Storm Water Changes Could Ask Developers for Extra Analysis

By Rachel Molenda | [email protected]

West Valley - Developers in West Valley City could have an extra step in their process when it comes to storm water.

West Valley city council is considering a proposal to change its storm water ordinance so that developers are asked to conduct a drainage analysis and consider low-impact development, which reduces the amount of runoff from a building site.

“From our storm water permit with the state of Utah, we are required to encourage the use of low-impact development. This is the first step in doing that,” Dan Johnson, West Valley City engineer, said.

Johnson called the change “substantial” during the Jan. 19 study meeting prior to the council meeting.

An additional change to the ordinance would give developers, which retain the first three-eighths inch of rain that falls on a site, a chance to be eligible for a lower rate of the city’s storm water utility fee.

“The idea is to capture a certain volume of storm water and store it and let it infiltrate, and that will transpire or evaporate. And then capture the pollutants and store them on-site, not running them off the site,” Johnson said.

Johnson said this ordinance allows low-impact development to be an option, not a mandate. But he added that the next set of storm water regulations from the state would require low-impact development.

During its regular meeting, council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement between West Valley City and the Granger-Hunter Improvement District that states both entities will pay fees levied by the other when doing sewer and water line work.

It also amended its code changes regarding application fees for excavation permits by water and sewer districts. Mayor Ron Bigelow said from his seat that the changes would “formalize” an existing process outlined in that agreement.

“We’ve decided that it is better to have that defined and paid back and forth so that it is clear to each organization,” Bigelow said.

Council also voted to enter into an agreement with the Utah & Salt Lake Canal Company to start construction of the Mountain View Corridor Segment Six. The agreement releases the company’s easement at 4100 South Street. The city will then allow the company to maintain the canal crossing through the right-of-way.

For more information about city council, visit www.wvc-ut.gov