Lambertville Moves Closer To Stormwater Ordinance Changes

The City of Lambertville Council is closer to voting to amend the city’s land use ordinances as they pertain to stormwater control.

The long-awaited amendments to the land use ordinances underwent its first reading last month.

A public hearing a second reading will take place on April 18.

The introduced ordinance establishes minimum stormwater management standards for major development, according to Mayor Andrew J. Nowick.

The standards apply to new major development and aim to mitigate stormwater runoff impacts. 

Click here to read the full ordinance.

Hurricane Ida caused devastating flooding to the riverside city in 2021, and officials said something had to be done to address the city’s flooding concerns.

Like several other New Jersey communities next to a body of water, such as the Jersey Shore’s Seaside Heights and Sea Isle City, flooding had become a serious issue and topic of discussion. 

The changes are expected to play a vital role in the city’s efforts to cut down on flooding.

Councilperson Steven Stegman said during the March action meeting that the ordinance will be a starting point.

As climate change only exasperates flooding issues, it is important because it helps the city meet the necessary requirements for stormwater management set forth by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, officials said.

Since the stormwater ordinance was introduced, it needs to go through revision by the planning board and the city engineer. After that, it will return to the city council’s desk for a second reading, public hearing, and then a vote.