The following special studies or reports to be developed by
qualified professionals may be required to support and justify subdivision
and land development proposals as required by this chapter and the
Zoning Ordinance.
A.
Purpose. A transportation impact study (TIS) is intended to enable
the Borough to assess the transportation impacts of a proposed development
or redevelopment. Specifically, its purpose is to:
(1)
Ensure a safe and efficient transportation network for all users,
including transit users, pedestrians and bicyclists.
(2)
Identify any transportation problems that may be created in
the existing transportation system as a result of the proposed development.
(3)
Identify solutions to potential problems and to present mitigation
improvements to be incorporated into the proposal or into the transportation
systems within the study area.
(4)
Assist in the protection of air quality and the conservation
of energy and to encourage the use of alternative transportation modes
where available.
(5)
Ensure that TIS submissions to the Borough are consistent with
the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) "Policies
and Procedures for Transportation Impact Studies" last revised November
25, 2013, or subsequent revisions. (Transportation Impact Study Guidelines
Strike-Off-Letter 470-0904 and Transportation Impact Study Related
Highway Occupancy Permits Strike-Off-Letter 494-13-13, or as amended.)
B.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION MODES
CAPACITY ANALYSIS
HIGHWAY OCCUPANCY PERMIT (HOP)
LEVEL OF SERVICE
MAJOR INTERSECTION
OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
ON-SITE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
PUBLIC TRANSIT
ROUNDABOUT
SCOPING MEETING
STUDY AREA
(1)
(2)
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT STUDY (TIS)
TRIP
TRIP GENERATION RATES
WARRANTS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION
Transportation-related definitions. As used in this section, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Those modes of moving people or goods that do not require
a single-occupancy motorized vehicle, generally including bicycles,
pedestrian facilities and transit systems such as buses, trains, trolleys,
etc.
Intersection approach capacity is the maximum rate of vehicular
flow that can pass through an intersection under prevailing roadway,
traffic, and signalization conditions. The analysis compares the actual
or projected traffic volume to the intersection capacity and results
in a volume/capacity (v/c) ratio.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) regulations
governing the access and occupancy of state highways, per 67 Pa. Code
§ 441, Access To and Occupancy of Highways by Driveways
and Local Roads. PennDOT has regulatory authority to ensure the location
and design of access driveways and local roads to state highway rights-of-way
in order to preserve safe and reasonable access. Montgomery County
(County) also has regulatory authority over certain roadways within
the County and has established criteria for HOP applications.
Level of service (LOS), as described in the current Transportation
Research Board's Highway Capacity Manual, is a qualitative measure
of the operational conditions within a traffic stream and their perceptions
by motorists. Six levels of service (A through F) are defined for
each type of facility, with LOS A representing the least congested
operating conditions and LOS F representing a breakdown in operating
conditions. Levels of service are defined in terms of average delay
per vehicle for signalized and unsignalized intersections. "Level
of service drops" are those future conditions that result in a negative
change in intersection or approach lane level of service, i.e., LOS
D changes to LOS E in future conditions.
The intersection of any arterial or collector street with
any other arterial or collector street as defined by PennDOT's Functional
Classification Map, the municipal highway classification document
or the equivalent document of adjacent municipalities, where appropriate.
Transportation-related improvements which are generally not
contiguous with the property being developed and not required as an
on-site improvement but are found by the TIS analysis to be necessary,
partly or wholly, as a result of the proposed development.
All improvements on or adjacent to the development site in
the public right-of-way required to be constructed by the owner/developer
pursuant to any ordinance, resolution or requirement of the Borough
and the PennDOT or County highway occupancy permit (if applicable).
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
is the provider of most public transit services throughout Montgomery
County. Other local public transit providers operate in some communities.
An circular intersection design, per NCHRP Report 672, Roundabouts,
An Informational Guide, Second Edition, or as amended, that may be
considered as an alternative to new or expanded signalized intersections.
A meeting with PennDOT may be required to determine the parameters
of the transportation impact study required for a PennDOT Highway
Occupancy Permit (HOP). A municipal scoping meeting will also be required
prior to the commencement of the TIS to coordinate agreement on municipal
conditions and expectations. County officials will also need to be
involved whenever a county-owned roadway will be included in the TIS.
The study area shall be defined at the Municipal/PennDOT
scoping meeting but, at a minimum, shall include all development site
access locations, any intersections immediately adjacent to the development
property as well as all major intersections within 1/2 mile of all
development access locations. Additional intersections may be added
per the scoping meeting. The study area should also identify all transit
routes and transit stops within 1/2 mile of the proposed development
and the location of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.
Proposals that will generate more than 1,000 new average daily
trips shall expand the study area to include major intersections within
one mile of the development access locations.
All intersections identified in the study area should be examined,
even if the intersections are located outside of the Borough. (Municipalities
cannot request improvements for study intersections beyond the municipal
border; only PennDOT has this authority.)
A study of the transportation network and conditions surrounding
a proposed change or expansion of land uses, conducted to identify
the transportation impacts of the proposed land use change or expansion
and any possible mitigations needed to offset those impacts.
A one way trip into or out of the site, and not what is commonly
referred to as a "round trip."
The total number of trips to and from a study site per unit
of land use, as measured by parameters like dwelling units, floor
area or acres. The most current edition of the Institute of Transportation
Engineers (ITE) "Trip Generation Manual" shall be referenced to determine
the specific rates.
A series of tests which identify the minimum vehicular traffic
or pedestrian volumes or other criteria necessary for installation
of a traffic signal. The warrant criterions are available in the current
and PennDOT approved Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Or
PennDOT's Traffic Engineering Manual (Publication 46).
C.
Preparation of study. The transportation impact study shall be prepared
by a qualified traffic engineer and/or transportation planner with
the cost borne by the applicant. The procedures and standards for
the transportation impact study are set forth below.
D.
Municipal scoping meeting. A municipal scoping meeting may be required
to ensure that the parameters used in the TIS accurately reflect municipal
conditions and expectations. The applicant should confirm the need
for a municipal scoping meeting prior to submission. The scoping meeting
will address the number and locations of proposed access points, project
schedule and phasing, study area and additional intersections to be
included in the analysis, specific ITE Trip Generation land use codes,
pass-by volumes, modal splits, any trip adjustments to be used, and
other area developments and programmed roadway improvements to be
included in the future conditions analysis as well as potential opportunities
to implement transportation demand management (TDM) activities. Agreement
on all scoping parameters shall be obtained prior to initiation of
the transportation impact study. The municipal scoping meeting may
be held in conjunction with the PennDOT or county scoping meeting.
E.
Applicability.
(1)
Transportation impact study requirements shall apply to state,
county and local roadways. Coordination with PennDOT or County HOP
managers should occur as appropriate.
(2)
A transportation impact study shall be submitted with all development
proposals that generate 50 or more trips during the site peak hour,
or 500 or more trips per day, regardless of the proposed land use.
A TIS may also be required for Zoning map or text amendments, special
exceptions, conditional uses, variances, and/or any other pertinent
proposal, or as required by the Borough.
(a)
The anticipated number of peak hour trips and trips per day
shall be determined using the current edition of ITE's "Trip Generation
Manual," most recent edition, as amended. The proposed use or development
shall be identified using the appropriate ITE land use code. The appropriate
ITE land use code shall be agreed upon at the municipal scoping meeting.
(b)
For comparison purposes, the following ITE identified land uses
would generate approximately 50 trips during the site peak hour, or
500 trips per day. This is not an all-inclusive list of ITE land use
codes:
(3)
Any site that in the opinion of Borough Council has a significant
impact on traffic flow and safety may require a TIS.
(4)
An application which requires a TIS shall not be considered
complete until the transportation impact study is submitted to the
appropriate review body in accordance with the provisions of this
section.
(5)
Waiver or modification.
(a)
Borough Council may waive or modify the requirement for a TIS,
the extent of the study area, or any of the requirements and standards
of this section as they pertain to local roadways, provided that such
waiver or modification will not be contrary to the public interest
and that the purposes of the impact study are adequately served.
(b)
In considering a waiver or modification, Borough Council may
consider such factors as the location of the subject property, its
proximity to intersections and major roadways, the size and intensity
of the proposed subdivision or land development, the number and location
of proposed access points to the subject property, the nature of the
use proposed, and the advice of the Borough Engineer or Traffic Engineer.
(c)
Municipal officials may not waive or modify state or county
requirements pertaining to a TIS. Proposed developments with frontage
on state or county roadways shall coordinate with the appropriate
jurisdiction for any waiver or modification to the TIS or HOP requirements.
F.
General requirements and standards.
