Township of Swatara, PA Improvements and Construction Requirements

At a minimum, two corners of the boundary of the tract of the development or subdivision shall be monumented and, if possible, in a straight line from each other.

If possible, a minimum of two monuments shall be set on the street right-of-way lines of each street. Monuments shall be set on the same street right-of-way line.

On the street right-of-way lines, monuments may be set at the following locations:

At the intersection of street right-of-way lines.

At the intersection of a street right-of-way line and the side line of an interior lot.

At either or both ends of curved street right-of-way lines.

At such other points along the street right-of-way lines as may be determined by the Municipal Engineer so that any street may be readily defined in the future.

A monument shall be set at the primary control point determined for the development or subdivision.

A marker will be placed at all other corners not monumented.

Construction of monuments and markers.

Monuments and markers shall be the following sizes and made of the following materials:

Monuments shall be four inches' square or four inches in diameter and shall be 30 inches long. Monuments shall be made of concrete, stone or by setting a four-inch cast-iron or steel pipe filled with concrete.

Markers shall be 3/4 of an inch square or 3/4 of an inch in diameter and 24 inches long. Markers shall be made of iron pipes or iron or steel bars.

Financial security and inspection.

Final security for monuments required by this chapter to be set at locations shown on the approved final plan shall be provided in accordance with Article III, § 253-13C(1) herein at the rate determined by an engineering estimate. Monument placement shall be inspected by the Municipal Engineer prior to releasing the financial security.

Replacement.

Any monuments or markers that are discovered to have been removed must be replaced by a professional land surveyor at the expense of the developer and/or owner.

§ 253-27 Street pavements and construction.

Streets shall be designed in accordance with Article V herein and shall be surfaced to the grades and dimensions drawn on the plans, profiles and cross sections submitted by the applicant and approved by the Board of Commissioners. Before paving the street surface, the developer shall install the required utilities and provide, where necessary, adequate underdrains and stormwater drainage for the streets, as acceptable to the Board of Commissioners. The pavement base and wearing surface must be constructed according to the specifications outlined in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Publication 70, as amended, "Guidelines for Design of Local Roads and Streets," April 1983 Ed.

Subgrade.

No base course shall be placed on wet, frozen or unsuitable material. Unsuitable material is defined in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended.

Subgrade in fill area shall be compacted in not more than four-inch layers with a minimum roller weight of 10 tons or equivalent compaction.

Subgrade that has been distributed by trenching shall be backfilled and compacted in eight-inch layers and inspected by the Municipal Engineer or designated agent.

Unsuitable material in subgrade shall be removed and replaced with material acceptable to the Municipal Engineer.

The moisture content at the time of compaction and density of the finished subgrade shall be in accordance with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended.

Any springs or spongy areas shall be provided with a proper underdrain system which is connected to the storm sewer system.

(7)

Subgrade shall be inspected by the Municipal Engineer or his designated agent prior to the placement of the base course.

Base course.

Minor streets. Base course shall be consistent with the specifications as set in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended.

Collector streets. Base course shall be consistent with the specifications as set in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended.

Arterial streets. For the construction of arterial roads or highways the applicant shall consult the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners and be governed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the method of construction to be used.

Base course shall be inspected by Municipal Engineer or his designated agent prior to the placing of binder course.

Base shall have binder applied as soon as possible to avoid damage to base.

All foreign material shall be removed from base course prior to placing binder course.

(7)

Base shall be compacted with a vibrating tamper or vibrating roller.

(8)

The Board of Commissioners shall decide if a collector or arterial street is required as a direct result of the subdivision or land development in which case the developer is responsible for paving the additional width required.

Surface course.

Minor and collector streets. Surface course shall be consistent with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended.

Surface course shall be sealed wherever it comes in contact with another structure (i.e., curb, manhole, inlet, etc.). This work shall be done in accordance with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended.

Surface course shall be inspected by the Municipal Engineer or his designated agent after completion of all work.

