[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 601]
Subdivisions, consolidations and land developments shall conform to the standards set forth in this Part. The standards specified in this Part are minimum design requirements.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 602]
In reviewing any application, the Planning Commission and Borough Council shall refer the application for development to the Borough Engineer for a recommendation concerning technical compliance with these design standards and the Construction Standard Details referred to in this Part.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 603]
1. 
Slope of Land. No land shall be graded, cut or filled so as to create a slope exceeding a vertical rise of one foot for each two feet of horizontal distance between adjoining lots, except where adequate provision is made to prevent slides and erosion as approved by the Borough Engineer. Slopes greater than 2 to 1 shall require a soils report prepared by a registered soils engineer and submitted for review by the Borough Engineer.
2. 
Stripping of Topsoil. No person shall strip, excavate or otherwise remove topsoil, dirt or slag for sale, or for use other than on the lot from which it is taken, except in connection with the construction or alteration of a building on that lot and the excavation or grading incidental to that construction.
3. 
Major Excavation, Grading and Filling. Any major (more than 250 cubic yards or greater than four feet in depth) cuts, excavation, grading, and filling which materially changes the drainage characteristics of the site and the site's relationship with surrounding properties shall not be permitted unless first approved by the Borough Engineer, in accordance with an application under the provisions of Chapter 9 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, "Grading and Excavating." As a condition for such approval, a plot plan of the entire tract of land on which such excavation, grading and filling are to be conducted shall be submitted by the developer to the Borough Engineer for approval. Such plot plan shall show, in addition to any other information required by the Borough Engineer to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this section, the following information:
A. 
The existing contours of the site.
B. 
Proposed contours of the site after completion of the excavation, cuts, grading and filling. The plot plan shall be at a scale of 50 feet to one inch or larger and have a contour interval of not more than five feet where the slope will be greater than 10% and not more than two foot intervals where the slope will be less than 10%. The Borough Engineer shall not approve any plan in which any such excavation, grading and filling will result in a slope exceeding a vertical rise of one foot for each two feet of horizontal distance between adjoining lots or tracts of land, except where adequate provision is made to prevent slides and erosion, as approved by the Borough Engineer.
4. 
Planting and Cutting of Trees; Removal of Debris. Major shade trees should be adequately protected from injury and preserved to the extent practical. All lot areas which slope towards streets or adjacent lots may be required to be seeded with grass or planted with ground cover so as to prevent washing and erosion. During construction, the developer shall remove and dispose of all uprooted trees, stumps, brush, rubbish, unused building materials and debris promptly in the interest of public safety.
5. 
Flood-Prone Areas. Land which is naturally poorly drained or subject to periodic flooding shall not be used for residential development or for any uses which may involve danger to health, safety and general welfare of the community. Land identified as flood-prone on maps issued by the Federal Insurance Administration shall be subject to the regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program and the Flood Protection Ordinance [Chapter 8]. Proof of ownership of the property to be graded shall be submitted with the plot plan.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 604]
1. 
Layout. Streets shall be planned to conform with the layout of existing and planned streets and so located as to allow proper development of surrounding properties. Local streets shall be laid out so as to discourage through traffic. Collector streets should be designed to provide adequate flow of traffic from local streets to major community facilities and to arterial streets.
2. 
Topography. Proposed streets shall be planned to conform to the contour of the land, to provide buildable lots, to have a suitable alignment and grade and to allow proper drainage.
3. 
Grading. The shoulders shall be graded to the full width of the right-of-way and provisions shall be made for protection of slopes beyond the right-of-way.
4. 
Street Grades. Grades shall be provided on streets in accordance with the following design standards:
A. 
The maximum grade for an arterial street shall be 5%.
B. 
The maximum grade for a collector street shall be 8%.
C. 
The maximum grade for a local street shall be 12% for no more than 1,200 feet in length.
5. 
Vertical Curve Alignment.
A. 
Vertical curves for collector and local streets shall be used in grade changes exceeding 1%. The minimum vertical curve shall be 150 feet in length for arterial streets, 100 feet in length for collector streets and 50 feet in length for local streets. Vertical curves shall be increased 20 feet for each 1% of grade change exceeding 3%.
B. 
Vertical sag or crest curves at intersection of local streets may be as short as 100 feet in length, provided that the construction plans show grading that provides minimum unobstructed distance in all streets as viewed from the intersection.
6. 
Intersection Standards.
A. 
Where the grade of any street at the approach to an intersection exceeds 5%, a leveling area shall be provided with a transitional grade not to exceed 2% for a distance of 50 feet from the nearest right-of-way line of the intersection.
B. 
The street pavement edge shall be rounded at the intersections by an arc with a minimum radius of 25 feet on collector and local streets. Right-of-way lines shall be rounded by an arc which is concentric with the curb line.
7. 
Street Alignment.
A. 