(1)
Site description. The site description shall include the size,
location, existing and proposed land uses, construction staging, and
completion date of the proposed land development. If the development
is residential, types of dwelling units shall also be included. The
general site description shall also include probable socioeconomic
characteristics of potential site users, if available, to the extent
that they may affect the transportation needs of the site, e.g., number
of senior citizens. A brief description of other major existing and
proposed land development within the study area shall be provided.
(2)
Transportation facilities description. The description shall
fully document the proposed internal and existing external transportation
system:
(a)
The map/graphic/description shall include proposed internal
vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian circulation, all proposed ingress
and egress locations, all internal roadway widths and rights-of-way,
parking conditions, traffic channelization, and any traffic signals
or other intersection control devices at all intersections within
the site.
(b)
The report shall describe the entire external roadway system
within the study area. Intersections in the study area shall be identified
and illustrated. Use of aerial photographs to help illustrate the
external transportation system is recommended. Any existing and proposed
public transit services and facilities within a 1/2-mile radius of
the site access locations shall also be documented.
(c)
All future highway improvements for which state funding has
been obligated or that are approved for other local developments shall
be indicated. This information shall be obtained from the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation's Transportation Improvement Program
or Twelve-Year Highway and Bridge Program, Montgomery County Planning
Commission and from the Borough. Roadway improvements associated with
surrounding proposed development that are proposed but not approved
shall be noted but shall not be included in future conditions analysis
unless otherwise indicated by PennDOT, the County or the Borough at
the scoping meeting.
(3)
Existing transportation conditions. Existing transportation
conditions shall be measured and documented for all roadways and intersections
in the study area and shall include:
(a)
Current average daily traffic volumes, peak highway hour(s)
traffic, and peak development-generated hour(s) traffic.
(b)
Manual turning movement counts (including vehicular, bicycle
and pedestrians and public transit vehicles) at all study intersections,
encompassing the peak highway and development generated peak hour(s),
with dates when any and all traffic counts were made included as a
technical appendix to the report.
(c)
Traffic count data shall not be greater than three years old
but shall be updated if traffic volumes or patterns have changed significantly.
If appropriate, counts shall be adjusted for school and/or other local
seasonal peak traffic volumes, as identified at the municipal scoping
meeting.
(d)
Transportation analyses based upon existing volumes shall be
performed for the a.m. and p.m. peak highway hour(s) and the peak
development-generated hour(s), if different from the highway peak
periods, for all roadways and intersections in the study area. Saturday
peak hour analysis shall be included when warranted. Conditions shall
be evaluated for each location by approach lane and intersection in
accordance with traffic engineering software and techniques as stipulated
in PennDOT's Publication 46 (2-12), Traffic Engineering Manual, (or
as updated) The analysis shall include volume/capacity ratios, levels
of service, average vehicle delays, queue lengths, current sight distances
and safe stopping distances at all proposed access locations. Signalized
intersections experiencing levels of service E or F, and v/c ratios
equal to or greater than 1.0 shall be noted as deficient. Unsignalized
intersections with levels of service D, E or F shall be noted as deficient.
Queue analyses shall be provided for existing conditions at unsignalized
intersections and gap analyses shall be provided as identified at
the scoping meeting.
(4)
Impact of development.
(a)
Estimation of vehicular trip generation to result from the proposed
development shall be completed for the a.m. and p.m. peak highway
hour(s), the peak development-generated hour(s), if different from
the a.m. or p.m. peak hour, and the twenty-four-hour average weekday.
Saturday peak hour trip generation shall be completed for commercial
and retail developments.
(b)
These generated volumes shall be distributed to the study area
and assigned to the existing roadways and study area intersections.
Traffic volumes and turning movements shall be assigned at all proposed
access locations and all intersections in the study area. Documentation
of all assumptions used in the distribution and assignment phases
shall be provided. Pedestrian volumes shall also be calculated, if
applicable. If school crossings are to be used, pedestrian volumes
shall be assigned to each crossing. Transit volumes shall be assigned
to currently available public transit services as applicable.
(c)
Note any characteristics of the development, the general site
or study area that may cause particular trip generation, distribution
or modal split modifications.
(d)
Note development features that are planned to reduce trip generation
rates and document transportation demand management (TDM) assumptions.
Noted TDM practices may be included in the conditions of approval
if listed in the TIS.
(5)
Analysis of impact.
