Crystal River City Zoning Code

The city finds that the uncontrolled drainage of developed land has a significant adverse impact upon the health, safety and welfare of the city by increasing the siltation and pollution of ground and surface water, by contributing excessive nutrients to receiving waters, by diminishing groundwater recharge and by increasing the incidence and severity of flooding. In order to minimize these detrimental effects of stormwater runoff, the following stormwater management regulations are enacted to provide for the mitigation of stormwater impacts from new development and from the redevelopment of existing properties.

a.

Generally. The purpose of the stormwater management requirements set forth in this section is to minimize the detrimental effects of stormwater runoff and to provide for mitigation of stormwater impacts from new development and redevelopment, and ensure consistency with latest stormwater standards established by the State of Florida and Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).

(1)

The regulations in this section are intended to:

(a)

Preserve natural lakes, creeks, other water courses, and natural drainage features;

(b)

Protect surface and ground water quality and quantity;

(c)

Reduce wind or water caused erosion, loss of valuable top soils, and subsequent sedimentation of surface waters;

(d)

Prevent creation of flood hazards due to new development;

(e)

Alleviate existing flood hazards that threaten life or property;

(f)

Prevent significant loss of life and property due to rainfall runoff; and

(g)

Protect Outstanding Florida Waters.

(2)

The requirements of this LDC do not supersede those of other state, federal or regional agencies.

b.

Applicability and exemptions.

(1)

All proposed development, except as specifically described in this section, shall comply with the standards and criteria set forth in this section.

(2)

The following activities may alter or disrupt existing stormwater runoff patterns, and unless specifically exempted under this code, shall be authorized only through issuance of a stormwater management permit prior to initiation of development:

(a)

Clearing or drainage of land prior to construction of a project;

(b)

Altering the shoreline or bank or any surface water body; or

(c)

Altering of any ditches, dikes, terraces, berms, swales, or other water management facilities.

(3)

The following development activities are exempt from the requirements of this Section:

(a)

Single-family dwellings and associated accessory structures, provided they are within a subdivision having a valid stormwater management permit and properly operating stormwater management systems designed and sealed by an engineer;

(b)

Maintenance work on existing mosquito and arthropod control drainage structures for public health and welfare purposes, provided that the activities do not increase peak discharge rate or pollution load;

(c)

Maintenance, alteration or improvement of an existing structure which will not change the peak discharge rate, volume, or pollution load of stormwater runoff from the site on which that structure is located;

(d)

Emergencies requiring immediate action to prevent material harm or danger to persons, when obtaining a permit is impractical and would cause undue hardship in protection of property from fire, violent storms, hurricanes, or other hazards. A report of the emergency shall be made to the city manager as soon as practicable.

c.

Standards for stormwater management. Specifications, standards of design, and detailed technical requirements provided in the manual entitled Crystal River Stormwater Design and Construction Standards.

d.

Stormwater management plan requirements.

(1)

A stormwater management plan shall be submitted with an application for development approval. Procedures and requirements for applications for development approval are set forth in Section 9.

(2)

It is the responsibility of the applicant to include in the stormwater management plan sufficient information for evaluation of the environmental characteristics of the affected areas, the potential and predicted impacts of the proposed activity on affected waters, and the effectiveness of reducing adverse impacts. The stormwater management plan shall contain maps, charts, graphs, tables, photographs, narrative descriptions, calculations, explanations and citations to supporting references, as appropriate to communicate the information required by this section.

(3)

The specific contents of the stormwater management plan are as follows:

(a)

The name, address and telephone number of the applicant;

(b)

The legal description of the property;

(c)

An aerial photograph of the project area and the surrounding areas, taken not more than two (2) years prior to the date of the application. Photographs from the Citrus County Property Appraiser or an equivalent source shall be used. The scale shall be not greater than one (1) inch equals six hundred (600) feet. Boundaries of the project site shall be delineated on the aerial photograph;

(d)

Infiltration or permeability tests and soils borings representative of design conditions, if percolation or exfiltration systems are proposed;

(e)

A location map;

(f)

The existing environmental and hydrologic conditions of the site and of receiving waters and wetlands shall be described in detail, including the following:

i.

