The Downspout Ordinances

From 9/28, Monday’s Public Improvements Street/Sewers/Drainage Committee and Committee Meeting of Council regarding Amending Ordinance 913.08 Downspouts, Roofs and Yard Drains and 913.11 Corrective Order and Expenses. Several other issues were covered – I’m writing as fast as I can.

Council at Large Steve Lee spoke to a point that has been discussed before. Many of us have said this and it was good to hear it again from a council member. In regards to amending the ordinances concerning downspouts, etc., he would like to encourage the mayor to consider the idea of a committee of homeowners. "We are trying to creatively manage storm water and the idea is to be involved in this process with different options and not just for council to do this. We have a lot of great experts in this town and I’ve been approached by 2 people, both engineers, who expressed an interest in being involved in this and looking at creative ideas in different methods in managing storm water. Not a short term thing but a long term thing and I would like to encourage use of some of these experts.” He felt this important since the discussion is about managing storm water on the homeowner’s property. He said it is not a committee that is going to help develop a master storm system.

913.08 The ordinance reads: Downspouts, roof and yard drains shall not be connected to any sanitary sewer.

The proposed amendment would add: The disconnection of downspouts for splash boxes, rain gardens, rain barrels or other devices may be permanent provided that no discharge flows onto adjoining properties or public sidewalks. Splashing of downspouts requires a minimum distance of five feet from the house, five feet from the adjoining property and shall be located on ground level.

Discussion included questions of whether an inspection fee or permit will be involved. To just disconnect the downspout – no; If the project became more complex as in a cross connection and you have to dig, etc. a permit is required.

Tom Henderson suggested implementing an incentive for people to disconnect.

There was discussion on how to avoid rain runoff and buffering of property so as not to cause problems for neighbors. Steve Lee: “We do not want to create new problems for our neighbors when we are taking steps on our own property.”

Why a 5 foot distance from structures? It is an engineering recommendation. Every property is different.

A resident questioned the placement of five feet, which is not a lot of space between some of the houses in Bay. If you run it 5 feet straight out, front or back it will go onto impervious areas creating the potential to flood. We already have an ordinance in place stating you cannot direct your spouts into your neighbor’s property.

An audience member expressed that the problem still comes back to the sewers not being large enough to handle storm water to begin with. So everybody disconnects and now it goes down into paved areas and streets and it will be the same problem with water coming back into the houses.

Steve Lee presented a resident’s suggestion that the city use its purchasing power to buy rain barrels, etc. so residents can obtain a discount. The mayor advised that rain barrels are currently available for purchase through the county. Others expressed that a discount was not the only reason for the city to purchase but also, for the effectiveness and continuity.