(a)
The total future traffic shall be calculated and shall consist
of the existing traffic volume expanded to the project completion
year using an annual background growth factor plus the development-generated
traffic and the traffic generated by other developments in the study
area as identified at the PennDOT or municipal scoping meeting.
(b)
The annual background growth factor for overall traffic volumes
shall be determined using PennDOT's growth factors calculations unless
enough local ADT volume data is available to establish more accurate
average traffic volume changes over the past five years. The background
growth factor should be established at the municipal scoping meeting.
The background growth rate should be applied to the current ADT and
turning movement volumes to forecast background traffic volumes for
the development opening year and any successive phase completions.
All assumptions used to revise trip distribution should be provided,
i.e., other major developments that will change current traffic patterns.
(c)
Future transportation conditions shall be analyzed using the
same techniques as used for the existing transportation conditions.
Future conditions without the proposed development traffic (future
without) shall be provided for all study area intersections and shall
include background traffic growth and traffic from other local proposed/approved
developments as agreed to at the scoping meeting. Only those roadway
improvements that are programmed, with obligated funds, to be completed
prior to the opening year of the proposed development shall be included
in the future without analysis. Diagrams illustrating LOS, v/c ratios
and average vehicle delay in seconds shall be provided for each study
area intersection/turning movement for future without conditions.
[1]
A second future conditions analysis shall be conducted that
includes the proposed development traffic (future with). Roadway improvements
proposed to be constructed by the developer prior to the opening date
of the development can be incorporated into the analysis. Diagrams
illustrating LOS, v/c ratios and average vehicle delay in seconds
shall be provided for each study area intersection/turning movement
for total future with traffic conditions.
[2]
A table shall be provided illustrating the existing, future
without and future with conditions for all intersections within the
study area, by lane group and identifying the LOS, delay in seconds,
v/c ratios, and queues for each lane group. The table should note
any changes to the roadway that have been included in the future without
and future with analyses. Queue length studies for unsignalized intersections
shall also be conducted for existing, future without and future with
conditions and displayed in graphics and/or a table and noting future
without and future with improvements.
(d)
All analyses shall include a.m. and p.m. peak highway hour(s)
and peak development-generated hour(s), if different from the highway
peaks, for all roadways and intersections in the study area. All access
points and pedestrian crossings shall be examined as to the appropriateness
of installing traffic signals or other traffic control measures based
on the current and PennDOT approved edition of the Manual of Uniform
Traffic Control Devices. Roundabouts may be considered as an alternative
to additional traffic signals, if approved by both PennDOT and the
Borough.
(6)
Conclusions and recommendations.
(a)
Future levels of service (LOS), average vehicle delay and v/c
ratios shall be listed for all intersections and turning movements.
Intersections showing a level of service E or F, and v/c ratios equal
to or greater than 1.0 shall be considered deficient.
(b)
Level of service drops shall be identified for both future without
and future with conditions. Level of service drops shall be identified
by approach lane group.
(c)
Specific recommendations for the elimination of level of service
drops below LOS C in rural areas or LOS D in urbanized areas resulting
in the future with analysis shall be listed and shall include: internal
circulation design, site access location and design, external roadway
intersection design and improvements including the potential for use
of roundabouts, traffic signal installation and operation including
signal timing, transit design improvements, and any pedestrian improvements
needed to support nonvehicular mobility associated with the development
proposal.
(d)
All physical roadway improvements shall be illustrated and overlain
on aerial photography to show the extent of the construction impacts.
(e)
Signal timing revisions and/or signal equipment upgrades shall
be evaluated for any intersection with a level of service E, or F,
but a volume/capacity (v/c) ratio less than 1.0. Warrants for signalization
or other traffic control measures shall be examined for unsignalized
intersections with levels of service E or F based on the current and
PennDOT approved Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices or the
current PennDOT Traffic Engineering Manual.
(f)
Existing and/or future public transit service shall also be
addressed and any transportation demand management techniques proposed
with the development shall be identified. A listing of all actions
to be taken to encourage public transit usage or other transportation
demand management techniques for development-generated trips, and/or
improve existing service, if applicable, shall be included. Any proposed
transit service improvements should be coordinated with SEPTA or the
appropriate local transit provider and should conform to SEPTA's current
Bus Stop Design Guidelines.
(g)
Proposed transportation system improvements should be consistent
with municipal comprehensive planning or other plans referencing overall
mobility and/or transit services.
