A Report on the Knox County Stormwater Ordinance and Related Development Review Procedures

On October 26, 2009, Knox County Commission passed a resolution calling for review of the county's stormwater ordinance and related procedures dealing with land development activities in Knox County.

A working committee, which was comprised of interested citizens, Knox County stormwater and law department staff, developers, engineers, and others involved in addressing stormwater issues, met almost on a monthly basis to identify and discuss key issues pertaining to stormwater management and regulations. The committee prepared a Report of Recommendations to address those issues and provide a course of action for making changes to the stormwater ordinance and development review procedures.

The Report's primary recommendations are summarized:

• Re-establish the Stormwater Advisory Board for continued discussion of pertinent issues
• Implement and complete the Water Quality Scorecard Process as part of the NPDES Phase II permitting process
• Amend the Minimum Subdivision Regulations and the Zoning Ordinances to improve the development review process and incorporate new standards as needed
• Examine local land use policies to determine needed changes affecting stormwater management
• Identify and implement measures to streamline the development review process
• Amend the Knox County Stormwater Ordinance with changes as identified
• Develop training and certification programs for Knox County stormwater staff, as well as engineers and related professionals in private practice
• Examine available resources to support effective levels of stormwater management, oversight, enforcement, and maintenance
• Determine the feasibility of establishing a permanent body with authority to address stormwater issues in Knox County
• Identify and make recommendations on possible funding sources to support major program recommendations

If established, the Stormwater Advisory Board can oversee the process for implementing any of the other nine recommendations listed, in addition to addressing other issues that may arise.

The Report of Recommendations will be presented to Knox County Commission at their August monthly meeting.

Contact Buz Johnson at 215-2500 for more information about the committee's work and the next steps in the process.