The intent of this article is to provide Hamilton
Township with information which is necessary to preserve its environment
and to assure the orderly growth and development of the township.
It is therefore recognized that, in order to promote land uses which
support the public health, safety and welfare, protect public and
private property and are reasonably consistent and compatible with
the natural laws governing the physical, chemical and ecological environment
of the township, environmental impact and site analysis statements,
herein known as an "EIS," shall be required to assure a thorough documentation
of every project. It is in this context that this article is set forth.
The environmental impact statement should be
prepared using an interdisciplinary approach. The qualifications of
the person(s) who prepared each of the various elements of the statement
shall be identified in a separate section of the EIS. References shall
be cited throughout the statement as appropriate and listed fully
using a consistent, standard format.
The environmental impact statement shall be
bound or in a loose-leaf binder and submitted on paper 8 1/2
inches by 11 inches. Each major section of the statement shall be
clearly identified and shall begin on a separate page. All maps, plans
and aerial photographs included in the statement shall specify a North
point, graphic scale, date of preparation, source of information and,
when appropriate, boundary lines. Maps, plans and aerial photographs
submitted in each major section of the statement shall be at appropriate
scales to facilitate comparative analyses and assessments of environmental
impacts.
The EIS shall contain the following elements,
as specified below:
A. Cover page. The cover page shall indicate:
(1)
That the document is an EIS for (state name
or title of application).
(2)
The name of the proposed facility.
(3)
Its location within the township.
(4)
The name, address and telephone number of the
person who prepared the EIS.
(5)
The date of preparation of the EIS and/or revision
dates.
B. Executive summary. A one-page summary containing the
following elements shall be placed at the beginning of the EIS:
(1)
A brief description of the proposed project,
including a summary traffic analysis, fiscal impact analysis, total
number of units by type and transparency overlay maps at a scale of
one inch equals 2,000 feet.
(2)
A summary of major beneficial and adverse environmental
impacts of the proposed facility.
(3)
A summary of major alternatives considered.
(4)
The township, county, state and federal approvals
required or received for the proposed facility, if any.
(5)
Any other information deemed appropriate.
C. Table of contents. The EIS shall contain a table of
contents indicating the page numbers of the major sections and subsections
of the EIS, as well as any appendixes and accompanying exhibits.
D. Inventory. The applicant shall succinctly describe
the existing environmental conditions of the site and surrounding
region in sufficient detail to assist in the location and design of
the facility, provide a basis for the applicant's assessment of the
probable beneficial and adverse impacts of the proposed facility and
enable the township to make the findings for permit approval. General
inventory requirements for each facility type shall be as required
herein.
E. Project description. The applicant shall succinctly
describe what he proposes to do and where and how he proposes to do
it during construction and operation of the facility. The project
description shall include written text and graphic materials, including
a site plan which may contain as much of the project description requirements
for each facility type as required herein.
F. Assessment. The applicant shall succinctly assess
the probable beneficial and adverse impacts of the proposed facility
on the built and natural environment as described in the inventory
section of the EIS. Where appropriate, on-site primary impacts and
off-site secondary impacts shall be assessed. Specific assessment
requirements vary depending upon the sensitivity of the land and water
features of the site and the scale and complexity of the proposed
facility. In general, the assessment shall be made from the long-term
perspective that each generation is a trustee of the natural and built
environment for future generations.
G. Unavoidable adverse environmental impact. The applicant
shall describe probable adverse environmental impacts of the facility
that cannot be avoided, including irretrievable commitments of resources,
which shall be listed in the order of their relative magnitude.
H. Techniques to minimize adverse environmental impacts.
The applicant shall describe the steps he will take to minimize or
avoid adverse environmental impacts during the facility's construction,
operation or removal both at the site and in the surrounding region.
The applicant's program for ascertaining and verifying the accuracy
of the environmental assessment of the facility and the actual effects
of project construction shall be described in narrative and graphic
form.
I. Alternatives.
(1)
When required on the environmental review checklist, the applicant shall briefly identify, describe and analyze
design alternatives.
(2)
The discussion of design alternatives shall
include an evaluation of design alternatives that might avoid or minimize
some or all of the probable adverse environmental impacts of the project.
The applicant shall summarize the costs and benefits of the design
alternatives analyzed and presented. A brief summary of the reasons
for the acceptability or nonacceptability of each alternative shall
be given. For residential and sewerage facilities, the presentation
of design alternatives may include a brief narrative and accompanying
sketch plans.