(7)
Implementation of recommendations. The applicant shall be required
to implement the On-Site transportation improvements necessary to
mitigate the future with deficient traffic conditions as noted in
the TIS unless modified or waived by the Municipal Officials. Off-Site
transportation improvements found to be necessary by the TIS may be
included in an Alternative Transportation Program through agreement
with the applicant, the Borough and PennDOT or the County, as applicable.
The Municipal Officials may have an independent review done of the
applicant's transportation impact study, at the applicant's expense,
to make a final determination of the improvements that must be implemented.
(8)
Additional coordination with PennDOT or the County may be necessary
to ensure compatibility between the proposed transportation improvements
and Highway Occupancy Permit requirements. All communications with
PennDOT or the County regarding the HOP or other transportation related
issues associated with the proposed development shall be copied to
the Borough.
A.
The stormwater management report shall be a self contained report
with all calculations and design elements. All plans showing the proposed
storm sewer construction must be accompanied by a complete design
prepared by a registered engineer. The report shall contain the following
elements:
B.
Design of stormwater control structures.
(1)
Calculation. The quantity of runoff shall be computed using
the following methods for stormwater control structures:
(a)
NRCS Soil Cover Complex Method (TR-55 or TR-20 or commercial
equivalent) for drainage areas up to 100 acres.
(b)
NRCS Soil Cover Complex Method (TR-20 or commercial equivalent)
or one of the hydrologic methods implemented in HEC-HMS or HEC-1 for
drainage areas over 100 acres.
(c)
A rational hydrograph method (Modified Rational or Universal
Rational) may be used for any site equal to or less than 10 acres.
(d)
Other methods as approved by the Borough Engineer.
(2)
Assumptions. The following assumptions shall be used in the
appropriate stormwater computational method.
(a)
Design runoff hydrographs shall be based upon the most current
PennDot regional twenty-four-hour rainfall depths or NOAA Atlas 14
data.
(b)
NRCS Type II distribution shall be used to establish the rainfall
distribution for stormwater management hydrologic analysis.
(c)
The NRCS dimensionaless unit hydrograph "k" factor of 484 shall
be used for both pre- and post-development stormwater analysis unless
a different value is found to be more appropriate based upon watershed
analysis.
(3)
Stormwater volume control design shall be based upon a two-year,
twenty-four-hour storm event.
(4)
Stormwater peak runoff control design shall be based upon the
one-, two-, ten-, twenty-five-, fifty-, and 100-year, twenty-four-hour
storm events.
C.
Water quality control.
(1)
Demonstration that the design capture volume is completely removed
and 90% of the disturbed area in a site is drained through a water
quality BMP; or
(2)
Computationally demonstrate compliance with the water quality
standard by estimating pollutant loadings for the proposed development
and pollutant load reductions by selected BMPs.
(3)
Post-development pollutant loadings shall be computed based
upon the land cover classifications and loading rates in the Pennsylvania
Stormwater Design Manual or other sources provided by the Borough
Engineer.
D.
Stormwater conveyance design. The storm drainage system consisting
of storm sewer pipes, swales, and open channels shall be based upon
the following design standards:
(1)
Design frequency. All stormwater facilities shall be designed
to transport a twenty-five-year frequency storm. Provision must also
be made to transport a 100-year frequency storm so that surface waters
will not damage property or flood roads, and that the 100-year frequency
storm shall be transported to the appropriate stormwater management
facility.
(2)
The rate of runoff in conveyance systems shall be computed using
the following methods for stormwater control structures:
(3)
Rainfall intensities in the most recent edition of the Pennsylvania
Highway Design Manual Part 2 shall be used (PennDOT).
(4)
Rational Method Coefficients shall be based upon the Pennsylvania
Highway Design Manual Part 2 or the recommendation of the Borough
Engineer.
(5)
Hydraulic design computations for stormwater conveyance systems
shall follow appropriate methods provided in the NRCS National Engineering
Handbook, Part 640, Hyrology, The Federal Highway Administration's
Urban Drainage Design Manual, HEC-22, PennDot Design Manual Park 2,
the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, or other
technical manuals as recommended by the Borough Engineer and shall
be submitted in a manner acceptable to the Borough Engineer. Inlet
design data shall be submitted on a separate sheet, on the standard
PennDOT design form, or similar form acceptable to the Borough Engineer.
A.
