2019-0061
INTRODUCED BY: NICKY DUFRENE, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT IV
ORDINANCE NO. ___________
Title
An ordinance to amend Chapter 7. Article 1 of the St. Charles Parish Code of Ordinances to add regulations to protect adjacent properties from increased runoff when fill is added to any lot of ground, by adding 7-3 “Adjacent Lot Runoff Protection.”
Body
WHEREAS, the placement of fill is a normal occurrence for most development; and,
WHEREAS, some residents of St. Charles Parish have experience issues with adjacent lots being filled for development, causing increased runoff to their properties; and,
WHEREAS, the current St. Charles Parish Code of Ordinance does not address the issue; and,
WHEREAS, the St. Charles Parish Council wishes to address the issue in a clear and concise set of regulations that address new fill.
THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That the St. Charles Parish Code, Chapter 7 Article 1, is modified to add the following with new text in underline and deleted text in strikethrough:
Section 7-3 Adjacent Lot Runoff Protection
(a) It shall be unlawful for any landowner to cause or allow fill material to be placed upon any lot in a manner which would cause increased runoff of rainwater to any adjacent lot. Drainage must always be designed and built to direct runoff to a legal drainage conveyance.
(b) Fill restrictions that are already more restrictive, such as major subdivision development and commercial construction, shall continue to be regulated by the existing approval procedures specific to those applications.
(c) For all residential construction or elevation of primary structures adjacent to properties containing principal buildings, fill may only be added in one of five (5) manners subject to review and approval from the Department of Public Works:
1. All fill in excess of the adjacent property’s existing grade shall be completely contained within a solid masonry structure and none of that structure shall be located within 3 feet of any property line and the remaining area shall be graded and maintained to drain runoff to a legal drainage conveyance.
2. For lots less than one (1) acre in size, fill in excess of the adjacent property’s existing grade shall not be placed within 10 feet of any property line and a swale of no less than 5 feet wide shall be installed and maintained to drain rainwater runoff to a legal drainage conveyance. This option is only available if the grading for drainage can be accomplished without adding fill within 10-foot of the property line.
a. For lots in excess of one (1) acre, fill in excess of the adjacent property’s existing grade shall not be placed within 15 feet of the property line. The 15-foot area shall be graded to direct water away from all sides not adjacent to a legal drainage conveyance.
3. A masonry perimeter chainwall of not less than 6 inches above the perimeter fill level shall be installed and maintained on all property lines not adjacent to a legal drainage conveyance.
4. A minimum of three (3) drainage inlets shall be installed into the rear and side yards as is appropriate to the lot configuration. All added fill shall direct runoff to these inlets. These inlets shall direct runoff to a legal drainage conveyance (swale, street, etc.) through pvc piping with a minimum diameter of four (4) inches. Drainage inlets shall be maintained and kept free of obstructions.
5. Any drainage solution submitted with the stamp of a Civil Engineer licensed to work in the State of Louisiana and approved by the Director of the Department of Public Works, or their designee.
(d) A topographic survey demonstrating the pattern of drainage conveyance is required prior to final occupancy.
The foregoing ordinance having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
And the ordinance was declared adopted this day of , 2021, to become effective October 1, 2021.
2019-0061 Amend Code Ord. - Ch. 7 fill restrictions 7-15-21
CHAIRMAN:
SECRETARY:
DLVD/PARISH PRESIDENT:
APPROVED : DISAPPROVED:
PARISH PRESIDENT:
RETD/SECRETARY:
AT: RECD BY: