Source: https://www.ecode360.com/29634968
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 12:13:27
Document Index: 670710893

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§1', 'Art. 1', '§1', 'Art. 2', '§1', 'Art. 3', 'art 328', '§1', 'Art. 4', '§1', 'Art. 5', '§1', 'Art. 6', '§1', 'Art. 7', '§1', 'Art. 8', '§1', 'Art. 9', '§1', 'Art. 10', '§1', 'Art. 11']

City of Cool Valley, MO Stream Buffer Protection
§ 420.010 Title.
§ 420.020 Findings and Purposes.
§ 420.030 Definitions.
§ 420.040 Applicability.
§ 420.050 Land Development Requirements.
§ 420.060 Compatibility With Other Regulations and Requirements.
§ 420.070 Additional Information Requirements for Development on Buffer Zone Properties.
§ 420.080 Responsibility.
§ 420.090 Inspection.
§ 420.100 Violations, Enforcement and Penalties.
§ 420.110 Administrative Appeal and Judicial Review.
Chapter 420 Stream Buffer Protection
Section 420.010 Title.
Section 420.020 Findings and Purposes.
Section 420.030 Definitions.
Section 420.040 Applicability.
Section 420.050 Land Development Requirements.
Section 420.060 Compatibility With Other Regulations and Requirements.
Section 420.070 Additional Information Requirements for Development on Buffer Zone Properties.
Section 420.080 Responsibility.
Section 420.090 Inspection.
Section 420.100 Violations, Enforcement and Penalties.
Section 420.110 Administrative Appeal and Judicial Review.
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 1), 2-27-2008]
This Chapter shall be known as the "City of Cool Valley, Missouri, Stream Buffer Protection Ordinance".
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 2), 2-27-2008]
Findings. The Board of Aldermen of the City of Cool Valley, Missouri, finds that buffers adjacent to streams provide numerous benefits including:
Protecting, restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical and biological integrity of streams and their water resources.
Removing pollutants delivered in urban storm water.
Reducing erosion and controlling sedimentation.
Protecting and stabilizing stream banks.
Providing for infiltration of storm water runoff.
Maintaining base flow of streams.
Contributing organic matter that is a source of food and energy for the aquatic ecosystem.
Providing tree canopy to shade streams and promote desirable aquatic habitat.
Providing riparian wildlife habitat.
Furnishing scenic value and recreational opportunity.
Providing opportunities for the protection and restoration of green space.
Purposes. The purpose of this Chapter is to protect the public health, safety, environment and general welfare; to minimize public and private losses due to erosion, siltation and water pollution; and to maintain stream water quality by provisions designed to:
Create buffer zones along the streams of City of Cool Valley for the protection of water resources; and
Minimize land development within such buffers by establishing buffer zone requirements and by requiring authorization for any such activities.
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 3), 2-27-2008]
As used in this Chapter the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
With respect to a stream, a natural or enhanced vegetated area lying adjacent to the stream.
Any land area susceptible to flooding which would have at least a one percent (1%) probability of flooding occurrence in any calendar year based on the basin being fully developed as shown on the current land use plan, i.e., the regulatory flood.
Any manmade paved, hardened or structural surface regardless of material. Impervious cover includes, but is not limited to, rooftops, buildings, streets, roads, decks, swimming pools and any concrete or asphalt.
Any land change including, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, stripping, removal of vegetation, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting and filling of land, construction, paving and any other installation of impervious cover.
Those actions or activities which comprise, facilitate or result in land development.
Any land or vegetation change, including, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, stripping, removal of vegetation, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting and filling of land, that does not involve construction, paving or any other installation of impervious cover.
Those actions or activities which comprise, facilitate or result in land disturbance.
Any plot, lot or acreage shown as a unit on the latest County tax assessment records.
The permit issued by the City of Cool Valley required for undertaking any land development activity.
Any individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private corporation, trust, estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, City, County or other political subdivision of the State, any interstate body or any other legal entity.
PROTECTION AREA or STREAM PROTECTION AREA
With respect to a stream, the combined areas of all required buffers and setbacks applicable to such stream.
Belonging or related to the bank of a river, stream, lake, pond or impoundment.
With respect to a stream, the area established pursuant to these regulations extending beyond any buffer applicable to the stream.
Any stream beginning at:
All natural watercourses depicted by a solid or dashed blue line on the most current United States Geological Survey (U.S.G.S.) 7.5 Minute Series (Topographic) Maps for Missouri; or
A point in the stream channel with a drainage area of twenty-five (25) acres or more.
