Stormwater Rules May Be Permanent

Thu., Nov. 11, 1999

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

Interim stormwater controls in the Moran Prairie, Glenrose Prairie and Central Park areas could become permanent land-use rules under a proposal before the county commissioners.

On Tuesday, the commissioners will take testimony on a permanent ban on residential basements and infiltration ponds.

The commissioners meet at 5 p.m. in the Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway.

The ordinance includes new regulations to protect natural drainage ways from new buildings.

“That is the only thing that is being added to the ordinance,” said Brenda Sims, the county’s stormwater utility manager.

In 1997 the commissioners approved temporary restrictions on new development because of worsening stormwater problems.

Shallow soils and surrounding hillsides combine to cause rain and snowmelt to flood basements, yards and parking lots in southeast Spokane.

Under state law, the county’s interim controls had to be reapproved every six months. The permanent ordinance eliminates the need to revisit the issue twice a year. The county has hired consultants to study the watersheds of southeast Spokane, and now county officials are talking about ways to finance stormwater improvements.

To protect natural drainage ways, developers under the proposed ordinance won’t be able to put buildings in the low-lying areas where stormwater migrates. Variances could be allowed under some circumstances.

The ordinance also calls for control of stormwater flowing off hilly development sites.

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