeting the routine obligations of ownership, which is
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necessary for the regulation of and provision for, the public health, safety and welfare. The charge is
controlled by the user’s or potential user’s request and choice of the kind, nature and quantity of use. The
plan-checking fee for a grading permit authorizing additional work to that under a valid permit shall be
the difference between such fee paid for the original permit and the fee shown for the entire project.
(2) Grading Permit Fees. A fee for each grading permit shall be paid to the Director based on
the average actual costs as set forth by resolution of the city council. The rates and charges herein
provided are for incurred costs based upon the use or availability for use of the public right-of-way and/or
the storm sewer system, as well as for meeting the routine obligations of ownership, which is necessary
for the regulation of, and provision for, the public health, safety and welfare. The charge is controlled by
the user’s or potential user’s request and choice of the kind, nature and quantity of use. The fee for
grading permit authorizing additional work to that under a valid permit shall be the difference between the
fee paid for the original permit and the fee shown for the entire project.
8.334 Bonds.
(1) When Bond is Required. If the Director determines that the nature of the work regulated
is such that, if left incomplete, it will endanger adjoining property or street, or will create a hazard to
human life on any property, or will negatively affect physical features including, but not limited to
riparian vegetation, trees over 5 inches or greater DBH, open drainage ways, watercourses shown on the
Water Quality Limited Watercourse Map and their riparian areas, identified archeological and/or
historical sites, identified threatened or endangered species habitat, areas considered for inclusion in the
City’s Goal 5 lands inventory, jurisdictional wetlands and rock outcroppings, the director or public works
may before issuing the permit require the applicant to furnish a bond, either cash or performance
agreement (bond) or other security satisfactory to the city at the option of the applicant, in a form
satisfactory to the Director and approved by the city attorney in the sum of 110 percent of the cost to
either return the site to pre-alteration conditions or perform the work required to mitigate the hazard,
danger or negative effect as determined by the public works director, conditioned upon the faithful
performance of the work within the time specified in the grading permit or within any extension thereof
granted by the Director. Such bond or other security shall obligate the principal, his executors,
administrators and assigns, jointly and severally, and the surety, to the city for the faithful performance of
the work required. Such bond or other security shall further provide that it will not be challenged or
terminated until at least 30 days’ notice thereof has been filed with the Director.
(2) Notice of Default. Whenever the Director shall find that a default has occurred in the
performance of any term or condition of any permit, written notice thereof shall be given to the principal
and to the surety on the bond. Such notice shall state the work to be done to achieve a safe and
satisfactory condition and the period of time deemed by the Director to be reasonably necessary for the
completion of such work.
(3) Duty of Surety. After receipt of such notice the surety shall, within the time therein
specified, cause the required work to be performed.
(4) Disposition of Cash Bond. If a cash bond has been postponed and the notice of default, as
approved by the preceding paragraph, has been given to the principal, and compliance by the principal
with the notice of default is not obtained within the time specified, the Director may, upon suspending or
revoking the grading permit pursuant to section 8.330 of the code, proceed without delay and without
further notice or proceedings whatsoever to use the cash deposited to cause the required work to be done
by contract or other means as may be determined at the discretion of the Director. The balance, if any, of
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such deposit shall, upon completion of the work, be returned to the depositor after deducting the cost of
the work plus 10 percent thereof.
(5) Right of Entry. In the event of any default in the performance or any term or condition of
the permit for the work, the surety or any person employed or engaged on its behalf or any authorized
representative of the Director shall, after providing reasonable notice have the right to go upon the
premises to complete the required work or make it safe.
(6) Interference Prohibited. No person shall interfere with or obstruct the ingress or egress to
or from such premises by any authorized representative or agent of any surety or of the city engaging in
completing the work required to perform under the permit or in complying with the terms and conditions
thereof or in inspecting the grading operation pursuant to section 8.338 of this code.
(7) Term of Bond; Completion. The term of each bond posted shall begin under the date of
the posting thereof and shall end upon the satisfactory completion of the terms and conditions stated in
the permit. Such completion shall be evidenced by a certificate of completion as provided in section
8.338, a copy of which will be sent to any surety upon request. When a cash bond has been posted, it less
any amounts deducted to pay for work performed on order of the Director pursuant to any notice of
default with said work being charged at a rate three times the wages, equipment fees and material costs,
plus 40 percent overhead, or $200.00, which ever is greater, shall be returned to the depositor upon
completion of the work. [Section 8.334 amended by Ordinance No. 6065, enacted July 28, 2003.]
