Proposed ordinance to better manage stormwater heads to Spokane Plan Commission
The City of Spokane is working on a proposed ordinance that would encourage property owners and developers to use low impact development to manage stormwater as part of their development or redevelopment projects.
Tomorrow at 3pm in the City Council Chamber in the lower level of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., the Spokane Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance.
Low impact development is an emerging practice that mimics nature’s management of stormwater. It emphasizes site conservation and uses natural landscaping features to filter and retain stormwater close to where it falls. The rain gardens on South Lincoln Street and the stormwater planters and pervious pavement on West Broadway Avenue are examples of low impact development.
“We are committed to improving the health of the Spokane River,” says Rick Romero, the City’s Division Director of Utilities. “Low impact development captures stormwater—which carries pollutants—and keeps it from flowing into the Spokane River.”
These techniques also can remove pollutants from stormwater, reduce flooding, preserve open space, and replenish wetlands, among other things.
The proposed ordinance defines low impact development and acceptable use of the techniques in Spokane and offers financial incentives to include the techniques in projects. Property owners can get a break on commercial stormwater charges.
New or redevelopment projects already are required to manage stormwater on site. Under the proposed ordinance, low impact development techniques are an optional, but acceptable, way to achieve management of stormwater.
It's all consistent with a new Integrated Clean Water Plan to manage stormwater and wastewater that impacts the Spokane River.
“The City expects to add low impact development projects as part of our Integrated Plan work,” says Romero. “Encouraging private developers to use these techniques makes sense and will build on our efforts."
The low impact development ordinance has been developed with participation from a citizens stakeholder group that consists of representatives from the development community, construction and engineering firms, utilities, large institutional property owners, professional groups, environmental groups, and state agencies. It also is a requirement of consent decree between the City and the Spokane Riverkeeper.