The sloping land that contains the stream channel and the normal flows of the stream. Where no established top-of-bank can be determined, the stream bank will be the "ordinary high water mark" as defined by the Corps of Engineers in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulation, Part 328.3.
The portion of a watercourse that contains the base flow of the stream.
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 4), 2-27-2008]
This Chapter shall apply to all land development activity on property containing a stream protection area as defined in Section 420.030. These requirements are in addition to and do not replace or supersede any other applicable buffer or flood plain requirements established under State law and approval or exemption from these requirements do not constitute approval or exemption from buffer requirements established under State law or from other applicable local, State or Federal regulations.
Grandfather Provisions. This Chapter shall not apply to the following activities:
Work consisting of the repair or maintenance of any lawful use of land that is zoned and approved for such use on or before the effective date of this Chapter.
Existing development and ongoing land disturbance activities including, but not limited to, existing agriculture, silviculture, landscaping, gardening and lawn maintenance, except that new development or land disturbance activities on such properties will be subject to all applicable buffer requirements.
Any land development activity that is under construction, fully approved for development, scheduled for permit approval or has been submitted for approval as of the effective date of this Chapter.
Land development activity that has not been submitted for approval, but that is part of a larger master development plan, such as for an office park or other phased development that has been previously approved within two (2) years of the effective date of this Chapter.
Exemptions. The following specific activities are exempt from this Chapter. Exemption of these activities does not constitute an exemption for any other activity proposed on a property.
Activities for the purpose of building one (1) of the following:
A stream crossing by a driveway, transportation route or utility line;
Public water supply intake or public wastewater structures or storm water outfalls;
Intrusions necessary to provide access to a property;
Public access facilities that must be on the water, including boat ramps, docks, foot trails leading directly to the river, fishing platforms and overlooks;
Unpaved foot trails and paths;
Activities to restore and enhance stream bank stability, vegetation, water quality and/or aquatic habitat, so long as native vegetation and bioengineering techniques are used.
Public sewer line easements. This includes such impervious cover as is necessary for the operation and maintenance of the utility including, but not limited to, manholes, vents and valve structures. This exemption shall not be construed as allowing the construction of roads, bike paths or other transportation routes in such easements, regardless of paving material, except for access for the uses specifically cited in Subsection (C)(1) above.
Land development activities within a right-of-way existing at the time this ordinance takes effect or approved under the terms of this Chapter.
Within an easement of any utility existing at the time this Chapter takes effect or approved under the terms of this Chapter, land disturbance activities and such impervious cover as is necessary for the operation and maintenance of the utility including, but not limited to, manholes, vents and valve structures.
Emergency work necessary to preserve life or property. However, when emergency work is performed under this Section, the person performing it shall report such work to the City Engineer on the next business day after commencement of the work. Within ten (10) days thereafter, the person shall apply for a permit and perform such work within such time period as may be determined by the City Engineer to be reasonably necessary to correct any impairment such emergency work may have caused to the water conveyance capacity, stability or water quality of the protection area.
Forestry and silviculture activities on land that is zoned for forestry, silvicultural or agricultural uses and are not incidental to other land development activity. If such activity results in land disturbance in the buffer that would otherwise be prohibited, then no other land disturbing activity other than normal forest management practices will be allowed on the entire property for three (3) years after the end of the activities that intruded on the buffer.
Any activities approved under a 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers and 401 water quality certification issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
After the effective date of this Chapter, it shall apply to new subdividing and platting activities.
Any land development activity within a buffer established hereunder or any impervious cover within a setback established hereunder is prohibited unless a variance is granted pursuant to these regulations.
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 5), 2-27-2008]
Buffer And Setback Requirements. All land development activity subject to this Chapter shall meet the following requirements:
For streams depicted as a solid blue line on the U.S.G.S. map, an undisturbed natural vegetative buffer shall be maintained for fifty (50) feet, measured horizontally, on both banks (as applicable) of the stream as measured from the top of the stream bank. For all other streams subject to this Chapter, an undisturbed natural vegetative buffer shall be maintained for twenty-five (25) feet, measured horizontally, on both banks (as applicable) of the stream as measured from the top of the stream bank.
An additional setback shall be maintained for twenty-five (25) feet, measured horizontally, beyond the undisturbed natural vegetative buffer, in which all impervious cover shall be prohibited. Grading, filling and earthmoving shall be minimized within the setback.
No septic tanks or septic tank drain fields shall be permitted within the buffer or the setback.
