*** Note: Council Bill 116248, creating a new Peat Settlement-prone Area designation in the Environmentally Critical Area (ECA) Code, was adopted by City Council and took effect on August 22, 2008. ***
Peat deposits are highly compressible and are prone to settlement when compacted by new structures and fill or when the groundwater table is lowered. Settlement activity can result in serious damage to buildings, roads, sidewalks and utilities.
The intent of the Peat Settlement-prone Area designation is to address impacts from new development in areas of peat-rich soils. The regulations seek to protect public safety and property by identifying areas of the city that are settlement-prone and ensuring that new development in these areas is safely constructed and does not negatively impact adjacent properties.