Shoulders. The base course shall consist of six inches of compacted stone, gravel or slag constructed in accordance with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended. The bituminous seal coat shall be constructed in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended.

Driveway entrances. Driveway entrances or aprons within the street right-of-way shall be surfaced to their full width, and in no case shall be less than 12 feet wide for residential developments and 18 feet wide for commercial or industrial developments; the type of surface to be either plain cement concrete, minimum depth of six inches or the same as specified above. Where sidewalks are installed, the required driveway surfacing shall end at the street side of the sidewalk.

Driveway entrances along streets where curbs are not required, shall be constructed to provide proper drainage along the streets and from the streets by the continuation of gutters, swales or ditches. Such continuation may be provided by having an approved pipe of not less than 15 inches in diameter across such driveway entrance.

Driveway entrances along streets, where curbs are not required, shall be constructed so that the driveway meets the edge of the cartway as a continuation of at least the slope from the crown of the street for not less than five feet.

Where proposed driveways provide access onto a state highway (Legislative Route, Pennsylvania Route or United States Route) the design of such driveway access and drainage shall be prepared in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and shall be subject to the approval and issuance of permits by the Department.

The curb height at driveway entrances may be reduced to a minimum of 1 1/2 inch for driveway entrances along streets where curbs are required. The maximum width of reduced curb height shall be 22 feet for residential driveways and 35 feet for commercial or industrial driveways. Sidewalks across driveway entrances, where required, shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements in § 253-31 herein.

Underdrain.

Underdrain shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended, and as detailed on the Roadway Construction Standard Drawings (RC-30).

Combination storm sewer and underdrain shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended, and as detailed on the Roadway Construction Standard Drawings (RC-30).

Underdrain shall be six-inch perforated fabricated in accordance with PennDOT PUB 408.

Underdrains or combination storm sewer and underdrain shall be constructed where required by the Municipal Engineer or the Board of Commissioners.

Underdrain shall be installed and inspected by the Municipal Engineer or his designated agent after completion of all work, just prior to the base course application.

Handicapped accessibility.

Curb cut ramps will be provided on each corner of all intersections where sidewalks are constructed, reconstructed or altered, except as follows:

When safe operation of a wheelchair cannot be ensured due to hazards peculiar to the particular intersection.

When the sidewalk slope entering the intersection is in excess of 8% grade.

When an existing or proposed driveway apron, which can be used by wheelchairs, is located within 10 feet of the point of curvature of the curb radius.

The curb cut ramps shall be constructed in accordance with the standards in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Publication 70, as amended, "Guidelines for Design of Local Roads and Streets," April 1983 Ed.

§ 253-28 Sewer and water systems.

Sewers.

Where a public sanitary sewerage system is located within 1,000 feet of, or where plans approved by the Board of Commissioners provides for the installation of such public sewer facilities to within 1,000 feet of a proposed subdivision or land development, the developer shall provide the subdivision or land development with a complete sanitary sewerage system. If such a system is not available but will, in the opinion of the Board of Commissioners, become available within a reasonable time, or if the developer voluntarily provides a system, then the developer shall install a complete sanitary sewerage system including a collector main installed in the street bed or approved right-of-way; lateral installations shall be to the rights-of-way lines of streets, lot or parcel property lines or sewer easement rights-of-way lines, whichever pertains to the individual situations. All termini shall be capped in a manner that will insure that all collector mains, laterals and house connections shall be watertight pending connections with a public sanitary sewerage system. The system shall be designed by a registered engineer and approved by the Township Municipal Authority Engineer. The Township Municipal Authority Engineer shall also inspect construction of all sanitary sewers to insure that said sewers will coordinate and have congruity with the Township's overall comprehensive sewerage plan. All sewage pumping stations, interceptors and treatment plants to be installed by the developer shall be reviewed and approved by the Township Municipal Authority Engineer, who shall inspect the construction thereof.

