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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 04 18 CCI AIS for MS4 Permit Code Rewrite Draft COMPLETE (1)AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 4/18/2023 Meeting Type: Work Session Staff Contact/Dept.: Haley Campbell, DPW Staff Phone No: 541-726-3647 Estimated Time: 30 minutes S P R I N G F I E L D COMMITTEE FOR CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT Council Goals: Mandate ITEM TITLE: MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) – POST CONSTRUCTION RUNOFF AMENDMENTS: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STRATEGY ACTION REQUESTED: Staff request input on and approval on the Draft Citizen Involvement Strategy for required updates to the Development Code for the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4): Post Construction Runoff project. ISSUE STATEMENT: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued a permit to the City of Springfield to regulate pollution from stormwater released to surface water, including the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. As part of the permit, the City is required to review and update post- construction stormwater management requirements to include a site performance standard, review and update requirements for large development and redevelopment sites, and review and update code and remove barriers to low impact development and green infrastructure (i.e. swales, rain gardens, previous pavements, etc.). Staff has prepared a Community Involvement Strategy for this process for the Committee for Citizen Involvement’s approval. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System – Post-Construction Runoff Amendments: Draft Community Involvement Strategy DISCUSSION: To promote and enhance meaningful opportunities to work with community members on the City’s planning projects, Springfield’s Committee for Citizen Involvement evaluates and approves Community Involvement Plans. These Plans propose actions to seek an effective exchange of information during the formation and adoption of amendments to land use regulations. Staff proposes the following Community Involvement Strategy for the MS4 – Post- Construction Runoff Amendments: • Notice posted on the City Website and Springfield Oregon Speaks • Notice posted on Social Media • Information presented to the target audience at workshops • Feedback requested from the Staff Advisory Team • Springfield Planning Commission Public Hearing • Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners Joint Public Hearing At this meeting, staff will provide an overview of the project, highlight the content of the Community Involvement Strategy, and will be available for questions. Some questions for discussion include, but are not limited to: 1. Are the proposed involvement strategies sufficient? 2. What additional Key Messages should be included? 3. Are there additional opportunities to involve the community given the limited resources available? Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System: Post-Construction Runoff Amendments DRAFT Community Involvement Strategy The Community Involvement Strategy will serve as a guide for project communication and outreach for the Post-Construction Runoff Amendments required by the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit. It describes the activities that the City of Springfield will implement to provide opportunities to understand the proposed code amendments and provide meaningful input. I. INTRODUCTION Background In accordance with the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a permit to the City of Springfield called a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. The permit regulates pollution from stormwater released to surface water, including the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. The current MS4 permit characterizes Springfield’s stormwater drainage system, establishes goals, policy and implementation actions; and measures, reports, and adaptively manages the City’s water resources and stormwater runoff. The permit implements and enforces post-construction site runoff controls within the Springfield Urban Growth Boundary, including unannexed areas through an intergovernmental agreement with Lane County. The post-construction site runoff control program reduces discharge of pollutants and addresses stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment. For general information on the City of Springfield’s approach to protecting clean water and managing the stormwater system, see https://springfieldstreams.org. Regulations for post-construction stormwater runoff are contained in the Springfield Development Code and the Engineering Design Standards and Procedures Manual (EDSPM). II. PURPOSE OF THE MS4 POST- CONSTRUCTION RUNOFF AMENDMENT PROJECT Attachment 1, Page 1 of 5 The purpose of the MS4 Post-Construction Runoff Amendment Project is to update the Springfield Development Code to comply with Oregon DEQ’s requirements of the City, including requirements to regulate post-construction site runoff and minimize barriers to low impact development and green infrastructure under the City’s MS4 Permit. These amendments would allow and encourage the use of stormwater treatment facilities including swales, rain gardens, and pervious pavements and strengthen requirements that address stormwater quality issues and improve the quality of water in the City’s drinking water protection areas. The project objectives are to: 1) Review and update enforceable post-construction stormwater management requirements in ordinance or other regulatory mechanism that includes a site performance standard. 2) Review and update post-construction requirements for development and redevelopment, especially for project sites that create or replace 5,000 square feet or more of impervious area. 3) Review development code and remove barriers to low impact development and green infrastructure. III. THE STRATEGY Per Section II.A.1.b.(2) of the City of Springfield’s Citizen Involvement Program, the Springfield Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI) is charged with: “The preparation and adoption of legislation or other programs necessary to implement adopted plans. In this context the citizen involvement program must provide the opportunity to participate in the preparation and adoption of such legislation or programs.” Outreach Goals 1. Comply with the requirements of the City’s Citizen Involvement Program. 