Stormwater Commission

STORMWATER COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY June 8, 2009 The following persons were present: Richard Wlodarski, Scott Jochim, Mousa Nazzal, Andrew Vitale, Chuck Ostman, Steven Vinezeano and Chairman Joe Lo Verde. Acting Mayor Callero was out of town. I) Stormwater Workshop After Action Review: Vinezeano requested feedback from commission members regarding the workshop. ƒ The workshop was very useful for commission members and the residents. ƒ Residents requested site visits, which are being finished up. ƒ Residents requested plumbing advice and asked about types of equipment. ƒ There was a consensus that there really was a need for resident education on what the homeowner’s responsibility is and what the responsibility of the Village is. ƒ Many residents asked questions about street flooding in combined sewer areas. ƒ Many residents requested site visits where the Engineer shot grades to provide rear yard stormwater relief plans, but not all were happy when they learned that there is no cost share program or village program to fix the problem. ƒ Is it wise to just move all the rear yard water to the streets? Is it just relocating the problem? ƒ Many residents requested a second or third site visit from the commission hoping to hear something new or to their liking. Many areas are being cleaned out twice due to this. When work is done, a point is made to let the resident know about it. ƒ Some residents blame the village for sump pumps that fail. Some sump pumps are running often due to some unknown water source. One area was discussed to be near an old apple orchard. II) Next Step Discussion: The commission began discussion on what the next step should be. Beyond the commission working through unfinished site visits and working on stormwater issues that have been identified, time should be spent focusing on the list of recommendations. When the report is complete and presented to the Board of Trustees, there will be a number of ordinances (new and amended) to consider. ƒ The Public Works Director was asked to rate (1 to 10) the maintenance of the stormwater system and a 9 was given. There was discussion about the history of the vectors owned by the village that are used to clean sewers and catch basins. ƒ If problem identified by residents was not created by their own actions, the village should work with them to help fix the problem. ƒ If the village allowed a condition to go unchecked that caused the problem, the village should help fix the problem. ƒ The village should identify where fault may be with past village policy. Alleys were discussed, but no conclusion was drawn on improperly built alleys.  ƒ Some residents are provided with solutions and are very happy to carry them out on their own. ƒ A stormwater knowledgeable staff person should be considered who can meet with residents and assist them. ƒ An indiscriminate landscaping policy was discussed briefly. III) Recommendation Discussion: The commission reviewed some of the ordinance suggestions of Chuck Ostman: ƒ Overhead sewers. Required by ordinance. ƒ Lot grading verification. An item is with the village attorney regarding this issue. ƒ Sump pump discharge. There was consensus that the discharged should be kept to 10’ from home and no more, but whether or not it should be in the rear or front yard was an issue. Current village efforts push the rear yard to prevent icing of sidewalks. There is concern, however, that it would be adding to rear yard flooding. Chuck will see what is happening in other towns. New language would require that discharge be shown on plans. Grading plans would be required when a new sump pump is installed. Should an engineering plan (grading plan) be required at the zoning commission level? ƒ Downspout disconnection. Chuck will work on the pros and cons of one or the other. The commission could not come to consensus. ƒ Pervious requirements – residential. Should pervious area for residential be pushed from 65% to 70% or more? Debate was started over how much becomes intrusive on the rights of the property owner. Owners who want to go beyond the set limit will just need a variance that requires proof that any new stormwater generated due to impervious surface, does not negatively impact neighbors or that the resident show that they will retain it somehow with rain gardens or barrels. ƒ Depressed garages. Language will be written to prohibit this type of construction. III) Next Scheduled Meeting: Monday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m. to noon.