8.336 Inspection.
(1) General. All grading operations for which a permit is required shall be subject to
inspection by the Director. When required by the Director, special inspection of grading operations and
special testing shall be performed in accordance with provisions of the state building code.
(2) Right of Entry. The Director or his authorized representative shall have the right to go
upon the premises in order to make inspections and perform other duties pursuant to this code. It shall be
unlawful for any person to interfere with said right of ingress and egress.
(3) Grading Designation. Unless excepted by the Director, all grading shall be performed in
accordance with the approved grading plan prepared by an engineer, and shall be designated as
“engineered grading.” Grading excepted by the Director shall be designated “regular grading” unless the
permittee chooses to have the grading performed as “engineered grading.”
(4) Engineered Grading Requirements. For engineered grading, it shall be the responsibility
of the engineer who prepares the approved grading plan to incorporate all recommendations from the
Soils and Geology Report into the grading plan. He shall also be responsible for the professional
inspection and approval of the grading within his area of technical specialty. This responsibility will
include, but not be limited to, inspection and approval as to the establishment of line, grade and drainage
of the developed area. The engineer shall act as the coordinating agent in the event the need arises for
liaison between other professionals, the contractor, and the Director. The engineer shall also be
responsible for the preparation of revised plans and the submission of as-graded grading plans upon
completion of the work. The grading contractor shall submit, in a form prescribed by the Director, a
statement of compliance to said as-built plan.
Soils and geology reports shall be required as specified in section 8.314 of this code. During
grading all necessary reports, compaction data and recommendations, including those of other
professionals used in the operation, shall be submitted by the engineer to the Director. The engineer’s area
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of responsibility shall also include, but not be limited to, the professional inspection and approval
concerning the preparation of ground to receive fills testing for required compaction, stability of all fill
slopes and the design of buttress fills, where required, incorporating data supplied by the registered
geologist, or registered specialty geologist as required. His areas of responsibility shall also include, but
not be limited to, professional inspection and approval of the adequacy of natural ground for receiving
fills and the stability of cut slopes consistent with the soils and geology report and the need for subdrains
or other water drainage devices. All findings and analyses shall be reported by the engineer. The Director
may inspect the project at the various stages of the work requiring approval and at any more frequent
intervals necessary to determine that adequate control is being exercised by the professional consultants.
(5) Regular Grading Requirements. The Director may require inspection and testing by an
approved agency.
The testing agency’s responsibility shall include, but not be limited to, approval concerning the
inspection of cleared areas and areas benched to receive fill and the compaction of fills. When the
Director has cause to believe that geological factors may be involved, the grading operation will be
required to conform to “engineered grading” requirements.
When areas of critically expansive soil or other soil problems are discovered only after the
grading operation has commenced, the Director may require that the grading operation conform to
“engineered grading” requirements.
(6) Notification of Compliance. If, in the course of fulfilling their responsibility under
sections 8.300 to 8.338, the engineer, the registered geologist, the registered certified specialty geologist,
or the testing agency finds that the work is not being done in conformance with sections 8.300 to 8.338,
or the approved plans, the discrepancies shall be reported immediately in writing to the person in charge
of the work and to the Director. Recommendations for corrective measures, if necessary, shall be
submitted.
(7) Transfer of Responsibility for Approval. If the engineer, the registered geologist, or the
registered certified specialty geologist, or the testing agency of record are changed during the course of
work, the work shall be stopped until the replacement has agreed to accept the responsibility within the
area of their technical competence for approval upon completion of the work.
8.338 Completion of Work.
(1) Final Reports. Upon completion of the rough grading work and at the final completion of
the work the Director may require that the grading plan prepared by the engineer be supplemented or
amended to show the final as-built conditions of the site, including the original ground surface elevations,
the as-graded ground surface elevations lot drainage patterns and locations and elevations of all surface
and subsurface drainage facilities. He shall provide approval that the work was done in accordance with
the final approved grading plan.
(2) Notification of Completion. The permittee or his agent shall notify the Director when the
grading operation is ready for final inspection. Final approval shall not be given until all work including
installation of all drainage facilities and their protective devices and all erosion control measures have
been completed in accordance with the final approved grading plan and the required reports have been
submitted.
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LDAP 8.400 Page 1
LAND AND DRAINAGE ALTERATION PROGRAM 8.400 General.