(3)
For residential and nonresidential projects
seeking a use variance, the applicant shall also briefly state alternative
uses of the site considered and the reasons for rejection.
J. Other required licenses, permits and approvals. The
applicant shall list all known licenses, permits and other approvals
required by township, county, state or federal law for the construction
and operation of the proposed facility. The status of each shall be
identified.
K. Documentation. The applicant shall prepare a reference
list, using a consistent standard format, of all published materials,
reports, manuscripts or other written sources of information on the
facility, its site and surrounding region consulted and employed in
the preparation of the environmental impact statement. A separate
reference list of all government agencies and individuals that either
provided information orally and by letter or coordinated the EIS shall
be prepared, with the dates and locations of all meetings specified.
The documentation section shall also indicate the person(s) that prepared
each major section and subsection of EIS, including their qualifications.
L. The required elements set forth in §
203-151 of this article.
The same schedule and conditions applicable
to the full site plan requirements shall also apply to periods of
a submitted EIS.
Inventory and plan elements shall be as follows:
A. General site location map. The site of the proposed
facility shall be located generally on a United States Geological
Survey Map of the township.
B. Site location map and existing site conditions.
(1)
A site location map shall be provided consistent
with the standards established for a site plan submission as set forth
in the Hamilton Township subdivision and site plan review regulations.
(2)
Existing site conditions shall be outlined pursuant
to the requirements set forth in the Hamilton Township site plan review
regulations.
(3)
The applicant shall furnish a written statement
and appropriate maps locating and explaining future development anticipated
by the applicant, if any, to both the site and adjacent land owned
or leased by the applicant or that the applicant has an option to
purchase or lease.
C. Geology and soils. A map and text shall identify and
describe the physical features of the site, including but not limited
to:
(1)
Soil types, as classified and mapped by the
United States Soil Conservation Service, New Jersey Pinelands Commission
and verified on site by a competent professional, i.e., soils engineer.
(2)
A soils data chart with descriptions indicating
the following information for each soil type identified within the
site:
(c)
Seasonal high-water table.
(e)
Agricultural land capacity class.
(g)
Septic tank suitability, if appropriate.
(h)
Trafficability (dust hazard).
(i)
Depth of and name of the first geologic formation
named on New Jersey Geologic Map, Atlas Sheet 40, including prequaternary
deposits.
(j)
Degree of acidity and alkalinity of soil (pH
of 5.5 or lower and pH of 8.5 and higher).
(3)
Engineering soil classification, as mapped by
the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.
(4)
An engineering design characteristics chart
indicating the following information for each engineering soil classification
within the site:
(a)
Limitations of soils for roadcuts and fills.
(b)
Road alignment characteristics.
(c)
Limitations of soils for embankments.
(d)
Pavement support characteristics.
(5)
The location, nature and thickness of any areas
containing landfill materials on and within 2,000 feet of the site,
a description of the landfill materials and the appropriate beginning
and cessation dates of landfill activities.
(6)
Potentially valuable mineral, gravel or other
subsurface resources of the site shall be identified.
(7)
Soil erosion and sediment control plan. The
site plan or a separate plan shall identify, describe and locate the
following items, where applicable, for the proposed facility:
(a)
Specific sediment control methods and structure,
including but not limited to seeding, mulching, sodding, diversions,
waterways, slope stabilization structures and sedimentation basins,
including the design rationale for permanent sedimentation basins
or other waterways.
(b)
A schedule for the installation of planned erosions
and sedimentation control measures, stating anticipated starting and
completion dates for clearing and grading, timing of storm drain or
culvert installations, duration of exposure of soils and critical
areas stabilization, both temporary and permanent.
(c)
An outline of procedures for the maintenance
of the erosion control facilities, including disposal of materials
to be removed from these control facilities.
D. Hydrology. A topographic map of the site and its surroundings
to a distance of 300 feet, with contour intervals consistent with
the Hamilton Township subdivision and site plan review regulations.
(1)
Surface water.
(a)
Existing natural and man-made watercourses,
including drainageways, swales and water control structures, on and
within 300 feet of the site, with their location, width, slope, capacity
and direction of flow.
(b)
Flood hazard areas or flood-prone areas with
cross sections of watercourses at an appropriate scale and at appropriate
intervals along the watercourse, showing extent of floodplain, top
of bank, normal water level and bottom elevation.