Variance Procedures. Variances from the above buffer and setback requirements may be granted in accordance with the following provisions:
Where a parcel was platted prior to the effective date of this Chapter and its shape, topography or other existing physical condition prevents land development consistent with this Chapter and the City Engineer finds and determines that the requirements of this Chapter prohibit the otherwise lawful use of the property by the owner, the Board of Adjustment of City of Cool Valley may grant a variance from the buffer and setback requirements hereunder, provided such variance requires mitigation measures to offset the effects of any proposed land development on the parcel.
Except as provided above, the Board of Adjustment of City of Cool Valley shall grant no variance from any provision of this Chapter without first conducting a public hearing on the application for variance and authorizing the granting of the variance by an affirmative vote of the Board of Adjustment. The City of Cool Valley shall give public notice of each such public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation within City of Cool Valley.
Variances will be considered only in the following cases:
When a property's shape, topography or other physical conditions existing at the time of the adoption of this Chapter prevents land development unless a buffer variance is granted.
Unusual circumstances when strict adherence to the minimal buffer requirements in the ordinance would create an extreme hardship.
Variances will not be considered when, following adoption of this Chapter, actions of any property owner of a given property have created conditions of a hardship on that property.
At a minimum, a variance request shall include the following information:
A site map that includes locations of all streams, wetlands, flood plain boundaries and other natural features as determined by field survey;
A description of the shape, size, topography, slope, soils, vegetation and other physical characteristics of the property;
A detailed site plan that shows the locations of all existing and proposed structures and other impervious cover, the limits of all existing and proposed land disturbance, both inside and outside the buffer and setback. The exact area of the buffer to be affected shall be accurately and clearly indicated;
Documentation of unusual hardship should the buffer be maintained;
At least one (1) alternative plan, which does not include a buffer or setback intrusion, or an explanation of why such a site plan is not possible;
A calculation of the total area and length of the proposed intrusion;
A storm water management site plan, if applicable; and
Proposed mitigation, if any, for the intrusion. If no mitigation is proposed, the request must include an explanation of why none is being proposed.
The following factors will be considered in determining whether to issue a variance:
The shape, size, topography, slope, soils, vegetation and other physical characteristics of the property;
The locations of all streams on the property, including along property boundaries;
The location and extent of the proposed buffer or setback intrusion;
Whether alternative designs are possible which require less intrusion or no intrusion;
The long-term and construction water-quality impacts of the proposed variance; and
Whether issuance of the variance is at least as protective of natural resources and the environment.
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 6), 2-27-2008]
This Section is not intended to interfere with, abrogate or annul any other ordinance, rule or regulation, Statute or other provision of law. The requirements of this Section should be considered minimum requirements and where any provision of this Section imposes restrictions different from those imposed by any other ordinance, rule, regulation or other provision of law, whichever provisions are more restrictive or impose higher protective standards for human health or the environment shall be considered to take precedence.
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 7), 2-27-2008]
Site Plan Information. Any permit applications for property requiring buffers and setbacks hereunder must include the following:
The location of all streams on the property;
Limits of required stream buffers and setbacks on the property;
Buffer zone topography with contour lines at no greater than five (5) foot contour intervals;
Delineation of forested and open areas in the buffer zone; and
Detailed plans of all proposed land development in the buffer and of all proposed impervious cover within the setback.
A description of all proposed land development within the buffer and setback.
Any other documentation that the City may reasonably deem necessary for review of the application and to insure that the buffer zone ordinance is addressed in the approval process. All buffer and setback areas must be recorded on the final plat of the property following plan approval. A note to reference the vegetated buffer shall state:
"There shall be no clearing, grading, construction or disturbance of vegetation except as permitted by Stream Buffer Protection Ordinance of the City of Cool Valley."
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 8), 2-27-2008]
Neither the issuance of a development permit nor compliance with the conditions thereof nor with the provisions of this Section shall relieve any person from any responsibility otherwise imposed by law for damage to persons or property; nor shall the issuance of any permit hereunder serve to impose any liability upon City of Cool Valley, its officers or employees for injury or damage to persons or property.
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 9), 2-27-2008]
The City may cause inspections of the work in the buffer or setback to be made periodically during the course thereof and shall make a final inspection following completion of the work. The permittee shall assist the City in making such inspections. The City of Cool Valley shall have the authority to conduct such investigations as it may reasonably deem necessary to carry out its duties as prescribed in this Chapter and for this purpose to enter at reasonable time upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of investigating and inspecting the sites of any land development activities within the protection area.