2. Increase awareness of the regulatory requirements affecting post-construction development. 3. Explain that this work is occurring based on state and federal regulations and is not policy driven by the City. 4. Increase awareness and garner support for the proposed green infrastructure improvements that impact the MS4 Permit, and ultimately the McKenzie/Willamette Rivers and the City’s Drinking Water Protection program. 5. Seek feedback on the proposed development code and EDSPM changes from the development community/citizens and share with the Staff Advisory Team and DEQ. Attachment 1, Page 2 of 5 6. Demonstrate how input has influenced the process and is incorporated into the final code amendments. 7. Explain the requirements for stormwater management that go into effect after the elected officials adopt the code amendments. Target Audience Given the technical nature of the amendments, coordination and notice will be focused on the following: 1. Development professionals, especially those who design and create structures for managing stormwater (developers, builders, landscape architects, engineers, and realtors, including the Springfield Board of Realtors and Lane County Homebuilders Association). 2. Homeowners who take pride in their properties and take an interest in the installation of green infrastructure. 3. Environmental organizations and individuals who care about the environment. There will also be opportunities for general public comment. Key Messages For The Community at Large • The Springfield community cares about clean water. Anywhere that rain lands in Springfield, there are standards in place to keep water clean and control water pollution. These standards come from the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act. Rain carries pollutants to our local rivers and underground to our drinking water supplies. Your choices, including the installation of green infrastructure at home and work, help prevent water pollution and make our community a more livable place. • Through the Development Code and Engineering Design Standards and Procedures Manual, the City will encourage site planning that enhances the attractiveness and natural functions of the city’s water features. • The City’s permit with DEQ is to reduce pollution (including habitat and aesthetic concerns) from stormwater runoff to waters of the state and protect the City’s clean drinking water by monitoring and implementing practices and programs that improve surface and groundwater quality. For the Professional Audience and Environmental Organizations • Through the MS4 permit, the Oregon DEQ requires the City of Springfield to set and enforce standards for development. Attachment 1, Page 3 of 5 • The City can reduce the negative environmental impact of development on our public waterways and drinking water system by removing or reducing barriers to low-impact development (i.e. porous pavement, green roof, filtration/infiltration planters, swales, and rain gardens). • Updated code standards for onsite stormwater controls will need to either retain at least the first inch (possibly more) of rainfall on site or propose a combination of on- site retention and water quality treatment to meet City standards. • Require that privately-owned and maintained stormwater undergo ongoing operations and maintenance requirements after construction and occupancy. Tactics for Adoption Process The Community Involvement Strategy for the MS4 Post-Construction Amendment Project will follow the requirements of a legislative decision to amend the Springfield Development Code. Those requirements consist of posting notice in the newspaper and on the city’s website. A project page on Springfield Oregon Speaks, a website that serves as a platform for residents to provide input on applications/projects, will ensure that interested parties receive pertinent information and encourage public participation. Therefore, draft versions of the development code will be posted on Springfield Oregon Speaks and will contain project updates, schedules, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), as needed. For this Citizen Involvement Strategy, a Staff Advisory Team will support the Project Core Team by identifying, discussing, and resolving technical issues and concerns and with review and feedback on draft work products. Outreach will occur on Springfield Oregon Speaks, over social media, at workshops with the public, and at the public hearings. Two public hearings will be held, one with the City’s Planning Commission and the other a joint meeting of the City of Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners. For a complete timeline see Timeline below. Community Involvement Tactics Purpose Timeline Level of Community Involvement Project page on Springfield Oregon Speaks Provide project information in one location. Ongoing Inform Social Media updates Build overall awareness and promote project activities and findings. Ongoing Inform Attachment 1, Page 4 of 5 Timeline The proposed MS4 post-construction runoff amendment must be finalized and co- adopted by the Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners by February 2024. The target schedule is: January – February 2023: Project Management and Oversight January – May 2023: Draft Final Code Language and EDSPM Edits April 2023: Take the Citizen Involvement Strategy to the Committee for Approval May – June 2023: Work Sessions with the Planning Commission June – July 2023: Planning Commission Public Hearing and Recommendation September 2023: Work Session with City Council October 2023: Joint Work Session/Public Hearing with City Council and Lane County Board of County Commissioners November 2023: City Council Approval January – February 2024: Lane County Co-Adoption February 2024 and Beyond: Implementation of new stormwater requirements Factsheet/FAQs Provide information about the project and answer common questions. As needed Inform Key Messages and Workshops Convey main points of project. As needed Inform Staff Advisory Team Collect input and feedback options to consider for Ordinance updates. Ongoing Consult, gather input, receive feedback Public Hearing Provide notice (newspaper, on-line) and hold hearings to receive public comment on draft material. Adoption Phase Receive feedback Attachment 1, Page 5 of 5