Drainage basin boundaries on a map at a scale of one (1) inch equals one hundred (100) feet;

ii.

The direction, flow rate, and volume of stormwater runoff under existing conditions, and, to the extent practicable, pre-development conditions;

iii.

Reserved;

iv.

The location of areas on the site where stormwater collects or percolates into the ground;

v.

A description of all watercourses, water bodies, and wetlands on or adjacent to the site or into which stormwater flows;

vi.

Ground water levels, including seasonal fluctuations;

vii.

Location of floodplains;

viii.

Vegetation;

ix.

Topography, with a minimum of one-foot contour intervals;

x.

Soils; and

xi.

Wells or onsite sewage disposal systems within two hundred (200) feet of drainage retention or detention areas.

(g)

Proposed alterations of the site shall be described in detail, including:

i.

Changes in topography;

ii.

Areas where vegetation will be cleared or otherwise damaged or destroyed;

iii.

Areas that will be covered with an impervious surface and a description of the surfacing material; and

iv.

The size and location of any buildings or other structures.

(h)

Predicted impacts of the proposed development on existing conditions shall be described in detail, including:

i.

Changes in water quality;

ii.

Changes in ground water levels;

iii.

Changes in the incidence and duration of flooding on the site and upstream and downstream from it;

iv.

Impacts on wetlands; and

v.

Impacts on vegetation.

(i)

All components of the stormwater management system and any measures for the detention, retention, or infiltration of water; for the protection of water quality; or for protection from flooding, shall be described in detail, including:

i.

The channel, direction, flow rate, volume, and quality of stormwater that will be conveyed from the site, with a comparison to existing conditions and, to the extent practicable, predevelopment conditions;

ii.

Detention and retention areas, including plans for the discharge of contained water, maintenance plans, and operations plans;

iii.

Areas of the site to be used or reserved for percolation including a prediction of the impact on ground water quality (or supply proof of compliance with Chapter 40D, FAC, by means of an ERP permit or letter of exemption);

iv.

A plan for the control of erosion and sedimentation which describes in detail the type and location of control measures, the stage of development at which they will be put into place or used, and provision for their maintenance; and

v.

Any other information which the developer or the city manager believes is reasonably necessary for an evaluation of the development.

(j)

Construction plans and specifications for all components of the stormwater management system.

(k)

All runoff calculations including a description of the methodology, assumptions and parameters. If a computer program is used for analysis, a copy of the printout shall be submitted.

(l)

Stage-storage-discharge computations for any retention/detention areas at the control point, including the computations for the design storm event.

(m)

The stormwater management plan shall be prepared and certified by a professional engineer registered in the State of Florida.

(n)

A plan which shows the scheduled maintenance needs shall be set forth. An operation/maintenance manual shall be provided to the responsible entity.

(4)

All stormwater treatment systems shall meet the latest SWFWMD and state standards for water quality and peak discharge. Rate of post-development runoff conditions shall not exceed pre-development runoff conditions.

(a)

The following performance standards shall apply to all new development, except for development exempted under this Code. Post development water quality and rate discharge shall be consistent with state and SWFWMD standards.

(b)

Consistent with state and SWFWMD standards. Stormwater facilities which discharge directly into an outstanding Florida water (OFW) shall be subject to higher standards; the Crystal River OFW, including King's Bay, shall provide an additional fifty (50) percent level of treatment.

e.

New Single Family Homes. The following performance standards shall apply to all new single family residences that are not within an engineered subdivision having a valid stormwater management permit and operating stormwater management system. The intent of the residential stormwater requirement is for the new construction of a residence, or complete reconstruction outside of the existing footprint only. The addition of accessory structures or a reconstruction at the same grade and footprint of an existing structure shall not invoke the requirement of this section:

(1)

Swales or other basins shall be constructed and continually maintained near the property boundary and landward of any mean high-water line and wetland boundaries. These shall be sized to collect the same water quality volume as required by the state and SWFWMD, and based on the areas of potential pollutant generation, which includes all disturbed areas other than rooftops.

(2)

It is recognized that the elevating of finished floors substantially above existing grade may be necessary. In no case shall the filling of lots cause the conveyance of stormwater across a residential lot to be diminished. This shall be accomplished through the minimization of lot fill through the use of stemwalls, retaining walls or pier construction where necessary, the establishment of sideyard swales, and the protection of existing drainage ways.

f.

Limitations on Fill.

(1)

Applicability. The following standards shall apply to residential developments proposing less than three residential units or lots.

(2)

Limitations on placement of fill. Subject to the limitations of this section, fill shall be designed to be stable under conditions of flooding including rapid rise and rapid drawdown of floodwaters, prolonged inundation, and protection against flood-related erosion and scour.

(3)

Use of nonstructural fill in Zone A/AE. In SFHA Zone A, fill on the outside of the footprint of the foundation of single-family through quadruplex residential structures on lots which are not part of a development with a master grading plan approved by the City is prohibited, except minor fill may be used:

(a)

In front yards when necessary for the construction of a driveway to a garage;

(b)

At the front entrances for access to the principal structures;

(c)

For landscaping and drainage under and around structures; and

(d)

For parking slabs, patios, walkways and similar minor site features.

(4)

Nonstructural fill requirements. Where nonstructural fill is permitted, the following shall apply:

(a)

Fill shall not be greater than 6-inches on lots greater than 60-feet in width, or not more than 12-inches of site compatible nonstructural fill, where site compatible fill is similar to natural soils;

(b)

Fill shall be graded to provide adequate drainage and to transition to natural grade before property line;

(c)

Not prevent the free passage of floodwater and waves; and

(d)

Not divert floodwater or deflect waves such that damage is sustained by adjacent or nearby property.

(5)

Use of nonstructural fill in Zone V. In SFHA Zone V and Coastal A Zone, fill shall be limited to minor quantities of nonstructural, noncompacted fill around the perimeter of a building for landscaping/aesthetic purposes and for drainage, provided the fill will wash out from storm surge (thereby rendering the building free of obstructions) prior to generating excessive loading forces, ramping effects or wave deflection. Minor quantities of fill are limited to depths of not more than 6-inches of site compatible nonstructural fill on lots greater than 60-feet in width, or not more than 12-inches of site compatible nonstructural fill, where site compatible fill is similar to natural soils.

(6)

When more than minor quantities of nonstructural fill are proposed, the Public Works Director or their designee shall approve design plans for landscaping/aesthetic fill only after the applicant has provided an analysis by an engineer, architect and/or soil scientist, along with the any supporting data required by the Public Works Director or their designee, which demonstrates that the following factors have been fully considered:

(a)

Particle composition of fill material does not have a tendency for excessive material compaction;

(b)

Volume and distribution of fill will not cause wave deflection to adjacent properties;

(c)

Slope of fill will not cause wave run up or ramping; and

(d)

The use of fill shall not create any additional stormwater runoff onto abutting property and the fill gradually transitions to natural grade before the property line.

(e)

Limitations on placement of structural fill in Zone A/AE. Structural fill in Zone A/AE shall be designed to be stable under conditions of flooding including rapid rise and rapid drawdown of floodwaters, prolonged inundation, and protection against flood-related erosion and scour.

(6)

If intended to support buildings and structures, structural fill shall comply with the requirements of the Florida Building Code, state and federal laws and this ordinance.

(7)

If intended for pool decks and patio decks, structural fill and surrounding perimeter walls shall be within the buildable lot area and perimeter walls must tie into the foundation of the primary structure.