What land use decisions do you make?
Depending on your role and where you work, you may already be using
impervious surface cover maps.
Reviewing development plans
Development plans must pass through several approvals before construction
begins. In general, each must follow your local process for the following:
- a site plan or layout to ensure that it meets your standards for zoning
and subdivision
- a grading plan to mitigate any soil erosion impacts during construction
- a stormwater management plan to mitigate effects of runoff after construction
- construction permits to ensure that the site is safe to occupy.
Click here to learn more about statewide
standards for these processes.
Your local process will determine what information is presented at
a development plan hearing and how your local standards are met.
The best way to ensure that development plans protect your local streams
is to ask questions about impervious surfaces in each plan. Make sure
that your local process includes these questions.
Many resources and tools are available to protect your local streams
through wise land use planning. Your comprehensive plan should include
your water protection goals and an action plan to make sure it happens.
Learn more about comprehensive water resources
planning.
Learn more about tools you can use and Using
these Maps to conduct your own build-out impervious surface analysis.