[Amended 9-8-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-6]

Where installation of a public sanitary sewerage system is not required, the developer shall provide for each lot, at the time improvements are erected thereon, a private sewage disposal system consisting of a septic tank and tile absorption field or other approved sewage disposal system and constructed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and any applicable Township regulations and shall be approved by the Municipal Engineer.

Capped sewers. When trunk sewers are not available or not available within the required distance but will become available within a reasonable time, the collection system and the required laterals extending from the main to the curb shall be installed and capped by the developer. The developer may also install on-site disposal provided that the system is designed to permit connection to the public sewer when it becomes operable.

Design, approval of design, supervision and inspection fees for services rendered on behalf of the developer by the Township Municipal Authority Engineer shall be paid by the developer in accordance with the fee schedule submitted to the Board by the Township Municipal Authority Engineer, which schedule shall be available for review in the Township office by any developer.

Sanitary sewers and sewage disposal systems shall not be combined with stormwater sewers and shall not be constructed to receive effluents from any stormwater collection system.

Water.

Where a water main supply system is within 1,000 feet of, or where plans approved by the Board of Commissioners provides for the installation of such public water facilities to within 1,000 feet of a proposed subdivision or land development, the developer shall provide the subdivision or land development with a complete water main supply system to be connected to the existing or proposed water main supply system in accordance with Township and/or utility specifications.

Where installation of a public water main supply system is not required, the developer shall provide for each lot, at the time improvements are erected thereon, an individual water supply approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as to source, installation and quality of water.

§ 253-29 Storm sewers.

Wherever the evidence available to the Board of Commissioners indicates that natural surface drainage is inadequate, the developer shall install a stormwater sewer system in accordance with approved plans and profiles. The system shall be designed by a registered engineer and be approved by the Municipal Engineer. The developer shall submit all engineering calculations, sketches, maps upon which the size of conduits, culverts, and other portions of the proposed storm sewer system has been based using the following criteria:

Unless approved by the Commission and the Board of Commissioners, no change may be made in the existing topography which would:

Divert water to or from the property of another landowner;

Create a slope which exceeds the angle of repose for the material involved; but never greater than 2:1 in cut and 3:1 in fill;

Create a slope that is unprotected from erosion; and

Create within 20 feet of the development's property line any fill slope with a gradient exceeding 3:1 (horizontal to vertical) or any cut slope with a gradient exceeding 2:1 (horizontal to vertical), unless a retaining wall or other structure is provided which is acceptable to the Township.

Surface stormwater controls shall be designed to properly and safely handle the anticipated peak discharge for a ten-year storm of appropriate duration, as determined using the methods of the "rational" equation.

On-site stormwater controls, i.e., retention or detention ponds, shall be designed and constructed, as required, to insure that the anticipated peak discharge from the site following development does not exceed the anticipated peak discharge from the site prior to construction. The determination of all peak discharges and the required volume of storage for the retention or detention facility shall be determined using the methods outlined in the Technical Release No. 55, USDA Soil Conservation Service. The peak discharge for the preconstruction condition shall be determined on the basis of a five-year, twenty-four-hour duration storm. The peak discharge for the post construction condition shall be determined on the basis of a ten-year, twenty-four-hour duration storm. The design of all stormwater storage facilities shall include a pipe spillway designed and proportioned to permit the maximum allowable discharge for the design storm only. The spillway structure shall be designed and constructed so as to detain and slowly discharge the runoff from all lesser storms. An anti-vortex device shall be installed on the top of the riser pipe of the spillway structure. The design of the storage facility shall also include an emergency spillway designed and proportioned to safely accommodate the excess peak discharge for a twenty-five-year, twenty-four-hour duration storm. Suitable erosion protection measures shall be included in the design of the structure. The crest elevation of the riser shall be a minimum of one foot below the invert of the emergency spillway.

When the above calculated flow from the pond exceeds the capacity of the downstream facility (pipe, swale or ditch) the developer shall use the downstream capacity as the maximum capacity of the outfall structure from the pond or basin.

