ARTICLE
The service district is planning an overhaul of its run off standards and the Clean Water Services board of directors recently approved a grandfathering policy. The Board reviewed and adopted a policy that outlines an implementation strategy for the future Design and Construction Standards Update. The implementation strategy will provide a level of certainty to applicants as to which version of the Standards will be applied to their proposed projects. The adopted implementation strategy includes the vesting of projects at land use prior to April 22nd, 2019 under the current standards. Additionally, there is a grace period of 180 days after April 22nd, 2019 for projects applying for construction permits that do not require land use approval. The HBA has been engaged throughout the design and construction standards update process. Staff was present at the Clean Water Services Board of Directors meeting and testified in support of the implementation strategy. The HBA also shared our concerns regarding larger projects that would be phased in over time. Such projects could be subject to some uncertainty under the wording of the portion of the implementation strategy resolution and order regarding major modifications. In the text of the resolution and order on page 3, line 8, it refers to major modifications, however the text does not define the term. In testimony, the HBA requested that major modifications be defined as a threshold for modification that increases the number of lots by more than 10%, or impermeable surfaces by more than 10% of the amount that was approved under the original land use approval. This further clarification would have added certainty in the land use process across the District. Currently each jurisdiction individually determines what is considered a major modification, some in more prescriptive manner and some with more broad subjective determinations made the by community development director. The Board of Directors did not adopt this change to the resolution. The HBA is now following up with staff to see if the standard can be changed administratively, with the possibility of an amendment being added as a priority land use ordinance in 2019.