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• <br /> reducing costs. Existing lots of record that are greater than five acres in size are exempt <br /> from the permit procedure if the proposed development is for ONE single family <br /> dwelling. In this event, either the administrative checklist procedure is applicable or, if in <br /> a sensitive area, the following applies. For single - family construction within sensitive <br /> areas, a permit is required. There is no requirement that a professional prepare the <br /> erosion control plan. The plan may be prepared by anyone provided it follows a template <br /> established by the City. <br /> There may be a need to exempt certain improvements that have minimal potential water <br /> quality impacts. The exemption could be based on the amount of disturbed area or <br /> impervious area <br /> • <br /> Recommendation: Research and develop minimum thresholds that would trigger erosion <br /> control requirements. <br /> • <br /> ld. Incentives. Staff and DAC discussed the option of providing a financial incentive based <br /> on performance. The concept is to rebate fees proportionate to the amount of control or <br /> protection provided. Theoretically, if there is no impact, 100% of the fee would be <br /> refunded. <br /> Recommendation: This option was not recommended due to the complex, administrative <br /> system needed for its implementation. • <br /> le. Alternative Fee Structure. Another option is to develop a fee structure that relates the <br /> magnitude or scale of development - and therefore impact potential - to the amount of <br /> fee. For example, the fee structure could be based on the amount of impervious surface <br /> or disturbed area. The fee would increase depending on the amount of impervious or <br /> disturbed area. This option is based on the same principal as the City's existing <br /> stormwater user fee - impervious surface causes more runoff and water quality impacts. <br /> Recommendation: Research and develop a fee structure that relates permit costs to <br /> administrative progam costs (i.e., plan review, inspections, enforcement) based on a <br /> measure of the site's potential water quality impact, such as amount of impervious or <br /> disturbed area. <br /> 2. Construction Delays. Delays in starting residential construction due to the permit <br /> procedure was the next most frequently mentioned concern. <br /> Response. The staff and DAC addressed this issue within the recommended program. <br /> First, the administrative checklist procedure is in lieu of the stormwater permit. It is <br /> administered at the time of building permit application and only requires the applicant to <br /> read and acknowledge understanding and compliance. Of the remaining vacant lots, 57% <br /> will use this procedure. Second, the goal of the program is to issue the stormwater permit <br /> 7 <br />