Sections 8.400 to 8.420 establish regulations to:
(1) Restrict the discharge of sediments and other construction related materials, including hazardous substances, into the Public stormwater system in order to:
(a) Prevent or minimize, to the maximum extent practicable, negative impacts to
adjacent properties, to water quality and to the City’s Goal 5 natural resources inventory
sites resulting from construction activities; and
(b) Maintain the capacity of the Public stormwater system by minimizing sedimentation;
(2) Control excavating, grading, and earthwork construction, including fills and
embankments regulated under Sections 8.300 et seq. to safeguard the public health, safety and
general welfare, and individuals and property against hazards resulting from uncontrolled
grading and excavating practice; and (3) Establish the administrative procedure for issuance of Land and Drainage Alteration
Permits including: approvals; conditions of approval; denial; designation of a site as a sensitive
area; extension of the duration of a Land and Drainage Alteration Permit;
(4) Establish procedures for determining violations of this code; the provisions of an
issued Land and Drainage Alteration Permit; enforcement, including a Notice of Violation. (5) Establish the Appeals process for Land and Drainage Alteration Permits
8.402 Intent.
The goal of the Land and Drainage Alteration Program is the protection of: public and private
property; the City’s infrastructure; and all Goal 5 Natural Resources inventory of significant sites
from potential adverse effects of construction activities. The exact provisions or conditions of a
Land and Drainage Alteration Permit are based on the circumstances present at the development
site; as a result, the program allows the applicant and the City the flexibility to design and apply the most effective erosion prevention measures on a case-by-case basis. This flexibility extends
to modifications of these conditions after the permit has been issued if the City determines the
measures are not achieving the intended results.
8.404 Applicability.
(1) These regulations shall apply to all construction related activities in both the City and
its urban transition area that result in any of the following:
(a) Land disturbance, including but not limited to clearing, grading, grubbing, tree
felling, excavating, filling, and storing of materials; (b) Structural development, including, but not limited to buildings, bridges,
streets, and other infrastructure including utilities and sewers;
(c) Impervious surfaces, including, but not limited to parking lots, driveways, off-
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LDAP 8.400 Page 1
street bikeways and pedestrian trails, access ways, and patios; or (d) Dewatering.
(2) All persons in control of property or engaged in construction related activities shall
prevent and/or control erosion, sedimentation, and other construction related impacts to
stormwater quality in a manner designed to meet the outcomes specified in Section 8.408. This
obligation shall be implemented through one of the following actions: (a) The issuance of a Land and Drainage Alteration Permit in accordance with
Section 8.412; or
(b) For all other construction activities not subject to the Land and Drainage
Alteration Permit requirements, as determined by the Director, compliance by property
owners with the standards for preventing and controlling erosion, sedimentation, and other impacts associated with construction site management practices. The Director will
make information about these requirements and prevention measures available through a
variety of techniques, including public outreach programs, handout materials, and other
educational efforts to assist property owners in meeting this obligation.
(3) Regardless of Subsection 8.404(1) above, the following activities shall be exempt from these regulations:
(a) Actions by the City, a public utility, or any other governmental agency to
remove or alleviate an emergency condition, restore utility service, or reopen a public
street to traffic; or
(b) Actions by any other person when the Director determines, and documents in writing, that these actions are necessary to remove or alleviate an emergency condition,
restore utility service, or reopen a public street to traffic.
(c) The agency or public utility performing the work shall take reasonable steps to
minimize sediment, dirt, debris, or other contaminants from entering the City stormwater
system. (d) The exemption in this Subsection shall terminate at the time the emergency
condition is alleviated, utility service is restored, or a street is reopened to traffic.
8.406 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions contained in Springfield Development Code, the applicable
Sections of the Engineering Design Standards and Procedures Manual, and applicable Sections
elsewhere in the SMC, as used in these regulations, the following words and phrases shall mean:
Annual Landscape Activities. Activities necessary to maintain the health and function of developed landscaped areas, including but not limited to: tilling, sodding, mowing, aerating,
pruning, and replacement of soil, gravel or addition of soil amendments.
Best Management Practices (BMPs). Physical, structural, and/or managerial practices employed
to avoid or mitigate erosion, sedimentation, or contamination of the Public stormwater system and related natural resources inventory sites, or to otherwise meet these regulations. All BMP’s
shall be in accordance with the City of Springfield’s Engineering Design Standards and
Procedures Manual (EDSPM).
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LDAP 8.400 Page 3 3/4/15
Certified Professional. A person with a background or training in erosion prevention techniques
who holds a license or certification to practice in Oregon in one of the following professions:
engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, geology, or is in a similar profession; or a
person who is certified as a professional in erosion and sedimentation control by the International
Erosion Control Association, or any other similar organization.