(c)
Existing lakes, ponds, bays and estuaries within
or adjacent to the site, with location, extent and water level elevation.
(d)
Existing storm drainage systems, including storm
sewers, drainage ditches and retention or detention basins, on or
adjacent to the site, with location, extent, capacity and direction
of flow.
(e)
Existing stormwater runoff from the project site and upstream watershed areas and calculations in accordance with Article
XII, §
203-132, used to determine the same.
(f)
Existing slope analysis, with slopes of 0% to
1%, 2% to 4%, 5% to 9%, 10% to 14% and 15% or more delineated.
(2)
Groundwater.
(b)
Direction of groundwater movement.
(c)
Yields of existing wells within 1/2 mile
of the site, including a description of aquifer(s) being utilized.
E. Water quality.
(1)
Surface water. A water quality inventory of
such water bodies directly affected by the proposed facility shall
be prepared utilizing existing authoritative sources of information,
including but not limited to Hamilton Township, the Atlantic County
Board of Health, the Department of Environmental Protection, the United
States Geological Survey, the United States Environmental Protection
Agency or the Pinelands Commission. The classifications of such affected
water bodies, their water quality standards and their status in meeting
the established water quality standards shall be described. Existing
restrictive uses of these water bodies shall be identified. The need
to prevent additional data shall be based upon the relative sensitivity
of the water body affected.
(2)
Groundwater. Where groundwaters are to be utilized
for potable water supplies, the water quality inventory shall include
established drinking water standards, water quality standards established
for groundwaters, the location of test wells and the results of samples
taken. Proposed well sites shall be marked on a project site map.
F. Water supply. If potable water is not provided from
on-site wells, the existing and proposed potable water supply system
available to the site shall be identified and described in maps and
text, indicating:
(2)
Adequacy of supply, including current and anticipated
maximum water demand within the entire serviced area as available
by the owner of said supply.
(3)
Pressure and volume of water available.
G. Wastewater treatment facilities. The existing and
proposed wastewater treatment facilities available to the site shall
be identified and described in maps and text, indicating:
(1)
Availability of existing facilities, including
status of sewer connection ban, if any.
(2)
The adequacy of existing facilities, including:
(a)
Design capacity, type of treatment provided
and location of outfall.
(b)
Current flows, including average monthly during
highest month and highest twenty-four-hour flow.
(c)
Outstanding commitments to accept additional
flows from other projects.
(d)
Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
(3)
Proposed facilities, including:
(a)
Design capacity, type of treatment to be provided
and location of outfall.
(b)
Applicable water quality standards and effluent
limitations.
(4)
Where individual septic tanks are proposed,
indicate:
(a)
The location of registered or licensed water
supplies within 500 feet of the project.
(b)
Field data describing results of soil borings,
percolation test and seasonally high groundwater table conditions,
with specific locations, including the dates of these tests. Soil
borings shall be classified by the unified soil classification system.
A map and text shall identify and describe the
vegetation of the site, including but not limited to the following
items:
A. The vegetation types present, indicating the major
species by scientific and common name, indicating both overstory and
understory species.
B. The general character, including age and size, of
major stands of trees.
C. The location of all specimen trees, all trees with
a diameter of 12 inches or greater and the location and description
of threatened or endangered plants.
D. The method of delineating limits of clearing in areas
to be preserved shall be shown: This may take the form of snow fence,
silt fence, flagging or such other means as may be approved by the
Planning or Zoning Board.
[Added 7-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1261-97]
A map and text shall identify and describe the
wildlife on the site, indicated by their common and scientific names,
including but not limited to the following items:
A. The location and character of distinct and wildlife
habitats that are essential to the continued nesting, resting, breeding
and feeding of significant populations of fish and wildlife in the
Pinelands.
B. A wildlife management plan shall be submitted indicating:
(1)
The areas of open space designed to support
elements of a wildlife management plan.
(2)
A landscape plan which includes plants with
food and habitat value to wildlife.
(3)
The utilization of stormwater detention-retention
ponds or multipurpose recreational and wildlife management purposes.
(4)
The protection of critical habitats of threatened
and endangered species.
