1. City of Peoria
Stream Buffer/Storm Water Management
Greenways Workshop at Davis Lodge
Friday, November 8, 2013
Jane Gerdes, P.E., Civil Engineer
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2. What is a Stream Buffer?
A buffer for a stream
system shall consist
of a protective,
forested and/or
vegetated strip of
land extending along
both sides of a
stream, and its
adjacent floodway
and slopes.
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3. What are Benefits of Stream Buffer?
Officially:
to protect property
to protect water quality
to protect riparian and
aquatic ecosystems
to provide for the
environmentally sound
use of land resources
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4. What are Benefits of Stream Buffer?
Also:
Erosion control
Flood management
Growth management
tool
Aesthetic value
Recreational
opportunities
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5. What led Peoria to Develop a Stream
Buffer Ordinance?
Structural Failure
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6. Unstable Slopes
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7. Problems Waiting to Happen!
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8. Creeks with no Environmental or
Aesthetic Benefits
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9. Floodplain
Encroachment/Restriction
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10. The Process
Model Ordinance
Informational public
meetings
Stream Buffer Committee
Research of other ordinances
Final Ordinance approved on
February 1, 2005
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11. Peoria’s Stream Buffer Ordinance
Applies to all proposed development except:
Previous plats/plans
Unexpired building permits
Existing buildings
Agricultural operations
IL River
30 feet to 50 feet in width – each side of stream
Must include 100-year floodplain
100Alternative compliance
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12. Buffer Management
Allowable practices and uses:
Flood control structures
Utilities
Biking and hiking paths
Road Crossings
Recreational and park facilities
Sanitary and storm water sewers
Selective tree and vegetation clearing
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13. Example–
Example– Traditional Compliance
Hunters Trail
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14. Example–
Example– Traditional Compliance
Hunters Trail
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15. Example–
Example– Traditional Compliance
Hunters Trail - 2007
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16. Example–
Example– Traditional Compliance
Hunters Trail - 2013
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17. Example–
Example– Alternative Compliance
Attingham Park
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18. Example–
Example– Alternative Compliance
Attingham Park
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19. Example–
Example– Alternative Compliance
Attingham Park - 2007
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20. Example–
Example– Alternative Compliance
Attingham Park - 2013
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21. Example–
Example– Alternative Compliance
Attingham Park - 2013
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22. Example–
Example– Home Construction
Stonehenge Subdivision - 2013
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23. Example–
Example– Home Construction
Stonehenge Subdivision - 2013
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24. Example–
Example– Home Construction
Stonehenge Subdivision - 2013
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25. Stream Buffer - Enforcement
Building Inspectors
Citizen complaints
Fines of up to $1,000 per
day per violation
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26. Stream Buffer - What We’ve Learned
Public vs. private
ownership
Rear yard setback waiver
Standard boundary
marker
Gravity flow drainage
systems
Additional education
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27. Questions?
Thanks so much for inviting me today!
Jane Gerdes, jgerdes@peoriagov.org,
Gerdes, jgerdes@peoriagov.org,
309-494-8819
309-494-
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