HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2013-59 - Salamander ORDAN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS ESTABLISHING
REGULATIONS FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES IN THE
RECHARGE ZONE OF THE EDWARDS AQUIFER
WITHIN THE CITY CORPORATE LIMITS AND
EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION; ESTABLISHING
AN ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP TO
HEAR AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS
REGARDING ANY REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE
RELATING TO THESE REGULATIONS; REPEALING
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS;
INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Georgetown 2030 Comprehensive Plan, adopted
February 26, 2008, includes a broad vision statement that includes "we have promoted
sustainable development patterns that are compatible with our natural resources and
historic character."; and
WHEREAS, the City and Williamson County have met with numerous
stakeholder groups to develop strategies that exceed current local, state and federal
standards to safeguard the spring formations of the Edwards Aquifer and the unique
habitat area established by this environment; and
WHEREAS, it is the goal of the City Council to provide adequate water quality
controls to ensure that future growth and development is unbridled by potential federal
oversight nor federal permitting requirements that would delay development projects
detrimentally to the sustained viability of the City's economy; and
WHEREAS, that the vision of the Georgetown 2030 Comprehensive Plan is
substantially advanced by adopting water quality protections for spring and stream
features in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone as set out herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The meeting at which this ordinance was approved was in all things
conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code,
Chapter 551.
Ordinance Number: Page I of 2
Description: Sak,m� ander Ordinance
Date Approved:1)Q�,.-x%1013
Section 2. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are
hereby found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein
and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim.
Section 3. The Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Water Quality Ordinance attached as
Exhibit A is adopted by the City of Georgetown.
Section 4. City staff is directed to develop and budget for a Water Quality Management
Plan with outreach to a broad spectrum of citizens in the community.
Section 5. If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or
circumstance shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or
application thereof, of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid
provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby
declared to be severable.
Section 6. All ordinances that are in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be, and
the same are hereby, repealed and all other ordinances of the City not in conflict with the
provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 7. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary
to attest. This Ordinance shall become accordance with the provisions of the Charter of
the City of Georgetown.
PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the 10 day of Cemlo
2013.
IN PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the day of
LP , 2013
ATTEST:
Je,ssj a Brettle, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN
By:cit u--�---
"'4 P
George rver, Mayor
Ordinance Number:
Description: Salama
Date Approved:
2013
Page 2 of 2
EXHIBIT A
Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Water Qualitv Ordinance
General
Section 1 --Applicability
This Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Water Quality Ordinance (the "Ordinance")
applies to all property within the corporate limits of the City and its extraterritorial jurisdiction
(ETJ), to the extent allowable under State law, that is also within the recharge zone of the
Edwards Aquifer, as that term is defined in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code § 213.3 and §
213.22. Whether property is within the recharge zone is determined by the most current official
map of the relevant zone located in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality office for
Region 11.
Section 2 --Definitions
The following words and phrases, when used in this Ordinance, shall have the meanings
respectively ascribed to them in this section, except when the context otherwise requires:
"Bank" of a stream means the ordinary high water mark of a stream, not the floodplain
boundaries, as determined by the appropriate authority.
"Best Management Practices (BMPs)", for this Ordinance only, has that meaning
ascribed to it in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code § 213.3(5), as may be amended and as
further defined herein.
"Development Engineer" means a professional engineer licensed by the State of Texas
and designated to serve in the capacity of the Development Engineer for duties specified in the
City Code of Ordinances and Unified Development Code.
"Geologic Assessment" means a report prepared by a geologist pursuant to Title 30,
Texas Administrative Code § 213.5 and containing the additional information required by this
Ordinance.
"Geologist" means a licensed professional geoscientist who has training and experience
in ground water hydrology and related fields that enable that individual to make sound
professional judgments regarding the identification of sensitive features.
"Georgetown salamander" means a member of the species Eurycea naufragia.
"Licensed Professional Geoscientist" means a geoscientist who maintains a current
license through the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists in accordance with its
requirements for professional practice.
