This chapter is deemed essential and necessary
to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of
Franklin Township and the surrounding communities by accomplishing
the following purposes:
A. Meet the stormwater standards set by the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection for recharge, detention, and
quality.
B. Maintain the useful life of reservoirs and streams
by preventing sedimentation.
C. Maintain the maximum recharge of water into the watershed.
D. Maintain the rural vista and land flow which defines
Franklin Township.
E. Prevent dangers to life and property from flooding
resulting from excessive water runoff and clogging of drainage structures.
F. Preserve the recreational use of water bodies for
swimming and fishing by preventing stagnation.
G. Enhance the recycling of wastewater by maintaining
sufficient flows in streams and rivers to maintain oxygen levels.
H. Prevent toxic materials, nitrates and pesticides from
entering public water supplies.
I. Conserve the taxable value of property by enhancing
the environmental character of the Township.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
CUT
The portion of land surface or area from which earth has
been removed or will be removed by excavation; the depth below original
ground surface to excavated surface.
DIVERSION
A channel with or without a supporting ridge on the lower
side, constructed across or at the bottom of a slope.
EMBANKMENT
A man-made deposit of soil, rock or other material.
EROSION
The wearing away of the land surface by the action of wind,
water or gravity.
EXISTING GRADE
The vertical location (i.e., elevation) of the existing ground
surface prior to cutting or filling.
FILL SOURCING PLAN
A plan showing the proposed sourcing of all imported material
to the site and the procedures and inspections proposed to ensure
that the material used is free of contamination. It shall also include
a delivery route and assessment of bridge impact and capacity and
cleanup process.
FINISHED GRADE
The final elevation of the ground surface conforming to the
proposed design.
FOUNDATION PLAN/LOCATION SURVEY
A plan developed in accordance with the broad principles
contained within this section which is to be submitted to the Township
Code Enforcement Officer once the foundation is complete and prior
to proceeding with the framing of the structure. The plan will be
forwarded to the Township Engineer and Zoning Officer for review and
approval.
GRADING
Any stripping, cutting, filling, stockpiling or any combination
thereof.
GRADING PERMIT
A permit issued to authorize work to be performed under this
chapter as shown on the approved soil disturbance and grading plan
or stormwater management and grading plan.
GRASSED WATERWAY
A natural or constructed path, usually broad and shallow,
covered with erosion-resistant grasses, used to conduct surface water
from a field, diversion or other site feature.
INDIVIDUAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
One or more system(s) designed to contain the surface water
associated with the impervious coverage during a twenty-five-year
storm. Development involving the construction of an additional 300
square feet of impervious coverage or less to an existing structure
is exempt from providing individual stormwater management.
MULCHING
The application of plant or other suitable materials on the
soil surface to conserve moisture, hold soil in place and aid in establishing
plant cover.
PERMANENT FINAL PLANT COVER
Final grade in compliance with approved plan with established
vegetative cover over 95% of the disturbed area.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, both mineral and organic, being transported
or has been moved from its site of origin by air, water or gravity
as a product of erosion.
SLOPE
The degree of deviation of a surface from the horizontal
plane, usually expressed in percent or degree.
SOIL
All unconsolidated mineral and organic material of whatever
origin that overlies bedrock and which can be readily excavated.
SOIL DISTURBANCE AND GRADING PLAN
A plan developed in accordance with the broad principles
contained in this chapter and based on the specific standards and
specifications of the Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
in New Jersey, as promulgated by the State Soil Conservation Committee.
Individual stormwater management must be provided if the surface water
runoff associated with the impervious coverage is not accounted for
in the overall subdivision and/or site plan approval. The soil disturbance
and grading plan or stormwater management and grading site plan must
comply with all applicable conditions of any prior subdivision, site
plan or variance approval.
STABILIZATION PLAN
A plan prepared by a qualified geotechnical engineer which
demonstrates that any fill will be safe from movement and or stabilization
structures to make it safe, and includes an inspection program for
fill stabilization and compaction.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
A plan which is developed in accordance of the DEP stormwater
management standards, and shall also include all information required
for a soil disturbance and grading plan.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE PLAN
A plan which covers both site-wide and individual stormwater
facilities. It shall identify all required maintenance and responsibility
for any and all stormwater management facilities on the site. It shall
also identify remedial responsibility if proper maintenance is not
followed or for any system failure.
STRIPPING
Any activity which removes or disturbs the vegetative surface
cover, including clearing and grubbing operations.
TEMPORARY PROTECTION
Shall be in accordance with Standards for Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control in New Jersey:
TOPSOIL
Native material stripped from the site (minimum organic content
of not less than 2.75% by weight) containing no stones, lumps, roots
or similar objects larger that two inches in any dimension and not
less that a 5.8 pH value.
UNDERGROUND RECHARGE SYSTEM(S)
Consists of infiltration tanks and clean stone, not recharge
trenches. The bottom of the tanks shall be a minimum of three feet
above the seasonal groundwater table or bedrock. The underground recharge
system must be a minimum of 20 feet from any building foundation and
100 feet from any septic system. The surrounding soils must have a
soil infiltration rate of 0.5 inches per hour or greater. An overflow
system shall be provided that connects to the nearest surface drainage
facility of adequate hydraulic capacity or discharges away from all
structures and septic systems.
