Citing nuisance, safety concerns, and impact on adjacent properties and public infrastructure, Highland Park’s engineering services manager Richard Wagner recommended revisions to the Town’s stormwater ordinance during a Town Council Study Session on July 7.
Wagner said the existing stormwater ordinance does not clearly distinguish between stormwater discharges that must be connected to the Town’s underground stormwater system and those that may be discharged to a street, alley, or easement. Wagner indicated this lack of clarity has resulted in differing interpretations during housing development review processes, particularly for new homes with basements, where groundwater infiltration can generate significant and continuous pumped discharges.
Wagner proposed revisions to the ordinance that would include allowing pumps intended to remove surface runoff, including irrigation-related water, to discharge to a street, alley, or easement. Revisions would also include requiring all groundwater collection systems, including sump pumps, foundation drains, under drains, and similar subsurface drainage systems, to discharge to the Town’s underground stormwater system, or utilize an alternative groundwater discharge method approved by the Town.
In other council news, Jeff Armstrong, Director of Community Development proposed an amendment by Highland Park Independent School District to the existing Planned Development (PD) that regulates zoning at the Highland Park Middle/Intermediate School (MIS) campus during the Town Council meeting on July 7.
The amendment would include construction of a metal-framed, canvas-roofed, shaded structure to be installed between the north side of the track and the shot put and high jump area at MIS, Armstrong said.
The Town Council said it would refer the requested PD amendment to the Zoning Commission for further review.
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