Construction Activity. An activity used in the process of developing, redeveloping, enhancing,
or maintaining land, including but not limited to: land disturbance, building construction, paving
and surfacing, storage and disposal of construction related materials.
Construction Footprint. That area of a lot where disturbance to vegetation and land form is
necessary for the construction of buildings, parking lots, walkways, landscaping, utilities, and for
staging of construction equipment and other similar uses associated with construction activities.
Construction Related Materials. Potential water quality pollutants that are used or created during construction activities including, but not limited to: off-site deposits of sediments by vehicles
(e.g. tracking, spilling); building material wastes (e.g.. scrap metals, rubber, plastic, glass,
masonry, wood; paints and thinners; packaging materials; insulation, plaster grout); hazardous
substances (e.g. cleaning solvents; chemical additives; concrete curing compounds; acids; paints,
thinners); pavement saw-cutting effluent; and concrete washout.
Director of Development and Public Works. The Director of Development and Public Works of
the Springfield, Oregon, or designee herein after referred to as Director.
Designated Buffer. An area that separates a significant natural resources site, including a wetland or water feature, from a conflicting use; and any conservation zone or protected area
established during the development review and approval process that is designed to protect
significant natural resources sites or drainage ways.
Development Site. Property under common ownership or control, either undivided or consisting of one or more contiguous lots. Property under common ownership that is bisected by a public
street or alley shall be considered one development site unless the land was legally divided.
Dewatering. The removal and disposal of surface water or groundwater for purposes of
preparing a site for construction or facilitating construction.
Directly Drains. The conveyance and discharge of stormwater runoff, either on the surface or by
an open channel or pipe, into a water feature that is located on or adjacent to the lot for which
construction activities are planned, or onto/into its designated buffer area.
Disturbed Area. A lot or a portion of a lot where the vegetation, landform, or topography is
altered due to tree felling, clearing, grubbing, grading, paving, stock piling, or building.
Emergency Condition. An immediate danger to life, property, or the environment due to
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circumstances beyond the control of the property owner, including, but not limited to, natural and human-caused disasters including, but not limited to fires, floods, slides, earthquakes, sinkholes,
and tree blow-down.
Enforcement Officer. The person designated by the Director to enforce the provisions of these
regulations.
Erosion Prevention. Measures to be taken for preventing and/or minimizing sedimentation and
negative impacts to water quality in the Public stormwater system and natural resource inventory
sites due to erosive impacts on exposed soil from water and wind forces. Erosion Prevention
shall also include measures taken to prevent and/or minimize potential impacts to the Public stormwater system and natural resources inventory sites associated with construction activities
including handling and storage of construction related materials and disposal of building material
wastes.
Highly Erodible Soils. Soils classified as having an erodibility index of 8 or larger by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, formerly the Soil Conservation Service.
Impacted Property. Property in proximity to a disturbed site, and subject to erosion,
sedimentation, or construction material impacts resulting from the activity.
Improper Disposal. The disposal of any construction related material in a manner that causes, or
has the potential to cause, the discharge of pollutants to the Public stormwater system or natural
resources inventory sites , the depletion of the capacity of the Public stormwater system, or the
contamination of soils.
Improper Storage. Handling or storing of any construction related materials in a manner that
causes or has the potential to cause the discharge of pollutants to the Public stormwater system or
natural resources inventory sites, the depletion of the capacity of the Public stormwater system,
or the contamination of soils.
Jurisdictional Wetlands. Any lot, parcel or portion of a lot which meets the state or federal
definition of wetlands under the jurisdiction of state or federal laws and also all significant
wetlands identified on the City’s Local Wetland (see also Wetlands).
Land and Drainage Alteration Permit. A permit required for work that is subject to the rules and regulations set forth in Sections 8.300 to 8.338 and Sections 8.400 to 8.420, also referred to as a
“grading permit” or “permit”.
Land and Drainage Alteration Plan. Information including but not limited to a set of maps, data,
drawings, and a narrative that describes expected runoff from new construction sites and establishes measures to be taken for preventing erosion, sediments, and other pollutants from
construction related activities.
Land disturbance. Activities that can change the physical conditions of a landform, vegetation,
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and hydrology including, but not limited to, clearing, grading, grubbing, excavating, filling, tree felling, and storing of materials.
Lot. The word "lot" includes the words "parcel" or “tract of land”.
Maximum Extent Practicable. The greatest degree of pollutant reduction achievable through the application of technically feasible, cost effective best management practices, processes, siting
criteria, operating methods, or other alternatives approved by the Director.