VEGETATIVE PROTECTION
Stabilization of erosive or sediment-producing areas by covering
the soil with:
A.
Permanent seeding, producing long-term vegetative
cover;
B.
Short-term seeding, producing temporary vegetative
cover; or
C.
Sodding, producing areas covered with a turf
of perennial sod-forming grass.
WATERCOURSE
Any natural or artificial waterway, stream, river, creek,
ditch, channel, canal, conduit, culvert, drain waterway, gully, ravine
or wash in which water flows in a definite direction or course, either
continuously or intermittently, and which has a definite channel bed
and banks, and includes any area adjacent thereto subject to inundation
by reason of overflow or floodwater.
In the preparation of a soil disturbance and
grading plan or stormwater management and grading site plan, the following
general principles of design shall be adhered to:
A. The smallest practical area of land shall be exposed
at any one time during development, and when feasible, natural vegetation
shall be retained and protected.
B. Temporary plant cover and/or mulching shall be used
to protect critical erosion areas during construction or other disturbance.
C. Temporary diversions and outlets shall be constructed
and/or installed to accommodate the increased runoff caused by the
changed soil and surface conditions during development.
D. Sediment shall be retained on the site to the maximum
extent feasible.
E. Permanent final plant cover (lawn, ground cover, etc.)
shall be installed as quickly as possible on any site but must be
installed within 90 days.
F. Permanent final plant cover must be established in
grassed swales and on slopes in excess of 5% prior to issuance of
a certificate of occupancy unless weather conditions commonly encountered
during winter months (December to March) prohibit vegetative growth.
All other areas must have signs of vegetative growth from planted
grass seeds on 80% of the disturbed areas prior to issuance of a certificate
of occupancy, unless weather conditions identified above exist.
G. The finished grade around mature trees, which are
to remain, should be the same as the existing grade. Tree wells or
other means may be necessary to assure the health of existing mature
trees upon completion of grading activities. Tree protection fence
must be installed prior to construction activities and maintained
throughout construction at the dripline of all trees to remain following
construction.
H. The first floor elevation of any structure shall not
be more than 3.5 feet above the original average existing front grade
of the proposed structure.
I. Permanent final plant cover must be fully established
throughout the entire area of disturbance and grading must be per
the approved plan prior to the release of any performance guaranties.
J. The plan shall coordinate with the stormwater management
plan approved by the Land Use Board, if part of a major subdivision
and/or site plan. Inlets and drainage patterns of the major subdivision
and/or site plan must be considered in the preparation of the soil
disturbance and grading plan or stormwater management and grading
site plan.
K. All soil disturbance and grading plans or stormwater
management and grading site plans must contain individual stormwater
management unless otherwise noted in the resolution of approval for
the subdivision, site plan or variance or the development involves
the construction of an additional 300 square feet of impervious coverage
or less to an existing structure. The individual stormwater management
system must be able to contain the surface water associated with the
impervious coverage during a twenty-five-year storm. The construction
details of the system must be defined on the plan. The Township Engineer
must be notified of the installation of the system in order to schedule
an inspection.
L. The disturbed area shall have a minimum of four inches
of topsoil spread to finished grade according to the approved soil
disturbance and grading plan or stormwater management and grading
site plan. The seed mixture shall be incorporated into the top 1/4
inch to 1/2 inch of the topsoil at a rate of 200 pounds per acre.
Outside the optional seeding periods of March 1 to May 15 and August
15 to October 1, the rate of seeding shall be increased by 50%. Seedings
shall receive an application of fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or equivalent
approximately six months after the first application. Straw or hay
mulch shall be spread uniformly at a rate of two to 2 1/2 tons
per acre when vegetative cover cannot be established due to the season
or other conditions. Jute matting shall be installed in critical drainage
swales.
M. Minimum of 2% slope shall be provided for all overland
areas and swales.
N. No slopes greater than 3:1 shall be created by the
proposed land disturbance.
O. All conditions of Chapter
166, Driveways, shall be complied with.
P. The individual stormwater management systems must
be at least 20 feet from the building foundation and 100 feet from
any septic system.
Q. Landscape retaining walls may be proposed in accordance
with the zoning requirements of an accessory structure.
R. No fill shall be allowed on slopes greater than 15%.
S. Fill of any depth on slopes of 15% to 20% and fill
of any depth on slopes of 20% to 30% shall require a soil-slope stability
report and stabilization plan submitted by a qualified geotechnical
engineer to show that the fill is designed to be safe and free from
movement. It should include design of stability structures and a compaction
plan. The compaction plan shall be inspected and certified by the
geotechnical engineer after every lift and shall be submitted for
review and approval by the Township Engineer upon completion, prior
to issuance of any further permits for construction on the site.
T. Fill brought on site must be free of any contamination.
A certification must be submitted along with appropriate inspections
to demonstrate the source of all fill and its cleanliness. The municipality
may obtain samples of inbound material for analysis at the applicant's
expense.
U. Fill brought on site shall be limited to 100 cubic
yards per acre.
The Township may refer review/approval of the
soil disturbance and grading plan or stormwater management and grading
site plan for soil erosion and sedimentation control measures to the
Hunterdon County Soil Conservation District or such other local, county,
state, or federal agency as may be particularly qualified to review
the plan.