The minimum center-line radius for horizontal curves on an arterial street shall be 350 feet; on a collector street shall be 250 feet; and on a local street shall be 125 feet. On a cul-de-sac, the minimum length on a horizontal curve may be reduced, on the review of site conditions, plan and traffic flow by the Borough Engineer.
B. 
Between reverse curves, a tangent of not less than 150 feet in length for a collector street and 100 feet in length for a local street.
8. 
Right-of-Way and Paving Widths. Minimum widths of rights-of-way shall be 50 feet for residential streets and 60 feet for collector streets. Minimum widths of paving shall be provided in accordance with the design standards specified in the Borough Construction Standard Details. All streets shall be paved in accordance with Borough Construction Standard Details.
9. 
Additional Right-of-Way and Paving Widths. Additional widths and paved cartway widths may be required by the Borough where necessary for public safety and convenience, for parking in commercial and residential areas and where additional width is necessary on existing roads which do not comply with current standards.
10. 
Culs-de-Sac. A cul-de-sac will not be approved when a through street is practical and shall not be more than 800 feet in length, unless a modification or exception to this requirement is granted under Part 8 of this chapter. A cul-de-sac shall have a minimum right-of-way radius of 50 feet and an outer minimum paving radius of 80 feet as specified in the design standards of this chapter.
11. 
Half Streets. Half streets shall not be provided, except where it is essential to the reasonable development of the subdivision in conformity with the other requirements of this chapter, or where it becomes necessary to acquire the remaining half by condemnation so it may be approved in the public interest.
12. 
Alleys. Alleys are not permitted in residential districts, but may be included in commercial and industrial areas where needed for loading and unloading or access purposes.
13. 
Dead End Streets. Dead end streets are prohibited, except as a street to permit future extensions into adjoining tracts or when designed as culs-de-sac.
14. 
Temporary Turnarounds. A temporary turnaround may be required where a road is constructed to an adjoining property line. The right-of-way width required for a temporary turnaround shall be a minimum of 45 feet and the outer paving radius of the temporary turnaround shall be 40 feet. The temporary turnaround shall be made of an all-weather surface.
15. 
Visibility. No fence, hedges, shrubbery, walls, planting (other than trees and grass) or similar obstructions shall be located within the right-of-way and no such obstruction shall obscure visibility at any intersection. A clear sight triangle shall be maintained free of any obstructions at intersections so that there shall be a minimum clear sight triangle in accordance with the Borough Construction Standard Details.
16. 
Street Names. All new street names shall be approved by the Borough. Names of new streets shall be sufficiently different in sound and spelling from existing names of streets in the Borough so as not to cause confusion. A street which is planned as a continuation of an existing street shall bear the same name. Street signs shall be provided in accordance with § 22-507 of this chapter.
17. 
Sidewalks. The width of sidewalks shall conform to the standards specified in Borough Construction Standard Details. Sidewalks shall be located in line with existing sidewalks on adjacent lots or, where none exists, shall be located adjacent to the curb or, where no curb exists, within three feet of the edge of paving. Sidewalks shall be constructed in accordance with the Borough Construction Standard Details.
18. 
Street Construction. All streets and alleys shall be constructed in accordance with the Borough Construction Standard Detail. The materials and methods of installation of the materials used to construct all streets and alleys in the Borough shall be in accordance with current edition of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Publication 408.
19. 
Curbs. All curbs shall be constructed in accordance with the Borough Construction Standard Detail. The new curb shall be installed in conformity with the line and grade of the proposed cartway.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 605]
Service streets, as defined by this chapter, may be provided in residential, commercial and industrial developments where needed for loading, unloading or secondary access. Where authorized, the minimum right-of-way width for service streets shall be 50 feet and the paved cartway shall be a minimum of 26 feet.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 606]
Sewer and other utility easements shall be required to have a minimum width of 20 feet. Where a subdivision, consolidation or land development is, or will be, traversed by a watercourse, there shall be provided a stormwater easement or drainage right-of-way of a width sufficient for the purpose, but no less than 20 feet.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 607]
1. 
The following standards shall apply to all lots proposed to be subdivided or developed in accordance with this chapter:
A. 
Area. Minimum lot areas shall conform to the requirements of the Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27]. Remnants of land shall not be permitted and shall be included in the area of proposed or existing lots, if not intended for dedication as a parcel for permanent open space or park land.
B. 
Frontage. All lots created by a subdivision shall front along the right-of-way of a public street, unless approved as a planned residential development or modified under the provisions of Part 8 of this chapter. The width of the frontage shall conform to the requirements of the Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
C. 
Double Frontage. Double frontage lots, other than corner lots, shall be avoided; however, where a double frontage lot is the only practical alternative, vehicular access shall be limited to only one street and that street shall be the street with the lower volume of traffic, if physically feasible. The final plan shall contain a notation restricting vehicular access to one frontage.
D. 
Side Lines. Whenever practicable, the side lines of a lot shall be at right angles or radial to the right-of-way lines of streets.
E. 
Building Lines. Building lines of lots shall conform to the minimum requirements of the Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] and shall be shown on the final plat.
