Mitigation Options
To provide flexibility and reduce compliance costs, mitigation options are available on a case-by-case basis. However, mitigation options are not offered in Cornelius. Mitigation allows the applicant to request permission to create storm water management devices off-site or apply for payment-in-lieu of creating storm water management devices.
To request off-site total phosphorus mitigation, the applicant must use the Mecklenburg County Site Evaluation Tool (SET) to perform the required calculations. Mitigation forms must be submitted as part of the Concept Plan Application and can be found in Appendix 6 of the Administrative Manual. A request for Mitigation could increase the plan review schedule by up to 90-calendar days.
Submit Concept Plan Application packet to:
Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, and Mecklenburg County:
Six sets of plans and two sets of calculations to:
Mecklenburg County
Land Use & Environmental Services Agency
Hal Marshall Services Center
700 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Land Development Gatekeeper
Matthews: Submit one additional set of plans to:
Town of Matthews Planning Department
232 Matthews Station Street
Matthews, NC 28105
Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville:
Eight sets of plans and four sets of calculations to the respective Town Hall.
Staff will review the Concept Plan within 15 working days. Plans that do not comply with the Post Construction Storm Water Management Ordinance will be returned with "redlines." The applicant has 60-days to resubmit revised plans.
Once the applicant has received approval of the Concept Plan Application, the process can begin for a Storm Water Management Permit. An approved Concept Plan is valid for three years.
2) Storm Water Management Permit Application
The applicant must submit the following forms and plans:
The applicant must submit six sets of plans with two sets of calculations. In Matthews, an additional set of plans and calculations must be submitted to the Town. Submit completed forms to the applicable address provided under #1 above.
Staff will review the Permit Application and associated submittals within 30-working days. Submittals that do not comply will be returned with "redlines." The applicant has 60-days to submit revised plans and documents.
The applicant must also submit electronic copies of approved plans as AutoCAD files. Electronic files can be submitted via CD-R to:
Mecklenburg County
Land Use & Environment Services Agency
GIS/Mapping Counter
700 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Beverly Lawing
Electronic plans can also be posted at: ftp://ftp1.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/luesa/PreliminaryPlans/
If an applicant posts AutoCAD files on the ftp site, please notify Digital Plan Coordinator Beverly Lawing of the submittal.
3) Permit Issuance/Pre-construction Conference
The Storm Water Management Permit will be issued following approval of plans and applications, and receipt of all digital files of approved plans. Once the applicant has received the Permit, it is valid for three years or until construction is completed.
After the Permit has been issued, staff will initiate and conduct a pre-construction conference.
4) Construction, Inspections, Plats
Staff will conduct on-site inspections during development and/or construction. Written notice will be issued for site deficiencies. Final plats and associated easements must be submitted to Mecklenburg County Land Development at the applicable address provided under #5 below.
Following approval, the plats and easements must be recorded at the Register of Deeds office. Follow the Final Plat Checklist.
The Declaration of Covenants for Maintenance of Water Quality Structures and the BMP Maintenance Plan (forms are under #2 above) must also be recorded at the Register of Deeds office and a copy of the recorded documents provided to the Mecklenburg County Storm Water Administrator. Submit copies of the recorded Declaration of Covenants and BMP Maintenance Plan documents to:
Mecklenburg County
Land Use & Environment Services Agency
Water Quality Program
700 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Storm Water Administrator
5) Storm Water Bonds and Certificates of Occupancy
A BMP Installation Bond (Performance Bond) must be submitted if a Certificate of Occupancy is needed prior to the completion of the storm water management structure(s). A two-year BMP Maintenance Bond must be submitted prior to the final approval and release of the project.
Submit bonds to:
LUESA North (for Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville)
18335 Old Statesville Road, Suite K
Cornelius, NC 28031
Attn: Bonds Administrator
Southern Towns (Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville)
Hal Marshall Services Center
700 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Bonds Administrator
6) Final Inspection and Approval of BMPs
After construction of required BMPs, an as-built survey must be prepared in accordance with the As-Built Checklist. An engineering certification must be prepared by the applicant's land surveyor and/or design engineer declaring that the BMPs are in compliance with previously-approved plans. Follow the Compliance Checklist.
Submit completed as-builts to:
Hal Marshall Services Center
700 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Land Development Gatekeeper
Staff will review the documents and perform an inspection of the project site for compliance with all Post-Construction Ordinance requirements including BMP installation. Once compliance is confirmed, the BMP installation bond will be released and written notice of site compliance will be issued via certified mail. Within 30-days of receipt of this written compliance notice, digital as-built plans must be submitted to Mecklenburg County Land Development.
Electronic as-built plans can be uploaded to:
ftp://ftp1.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/luesa/PreliminaryPlans/
If an applicant posts AutoCAD files on the ftp site, please notify the Digital Plan Coordinator Beverly Lawing of the submittal.
Electronic files can also be submitted via CD-R to:
Mecklenburg County
Land Use & Environment Services Agency
GIS/Mapping Counter
700 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Beverly Lawing
7) Long-term BMP Maintenance
All BMPs must be inspected annually by a registered Professional Engineer or landscape architect within one year of receipt of as-built approval. Submit the completed BMP Maintenance and Inspection Checklist for each BMP within two weeks following completion of the inspection and any associated maintenance activities.
Two years after BMP installation, the owner of BMPs in certain single-family developments may petition the jurisdiction to assume maintenance responsibilities by submitting a Transfer of Maintenance Responsibilities Form. A transfer of BMP maintenance is not allowed in Cornelius or Huntersville.
Submit the BMP Maintenance and Inspection Checklist and/or Transfer of Responsibilities forms to:
Mecklenburg County
Land Use & Environment Services Agency
Water Quality Program
700 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Storm Water Administrator
Appeals and Variances
An appeal may be initiated by any aggrieved person affected by any decision, order, requirement or determination relating to the interpretation or application of the Post-Construction Storm Water Ordinance (including penalty assessment.) A Request for Appeal form must be submitted to the address below.
A variance from the Ordinance requirements may be requested by submitting a Petition for Variance to the address below.
Mecklenburg County
Land Use & Environment Services Agency
Water Quality Program
700 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Storm Water Administrator
This is intended to be a general summary of the application process. Variations may occur. For specific information, refer to the Administrative Manual provided above.
Penalties:
Up to $5,000 per day
Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense and an additional fine of up to $5,000 per day
Staff contacts for Post-Construction Ordinance:
Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program
Storm Water Administrator
Rusty Rozzelle
700 North Tryon Street, 2nd Floor
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-336-5449
Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program
Assistant Storm Water Administrator
Don Ceccarelli, P.E.
700 North Tryon Street, 2nd Floor
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-432-4216