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City of Manchester, MO
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Chapter 425. Post -Construction Stormwater Runoff
Regulations
Article V. Stream Buffer Protection Standards
Section 425.170. Purpose.
[Ord. No. 08-1852 §1, 2-19-2008]
The primary purpose of the stream buffer protection standards is to maintain land adjacent to streams
in a vegetated state in order to enhance and maintain water quality, protect stream channel wetlands,
minimize stormwater runoff, reduce sedimentation and erosion, conserve plant and wildlife habitat, and
protect wildlife movement corridors.
Section 425.180. Types of Stream Buffers.
[Ord. No. 08-1852 §1, 2-19-2008]
A. These stream buffer protection standards shall apply to intermittent streams, perennial streams
and ponds and lakes. Stream buffers shall be clearly indicated on all development plans, site
plans, preliminary plats and final plats.
B. Where maps show a difference in stream type for a particular reach of stream, the City approved
map that shows the greater level of stream protection shall apply as determined applicable.
Section 425.190. Stream Buffer Size.
[Ord. No. 08-1852 §1, 2-19-2008]
Stream buffers shall be required on each side of the stream and shall begin at the most landward limit
of the top of the bank, perpendicular to the direction of stream flow. Stream buffers for both intermittent
and perennial streams shall be a minimum of thirty (30) feet in width, unless otherwise provided by the
City's Planning and Zoning Commission.
Section 425.200. Stream Buffer Use Limitations.
[Ord. No. 08-1852 §1, 2-19-2008]
A. Land within the stream buffer shall not be included in calculations of minimum lot size
requirements.
B. Buildings and other features that require grading and construction shall be set back at least ten
(10) feet from the edge of the stream buffer.
C. To avoid a loss of effectiveness in protecting streams, the stream buffer shall remain in a natural,
undisturbed state, except as provided by this Section or as allowed pursuant to a waiver granted
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by the City's Planning and Zoning Commission during the site plan approval process.
D. In cases where natural stream buffer vegetation is determined undesirable and a nuisance, the
buffer may be landscaped and revegetated in a manner approved by the Planning and Zoning
Commission.
E. All construction shall be designed and constructed to minimize the amount of intrusion into the
stream buffer and to minimize clearing, grading, erosion and water quality degradation.
F. Crossing of stream buffer by streets, driveways, recreational features, utilities, bridges or other
facilities shall be permitted provided such crossing is designed to minimize the amount of intrusion
into the stream buffer. Such construction may run generally within and parallel to the stream buffer
only where no alternative location is practical and when such minimizes the amount of intrusion
into the stream buffer.
G. Stormwater control structures and temporary erosion control structures shall be considered utilities
for the purposes of this Section and shall be permitted in a stream buffer, provided:
1. The property owner or applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the City Engineer or
his/her designee that such facilities cannot be practicably located outside of the stream buffer
and that any proposed stormwater control structure is sited and designed to minimize
disturbance of the stream and stream buffer. Siting stormwater control structures away from
the stream channel shall be considered preferable to siting such structures in the stream
channel;
2. Alternate methods of stormwater and erosion control shall be considered prior to approval of
such structures in the stream buffers; and
3. A vegetated buffer of a width determined by the City Engineer or his/her designee may be
required around any stormwater control structures located within a stream buffer.
H. For development on lots of record created prior to January 1, 1997, septic system drain field repair
areas may be allowed in a stream buffer, provided:
1. The intrusion into the stream buffer is the minimum necessary;
2. The intrusion shall not result in an undisturbed stream buffer of less than thirty (30) feet; and
3. The property owner or applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the St. Louis County
Health Department that the repair area cannot be located outside of the stream buffer.
I. Sanitary sewer lines on an alignment generally parallel to the stream may be allowed in a stream
buffer, provided that:
1. MSD and the developer demonstrate to the satisfaction of the City Engineer or his/her
designee that the lines cannot be practicably located outside of the stream buffer;
2. Design and construction specifications minimize damage to the stream and the possibility of
line leakage; and
3. The line is generally located at least fifteen (15) feet from the top of the stream bank and the
easement is no closer than ten (10) feet from the top of the bank wherever possible.
J. Stream buffers may be used for passive recreational activities such as trails, provided that service
facilities for such activities including, but not limited to, parking, picnicking and sanitary facilities
are located outside of the stream buffer.
K. Site plan approval by the City's Planning and Zoning Commission shall be required for any stream
buffer intrusion. When any of the activities described above involves land clearing, the cleared
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area shall be revegetated in a manner described on the site plan; however, where a site plan is
not required by any other provision of this Chapter, the City Engineer or his/her designee is
authorized to approve plans for erosion control structures in stream buffers.
Section 425.210. Piping Streams.
[Ord. No. 08-1852 §1, 2-19-2008]
A. Perennial streams may be piped, thereby exempting the piped section of the stream from stream
buffer requirements, only when allowed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and not be in
conflict with the USCOE 404 permit conditions. A USCOE 404 permit may be required when:
1. The site plan proposing perennial stream piping includes features on the site, such as Best
Management Practices, that provide water quality benefits at least equal to those of the
stream buffer; and
2. The proposed perennial stream piping is not substantially in conflict with the other objectives
of this Chapter.
B. Intermittent streams may be piped where there is no conflict with the USCOE 404 permit
conditions, thereby exempting the piped section of the stream from stream buffer requirements,
only when the Planning and Zoning Commission or, for projects that do not require a site plan by
any other provision of this Chapter, the City Engineer or his/her designee determines that:
1. The site plan proposing intermittent stream piping includes features on the site, such as Best
Management Practices, that provide water quality benefits at least equal to those of the
stream buffer; and
2. The proposed intermittent stream piping is not substantially in conflict with the other
objectives of this Chapter.
C. Where stream piping is approved, a vegetated buffer area or other device approved by the City
Engineer or his/her designee shall be provided at any intake structure. All buffers and physical
improvements related to the stream piping shall be located entirely on the site or on easements
adjacent to the site.
D. Intermittent streams may only be piped if a USCOE 404 permit is obtained or is formally
determined not to be required.
Section 425.220. Non -Structural Best Management Practices
(BMPs).
[Ord. No. 08-1852 §1, 2-19-2008]
A. Non-structural BMPs are beneficial to stormwater site designs. They can reduce the generation of
stormwater from the site and preserve environmentally sensitive areas. Some acceptable methods
of BMP are:
1. Natural area conservation;
2. Disconnection of rooftop runoff;
3. Disconnection of non -rooftop runoff;
4. Reserved buffers;
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5. Open channel use;
6. Environmentally sensitive development; and
7. Impervious cover reduction.
Section 425.230. Floodplain Protection.
[Ord. No. 08-1852 §1, 2-19-2008]
Refer to Chapter 410 of the City of Manchester Code of Ordinances.
Select Language
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