F. 
Grading. Lots shall be graded to provide drainage away from buildings and, where practical, water shall be drained to the street rather than to adjoining property. The developer shall be required to provide drains or other drainage facilities, as approved by the Borough Engineer, to drain off surface water within the development. All lots must have storm sewer for all constructed drains to tie into.
G. 
Driveways. All driveways shall be a paved surface in accordance with § 27-704 of the Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
H. 
Accessibility. Every lot shall be accessible to emergency and public safety vehicles.
I. 
House Numbers. House numbers shall be assigned by the Borough Secretary or the local Post Office, and must be posted at each house so as to be easily visible and readable from the street.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 608]
Stormwater management facilities shall conform to the requirements of the Borough Stormwater Ordinance, Ord. 840, as amended, codified at Chapter 23 of the Forest Hills Code of Ordinances, "Stormwater Management."
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 609]
1. 
Size and Grade. Storm drains shall be adequate for the anticipated run-off when the area is fully developed. The minimum diameter of storm sewers shall be 15 inches and the minimum grade shall be 1%, unless approved by the Borough Engineer.
2. 
Manholes. For pipe sizes of 24 inches or less, manholes shall be spaced at a maximum of 400 feet and for larger pipe sizes, the maximum distances between manholes shall be 600 feet. In addition, manholes shall be installed at all points of abrupt changes in alignment and grade. Inlets may be substituted for manholes where practical. Manholes shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the Borough's Construction Standard Detail.
3. 
Inlets. Inlets of the type shown in the Borough Construction Standard Details shall be installed. Inlets at street intersections shall be placed on the tangent and not on the curved portions. Inlets shall be spaced at a maximum of 300 feet.
4. 
Castings. Manholes and inlet castings shall be as indicated in the Borough Construction Standard Details.
5. 
Stormwater Roof Drains. Stormwater roof drains and pipes shall not discharge water over a sidewalk but shall extend under the sidewalk to the gutter. Where accessible, the roof drain shall be connected with the storm sewer. When required by the Borough Engineer, roof drains shall be connected in rock sumps of sufficient size and design to properly retain and disperse the roof water.
6. 
Unnatural Drainage. Whenever construction stops or concentrates the natural flow of storm drainage in such a way as to affect adjoining properties, approval of the owners shall be obtained in writing. Approval of plans by the Borough does not authorize or sanction drainage affecting adjoining properties.
7. 
Watercourses. Open watercourses will not be permitted within the rights-of-way of streets. The stopping, filling up, confining or other interference with, or changing the course of, drains, ditches, streams and water courses in the Borough will not be permitted unless approval in writing is obtained from the Borough Council. A permit must be obtained from the applicable agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for construction or changes in a water course.
8. 
Bridges and Culverts. All bridges and culverts shall be designed to support expected loads and to carry expected flows and shall be constructed to the full width of the right-of-way. They shall be designed to meet current standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
9. 
All proposed sites should adhere to Stormwater Phase II requirements.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 610]
1. 
Installation. Installation of sanitary sewers shall be in accordance with the Borough Construction Standard Details. All installations, including house connections, shall be made prior to the paving of the street and shall be thoroughly tamped and compacted to avoid settlement.
2. 
Minimum Size and Grade. The minimum diameter of sanitary sewers shall be eight inches and the minimum grade shall be 1%.
3. 
Laterals. Lateral connections, where required, shall be installed to the right-of-way line of the street prior to road paving. Each building shall have a separate connection to Borough sewer lines, except that garages accessory to dwellings may be connected to the dwelling line. All laterals shall be pursuant to Allegheny County Plumbing Code requirements.
4. 
Manholes. Manholes shall be constructed in accordance with the Borough's Construction Standard Detail. Manholes shall be spaced at a maximum of 300 feet.
5. 
In areas where fill exceeds 12 feet over a proposed sanitary sewer, ductile iron pipe, or another pipe material approved by the Borough Engineer shall be used. In areas where the cover over the pipe is less than 12 feet, SDR 35 pipe shall be used.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 611]
1. 
Water Mains. All water mains shall have a minimum diameter of six inches. All water mains shall be extended and connected to existing water mains to provide a circulatory system where required by the Borough Engineer and approved by Borough Council.
2. 
Installation. All installations shall be made in accordance with the local water company requirements. All water mains and house connections shall be made prior to the paving of the street and shall be thoroughly tamped. Letters of occupancy shall not be issued until water lines are installed.
3. 
Hydrants, Gate Valves and Meters. Fire hydrants, gate valves and meters shall be of the type and design required by the local water company. Fire hydrants shall be located at accessible points and located to give adequate fire protection as directed by the Borough Fire Marshal or Fire Chief. Gate valves shall be located as directed by the local water company.
[Ord. 963, 10/18/2006, § 612]
All construction materials used in sewers, streets, sidewalks and other required improvements shall be submitted for review and approval by the Borough Engineer.