How will the City trails program be affected by the ordinance?
The City trails program will follow the practices outlined in the Best Management Practices Manual for any impervious service that is 12 feet in width. The trail will not be allowed to locate within 25 feet of a protected waterway unless the City Engineer determines there is no feasible and practical alternative. This determination will likely be made if there is an existing utility easement that would prevent the City from having to disturb even more land within 50 feet of the stream.

Examples of the some of the best practices are: Native plantings will be completed after the completion of the trail that meets or exceeds the amount of vegetation in place prior to construction; no more than 300 feet of land will be disturbed at one time; and if there is an exposed or highly eroded stream bank, the bank shall be stabilized using natural channel methods.

View the Streamside Protection Best Practices Manual (PDF)

Show All Answers

1. Why is the streamside protection ordinance necessary?
2. I have property on a stream in the city limits. Am I affected by this ordinance?
3. Why is the buffer 50 feet?
4. How do I measure the 50-foot buffer?
5. What is the top of bank? Who can help me determine where the top of bank is?
6. Is the buffer an easement?
7. May I continue to use my property just as I am now?
8. If I sell my property, are the uses still grandfathered in?
9. Is the City exempt from any part of the ordinance?
10. How will the City trails program be affected by the ordinance?
11. Why does the City Engineer have the power to administratively change the Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual? What checks does the City Council have in place?
12. Why is the ordinance not a “taking?”
13. How does this ordinance affect property values?