Item 9: Ordinance Concerning Stormwater Development Standards

Home Browse Search

May 8, 2006 I' " / Mayor and City Council 777 Pearl Street Eugene, Oregon 97401 SUBJECT: Proposed Stormwater Manual Adoption As you know, the proposed Stormwater ordinance and the related Stormwater Manual have significant implications for development and the related urbanization that resul~ from development. Although these draft documents are expected to address a variety of circumstances and specific basin area assumptions, the River Road/Santa Clara area, with it's own specific circumstances, does not appear to have been considered. While stafIhas done a great job of reaching out to neighborhood organizations and others in an effort to inform , 'and educate citizens about the proposed polices, we would like to request an additional 2 or 3 weeks to prepare written comments. The review and preparation of comments has proven to be complex and time consuming. In an attempt to be proactive rather than reactive, citizens from the RR/SC area would like to offer useful and reasonable suggestions for improvements specific to the RR/SC Basin. However, we have found it challenging to prepare suggestions for improvements as the issues ARE so complicated, and the learning curve is steep. , For now, I have two examples of issues of concern : . Section 1.4.2, Destination Design Methodology, states "The City of Eugene has developed a flood control strategy for each of the drainage basins within the Urban Growth Boundary and published its findings in the 2002 Stormwater Basin Master Plans." However, no such strategy has been adopted for the RR/SC Basin. As a result, the Flood Control Design. Storm information does not include the data necessary to evaluate the capacity of storm drainage facilities for the desired level of protection for the RR/SC neighborhoods. . Section 2.2.1, Simplified Design Methodology Approach, states, in part, that "the simplified approach is a relatively easy process for selecting and designing combined pollution reduction and flow control facilities, intended to save the project developer and the City time and expense." This is a shortsighted justification for the simplified methodology. We suggest including language that addresses the intent of the simplified design methodology to encourage implementation of natural systems' functions' where appropriate, and that articulates the value of protecting and preserving open waterways, groundwater, native vegetation, and soils that contribute to stormwater filtration, percolation, and conveyance. After all, the simplified approach might be most appropriate for specific sensitive areas, such as the RR/SC Basin. This methodology shouldn't be promoted as just a fast/cheap tool for developers but rather as an efficient tool for maximizing the benefits and functions of natural stormwater maintenance. From these two examples, I hope you all can understand how important it is for the RR/SC Basin to receive more attention from this proposal than is currently proposed. Tharik you for your time, and for considering our request for a 2 - 3 week extension of the written comment period. R dy 455 ~ River Road RUQ'ene OR 97404