No person shall refuse entry or access to any authorized representative or agent who requests entry for purposes of inspection and who presents appropriate credentials, nor shall any person obstruct, hamper or interfere with any such representative while in the process of carrying out official duties.
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 10), 2-27-2008]
Any action or inaction which violates the provisions of this Chapter or the requirements of an approved site plan or permit may be subject to the enforcement actions outlined in this Section. Any such action or inaction which is continuous with respect to time is deemed to be a public nuisance and may be abated by injunctive or other equitable relief. The imposition of any of the penalties described below shall not prevent such equitable relief.
Notice Of Violation. If the City determines that an applicant or other responsible person has failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a permit, an approved site plan or the provisions of this Chapter, it shall issue a written notice of violation to such applicant or other responsible person. Where a person is engaged in activity covered by this Section without having first secured the appropriate permit therefor, the notice of violation shall be served on the owner or the responsible person in charge of the activity being conducted on the site.
The name and address of the owner or the applicant or the responsible person;
The address or other description of the site upon which the violation is occurring;
A description of the remedial measures necessary to bring the action or inaction into compliance with the permit, the approved site plan or this Section and the date for the completion of such remedial action;
A statement of the penalty or penalties that may be assessed against the person to whom the notice of violation is directed; and
A statement that the determination of violation may be appealed to the City Engineer by filing a written notice of appeal within thirty (30) days after the notice of violation (except that in the event the violation constitutes an immediate danger to public health or public safety, twenty-four (24) hours' notice shall be sufficient).
Penalties. In the event the remedial measures described in the notice of violation have not been completed by the date set forth for such completion in the notice of violation, any one (1) or more of the following actions or penalties may be taken or assessed against the person to whom the notice of violation was directed. Before taking any of the following actions or imposing any of the following penalties, the City shall first notify the applicant or other responsible person in writing of its intended action and shall provide a reasonable opportunity of not less than ten (10) days (except that in the event the violation constitutes an immediate danger to public health or public safety, twenty-four (24) hours' notice shall be sufficient) to cure such violation. In the event the applicant or other responsible person fails to cure such violation after such notice and cure period, the City may take any one (1) or more of the following actions or impose any one (1) or more of the following penalties.
Stop work order. The City may issue a stop work order which shall be served on the applicant or other responsible person. The stop work order shall remain in effect until the applicant or other responsible person has taken the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or has otherwise cured the violation or violations described therein, provided the stop work order may be withdrawn or modified to enable the applicant or other responsible person to take necessary remedial measures to cure such violation or violations.
Withhold certificate of occupancy. The City may refuse to issue a certificate of occupancy for the building or other improvements constructed or being constructed on the site until the applicant or other responsible person has taken the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or has otherwise cured the violations described therein.
Suspension, revocation or modification of permit. The City may suspend, revoke or modify the permit authorizing the land development project. A suspended, revoked or modified permit may be reinstated after the applicant or other responsible person has taken the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or has otherwise cured the violations described therein, provided such permit may be reinstated (upon such conditions as the City may deem necessary) to enable the applicant or other responsible person to take the necessary remedial measures to cure such violations.
Civil penalties. In the event the applicant or other responsible person fails to take the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or otherwise fails to cure the violations described therein within ten (10) days (or such greater period as the City shall deem appropriate) (except that in the event the violation constitutes an immediate danger to public health or public safety, twenty-four (24) hours' notice shall be sufficient) after the City has taken one (1) or more of the actions described above, the City may impose a penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) (depending on the severity of the violation) for each day the violation remains unremedied after receipt of the notice of violation.
Criminal penalties. For intentional and flagrant violations of this Section, the citation may be issued by the City of Cool Valley to the applicant or other responsible person requiring such person to appear in City of Cool Valley Municipal Court to answer charges for such violation. Upon conviction, such person shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment for sixty (60) days, or both. Each act of violation and each day upon which any violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense.
[Ord. No. 1127 §1(Art. 11), 2-27-2008]
Administrative Appeal. Any person in aggrieved by a decision or order of the City's enforcement personnel may appeal in writing filed with the City Clerk within ten (10) days after the issuance of such decision or order for a hearing before the Board of Adjustment of City of Cool Valley.
Judicial Review. Any person aggrieved by a decision or order of Board of Adjustment, after exhausting all administrative remedies, shall have the right to seek review in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County pursuant to the provision of Chapter 536, RSMo., by filing for judicial review within fifteen (15) days of the decision for which review is sought.