When open drainageways (swales) and retention or detention devices (ponds) are used for the disposal and/or control of stormwater, the Commission and Board of Commissioners shall review the design of such facilities with particular regards for:

Safety. Banks shall not exceed a slope of three feet of horizontal measurement for each one foot of vertical measurement.

Erosion and sedimentation controls.

Adequate measures shall be taken to minimize erosion, channel scouring, and sedimentation throughout each phase and following the completion of the planned construction. This will also apply to existing facilities and structures.

Such measures shall include, but not be limited to, seeding, sodding, mulching, and velocity controls, including suitable types of paving or surfacing.

Stagnation. Stagnant pools or swamp areas shall not be created.

Velocity in open drainageways. Design open drainageways such that the velocity of the facility does not exceed the ability of the soil to resist erosion.

Inadequate natural surface drainage.

When evidence available to the Township indicates that natural surface drainage is inadequate, the developer shall install storm sewers, culverts, and/or other related facilities as necessary to:

Permit the controlled flow of the anticipated peak discharge for the post-construction conditions, as determined for a ten-year, twenty-four-hour duration storm using the soil-cover complex method, as outlined in the USDA Soil Conservation Service, Technical Release No. 55, or a ten-year storm of the appropriate duration for the site conditions using the Rational Method, whichever is greater;

Provide positive drainage away from on-site sewage disposal facilities;

Provide positive drainage away from new and existing buildings by ensuring that structures be situated satisfactorily with respect to established or existing grade of the adjacent street; and

Intercept stormwater runoff along streets at intervals reasonable related to the extent and grade of the area drained, as required to prevent the accumulation of excessive gutter flow and insure drainage of all low points along streets.

Inlets shall be spaced along either side of curbed streets such that water will not spread from the curb to the center line of the street or flow at a depth greater than four inches at the normal gutter line. The grate of each inlet may be depressed two inches below the normal profile of the gutter line. The paving shall be sloped toward the inlet within an area extending two feet from all edges of the inlet.

The design of storm sewer installations shall give special consideration to preventing excess runoff to, and/or concentration of stormwater on, adjacent properties, as required in this chapter.

When evidence available to the Commission indicates that existing storm sewers are adequate and accessible, the subdivider may connect his stormwater facilities to the existing storm sewers so long as the peak discharge does not exceed the quantity permitted by Subsection B(1) of this section.

Facilities will be considered available even though the developer must acquire rights-of-way or easements in order to connect.

Pipe.

Pipes shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended.

Pipes shall be corrugated galvanized metal pipe (CMP), helical in design, or unless otherwise specified.

All metal pipe joints shall be connected with metal bands.

Pipes shall be placed on Class B bedding.

Pipe gauge shall be in accordance with approved engineering calculation. Minimum pipe gauge for CMP shall be 16 gauge.

Pipe sizes shall be in accordance with that shown on approved drawings. Minimum pipe size shall be 15 inches in diameter.

(7)

Pipes shall be constructed and set to line and grade as shown on approved drawings.

(8)

Pipes shall be inspected by the Municipal Engineer or agent prior to backfilling.

Inlets.

Inlets shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended, and as detailed on the Roadway Construction Standard Drawings (RC-34).

Inlet tops shall be precast concrete top units and shall be compatible with type of curbing installed.

Inlet boxes shall be either precast concrete box units, cast-in-place cement concrete or constructed out of concrete blocks.

All inlets shall have weep holes placed at the appropriate elevations to completely drain the subgrade prior to placing the base course and surface course.

Size of concrete block shall be solid four inches by eight inches by 16 inches or unless otherwise specified.

Inlets shall be inspected by the Municipal Engineer or his designated agent after completion of all work.

Manholes.

Manholes shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended, and as detailed on the Roadway Construction Standard Drawings (RC-39).

Manholes shall be precast concrete units.

Manholes shall be inspected by the Municipal Engineer or designated agent after completion of all work.

§ 253-30 Easements.

