[Amended 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 604]
A. Off-street parking facilities. The design standards specified below shall be required for all off-street parking facilities with a capacity of three or more vehicles. Refer to
Figure 1.
(1) Layout.
(a)
No one row of off-street parking spaces shall
exceed 12 spaces. Raised planting beds shall be at intervals not to
exceed 12 spaces, with beds offset on alternating sides of parking
rows.
(b)
Raised planting islands shall be located at
each end of a double-loaded parking row and shall be planted with
two trees (from an approved street tree list) per island.
(c)
Raised planting beds shall be planted with one
shade tree (from an approved street tree list) per bed.
(d)
Perimeter plantings shall be provided around
all parking areas and shall have a minimum width of five feet.
(e)
Perimeter planting strips shall have raised
planting beds only at each end of a parking row.
(f)
The edge of any parking area or parking driveway
shall not be closer than 15 feet to the outside wall of the nearest
building. This area shall be used for foundation plantings and sidewalks
to entryways.
(g)
Wherever possible, the layout of parking aisles
shall be perpendicular to building facades to guide pedestrian movements.
(2) Landscaping.
(a)
All parking areas shall have at least one tree of one-and-one-half-inch caliper, minimum, for every six parking spaces in single rows and one tree of one-and-one-half-inch caliper, minimum, for every 12 parking spaces in double-loaded rows of parking spaces. Trees shall be planted in such a manner as to afford maximum protection from the sun for parked vehicles. Where applicable, requirements of Subsection
A(1)(b) and
(c) and above may be used to fulfill this requirement.
(b)
Surface treatment of raised planting beds, raised
planting islands and perimeter plantings shall be grass, groundcover
or low-maintenance shrubs.
B. Definitions. As used in this section, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PARKING AISLE
The traveled way by which cars enter and depart parking spaces.
PARKING AREA
Any land area designed, used and usually surfaced for parking
motor vehicles, including parking spaces, parking aisles and perimeter
plantings.
PERIMETER PLANTING
A landscaped area protected by curbs intended to enhance
the appearance and safety of parking areas along their boundaries.
RAISED PLANTING BED
A landscaped area protected by curbs and contained within
the area of a parking space.
RAISED PLANTING ISLAND
A landscaped area protected by curbs and contained within
the area of two opposing parking spaces.
All sidewalks shall be laid out and constructed
in accordance with current regulations and specifications of the Borough
relating to curbs and sidewalks.
[Amended 8-21-2006 by Ord. No. 910]
A. Street nameplates.
(1) Street nameplates shall be of metal construction,
all corners shall be rounded and the lettering shall be on standard
proportions and spacing in accordance with one of the alphabets used
by the United States Bureau of Public Roads. The lettering shall be
such as required by Borough Council. The plates shall be horizontal.
The lower edge of the nameplate shall be seven feet above the ground
level or curb. The nameplate shall be attached to the standard by
rustproof metal fasteners.
(2) The size of the street sign nameplate and the letters
thereon shall meet the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation (PennDOT). This requires that the nameplate be a
minimum of eight inches in height with the lettering a minimum of
six inches in height.
(3) A detail of a typical street nameplate shall be included
within the land development plans.
B. Traffic control signs.
(1) All traffic control signs installed along any public
or private street, road, alley, driveway or parking area within Perkasie
Borough shall meet the requirements of the PennDOT Handbook of Approved
Signs, latest version.
(2) All traffic control signs installed along any public
or private street, road, alley, driveway or parking area within Perkasie
Borough shall be provided with PennDOT Type III or Type IV reflective
sheeting as detailed within PennDOT Publication 408, latest revision.
This requirement need not apply to signs designated R-7 or R-8 (parking
signs) within the PennDOT Handbook of Approved Signs, latest version.
(3) Perkasie Borough reserves the right to require the
placement of any traffic control sign deemed necessary by the Borough
Council, Borough Manager or his/her designee due to site conditions.
Any such sign shall be in accordance with the standards of the PennDOT
Handbook of Approved Signs, latest version.
(4) The property owner(s) and developer(s) shall be responsible
for obtaining and installing any signs required by the Borough and/or
the Borough Engineer prior to dedication.
(5) Details of all proposed traffic control signs shall
be provided within the development plans.