Minor Recurring Activities. Repetitive construction or maintenance activities that are performed
at different sites as part of an overall work plan or program when no individual disturbance exceeds more than 500 square feet of land area and 50 cubic yards of fill or excavated material.
Natural Resources Inventory Sites. Areas on the City’s adopted Goal 5 Natural Resources
Inventory maps and located within or adjacent to the Public stormwater system, including, but
not limited to waterways, riparian areas shown on the Water Quality Limited Watercourses Map on file in the Development and Public Works Department, wetlands, and conservation zones or
easements, which due to their location, topography, vegetation, or other factors provide one or
more of the following stormwater functions: flood control, habitat, bank stabilization, and water
quality treatment including pollutant removal, shading and temperature stabilization.
Notice of Violation (NOV). A written notice, specifying the violation and required compliance
measures.
Permit Holder. The property owner or an agent hired by the property owner who has obtained a
Land and Drainage Alteration Permit.
Person. An individual, trust, firm, joint stock company, joint venture, consortium, commercial
entity, partnership, association, corporation, commission, state and any agency thereof, political
subdivision of the state, interstate body or the federal government, including any agency thereof.
Public Stormwater System. Those stormwater facilities located on public property, public rights-
of-way, public utility easements and/or any stormwater facility the City is contractually or legally
obligated to operate, maintain, or protect, including but not limited to:
(a) An open drainage way, headwater stream, creek, wetland, spring, or pond, including those not
maintained by the City which drain onto City -owned property or into City maintained facilities; (b) A pipe or sewer and its related appurtenances that carry stormwater and have been designed
and constructed expressly for use by the general public and accepted by the Director;
(c) Streets, curbs and gutters and other surfaces in the public way which are designed to carry
stormwater, roadside drainage ditches along unimproved streets; and
(d) Flood control and stormwater quality facilities (levees, dikes, overflow channels, swales, biofiltration facilities, infiltration facilities, detention basins, retention basins, dams, pump
stations, groundwater recharging basins, sediment traps, wetlands, etc.) that have been designed
and constructed expressly for use by the general public and accepted by the Director.
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Responsible Person or Responsible Party. A property owner, Land and Drainage Alteration
Permit Holder, or their agent or contractor, or other person who is responsible for meeting the
outcomes, or responsible for violation of these regulations.
Routine Maintenance. The activities and practices necessary to maintain the operating capacity, functional integrity, or aesthetics of a site or facility. Routine maintenance includes, but is not
limited to, landscaping, repair of recreation facilities (e.g., ball diamonds, play areas, fields),
cleaning of stormwater facilities, and patching of streets.
Secondary Containment. On-site erosion prevention measures that include both a preventative measure (e.g. soil coverage, vegetative buffer) and a control measure (e.g. sediment fence, mulch
berm, straw bales).
Sedimentation. The deposit of mud, sand, soil, sediment or construction materials exceeding
one-half cubic foot in volume for every 1,000 square feet of lot size onto adjacent properties, into the Public stormwater system, onto natural resources inventory sites located on-site, into public
rights-of-way or private streets, and/or into any private stormwater system that discharges into a
City stormwater system located off-site by dropping, discharging, directly depositing, or
resulting from the action of erosion.
Sensitive Area. Sites that meet the criteria contained in Section 8.410(1).
Stabilization. The completion of all soil disturbance activities at the site and the establishment of
a permanent vegetative cover, or equivalent permanent stabilization measures including, but not
limited to riprap, gabions, geotextiles, or bioengineering methods that will prevent erosion.
Untreated Runoff. Stormwater runoff due to construction activities that has not been filtered,
screened, settled, or otherwise treated for the removal of pollutants, prior to discharge into the
Public stormwater system, designated buffers, or natural resources inventory sites.
Vegetative Buffer. A strip of protected land not less than 25 feet in width separating ground
disturbed by construction activity from a water feature, natural resources inventory site , or a
property line, whichever is nearest, containing vegetation at least 1 inch in height that covers at
least 80 percent of the buffer area. The buffer area shall be on the site covered by the Land and Drainage Alteration Permit.
Visible or Measurable Erosion. Evidence of concentrated flows of water over bare soils, turbid
or sediment laden flows, or evidence of on-site erosion including rivulets on bare soil slopes
where the flow of water is not filtered or captured on the site using the techniques recommended in the City’s Design Manual or an approved Land and Drainage Alteration Plan, or comparable
techniques; and, earth slides, mud flows, earth sloughing, or other earth movement which leaves
the property.
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Water Features. Permanent or intermittent bodies of water, including creeks, streams, ponds, rivers, lakes, natural resources inventory sites, drainage channels and jurisdictional wetlands.