Whenever possible, easements for pedestrian accessways, public facility, open space, service drives or public utilities shall be centered on side and/or rear lot lines, and shall be at least 25 feet wide or as necessary to provide adequate landscape screening.

Drainageways, channels, or stream easements may be located adjoining street rights-of-way or in other locations as necessary to provide common access to all drainage swales, storm sewer lines, watercourses, detention and retention devices or other similar or related stormwater controls.

The maintenance easement for Swatara Township or its designee, with a minimum of 25 feet, shall be provided along all stream and river banks and lake edges. Such easement, in all cases, should be of sufficient width to provide proper maintenance.

§ 253-31 Curbs.

Wherever a proposed subdivision or land development shall average two or more lots or dwelling units per gross acre, or where any subdivision or land development is immediately adjacent to, or within 1,000 feet of, any existing or recorded subdivision or land development having curbs, curbs shall be installed on each side of the street surface in accordance with the specifications of the Township. The Board of Commissioners, upon recommendation of the Township Planning Commission and Municipal Engineer, may require installation of curbs in any subdivision or land development where the bulk of buildings, area of parking, roads, and the gradient of such areas of other evidence indicates that such improvements are necessary for proper drainage. The Board of Commissioners, upon recommendation by the Township Planning Commission and Municipal Engineer, may waive the requirements of curbs through the modification of requirements procedure set forth in Article VIII of this chapter.

Curbs shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications as set forth in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Publication 408, as amended, and as detailed on the Roadway Construction Standard Drawings (RC-64).

Bituminous rolled curbs will not be acceptable.

Curbs shall be constructed in accordance with the cross-section details shown on approved drawings.

Curbs shall be set and finished to the line and grade as shown on approved drawings.

Backfill must be placed within 48 hours after form removal and this backfill shall be compacted in place along the rear face to within six inches of the top of the curb.

When curbing is to be removed to construct a driveway, the removal shall be done on the complete curb section. The length of curbing to be removed shall be carried to the nearest expansion joint or saw cut if the joint is located more than five feet from the end of the curb removal. Curb replacement shall be formed and shaped to the required driveway width. The driveway shall be depressed to a height of 1 1/2 inches above the finished paving grade.

No partial breaking out of the curb shall be permitted without approval by the Municipal Engineer or his designated agent.

Curbs shall be inspected by the Municipal Engineer or his designated agent after the forms have been placed, just prior to the pouring of concrete and after completion of all work.

As an aid to the handicapped, curb cut ramps shall be required, and for the safety of the blind, the location of curb cut ramps shall be uniform within a general area. Curb cut ramps shall be constructed, as specified in Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Form 408 for cement concrete sidewalks.

Curb cut ramps shall have a minimum width of two feet, six inches, and a maximum grade of 17%.

§ 253-32 Sidewalks, pedestrian walkways, and bicycle paths.

[Amended 6-8-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-6]

Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be constructed on both sides of new streets and on the adjacent sides of abutting streets.

Sidewalks shall be installed within the right-of-way of new and abutting streets and shall be located four inches from the right-of-way line, except that sidewalk placement may be adjusted along existing abutting streets to maintain continuity with existing sidewalk, if deemed appropriate by the Township.

All sidewalk construction shall be in accordance with the sidewalk specifications set forth in this § 253-32 of this chapter.

Handicapped access curb cuts and ramps shall be provided at pedestrian crosswalks. These facilities shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Design Manual, Part 2, Chapter 6, "Pedestrian Facilities," 2009, or as may be amended.

Fee in lieu of installation of sidewalks.

The applicant may propose (or offer) a fee in lieu of installation of required sidewalks if Subsections A(1), (2) and (3) not met and:

[1]

Sidewalks are scheduled to be installed as part of a Township, county, or state project that has been funded for construction.

[2]

The potential impact to sensitive environmental features if sidewalks are installed outweighs the need for the sidewalks in that particular location.

[3]

The sidewalks are not logical extensions of or links to other existing or proposed pedestrian facilities.

