Title
Discuss and Provide Direction on Requiring Property Owners to Remove Sediment from On-Site Ponds and Lakes
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the quality of Life in McKinney
(5E. Develop sustainable quality of life improvements within the City of McKinney)
MEETING DATE: August 20, 2019
DEPARTMENT: Development Services / Engineering
CONTACT: Michael Hebert, PE, Assistant Director of Engineering
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
* Discuss and provide recommendations for possible revisions to the Code of Ordinances to address excessive sediment in ponds and lakes
ITEM SUMMARY:
* Staff is seeking council input regarding adding provisions to require property owners to remove lake/pond sediment that is considered excessive
o Excessive sediment can create significant aquatic vegetation that can be considered a negative for health and aesthetic reasons
* Some residents have expressed concerns regarding excessive sediment buildup in area ponds and lakes, potentially limiting view corridors, decreasing property values, and creating potential health and safety risks
o Health and safety risks can include
* Undesirable animal habitat
* Modifications to upstream floodplains
* Upsetting the physical/chemical/biological components of the lake
* Most pond/lake property owners have plans in place to remove sediment or otherwise mitigate the aquatic vegetation concerns
* However, some property owners have been reluctant to address sediment concerns, primarily due to cost or the lack of importance to them.
* Staff interviewed several stakeholders to receive input on proposed ordinance changes that would address the concerns
* Possible amendments to the code of ordinances could include:
o Removal of sediment when 1/3 the depth of any one acre section of the water body contains sediment
* Requirement to study the removal of sediment will be apparent due to the presence of a significant stand of cattails
* The study would then be required to determine what exists in t...
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