§ 34-491. Drainage and inundation  


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  • (a) A drainage plan shall be made for each subdivision by the owner's engineer or certified surveyor, which plan shall take into consideration the ultimate or saturated development of the tributary area in which the proposed subdivision is located. Adequate provisions shall be made to provide drainage easements needed within the subdivision, taking into consideration the saturated development of the tributary area.

    (b) The storm and sanitary sewer plans shall be worked out prior to the development of the other utility plans. Engineering considerations shall give preferential treatment to these gravity flow improvements, as opposed to other utilities and improvements. Off-premises drainage easements and improvements may be required to handle the runoff of subdivisions into a natural drainage channel, but under no condition shall storm drainage be emptied into the sanitary sewer system or vice versa.

    (c) Low areas subject to periodic inundation shall not be developed or subdivided unless and until the planning commission establishes that:

    (1) The nature of the land use (i.e., recreational areas) would not lend itself to damage by water inundation to an appreciable extent;

    (2) The area may be filled or improved in such a manner so as to prevent such periodic inundation; or

    (3) Minimum floor elevations be required to prevent damage to buildings and structures.

    (d) The planning commission may require whatever additional engineering information it deems necessary to make a decision on subdivisions and other development which contains an area of questionable drainage. Lakes, ponds and similar areas will be accepted for maintenance only if sufficient land is dedicated as a public recreation area, or if such area constitutes a necessary part of the drainage control system. Such park land will be subject to approval by the commissioner.

(Ord. of 7-20-1994, § 9.21)