Wetlands. Any lot or portion of a lot which meets the state or federal definition of wetlands that
is under the jurisdiction of state or federal laws and also all wetlands identified on the City’s
Local Wetland Inventory.
Wet Weather Season. October 1 through April 30, unless otherwise designated by the Director.
8.408 Outcomes.
(1) All persons conducting construction activities specified in Section 8.404(1) shall
employ, to the maximum extent practicable, erosion prevention and construction site
management practices which will achieve during both the construction period and wet weather
season the following outcomes:
(a) Adjacent properties, water features, and natural resources inventory sites are kept free of deposits or discharges of soil, sediment or construction-related material from
the site except those that would occur through natural processes from an undisturbed site;
(b) Vegetation in water features, natural resources inventory sites, and associated
bank and/or riparian areas adjacent to construction sites are preserved or protected from
impacts that exceed those that occur through natural processes on an undisturbed site; (c) Public rights-of-way, the Public stormwater system and natural resources
inventory sites, private streets and private stormwater drainage systems that discharge to
the Public stormwater system are kept free of mud, soil, hazardous materials, concrete
washout, trash, or other similar construction-related material. Direct deposit, dropping,
dumping, erosion, tracking, or other discharge by construction vehicles of materials shall not occur in excess of those that occur through natural processes from an undisturbed
site. Any discharges that occur shall be prevented from entering water features or the
Public stormwater system and removed not later than the end of the day in which the
discharge occurred, or as directed by the Director. During the wet weather season all
other work shall cease until such time the discharge has been corrected. (d) Soils and stockpile areas shall not be exposed to precipitation or stormwater
runoff without the provision of secondary containment, perimeter controls, and other
approved BMPs.
(e) Earth slides, mudflows, earth sloughing, or other earth movement that has the
potential to leave the property shall not occur in excess of those that occur through natural processes on an undisturbed site;
(f) No discharge into the Public stormwater system or natural resources inventory
sites of construction related contaminants resulting from activities including, but not
limited to, cleaning or washing of equipment, tools, or vehicles, shall occur.
(g) No hazardous substances, including paints, thinners, saw cutting slurry, fuels and other chemicals shall be released onto the site, onto adjacent properties, or into water
features, the Public stormwater system, or natural resources inventory sites.
(h) Maintain, on the site, all materials and supplies to implement the Land
Drainage Alteration Plan
Attachment 2-7
LDAP 8.400 Page 8 3/4/15
(2) When designing and implementing BMPs to meet the above outcomes, the applicant shall consider the seasonal variation of rainfall, temperature, and other climatic factors relative to
the timing of land disturbance activities. All construction activity that will result in soil
disturbance during the wet weather season shall, at a minimum, implement and maintain the
following BMPs on site:
(a) Construction site entrances shall be graveled with crushed rock of sufficient size and grading as necessary to prevent any off-site tracking.
(b) All stormwater facilities, water features, and natural resources inventory sites
shall be protected.
(c) All exposed soil and stockpile areas shall be covered.
(d) Sediment, soil, or construction related material shall be removed immediately from the right-of-way, adjacent property, and the public stormwater system, including
water features and natural resources inventory sites.
(3) No Land and Drainage Alteration Permit or other approval issued in accordance with
these regulations shall be considered to authorize any violation of the above outcomes or wet-
weather requirements.
8.410 Designation of Sensitive Areas.
(1) The City Manager shall publish, and from time to time maintain a map which shows:
(a) All parcels where the slope of the lot is greater than 15 percent and/or is subject to the City’s Hillside Development Overlay district;
(b) All drainage ways or swales;
(c) All wetlands;
(d) All floodways or floodplains;
The areas depicted on such map, and all parcels adjacent to drainage ways or swales, shall be sensitive areas for the purpose of this Article.
(2) An applicant may request an exception to the sensitive area requirement by
submission of actual field or site information that demonstrates that the proposed work area will
not adversely impact the relevant inventoried natural resource.
(3) An applicant who disagrees with the Director’s final determination about the designation of a sensitive area may appeal that decision to the City Manager or designee.
