Stormwater Ordinance
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Overview
The Borough of Ebensburg, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, enacted Ordinance #612 on July 28, 2014. This ordinance establishes a fee structure to fund the ongoing operation, maintenance, and improvement of the borough’s public stormwater management system.
Purpose and Findings
The ordinance was created to ensure that all properties benefiting from the stormwater system contribute equitably to its costs. Key findings include:
- System Necessity: The borough maintains an extensive system (pipes, ditches, ponds, etc. ) to protect public health and safety from flooding and erosion.
- Regulatory Compliance: The ordinance helps the borough comply with Federal and State regulations, specifically the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
- Fairness: Fees are based on the amount of "impervious surface" (surfaces that prevent water absorption) on a property, as this is the primary driver of stormwater runoff.
Key Definitions
- Impervious Surface: Surfaces that prevent water from soaking into the ground, such as roofs, driveways, parking lots, and patios.
- Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU): A standard unit used to calculate fees, defined as 2,830 square feet of impervious surface. This represents the average for a typical single-family home.
- Single-Household Detached (SHD): A developed parcel with one structure designed for one family.
- Non-Single Household Detached (NSHD): Any developed parcel not fitting the SHD definition, including multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and industrial properties.
Fee Structure
- Minimum Fee: A minimum fee is charged per residential unit.
- Threshold: Properties must have a minimum of 400 square feet of impervious surface to be assessed a fee.
- Calculation: Fees are calculated based on the amount of impervious surface relative to the ERU (2,830 sq. ft. ).
- Methodology: The fee structure is based on a statistical sampling of properties and the use of aerial photography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for accurate measurement.
Signatories
The ordinance was enacted by the Ebensburg Borough Council and approved by:
- Doug Tusing, President of the Borough Council
- Randy S. Datsko, Mayor
- Daniel L. Penatzer, Manager