Source: https://ecode360.com/13584447
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 16:35:03+00:00

Document:
§ 136-1 Findings and intent.
§ 136-4 Scope and applicability.
Agricultural Commission — See Ch. 6.
Zoning — See Ch. 205.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 231.
Land uses in Town affect our streams, lakes and water supplies. Careful planning of new development and redevelopment will protect the quality and health of these important water resources. Therefore, the Town of Westminster enacts this Low-Impact Development (LID) Bylaw to provide guidance that will prevent harmful impacts from land development activities.
Establish procedures for the Town's review of low-impact development plans and for the Town's inspection of approved stormwater treatment practices.
Nothing in this bylaw is intended to replace the requirements of either the Town of Westminster General Wetlands Protection Bylaw, or any other bylaw that may be adopted by the Town of Westminster. Any activity subject to the provisions of the above-cited bylaws must comply with the specifications of each.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 202, Wetlands.
This bylaw is adopted under authority granted by the Home Rule Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution, and pursuant to the regulations of the federal Clean Water Act, and as authorized by the residents of the Town of Westminster at Town Meeting, dated November 14, 2006.
This bylaw shall be applicable to all new development and redevelopment, including site plan applications and subdivision applications. The bylaw shall apply to any activities that will result in an increased amount of stormwater runoff or pollutants from a parcel of land, or that will alter the drainage characteristics of a parcel of land, unless exempt under § 136-4B of this bylaw. All new development and redevelopment, under the jurisdiction of this bylaw, shall be required to obtain a LID Permit. The LID permit process shall be coordinated with existing permitting, where applicable.
An alteration, redevelopment, or conversion of land use or activities to those with higher potential pollutant loadings, such as auto salvage yards, auto fueling facilities, fleet storage yards, commercial parking lots, road salt storage areas, commercial nurseries and landscaping, outdoor storage and loading areas of hazardous substances, or marinas, shall require a LID permit.
Redevelopment projects are presumed to meet the specified LID requirements described in this bylaw if the total impervious cover is reduced by 40% from existing conditions.
Normal maintenance and improvement of land in agricultural use as defined by the Wetlands Protection Act, 310 CMR 10.04, and MGL c. 131, § 40.
The definitions are in Appendix A of this bylaw and shall apply in the interpretation and implementation of the bylaw. Terms not defined in this Appendix shall be understood according to their customary and usual meaning. Additional definitions may be adopted by separate regulation.
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included at the end of this chapter.
The Planning Board is hereby designated as the LID Authority. The Planning Board shall administer, implement and enforce this bylaw. Any powers granted or duties imposed upon the Planning Board may be delegated in writing by the Planning Board to its employees or agents.
LID regulations. The Planning Board may adopt, and periodically amend, rules and regulations relating to the terms, conditions, definitions, enforcement, fees (including application, inspection, and/or consultant fees), procedures and administration of this LID Bylaw by majority vote of the Planning Board, after conducting a public hearing to receive comments on any proposed revisions. Such hearing dates shall be advertised in a newspaper of general local circulation, at least 14 days prior to the hearing date. After public notice and public hearing, the Planning Board may issue rules and regulations to fulfill the purposes of this bylaw. Failure by the Planning Board to issue such rules and regulations or a legal declaration of their invalidity by a court shall not suspend or invalidate the effect of this bylaw.
The Planning Board may, with the concurrence of the applicant, designate another Town Board, including the Conservation Commission and Board of Health, as its authorized agent for the purposes of reviewing all LID submittals and approving LID permits for any project within that particular Board's jurisdiction.
Stormwater management handbooks. The Planning Board will use the policy, criteria and information, including specifications and standards, of the latest edition of the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Policy to execute the provisions of this bylaw. This policy includes a list of acceptable stormwater treatment practices, including specific design criteria for each. The policy may be updated and expanded periodically, based on improvements in engineering, science, monitoring, and local maintenance experience. Unless specifically altered in the LID regulations, stormwater management practices that are designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with these design and sizing criteria will be presumed to be protective of Massachusetts water quality standards.
Actions by the Planning Board. The Planning Board may take any of the following actions as a result of an application for a LID permit: approval, approval with conditions, disapproval, or disapproval without prejudice.
Appeals of action by the Planning Board. A decision of the Planning Board shall be final. Further relief of a decision by the Planning Board made under this bylaw shall be reviewable in the Superior Court in an action filed within 60 days thereof, in accordance with MGL c. 249, § 4.
LID credit system. The Planning Board may adopt a LID credit system through the regulations authorized by this LID Bylaw. This credit system will allow applicants the option, if approved by the Planning Board, to take credit for the use of stormwater better site design practices to reduce some of the requirements specified in the criteria section of the regulations. Failure by the Planning Board to issue such a credit system through its regulations or a legal declaration of its invalidity by a court shall not act to suspend or invalidate the effect of this bylaw.
Permit procedures and requirements shall be defined and included as part of any rules and regulations issued as permitted under § 136-6 of this bylaw.
The Planning Board or an authorized agent of the Planning Board shall enforce this bylaw, regulations, orders, violation notices, and enforcement orders, and may pursue all civil and criminal remedies for such violations. Enforcement shall be further defined and included as part of any LID regulations issued as permitted under § 136-6 of this bylaw.
The invalidity of any section, provision, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this bylaw shall not invalidate any section, provision, paragraph, sentence, or clause thereof, nor shall it invalidate any permit or determination that previously has been issued.

References: § 136
 § 136
 § 40
 § 4
 § 136
 § 136