The intent of this Section is to provide for storm water management in site design. The primary management strategy should be infiltration of all runoff created by development through natural systems and constructed natural systems. Should infiltration not address storm water management for the site adequately, retention and detention of run-off will be required. This Section also seeks to incorporate any storm water management system into the design of the site as a natural or aesthetic amenity.

All site plans shall be designed with surface drainage provisions in accordance with the New Hope Subdivision Regulations, construction, building, or grading permits, this Ordinance, and any other City ordinance regarding the effects of storm water. Developers shall take steps necessary to prevent run-off, which may have the potential for causing flood damage to neighboring property. The Building Official shall, in consultation with the City Engineer, determine that reasonable provisions for properly handling surface drainage have been made in the applicant's design, and will report these findings for the Planning Commission's consideration in acting on building applications. If reasonable provisions are not made in the applicant's design, the Planning Commission shall make the remedies available to the applicant as a condition of the approval, or deny the application. "Dry wells," biofilters, or other constructed infiltration systems may be required of sufficient capacity to receive up to four inches (4") per hour rainfall on the paved area or areas required for off-street parking and loading.

Rainfall intensity to be calculated on storm frequency determined by the Planning Commission and/or its consultants.

Storm water detention shall be screened from direct view from all abutting properties by installation and maintenance of living plants at least thirty-six inches (36") in height at time of planting, and achieve a height of not less than six feet (6') in three (3) years after planting. Outer slopes of detention ponds shall not be steeper than four feet (4') horizontal to one foot (1') vertical. Where water depth and time of detention is sufficient to require safety fencing, such fencing shall be installed behind required screening, on the pond side.

Standards of this Ordinance and any standard of this Ordinance that relates to the City of New Hope Subdivision Regulations may be waived to provide for an alternative storm water design system provided that:

1.

The alternative storm water design provides for an infiltration system that incorporates at least eighty percent (80%) of the runoff from impervious surfaces into the groundwater on the site and results in an overall reduction in impacts on streams in the watershed.

2.

The alternative stormwater design addresses storm water on an area-wide or watershed basis making stormwater management on individual lots within the site unnecessary.

3.

Natural elements on the site are incorporated into a natural storm drain infrastructure minimizing or eliminating the need for detention ponds and other constructed storm drainage. Constructed elements of the natural drainage system shall be limited to artificial wetlands, bio-filters, and dry swales. To the extent that it does not damage the function of the natural drainage system, natural elements should serve additional community purposes such as trails or greenways, parks, or aesthetic screens.

4.

Any waiver of standard to accommodate the alternative stormwater design proposes an equal or better alternative for meeting the intent of the waived standard.

5.

The alternative storm water design is accompanied by a plan produced by a registered engineer testifying to its accuracy and sustainability.

6.

The alternative storm water design plan included provisions for long-term maintenance and operation of the alternative design, including easements, covenants, restrictions, and an acceptable legal entity to oversee long-term maintenance.

7.

The alternative storm water design plan shall accompany a site plan for the entire development. The plan and any waivers to the standards of this Ordinance shall be approved according to the procedures and standards for the site plan.