Mon, 03/09/2009 - 17:14
There should be a statement added that any redevelop of commercial areas should have storm water management practices appropriate for commercial development. There is much discussion of rain gardens and other means to infiltrate runoff in the text of the draft plan, but these are not appropriate for commercial areas. Green roofs and similar things are nice, but don't control the polluted runoff.
City ordinances exclude previously developed areas from storm water management requirements. As a result, we see commercial redevelopment, such as what has occurred along Odana Road in the last few years with no or inadequate storm water management. Such a lack of control is inconsistent with the goal of protecting our neighborhoods' water resources, including Odana Pond and Lake Wingra.
I agree with Madfan's post of 3/9/09. We're going to have to tighten up stormwater management progressively. Global warming is going to bring more intense storms. Increasing density is going to lead to more non-point pollution. We have few opportunities to improve commercial stormwater management within the city. Certainly, when any area is redeveloped, stormwater handling by infiltration (rain gardens, etc) should IMPROVE.