[Amended 7-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1261-97]
A. Requirement. The maintenance of a safe transportation
network is important to the public safety and welfare. The need to
identify all hazards or problems created by proposed development is
an essential step for the protection of the public and the assurance
of orderly land development patterns. Traffic studies will be required
for all fast-food stores, convenience stores, banks and any facilities
with a drive-in window plus other commercial facilities of at least
10,000 square feet, housing developments of over 40 houses and developments
with 45 parking spaces or more. Other developments may be required
to provide traffic studies by the Planning Board, Zoning Board of
Adjustment or their traffic consultant.
(1)
The transportation impact report is designed
to identify the traffic impacts that are generated by proposed use
or uses and to identify all improvements required to ensure safe ingress
to and egress from, maintenance or adequate roadway capacity and elimination
of hazardous conditions as related to proposed development or developments.
(a)
Traffic network site description. A detailed
description of the highway network within the study area, description
of the proposed land uses, the anticipated stages of construction
and the anticipated competition date of the proposed land development
shall be provided. (Note: Given the size and complexity of the land
uses in Hamilton Township, the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment,
upon the advice of its professional staff, may request additional
analysis of specific highway networks, intersections, etc., as deemed
necessary to develop comprehensive understanding of existing traffic
conditions). This description, which shall be in the form of map at
a scale of at least one inch equals 400 feet, shall include the following
terms: all major intersection, all proposed and existing ingress and
egress locations, all existing roadway widths and rights-of-way, all
existing and proposed public transportation services and facilities
within the study areas and the 85th percentile speed.
(b)
In addition, any changes to the highway network
within the study area projects shall be mapped and described. This
description shall include the above items, as well as any proposed
construction project that would alter the width and/or alignment of
the present highway. All sources of such information shall be identified
with reference to title, author, date and publisher.
(c)
The study area shall include areas that are
impacted by the development. The study area should be confirmed with
the traffic consultant for the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment
consultant prior to beginning the traffic study.
(2)
A description of existing traffic conditions
shall be provided indicating the following:
(a)
A twenty-four-hour traffic count shall be conducted
for period of three weekdays (Monday to Friday) on all roadways which
have direct access to the proposed development site. Prior to conducting
traffic counts, the applicant shall submit a map identifying the location(s)
for said site to the traffic consultant and seek approval to conduct
counts at the specified locations. The existing average daily traffic
volume and the highest average peak hour volume for any weekday hour
between 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. shall be
recorded. Where such counts are conducted at intersections, delineation
of all turning movements shall be made on fifteen-minute intervals.
These traffic volumes shall be averaged to determine the average hourly
peak traffic volumes and projection of the 30th highest hour volume
for the three days between Monday and Friday. The applicant shall
make available, upon request, all worksheets and field data used to
generate figures documenting existing traffic conditions. Alternate
traffic counts may be required during weekend or other peak time periods
to anticipate seasonal variations in recreational traffic or other
peaking characteristics. This requirement will be at the discretion
of the traffic consultant, based upon the use proposed.
(b)
All commercial activities will require Saturday
hourly directional counts and will require manual turning movement
counts between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
B. Plan. Transportation impact of the proposed project
shall provide accurate data on the traffic condition of roads in the
immediate vicinity of proposal at the time it is actually developed.
(1)
Transportation impact of the development. The
average weekday trip generation rates and the highest average hourly
a.m., p.m. and Saturday trip generating rates for the proposed use
shall be determined from the Institute of Transportation Engineer's
trip generating report of comparable source information recognized
by the traffic engineering profession. (Note: For most highways in
Hamilton Township, the peak hours occur between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00
p.m., except as required for seasonal evaluations. On such roads,
the worst time condition of the road is unlikely to change solely
because single use has different peak hours. Large development of
regional impact may, however, alter this generalization; hence, data
for both time periods must be provided.)
(2)
Determination of roadway levels of service:
(a)
Calculate roadway levels of service. Roadway
services volumes shall be calculated for all roadways in the study
area utilizing the latest Highway Capacity Manual and New Jersey Department
of Transportation approved software.
(b)
Levels of service shall be calculated for existing
conditions, future conditions without site traffic and future (build-out)
conditions with site traffic.
(3)
Determination of intersection service level.
(a)
Calculated intersection levels of service. Intersection
level of service shall be calculated for all intersections in the
study utilizing the latest Highway Capacity Manual and New Jersey
Department of Transportation approved software.
(b)
Levels of service shall be calculated for existing
conditions, future conditions without site traffic and future (build-out)
conditions with site traffic.
