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<br />76-/,2; <br /> <br />Staff Report <br />To: Planning Commission <br />Subject: Stormwater Amendments <br />October 4, 2005 <br />Page 4 of 6 <br /> <br />. Planned development permit requests could include reductions in parking <br />requirements, which are currently not allowed. <br /> <br />Staff believes that these measures will proYide standards to help achieve stormwater <br />quality benefits while also recognizing th~, City's desire to minimize parking where <br />possible. Staff notes that reYised parking requir~ments are being developed for the <br />Downtown Precise Plan area, and so the òrdinance does not address those <br />requirements. The intent of those changes, however, will be to reduce required parking, <br />consistent with stormwater measures to reduce payed area. <br /> <br />Creek Setbacks and Buffers <br /> <br />A key component of stormwater management is protection of creeks and adjacent <br />riparian areas, in order to provide some opportunity for treatment of pollutants prior to <br />discharge to the waterway. The draft ordinance addresses these concerns in the <br />following revisions: <br /> <br />. Protected watercourses are identified to include Cordilleras Creek upstream of <br />Hwy. 101 and Redwood Creek and its tributaries upstream of EI Camino Real <br />and for the stretch between Hwy. 101 and Bradford Street. <br />. Construction and land disturbance setbacks are established at 30 feet from the <br />centerline of the creek or 25 feet from the top of bank, whichever is greater. <br />. Activities within the setback are limited to vegetative maintenance, protective <br />measures for flood control, and some trails. <br />. Concrete segments of drainage channels are not generally subject to the creek <br />setback, but will require other means of stormwater treatment. <br />. Existing structures within the setback areas may legally remain. <br />. Exception is allowed for structures or impervious surfaces within the creek <br />setback only upon approval of a conditional use permit with findings that riparian <br />vegetation is not disturbed, slope stability is maintained, and alternative methods <br />of stormwater treatment are provided. <br /> <br />Staff believes that these revisions will provide greater protection for creeks and riparian <br />areas, enhancing stormwater protection, while allowing flexibility for alternative <br />approaches on already developed or difficult sites. <br /> <br />Nonconforming Structures and Sites <br /> <br />Some existing structures or sites will become nonconforming due to the proposed <br />ordinance revisions, particularly those related to minimum pervious area or creek <br />setbacks. The amendments, howeyer, provide that the provisions of Article 33 will <br />apply, allowing existing nonconforming structures and sites to remain so long as <br />significant new additions or redevelopment do not occur. Additionally, the revisions <br />