8.412 Land and Drainage Alteration Permits.
(1) Land and Drainage Alteration Permit Required. Unless otherwise provided in these regulations and Sections 8.300 et seq., no person shall commence any construction related
activity without first obtaining from the City a Land and Drainage Alteration Permit, if the
proposed construction related activity:
(a) Exceeds 50 cubic yards or more of material on any one lot and/or adversely
affects drainage from or onto adjoining properties; (b) Disturbs 500 square feet located in a sensitive area as specified in Section
8.410;
(c) Disturbs one or more acres of land at any one time by one or more phases of
development, and the disturbance is located on the same lot or on contiguous lots under
Attachment 2-8
LDAP 8.400 Page 9 3/4/15
the same ownership. (2) Waiver of Land and Drainage Alteration Permit. Regardless of any other provisions
of this Section, the following activities shall not require a Land and Drainage Alteration Permit;
however, under no circumstances shall this waiver be construed to mean that these activities are
exempt from any of the Land And Drainage Alteration Program requirements of the SMC and
these regulations other than the requirement to obtain a Land and Drainage Alteration Permit. The following activities shall be subject to other provisions, including but not limited to the
outcome requirements specified in Section 8.408:
(a) Construction activities involving the disturbance of less than 500 square feet
of land surface area in a sensitive area, or which consist of the excavation and fill of less
than 50 cubic yards of material, or excavation or fill not intended to support a structure. (b) The issuance of Land and Drainage Alteration Permits and/or approvals for
interior improvements to an existing structure, or other approvals for which there is no
physical disturbance to the surface of the land; and
(c) Landscape maintenance activities on fully developed properties, necessary to
maintain the existing developed landscape. (3) Land and Drainage Alteration Permit Classifications.
(a) Type I Land and Drainage Alteration Permit. This Permit applies to a property
owner or agent that obtains a permit for construction that is located within a sensitive
area or is conducting commercial construction activity;
(b) Type II Land and Drainage Alteration Permit. This Permit applies to a property owner or agent that obtains a permit for residential construction of a single unit or a
duplex and is not located within a sensitive area;
(c) Pre-Approval Land and Drainage Alteration Permit. This Permit may be issued
prior to preliminary Site Plan Review approval or Tentative Partition or Subdivision
approval and shall comply with Section 8.318 (7) of the Springfield Municipal Code. (4) Application. In addition to the payment of any required fees, an application shall
include a signed application form and, in the case of a Type I Permit completed Land and
Drainage Alteration Plan, prepared in accordance with Subsection (6) of this Section, and such
other information as the City may require to act upon the application
(5) Interdependent Land and Drainage Alteration Permit Processing. The application and processing of other City permits, including, but not limited to, Encroachment Permits, Tree
Felling Permits, Foundation and Building Permits, are interdependent with the Land and
Drainage Alteration Permit process. The Development and Public Works Director shall not issue
any of these other permits except as follows:
(a) Until the Director has conducted a site inspection, and approved a required Land and Drainage Alteration Permit, or has determined a Permit is not required; or
(b) If the property owner or applicant is in violation of a Land and Drainage
Alteration Permit, or any conditions of approval. Regardless of the requirements in this
Subsection, the Director may issue Land and Drainage Alteration Permits for construction
of Public Improvement Projects in accordance with provisions of the SMC prior to the approval of the Land and Drainage Alteration Permit. No construction activities shall
begin on the public improvements until the Director approves the implemented erosion
and sediment control measures.
Attachment 2-9
LDAP 8.400 Page 10 3/4/15
(6) The Land and Drainage Alteration Plan. A Land and Drainage Alteration Plan shall be prepared by a Certified Professional and shall describe the techniques and methods to be used to
achieve the required outcomes including specific BMPs for wet-weather conditions, describe
conditions before and after development, and the proposed methods to prevent and control water
quality impacts during and after construction. The professional shall certify that implementation
of the Plan ensures compliance with Section 8.408(1). The Director shall review the Plan prior to issuance of a Land and Drainage Alteration Permit and may monitor the development
thereafter for continued compliance. The Land and Drainage Alteration Plan shall meet the
minimum submittal requirements as listed on the City’s application materials approved by the
director.
(7) Availability. The approved Land and Drainage Alteration Plan shall be kept at the construction site and be available during on-site inspections.
8.414 Review Criteria and Approval.
The Director shall review the Land and Drainage Alteration Permit application, including the Land and Drainage Alteration Plan, and other documents as may be submitted, and approve,
approve with special conditions, or deny the Permit application. If the Director finds that the
construction related activities will result in sedimentation, visible or measurable erosion, or will
otherwise violate the conditions specified in Section 8.408(1), then the Director shall either deny
the Permit, or approve the Permit with special conditions. Permit approval shall not be effective until a site inspection has occurred and the Permit is endorsed with the approval of the site
inspector, which may include additional conditions imposed as a result of the inspection. An
Applicant who is denied a Permit may appeal to the City Manager or designee by providing
written notice of the appeal within 30 calendar days of receiving the Permit denial.
