I .
Areas of New Development and Significant Redevelopment
The City of The City of Arlington ’ s Unified Development Code ( UDC ), formerly the Subdivisions Ordinance , acts as the regulatory mechanism for the enforcement of post-structural stormwater controls . The UDC specifies in Article 6 , Section 6.1 , H , that one of the purposes of the regulation is to : “ minimize the pollution of streams and ponds ; to provide for the adequacy of drainage facilities ; to control stormwater runoff ; to minimize erosion and siltation problems , to safeguard the water table ; to encourage the wise use and management of natural resources ; and enhance the stability and beauty of the community and the value of the land .”
The UDC also provides that each subdivision ( development ) shall provide “ adequate public facilities ” that include the drainage necessary to serve the proposed development ( see UDC , Article 6 , Section 6.2.1 ). Drainage and stormwater facilities are adequate when : ( 1 ) stormwater runoff attributable to new development or redevelopment complies with the minimum standards of the UDC and the Design Criterial Manual ( DCM ); and ( 2 ) to the maximum extent practicable , permanent BMPs , as described in the DCM , maintain the predevelopment characteristics of any natural creek that ultimately receives stormwater runoff from the development . That is , “ designs for development shall manage stormwater in a manner that protects and / or improves stormwater quality by addressing the development ’ s potential to cause erosion , pollution , siltation , and sedimentation in the MS4 and natural creeks . The goal is to maintain after development , to the maximum extent practicable , the predevelopment characteristics of stormwater runoff from the development . It is the developer ’ s responsibility to ensure that designs for the development meet the stormwater management requirements of adopted City Codes ” ( see UDC , Article 6 , Section 6.5.1 , D .)
The Design Criteria Manual ( DCM ) was adopted by City Council Ordinance in June 2003 and went into effect on August 12 , 2003 . Various stormwater revisions made between 2003 and 2010 were described in past Annual Reports . Stormwater related revisions to the Design Criteria Manual including the Public Improvements submittal process , stormwater standards , permit process and terminology , definitions and regulations for public improvements and street appurtenances were adopted in January , April , and June of 2010 respectively . Most recent revisions to the DCM were made between 2014 and 2019 with final adoption of all changes in October 2019 . The City continues to apply the Design Criteria Manual requirements to new developments .
II .
Implementation and Maintenance of Structural BMPs
The Permit requires the City to provide for the “ adequate long-term operation and maintenance of BMPs .” While BMPs associated with private development are the responsibility of the developer or subsequent property owners , in order for the City to ensure the adequate and long-term maintenance of BMPs , the City shall develop and implement an inspection and maintenance program coordinated by Environmental Management ( EM ) staff . Over the permit term , EM staff will develop a post-construction inspection program for all new private development and construction that incorporates post-construction stormwater drainage , detention , and / or retention features .
BMPs associated with private development must be designed in accordance with the sound engineering practices described in the DCM . Requirements include an agreement for perpetual maintenance of private BMPs be executed with the City prior to acceptance of the final plat . This agreement runs with the land and can be tied to commercial property or to the properties within a homeowner ’ s association . Access is provided by the developer or owner to the City should a public safety concern arise .
Creation of the Arlington Post-Construction Structural Controls began in November 2020 and authorized by City Council with the approval of the new Stormwater Pollution Control Ordinance in December 2021 . Two ( 2 )
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