"Occupied Site" means Garey Ranch Springs, Hog Hollow II Spring and any spring
identified in one of the proposed critical habitat units proposed by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service on August 22, 2012.for the Georgetown Salamander. The locations of the
Occupied Sites, including the Garey Ranch Spring site and the Hog Hollow I1 Spring site, are as
shown on Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
"Recharge Zone" means that portion of the City and its ETJ that overlays the Edwards
Aquifer Recharge Zone as defined in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code § 213.3, as may be
amended.
"Regulated Activity" shall have that meaning ascribed to it by Title 30, Texas
Administrative Code § 213.3(28), as may be amended.
"Spring" means any natural setting or location where ground water flows to the surface of
the earth from underground frequently enough to support spring associated vegetation such as
ferns, watercress and Texas sedge.
"Stream" means a flow of surface water sufficient to produce a defined channel or bed. A
defined channel or bed is an area that demonstrates clear evidence of the passage of water.
Section 3 --Geologic Assessment
(1) No person may commence any Regulated Activity within the area described in
Section 1 until the Geologic Assessment has been accepted by the Development Engineer or his
designee.
(2) The Geologic Assessment must contain all of that information required by Title
30, Texas Administrative Code § 213.5. Additionally, the Geologic Assessment must:
(a) Identify all Springs and/or Streams on a site or certify that no Springs or Streams
exist on the site;
(b) Describe any Spring and/or Stream on a site, including determining the location
of any Spring outlet or Stream;
2.
(c) For Occupied Sites identified in Section 2, delineate the No -Disturbance Zone and
the Minimal -Disturbance Zone as described below.
(d) All Red Zones, Orange Zones, and Spring Buffers, as described herein, shall be
shown on all plats, Site Plan and infrastructure construction plans.
Occupied Site Protection
The purpose of Sections 4 and 5 are to establish minimum requirements for development
in the corporate City limits or its ETJ that is located within the following defined zones: no -
disturbance zone (Red Zone) and minimal -disturbance zone (Orange Zone).
Section 4—No-Disturbance Zone (Red Zone)
(1) A no -disturbance zone is established, hereinafter referred to as the "Red Zone" in
the Stream or waterway that the Spring drains directly into and shall extend 80 meters upstream
and downstream from the approximate center of the Spring outlet of an Occupied Site. The Red
Zone shall be bounded by the top of the Bank and shall not extend beyond any existing physical
obstructions that prevent the surface movement of Georgetown salamanders, such as roadways,
buildings, retaining walls, dams, and culverts.
(2) No Regulated Activities may be conducted within the Red Zone other than:
(a) Properly permitted maintenance of existing improvements;
(b) Scientific monitoring of water quality, population counts and related activities;
and
(c) Fences above the normal high water mark of a Stream if such fences comply with
applicable floodplain regulations
Section 5--Minimal-Disturbance Zone (Orange Zone)
(1) A minimal -disturbance zone, hereinafter referred to as the "Orange Zone," is
established for the subsurface area that drains to the Spring or Springs at an Occupied Site.
Except as provided below, the Orange Zone shall consist of that area within 300 meters of the
approximate center of the Spring outlet of an Occupied Site, except those areas within the Red
Zone. The Orange Zone shall not include pre-existing development or areas without the potential
for containing Georgetown salamander habitat as determined by the Geologic Assessment based
on site specific, hydro -geologic conditions, for instance, where the Edwards Aquifer is absent.
3.
(2) No Regulated Activities may be conducted within the Orange Zone other than:
(a) Activities permitted in the Red Zone;
(b) Wastewater infrastructure installed roughly parallel to a Stream provided that
such infrastructure is installed on the side of the Stream opposite the Occupied
Site and is installed no closer than 25 feet from the Bank of the Stream;
(c) Subject to Stream Buffer limitations, below, parks and open space development
limited to trails, benches, trash cans and pet waste facilities; provided that trails
shall not be located within the ordinary high water mark of a Stream and shall be
limited to trails for walking, jogging and non -motorized biking; and
(d) In addition to (a), (b), and (c) above, within the City limits, only Single-family,
Detached (Residential Estate and Residential Low Density District) residential
use, as defined in the City of Georgetown's Unified Development Code, will be
allowed. No construction of said dwelling units shall be conducted within 80
meters of an Occupied Site. Within the ETJ, Title 30, Texas Administrative Code
§ 285 (c) (1) requires a minimum lot size of one acre per single family dwelling
for properties within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone if served by on-site
sewage facilities. Developers are encouraged to avoid development within the
Orange Zone whenever possible.
Spring Buffer and Stream Buffer Protection
The purpose of Sections 6 and 7 are to establish minimum requirements for development
in the corporate City limits or its ETJ of non -Occupied Sites located within the Spring Buffers
and Stream Buffers as provided herein.
Section 6—Spring Buffer
(1) A Spring Buffer is established within 50 meters of the approximate center of a
Spring outlet of a non -Occupied Site in the Recharge Zone that is identified in a Geologic
Assessment accepted by the Development Engineer. The Spring Buffer shall not include pre-
existing development or areas without the potential for containing Georgetown salamander
habitat as determined by the Geologic Assessment based on site specific, hydro -geologic
conditions.
(2) No Regulated Activities may be conducted within the Spring Buffer except for the
following and subject to the stated restrictions:
(a) Activities permitted in the Red Zone;
4.
(b) Subject to Stream Buffer limitations, below, parks and open space development
limited to trails, benches, trash cans and pet waste facilities; provided that trails
shall not be located within the ordinary high water mark of a stream and shall be
limited to trails for walking, jogging and non -motorized biking; and
(c) Wastewater infrastructure installed roughly parallel to a stream provided that such
infrastructure is installed on the side of the stream opposite the Spring and is
installed no closer than 25 feet from the Bank of the Stream; provided that
wastewater infrastructure shall not cross a Stream associated with a Spring within
the Spring Buffer.
Section 7—Stream Buffer
(1) A Stream Buffer is established for all Streams in the Recharge Zone in non -
Occupied Sites. The boundaries of the Stream Buffer are as follows:
(a) For Streams draining more than 64 acres and less than 320 acres, the boundaries
of the Stream Buffer coincide with the boundaries of the FEMA 1% floodplain or
a calculated 1% floodplain, whichever is smaller. In the absence of a FEMA
floodplain and a calculated floodplain, the Stream Buffer under this subsection (a)
shall be a minimum of 200 feet wide with at least 75 feet from the centerline of
the Stream.
If a property owner only controls one side of a Stream, then the minimum buffer
shall be 100 feet from the centerline of a Stream, or along the FEMA 1%
floodplain or a calculated I% floodplain, if available.
(b) For Streams draining more than 320 acres but less than 640 acres, the boundaries
of the Stream Buffer coincide with the boundaries of the FEMA 1% floodplain or
a calculated 1% floodplain, whichever is smaller. In the absence of a FEMA
floodplain and a calculated floodplain, the Stream Buffer under this subsection (b)
shall be a minimum of 300 feet wide with at least 100 feet from the centerline of
the stream.
If a property owner only controls one side of a Stream, then the minimum buffer
shall be 150 feet from the centerline of a Stream, or along the FEMA 1%
floodplain or a calculated 1% floodplain, if available.
(c) For Streams draining 640 acres or more, the boundaries of the Stream Buffer
coincide with the boundaries of the FEMA 1% floodplain or a calculated 1%
floodplain, whichever is smaller. In the absence of a FEMA floodplain and a
5.
calculated floodplain, the Stream Buffer under this subsection (c) shall be a
minimum of 500 feet wide with at least 200 feet from the centerline of the stream.
If a property owner only controls one side of a Stream, then the minimum buffer
shall be 250 feet from the centerline of a Stream, or along the FEMA 1%
floodplain or a calculated 1% floodplain, if available.
(2) No Regulated Activities may be conducted within the Stream Buffer other than
those activities permitted in the Red Zone and the construction of the following improvements,
subject to the stated restrictions (Regulated Activities for Stream Buffers within Occupied Sites
are found in Section 4(2), above) :
(a) Wastewater facilities, provided that wastewater utilities shall not be located below
the normal high water elevation within the channel of a stream except at crossings
of a stream;
(b) Underground utilities other than wastewater facilities provided that such
underground utilities may only be installed at Stream crossings, or at intervals no
closer than 400 feet apart;
(c) Parks and open space development limited to trails, benches, trash cans and pet
waste facilities; provided that trails shall not be located within the ordinary high
water mark of a Stream and shall be limited to trails for walking, jogging and non -
motorized will be allowed within Stream Buffers.
(d) Water quality or flood control systems, provided that measures are taken in the
construction of such water quality or flood control systems to minimize the
impact to the Stream Buffer;
(e) Public projects that enhance or recharge the Edwards Aquifer, provide flood
prevention, and similar capital improvements;
(f) Remediation of altered floodplain to its natural limits;
(g) Arterial, collector and local residential streets crossing a Stream provided that:
(i) A floodplain with a drainage area greater than 640 acres may only be
crossed by arterial streets;
(ii) A floodplain with a drainage area between 320 acres and 640 acres may
only be crossed by arterial and collector streets;
(iii) A floodplain with a drainage area up to 320 acres may be crossed by
arterial, collector, or local residential streets; and
(iv) A street required for a secondary access or as required by the currently
adopted fire code regulations is exempt from this subsection.
Water Quality Protection
Section 8—Water Quality Best Management Practices
For all Regulated Activities within the Recharge Zone, the following regulations apply:
(a) Permanent structural water quality controls for a project shall remove eighty-five
per cent (85%) of total suspended solids for the entire project and shall be
certified by a licensed professional engineer.
(b) No Regulated Activity shall cause any increase in the developed flow rate for the
2 -year, 3 -hour storm;
(c) All development projects, including, but not limited to, individual home sites,
shall implement temporary BMPs to minimize sediment runoff.
(d) New roadways or expansions to existing roadways that provide a capacity of
25,000 vehicles per day that are located on the Recharge Zone shall provide for
spill containment as described in the Optional Enhanced Measures of the Edwards
Aquifer Protection Program.
(e) All permanent BMPs with an overt physical presence shall have signage that
clearly identifies the purpose of the permanent BMP and the party responsible for
maintenance.
(f) Maintenance plans for permanent BMPs shall be recorded in the Official Records
of Williamson County.
Section 9—City Water Quality Management Plan
The City shall adopt a Water Quality Management Plan for all areas within the Recharge
Zone. Such management practices will include, but not be limited to, public education and
outreach, hazardous waste education, integrated pest management, illicit discharge detection and
elimination, construction -site storm -water runoff control, post -construction storm -water
management, and pollution prevention for municipal operations including City and County
maintenance activities in the ETJ.
7.
Section 10—Adaptive Management Working Group
(1) An Adaptive Management Working Group (AMWG) has been established by the
Williamson County Conservation Foundation (the "WCCF") to review data on a regular basis
and make recommendations for specific changes in management directions. The City Manager
will appoint two City employees with appropriate technical expertise in the fields of planning
and development and system engineering as members to the AMWG. The efforts of the AMWG
will be led by WCCF staff.
(2) The AMWG duties include, but are not limited to, development of an annual
report regarding the preservation of the Georgetown Salamander, continuous monitoring of the
Georgetown Salamander, assessment of research priorities, adaptive management of preservation
of the Georgetown Salamander and the effectiveness of achieving the above objectives.
(3) In addition to the above duties, the AMWG is authorized to hear and make
recommendations to the City Council regarding requests for variances from the terms of this
Ordinance pertaining to Occupied Sites.
(a) The AMWG shall recommend variances from the terms of this Ordinance
pertaining to Occupied Sites, if the variance is not contrary to the objectives of
this Ordinance and, due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of this
Ordinance would result in unnecessary non -economic hardship to a property
owner, so long as the spirit of this Ordinance is observed.
(b) Additionally, the AMWG and the City shall make the following findings
regarding all variance requests:
(i) The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the preservation of
the Georgetown Salamander.
(ii) The variance request is not granted as a result of the applicant's own
actions.
(iii) The variance request is not granted because of economic or financial
hardships incurred by the applicant.
8.
and Orange BufferZones
Under Conservation Plan
for the Georgetown
Salamander
a
-320 acre Stream Buffer
320-640 acre Stream Buffer
Example Delineation
Zones, -
D