Purpose. Groundwater studies are intended to determine if there is
an adequate supply of water for a proposed use and to estimate the
impact of additional water withdrawals on existing nearby wells, underlying
aquifers, and streams.
B.
Applicability.
(1)
Since the Borough is located within the Southeastern Pennsylvania
Groundwater Protection Area of the Delaware River Basin Commission
(DRBC), all projects with wells withdrawing 10,000 gallons per day
(gpd) or greater of groundwater or surface water or a combination
of these two sources are required to obtain a permit from the DRBC.
These projects are not required to submit groundwater impact study;
however, copies of all submissions by the applicant to DRBC must be
sent to the Borough. Additionally, copies of all submissions to the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and all
correspondence received by the applicant from DEP shall be forwarded
to the Borough.
(2)
Groundwater studies are required for projects that not subject
to permit or docket approval from DRBC and which fall into one of
the following three categories:
(a)
Subdivisions that contain five or more dwelling units and have
an overall gross density greater than one house per two acres, excluding
residual agricultural lots.
(b)
All land developments intended for nonresidential use (i.e.,
industrial, commercial, and institutional) unless waived by Borough
Council.
(c)
Subdivisions or land developments taking place in an area with
known groundwater contamination or groundwater supply problems as
identified in the Borough Comprehensive Plan or by another study approved
by Borough Council, or by the Department of Environmental Protection.
C.
Study. The Borough will not approve any subdivision or land development
where the groundwater impact study shows that the proposed water system:
(1)
Does not provide an adequate supply of water for the proposed
use, considering both quality and quantity.
(2)
Adversely affects nearby wells and streams.
(3)
Does not provide for adequate groundwater recharge, considering
other withdrawals.
(4)
Does not provide safe drinking water, taking into account reasonable
treatment options.
D.
General requirements and standards for a groundwater impact study.
All groundwater impact studies must meet the following requirements:
(1)
The study shall be prepared by a professional hydrologist, geologist,
or engineer qualified to conduct groundwater investigations.
(2)
A Phase I study shall be conducted for all projects required
to do a groundwater study. The Phase I study shall be based upon available
literature and appropriate professional judgment and shall include
the following information:
(a)
Calculations of the projected water needs using the criteria
set forth in the following references:
[1]
Public Water Supply Manual, Bureau of Water Quality Management,
PA Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, PA.
[2]
Guide to Determination of Required Fire Flow by the Insurance
Service Office (ISO), as modified.
[3]
Standards and Manuals for the American Water Works Association,
Denver, Colorado.
(b)
A geologic map of the area within a one-mile radius of the site
boundary.
(c)
The location of all faults, lineaments, and fracture traces
within a quarter mile of the site boundary.
(d)
The locations of all existing and proposed wells within a quarter
mile of the site boundary, and all large withdrawal wells (10,000+
gpd) within one mile of the site.
(e)
The location of all existing and proposed on-lot septic systems
within a quarter mile of the site boundary.
(f)
The location of all streams, perennial, and intermittent, within
a quarter mile of the site boundary.
(g)
A discussion of the aquifers underlying the site and their long-term
drought recharge capability based on accepted published data or detailed
site specific investigation for both the pre- and post-development
condition.
(h)
Based on the drought recharge capability of the underlying aquifer
and the calculated daily groundwater withdrawals of the project, a
hydrologic budget shall be calculated for the site and for the area
within a quarter mile of the site boundary.
(i)
Based on the results of the hydrologic budget, a determination
shall be made about adverse effects on the groundwater to be caused
by the project. This determination should include analysis of the
total recharge water volume lost to the site as a result of the creation
of new impervious surface or modified ground cover found on site.
Pumping of groundwater and wastewater disposal must also be evaluated
within the hydrologic budget.
(j)
Water quality information for area groundwater based from tests
of area wells and special groundwater quality issues.
(k)
Potential sources of water quality impact such as wastewater
treatment systems, industrial sites, landfills, underground storage
facilities, surface water infiltration agriculture chemicals or solid
waste disposal facilities existing within a quarter mile of the site
boundary should be analyzed. All potential source impacts should include
pollutant loading analysis using an accepted methodology to address
metals/inorganic compounds, hydrocarbons, suspended sediments, nutrients,
biological chemical oxygen demand, volatile organics, and fecal coliform.
(l)
An estimation of the effects upon base flow of nearby streams,
with special attention given to critical low flow periods.
