Laserfiche WebLink
See. 78>I604 iDterprelalioo of Wetlands Boundaries. <br />Whenever a wetland boundary is disputed or uncertain, the Planning Direc’ x nay <br />require the submission of a registered survey of the property and field staking sho\» mg <br />the city-designated wetland contour or a delineation of the wetland, and such other <br />information as the director may require in order to resolve the dispute or uncertainly. No <br />boundary change may be authorized on the basis of fill that was placed on the site after <br />the City designated the area as part of the wetland overlay district. Persons aggnev cd by <br />a decision of the Planning Director may appeal such decision in accordance with the <br />provisions of Section 78-99 of this ordinance and the WCA rules <br />DIVISION 3. <br />BUFFER AREAS <br />Sec. 78-1605 Welland Buffer Areas. <br />(a) This subsection establishes requirements for wetland buffer areas aiound <br />protected wetlands. Buffer areas arc necessary and beneficial to maintain the health of <br />wetlands. Buffer areas protect the edge of wetlands from erosion while filtering .sediment, <br />chemicals and other nutrients from runoff that drains into wetlands Buffer areas can <br />improve the biological diversity and health of a wetland environment while reducing the <br />adverse impacts of human activities. <br />(b) Buffe.' areas regul.iicd by this section arc are.is of vegei.niive co\ cr that are <br />upland of the w ctland edge, and that occur in a natural condition or through restoration. <br />BufTcr areas consist of shrubbery and trees, native grasses and or forbs that arc not <br />mow ed, fertilized or manicured m any manner. Mowing, fertilizing, manicuring, or <br />vegetation removal w ithin a buffer area is not allow cd unless the City has issued a permit <br />for such activity in conjunction w ith an approved buffer management plan. <br />Acceptable buffer areas shall ha\c the following qualities: <br />A continuous dense layer of pcrcrmial grasses that have been <br />uncultivated or unbroken for at least ten (10) consecutive >-cars, or <br />An o\ cr story of trees and or shrubs w ith at least eighty (80® o) <br />percent canopy closure that have been urcultivatcd or unbroken for <br />at least ten (10) consecutive years, or <br />A mixture of the plant communities desenbed in a. and b. above, <br />w hich have been uncultivated or unbroken for at least ten (10) <br />consecutive years. <br />Unacceptable buffer areas have the following qualities, including but not <br />limited to;