The fee amount shall be determined by using RS Means' Construction Cost Data, current quarter, regionally adjusted to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Division 32, Line Item 320610100310 (Sidewalks, driveways, and patios, sidewalk, concrete, cast-in-place with 6 x 6 - W1.4 x W1.4 mesh, broomed finish, 3,000 psi, 4" thick, excludes base) and Line Item 320610100450 (Sidewalks, driveways, and patios, sidewalks, concrete, excludes base, for 4" thick bank-run gravel base) at standard union rates, based on bare costs without O&P or equivalent cost data information.

The fee authorized under this article shall, upon its receipt by the Township, be deposited in an interest-bearing account. The Township shall maintain records indicating the source of the funds and the projects where the funds are expended. Interest earned on the account shall become funds of that account. All fees collected by the Township pursuant to these provisions shall be utilized for Township sidewalks, pedestrian walkways, and other related pedestrian-access purposes in a time period as determined by the Township.

Pedestrian walkways.

The Board of Commissioners may grant a waiver to allow pedestrian walkways as an alternative to sidewalks located within the street right-of-way if the applicant can demonstrate that the alternate system of pedestrian walkways located outside the street right-of-way will provide for:

Planned pedestrian systems or bicycle paths as depicted within the Township's Comprehensive Plan or any Official Map as may be adopted by the Township;

Increased safety from vehicle conflicts;

A more-efficient path of pedestrian circulation;

Extensions or links to an existing pedestrian walkway or bicycle system; and/or

(e)

Less disturbance of sensitive environmental features.

The pedestrian walkway system shall be constructed of concrete with a minimum width of five feet or of asphalt with a minimum width of eight feet. Concrete pedestrian walkways shall be constructed to the same specifications as set forth in this chapter for concrete sidewalks, and asphalt pedestrian walkways shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications for bicycle paths as set forth in § 253-32C of this article.

Pedestrian walkway systems shall be located within a right-of-way having a minimum width of 20 feet. The right-of-way shall be recorded and shall state that it is for the purposes of ensuring the right of use of the pedestrian walkway by the general public and providing an adequate area for maintenance. The applicant shall also provide a recorded covenant that the property owner shall maintain the pedestrian walkway system in the same manner as prescribed for sidewalks in Chapter 249 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Code of the Township of Swatara.

A pedestrian walkway system shall provide access to properties on the opposite side of the street. Access shall be provided at street intersections; however, if street intersections occur at intervals in excess of 800 feet, additional points of access may be provided so that pedestrian walkway intersections with streets occur at intervals not exceeding 800 feet.

Handicapped access curb cuts and ramps shall be provided at pedestrian crosswalks to make the transition from street to pedestrian walkway easily negotiable for handicapped persons in wheelchairs and for other persons who may have difficulty in making the step up or down from curb level to street level. These facilities shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Design Manual, Part 2, Chapter 6, "Pedestrian Facilities," 2009, or as may be amended.

The applicant shall propose and guarantee implementation of a reliable program acceptable to the Township for maintaining the pedestrian walkway system, including providing for ice and snow removal.

Bicycle paths. The Township may also require the installation of bicycle paths where a development tract is located in such a manner that it can provide a connection to an existing bicycle path or in other circumstances where available evidence indicates that such facilities would contribute to public safety.

Bicycle paths shall have a minimum width of eight feet and shall be located within a right-of-way having a minimum width of 20 feet. The right-of-way shall state that it is for the purposes of ensuring the right of use of the bicycle path by the general public and providing an adequate area for the maintenance of the path. The right-of-way shall indicate the party responsible for such maintenance and shall be recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Dauphin County.

Bicycle paths shall be constructed in accordance with the following minimum standards:

All topsoil and all unsuitable materials shall be stripped to a minimum width of eight feet and a minimum depth of nine inches.

The subgrade, if not undisturbed soil, shall be compacted to 95% density.

The subbase shall consist of six inches of PennDOT 2A stone, compacted to 95% density.