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Alexandria City staff presented their draft Environmental Management Ordinance (EMO), otherwise known as the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance, to the City's Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) at a public meeting held on Monday, February 23.
RPAs and RMAs
Prior to the meeting,
the City conducted a stream flow character evaluation to assess
13.6 miles of city streams causing some streams to be re-classified
(i.e., perennial vs. intermittent vs. ephemeral), resulting
in fourteen new perennial streams, three new intermittent
streams and approximately 1.7 miles of ephemeral streams being
identified. These re-classifications created changes to the
City's existing RPAs and RMAs. A new draft
RPA map is available to be used as guidance only. Field
studies are still necessary to precisely define the RPA. The
proposed RPA definitions follow state guidelines; however,
the City is also proposing a 50-foot buffer on intermittent
streams and non-tidal wetlands that are not already protected
by an RPA buffer (see the draft
intermittent stream map) under general performance requirements
in Section 13-109(E)(6)(a) of the draft ordinance.
Wetlands Mitigation
In Section 13-109(E)(6)(e), the City is proposing to add a requirement for wetlands mitigation at a 2:1 ratio on site and a 3:1 ratio off site (ratios that are higher
than most impact requirements under the Corps or DEQ permits). This conflicts with Section 62.1-44.15:5, Virginia Water Protection Permit (VWPP), which states that "no
locality may impose wetlands permit requirements duplicating state or federal wetlands permit requirements."
Vesting
Preliminary site plans, subdivision plans, plot plans, and building and special use permits will be subject to existing (old) requirements provided they were submitted before Monday, February 23, 2004. In this current draft, anything submitted after that date will be subject to the new requirements.
Adoption Schedule
- March 22, 2004: Community Stakeholder Meeting, 7:30 p.m., City Hall
- April, 2004: City County and Planning Commission Work Sessions
- April 19, 2004: EPC Public Meeting, 7:30 p.m., City Hall
- May, 2004: Planning Commission/City Council Public Hearings (Anticipated Adoption)
Public Comment
The City is accepting public comment on its draft
ordinance through March 22, 2004. Comments can be emailed
to: William.skrabak@ci.alexandria.va.us.
If you need further information on Alexandria's Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance happenings, contact
Laura Giese. |