(4)
Analysis of transportation impact. The future
projected traffic as determined above will be assessed on the area
transportation network. The analysis will determine the existing level
of service, the future level of service in the year of build-out and
the future level of service at build-out. In addition, improvements
that may be required to determine an adequate level of service C in
the future will be determined. The applicant will determine the percent
impact of the site on the various impacted roadways and intersections,
any improvements needed to achieve level of service C in the future,
the cost of these improvements and the developer's fair share contribution
for these improvements.
(5)
If violation of state or federal air quality
standard is found to exist or will result from the proposed development,
the applicant will be required to pay pro rata share of the cost necessary
to make the required improvements to meet the state or federal air
quality standards. Since development will not be allowed without this
improvement in place, the developer that causes this violation may
have to stage development or pay for the entire improvement to be
allowed to develop fully.
(6)
Traffic control devices. Whenever, as a result
of additional traffic generated by proposed development, the Manual
of Uniform Traffic Control Devices determines the need for traffic
signal or regulatory sign, the developer shall be responsible for
securing all permits prior to obtaining final approval of all traffic
devices and signs. If the traffic signal is warranted by the traffic
that is produced by the development, or would not be required without
this development, the applicant shall be required to provide the traffic
signal or bond for the full cost of the construction of the traffic
signal.
(7)
Pedestrian circulation plan. A pedestrian circulation
plan shall be created indicating:
(a)
The route and volume relationships of pedestrian
traffic from sources such as recreation, work, schools, churches,
etc., within the project boundary and within one mile of the project
boundary shall be assessed for adequacy.
(b)
Pedestrian route linkages shall be shown with
adjoining projects if such relationships exist. If they do not exist,
then the reasons why they do not shall be substantiated.
(c)
This pedestrian demand volume shall consist
of cumulative increase of pedestrian traffic volume based upon projected
projects, as stipulated by the developer and concurred by Hamilton
Township, and the anticipated pedestrian traffic that will be generated
by the proposed development.
(d)
A separate pedestrian circulation site plan
sheet shall be provided showing all sidewalk and pedestrian pathways.
(8)
Truck traffic generated as a result of commercial
use shall be identified in terms of:
(a)
Volume and hours of traffic.
(b)
Estimated origin-destination of such vehicles
shall be mapped entering Hamilton Township.
(c)
Routes from major arterial to the project site,
indicating whether or not residential areas are penetrated and, if
so, why.
(d)
Loading and unloading areas or commercial traffic
shall be identified on the site plan, indicating size, turnaround,
etc., in sufficient detail to make an appropriate analysis of adequacy.
(e)
Truck traffic shall be identified with references
to size and weight. Frequency of use shall be indicated as well as
the adequacy of said roadway to carry such weight and volume.
(f)
Truck routes shall be determined and show all
bridge crossings from the site to the state highways via all routes
proposed for use.
(9)
Mass transportation alternatives. The applicant
shall describe the mass transportation alternatives either to the
applicant presently or in the future. The relationship to future mass
transportation projects shall be addressed. The application at a minimum
shall show existing bus routes and their relationship to the project.
School bus routes with proposed pickup and dropoff points shall be
identified on the site plan.
Hamilton Township is a distinctive combination
of rural, forest and growth area environments that necessitate the
recognition and control of man-made or natural visual environments.
Accordingly, the applicant shall set forth in graphic and narrative
form the following:
A. An analysis of the scenic corridors and vistas on
the site.
B. The location of all buildings, structures, paved areas,
signs, etc., in relation to such areas via renderings, models, cross
sections, etc.
C. Treatment of all views of waterfront areas where the
site has a view of or can be viewed from such scenic resources.
D. The impact, or lack thereof, taking into account the
proposed project and considering also its night lighting impact on
scenic corridors and vistas.
The aesthetics plan is to be considered a design
tool utilized by the applicant to communicate in an organized manner
the looks of the project as it is perceived to be upon completion.
Accordingly, the applicant shall:
A. Describe the general design of the proposed facility
by providing cross sections of buildings in conjunction with the natural
or landscaped environment; elevations; sketches; renderings; and photographs
or scale models of any structures or construction associated with
the facility.
B. Describe building materials, textures and color schemes.
C. Provide perspective views of the facility from several
on-site and off-site vantage points.
D. If the application requests a permit for a facility
with a repetition of several building designs, submit an aesthetics
plan for one each of the typical building design.