(m)
Average rainfall and storm patterns.
(n)
The study shall include a brief statement of the qualifications
of the person(s) preparing the study.
(o)
The study shall consider data and conclusions within the following
studies:
[1]
Special Groundwater Study of the Delaware River Basin Study
Area II (Delaware River Basin Commission, 1982).
[2]
Groundwater Resources of the Brunswick Formation in Montgomery
and Berks Counties, Pennsylvania, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic
Survey (1965).
[3]
Groundwater Resources of Montgomery County, Bureau of Topographic
and Geologic Survey, 1971.
[4]
Previous reports prepared by other developers in the Borough
which are determined to be relevant by the Borough.
(p)
Technical criteria. A Phase I study shall be prepared and submitted
by the applicant, at the expense of the applicant, in compliance with
the following criteria:
[1]
The text of studies shall contain pertinent data, analyses,
and methods used to arrive at the report's conclusions. Appendices
shall contain raw and summary data.
[2]
All figures contained within studies shall contain complete
legends, titles, and scales.
[3]
All numerical parameters within studies shall be presented with
appropriate units, and all data shall be referenced by sources, data,
location, and time, where appropriate.
(q)
The Phase I study should be certified by the licensed hydro-geologist/geologist
or sealed by a professional engineer; whoever prepared the study.
(3)
A Phase II Groundwater Impact Study shall be conducted when
the results of the Phase I study identify potential water supply problems.
The Phase II study shall develop conclusions regarding groundwater
impact based upon site investigations. Specific requirements for a
Phase II study shall include:
(a)
A pump test shall be conducted in the following manner:
[1]
A step drawdown test shall be conducted in accordance with AWWA
Standard A100, latest revision. Upon completion of the step drawdown
test, a forty-eight-hour continuous pump test shall be conducted in
accordance with DEP and AWWA A100 standards.
[2]
The test shall be conducted during a period of when no significant
recharge has occurred, unless the influence of recharge can be factored
out.
[3]
The test shall include one pumping well (roughly centered on-site)
and at least two observation wells. The pumping and observation wells
should be located on the same fracture based upon a fracture trace
analysis conducted at the site.
[4]
Analyses shall include all pumping and recovery calculations
of hydraulic conductivity (directional) and specific yield, specific
capacity and long-term sustainable well yield (tabulated).
[5]
The test shall be conducted with a pumping rate of 20% greater
than the proposed peak rate of groundwater use.
[6]
One pumping test (done separately) shall be required for each
160 acres of the proposed subdivision.
(b)
Samples of water shall be drawn from all test wells on site
prior to the termination of the pump test and shall be tested for
all parameters required for DEP for the new sources in conformance
with their publication "Water Supply Manual" in addition to odor,
bacteria-total plate count, total coliform per 100 millimeters, and
hardness. An analysis of the above-listed parameters shall be performed
on the samples by a laboratory certified by the DEP. Lab analysis
should be performed in accordance with Standard Methods for the Examination
of Water and Wastewater," latest edition.
(c)
The Phase II study shall be prepared and submitted to the Borough
at the applicant's expense. In addition to the information required
for the Phase I study, the Phase II study should include the following:
[2]
The static water level immediately prior to yield testing.
[3]
A hydrography of the depth to water surface during test pumping
and recovery period at the test well or wells showing corresponding
pump Based on the drought recharge capability of the underlying aquifer
and the calculated daily groundwater withdrawals of the project, a
hydrologic budget shall be calculated for the site property itself,
and for the area within a quarter-mile of the site boundary.
[4]
A log of depth to water surfaces of existing and monitoring
wells during the pump test period showing the times readings were
taken.
[5]
A map illustrating the draw-down effects upon off-site wells
and springs located within one-half (2) mile[2] distance from the site boundary, indicating draw-downs
of one foot or more, occurring during a year with a natural recharge
rate of one-year-in-ten frequency.
[2]
Editor’s Note: So in original.
[6]
An analysis and interpretation of the impact of the proposed
water supply and distribution system on the groundwater supply and
existing wells.
A.
Projects affecting or potentially affecting historical or archeological
sites may be subject to the review and approval of the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission Bureau of Historic Preservation (BHP)
under the Provisions of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act[1] and Section 10 of the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation
Act.[2] The BHP will review any site for potential archeological
or historical site impact and may recommend one of the following actions:
