§ 60.144. Stormwater Retention/Detention Facilities as Site Amenities.

Stormwater retention/detention facilities shall qualify as visual site amenities if one or more of the following criteria are met, as determined by the Zoning Official:

1.

The stormwater facility is integrated into the landscape and site design;

2.

The side slopes of the stormwater facility are 5:1 or less and the depressions or swales appear as a lawn or landscaped area;

3.

The stormwater facility can be used as a passive recreation area;

4.

The stormwater facility is designed as an entrance feature to the site or development;

5.

The stormwater wet detention facility incorporates approved aquatic plants, as listed in the Landscape and Vegetation Protection, Part 2C of this Chapter;

6.

The stormwater wet detention facility includes a water feature such as a fountain or spray jet.

Developments that utilize stormwater retention/detention facilities as visual site amenities shall qualify for the following incentives:

1.

An allowance to encroach up to 50% into the bufferyard or up to 100% of the thoroughfare bufferyard, as required by Landscaping and Vegetation Protection, Part 2F of this Chapter, and as approved by the Zoning Official.

2.

A full or partial waiver of the OUSWMM requirements to fence slopes greater than 5:1 up to 3:1 and of the 20 foot wide maintenance access areas. Vegetative barriers or fencing materials other than chain link may be allowed to substitute for the OUSWMM fence requirement. The type and extent of the waiver of these requirements shall be as determined by the City Engineer on a case by case basis during final site plan review.

Stormwater retention/detention facilities which qualify as visual amenities shall be maintained as such.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25097)