<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 5.5 - Water recharge regulations.</div>
<div class="chunk-content">
            <p class="b0">
               <span class="bold">Sec. 5.5.1 Purpose.</span>
               </p>
            <p class="b0">
               The purpose of this section shall be to establish standards to help assure ground
               water that is withdrawn by wells and other means is replenished. This procedure is
               part of the application and review process for obtaining a building permit. Typically,
               water recharge occurs as a result of rainwater or snowmelt soaking into the ground
               (water infiltration). How much water infiltrates depends on vegetation cover, slope,
               soil composition, depth to the water table, the presence or absence of confining beds
               and other factors. Recharge is promoted by natural vegetation cover, flat topography,
               permeable soils, a deep-water table and the absence of confining beds (groundwater
               beds that are saturated). The steep topography of much of the County creates a natural
               challenge for water infiltration and ground water recharge. Development activities
               create impervious surfaces that reduce the amount of water that enters the ground
               water system. In order to maintain the viability of ground water supplies, including
               wells, and to lessen the impact of surface runoff, reasonable limitations can be placed
               on the amount of impervious surface on lots and parcels developed for residential
               and other purposes. Promoting and/or providing incentives for the use of stormwater
               best management practices (BMPs), such as rain gardens, that promote the infiltration
               of stormwater into the soil also can promote water recharge. The following standards
               are meant to preserve the capacity for water recharge on properties that are developed
               for residential, commercial, and other uses.
               </p>
            <p class="b0">
               <span class="bold">Sec. 5.5.2 Jurisdiction.</span>
               </p>
            <p class="b0">
               The provisions of this section shall apply to all unincorporated areas of Jackson
               County, North Carolina. The provisions identified herein shall apply to new commercial,
               industrial, and multi-family development and to major subdivisions.
               </p>
            <p class="b0">
               <span class="bold">Sec. 5.5.3 Exemptions.</span>
               </p>
            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (i)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               Agricultural uses.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (ii)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               Single family residential construction.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (iii)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               Minor subdivisions (eight or fewer lots).
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (iv)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               Development on the campus of Western Carolina University.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="b0">
               <span class="bold">Sec. 5.5.4 Limitations on Impervious Surfaces.</span>
               </p>
            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               In an effort to promote the absorption of stormwater into the earth's surface and
               thence into the water table, the following limitations on impervious surfaces are
               hereby established:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="b0">
               <span class="bold">Table 5.2: Maximum Allowable Impervious Surface</span>
               
               <div>
                  <div class="" style="width:100%">
                     <table class="thead1 table  left" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" rules="all" style="font-size:13px;">
                        <colgroup class="std">
                           <col width="33.333333333333336%">
                           <col width="16.666666666666668%">
                           <col width="50%">
                        </colgroup>
                        <tbody>
                           <tr>
                              <td style="background-color: LightGray; " class="hasbg top ">
                                 <span class="bold">Land Use</span>
                                 </td>
                              <td style="background-color: LightGray; " class="hasbg top ">
                                 <span class="bold">Lot Size</span>
                                 </td>
                              <td style="background-color: LightGray; " class="hasbg top ">
                                 <span class="bold">Maximum Allowable Impervious Surface</span>
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td style="background-color: LightGray; " class="hasbg top ">
                                 <span class="bold">Multi-family residential</span>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 &lt;1.0 acres
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 75%
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td style="background-color: LightGray; " class="hasbg top ">
                                 <span class="bold">Multi-family residential</span>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 &gt;1.0 acres
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 70%
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td style="background-color: LightGray; " class="hasbg top ">
                                 <span class="bold">Industrial</span>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 All sizes
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 70%
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td style="background-color: LightGray; " class="hasbg top ">
                                 <span class="bold">Commercial</span>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 All sizes
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 70%
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td style="background-color: LightGray; " class="hasbg top ">
                                 <span class="bold">Open space</span>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 All sizes
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 12% (for roads, parking areas)
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                        </tbody>
                     </table>
                  </div>
                  <p>&nbsp;</p>
               </div>
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (i)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Pervious areas shall be dispersed throughout a subdivision or development rather than
                  being concentrated in one area.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (ii)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  The impervious surface standards identified in Table 5.2: Maximum Allowable Impervious
                  Surface shall be applied on a per lot basis for subdivisions, not on the entire subdivision
                  tract level.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (iii)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  In large multi-family, commercial, and industrial developments of more than ten acres,
                  no more than 25 percent of the pervious surfaces shall be located in any one area.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (iv)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  On properties subject to Section 5.7 Mountain and Hillside Development, the provisions
                  of that section limiting impervious surfaces shall apply.
                  </p>
               		
               
            <p class="b0">
               <span class="bold">Sec. 5.5.5 Exceeding Limitations on Impervious Surfaces.</span>
               </p>
            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               The amount of impervious surface on a lot may exceed that which is allowed by the
               Table 5.2: Maximum Allowable Impervious Surface, provided that stormwater retention
               measures that collect and retain for percolation the runoff from the impervious areas
               are installed.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               The permitted increase in impervious surfaces shall be on a direct ratio basis. For
               example, if ten percent of the total stormwater generated by the development's impervious
               surfaces is retained, a ten percent increase in the permitted impervious surfaces
               shall be allowed; if 60 percent of the total stormwater generated by the development's
               impervious surfaces is retained, a 60 percent increase in the permitted impervious
               surfaces shall be permitted.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (c)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Stormwater retention systems shall be designed by a registered professional engineer
               or landscape architect and their installation and construction certified by the designer.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (d)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Standing water and installations that allow for water to collect and stagnate so as
               to provide a suitable habitat for mosquitoes should be prohibited.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (e)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Development plans meeting these standards shall be approved for compliance with the
               impervious surface standards.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="b0">
               <span class="bold">Sec. 5.5.6 Granting of Modifications.</span>
               </p>
            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               The County Planning Board is authorized to approve a modification in those cases in
               which a development cannot meet the limitations on impervious surfaces identified
               above.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               The developer/property owner shall submit the application for a modification at least
               30 days prior to the meeting of the Planning Board at which it is to be considered.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (c)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               The application shall state the reason(s) the water recharge standards cannot be met
               and shall describe any alternative proposed for the property. In applying for the
               modification, the applicant must identify physical characteristics of the property
               that preclude compliance with the standards and/or identify proposed systems for ensuring
               water recharge that meet or exceed the goals of this Section.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="b0">
               <span class="bold">Sec. 5.5.7 Preservation of Vegetation.</span>
               </p>
            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Preserving existing vegetation on a site can enhance the water recharge capacity of
               the property.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Grass, shrubs, and trees all contribute to the ability of a property to provide water
               recharge.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (c)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               While the wholesale removal of existing trees and shrubs is discouraged, some vegetation
               removal and pruning is recommended to create a "firewise" home.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (d)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Existing vegetation within 30 feet of the home should be pruned and/or thinned to
               reduce the amount of fuel available for a fire.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (e)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               All dead plant material, including leaves, should be removed in this 30-foot zone.
               Plants that can contain resins and oils that burn readily (ornamental junipers, hollies,
               and young pines) should not be planted in this area.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (f)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               For more information regarding creating a "firewise" home, contact Firewise Communities
               at www.firewise.org.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (g)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Removal of vegetation on property with a slope of 30 percent or more is regulated
               Section 5.5.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (h)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Standards for preservation of vegetation on property with a slope of 30 percent or
               more can be found in of Sections 5.8.4 and 5.8.6.
               </p>
            		</div>