8.416 Conditions.
Every Land and Drainage Alteration Permit shall include as conditions the outcomes set forth in
Section 8.408, and any special conditions imposed as a result of the Land and Drainage
Alteration Permit review and/or the site inspection.
8.418 Land and Drainage Alteration Permit Duration.
An approved Land and Drainage Alteration Permit shall remain in effect for the full period of
construction activity. The Permit may be extended for a period of up to, but not to exceed, one year after completion of the construction activities, if the Director determines the extension is
necessary to ensure the construction activity has stabilized in accordance with the outcomes
specified in Section 8.408. Land and Drainage Alteration Plans proposing work between
October 1 - April 30 shall include wet weather BMPs.
8.420 Construction Site Control Measures and Design Standards.
(1) Construction Site Practices. In addition to compliance with specific requirements
contained in an approved Land and Drainage Alteration Permit, all Permit Holders shall establish
Attachment 2-10
LDAP 8.400 Page 11 3/4/15
and implement Land and Drainage Alteration Plan practices that will prevent toxic materials and other debris from entering the City's storm drainage and waterway systems. The following
construction site practices shall be prohibited and constitute a violation of these regulations:
(a) Improper storage of chemicals (e.g. pesticides, fertilizers, fuels, paints,
plasters, thinners);
(b) Improper disposal of construction waste material, garbage, rubbish, and sanitary waste, plaster, dry-wall, grout, gypsum;
(c) Failure to immediately clean up spills of toxic materials;
(d) Washing excess concrete material or other construction related material into a
street, catch basin, or other public facility, the Public stormwater system, private
stormwater drainage systems that discharge to the Public stormwater system, natural resources inventory sites, or other protected area identified on the approved Land and
Drainage Alteration Plan;
(e) Allowing construction vehicles to track or spill soil, oil or debris into or onto a
street or public right-of-way; or
(f) Ground disturbing activities or destruction of vegetation in protected areas; (g) Beginning construction activities without a valid Permit or prior to initial site
inspection by Director; and
(h) Failure to maintain BMPs including, but not limited to a sediment fence, inlet
protection, or concrete wash out.
(2) Prevention Measures and Design Standards. The City's Engineering Design Standards and Procedures Manual may be utilized to obtain ideas as to how to achieve the
outcomes mandated by Section 8.408(1). Except as provided in Section 8.408, it is not necessary
to utilize any of the specific BMPs contained in the City's Engineering Design Standards and
Procedures Manual, nor is the use of one or more of those BMPs a guarantee that a Permit will
be issued. Each site and the proposed construction related activities need to be examined to determine what measures are required for that specific site.
Attachment 2-11
ORDINANCE NO. _____ (General)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 8.300-8.338
ABOUT GRADING, AND ADDING NEW SECTIONS 8.400- 8.420 CODIFYING THE LAND
AND DRAINAGE ALTERNATION PROGRAM.
The Common Council of the City of Springfield finds that:
WHEREAS, the City of Springfield has a Stormwater Permit (MS4) Implementation Plan issued by
the State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and as part of that Implementation
Plan, is required to review and develop City codes to make the City’s practices consistent with
the permit’s requirements; and
WHEREAS, the City of Springfield has reviewed City procedures and the applicable municipal
code sections and now desires to codify the City’s Land Drainage Alteration Program; and
WHEREAS, Changes to Springfield Municipal Code 8.300-8.338 are necessary to make its
terminology consistent with the proposed Land Drainage Alteration Program Code, Sections
8.400-8.420; and
WHEREAS, the council has determined that these amendments are in the public interest.
NOW, THEREFORE, The City of Springfield ordains as follows:
Section 1: Springfield Municipal Code Sections 8.300-8.338 are amended to read as follows:
See “Attachment 1”
Section 2: Springfield Municipal Chapter 8 is amended to add Sections 8.400-8.420 to read as
follows:
See “Attachment 2”
Section 3: Except as specified herein, all other provisions of Springfield Municipal Code
Chapter 8 remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
Section 4: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is,
for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion
shall be deemed a separate, distinct and individual provision and such holding shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portion hereof.
Section 5: This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its adoption by the Council and
approval by the Mayor.
Attachment 3-1
ADOPTED by the Common Council of the City of Springfield this _____ day of
_________________, 2015, by a vote of _____ for and _____ against.
APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Springfield this _____ day of _______________, 2015.
________________________________
Christine Lundberg, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Amy Sowa, City Recorder
Attachment 3-2