C. Sign installation standards.
(1) The standard shall be rustproof metal and shall be
of sufficient length to permit the same to be embedded in the ground
a distance of not less than three feet, as hereinafter provided, and
to permit the lower edge of the sign to be seven feet above the ground
level or curb, as hereinafter provided. This mounting height may be
altered upon approval of the Borough Engineer. Upon erection, the
standard shall be embedded in a concrete base for a depth of not less
than three feet below the surface of the ground. Suitable backfill
material shall be placed in the hole around the post in successive
layers not exceeding 12 inches in depth, measured and loose. Each
layer of backfill shall be thoroughly tamped to secure maximum practical
density so that the post will be plumb and rigid. Posts shall not
be installed in freezing or thawing weather. The standard shall be
of such metal construction as to hold the sign rigidly in a proper
and permanent position and prevent it from swaying in the wind.
(2) The signs shall be located with a view to making them
seen at all times with a minimum of effort by both pedestrian and
vehicular traffic and as close to the side of the cartway or curb
as practical, but no part of the sign shall be permitted to overhang
any part of the cartway or curb.
(3) All signs, standards, installations and locations
shall be subject to the approval and inspection of the Borough Engineer.
All curbs shall be constructed in accordance
with current specifications of the Borough relating to curbs and sidewalks.
Buffering serves to soften the outline of buildings,
to screen glare and noise and to create a visual and/or physical barrier
between conflicting land uses.
A. General regulations.
(1) Buffer yards are required between subdivisions and
land developments and along existing and proposed streets, except
in the case of a lot line adjustment. The extent of buffering required
shall be determined by the type of use proposed and the adjacent uses
or streets surrounding the proposed development. The impact of the
proposed use on adjoining properties is the basis for establishing
buffer yard standards.
[Amended 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 604; 11-21-2005 by Ord. No. 897]
(2) Trees in buffers along streets shall not be planted
opposite each other but shall alternate.
(3) At intersections, trees shall be located no closer
than 30 feet from the intersection of the street right-of-way lines.
(4) Where the planting strip between the curb and sidewalk
is less than seven feet wide, the street trees shall be planted on
the lots.
(5) All plant materials shall be of nursery stock grown
under climate conditions comparable to those of Perkasie Borough.
They shall be of symmetrical growth, free of insects, pests and disease
and suitable for street use and durable under the maintenance contemplated.
B. Determination of required buffer. To determine the
required buffer yard and planting schedule, a three-step procedure
shall be followed:
(1) Step 1: site analysis and determination of buffer
yard class.
(2) Step 2: selection of the planting option for the buffer
class.
(3) Step 3: selection of the plant materials from the
plant materials list.
C. Step 1: site analysis and determination of buffer
yard class.
(1) For each property boundary, the applicant shall determine the adjacent land use or road classification. Land use information shall be determined by an on-site survey, and the Perkasie Borough Zoning Ordinance shall be utilized to determine road classifications.
Table 1 below specifies the buffer yard class for each boundary.
(2) The applicant shall match his proposed land use with
the corresponding adjacent land use or road classification for each
property boundary. The letter indicates the buffer yard class.
D. Step 2: selection of the planting option for the buffer
class.
(1) After determining the buffer class, the applicant
shall select a planting option from Table 2 to meet the buffer yard
requirement for each boundary. The Borough may consider an alternative
planting option which shall have a screening capability equal to or
greater than any of the available options.
(2) Table 2: planting options. The options below indicate
the amount of plant material that is required per linear foot of property
line. Plantings aligned on property or right-of-way boundaries shall
be located one to five feet inside of the boundary line. Plantings
are not required to be aligned on property or right-of-way boundaries
and may be sited on any portion of the property for buffering purposes.
The Borough may permit staggering or grouping of plant materials if
a satisfactory buffer is achieved.
[Amended 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 604]
|
Class Option
|
---|
|
A
|
1 canopy tree per 40 feet of boundary
|
|
B
|
Within a 15-foot buffer yard: 1 canopy tree
per 40 feet and 1 flowering tree per 60 feet of boundary
|
|
C
|
Within a 30-foot buffer yard: 1 evergreen per
20 feet and 1 flowering tree per 60 feet of boundary
|
|
D
|
A 100-foot-wide lawn with 1 canopy tree per
40 feet; or within a 30-foot buffer yard; 1 evergreen per 10 feet
and 1 flowering tree per 60 feet of boundary
|
E. Step 3: selection of plant materials from the plant
materials list.
(1) Each planting option may utilize any of the plant
materials outlined in Table 3. Minimum plant size, given either in
height or in caliper, is indicated on this table. The Borough may
permit other planting types if they are hardy to the area, are not
subject to blight or disease and are of the same general character
and growth habit as those listed in Table 3. All planting material
shall meet the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen.
(2) The applicant shall not be required to provide a buffer
yard should existing planting, topography or man-made structures be
deemed acceptable for screening purposes by the Borough.
(3) Table 3: Plant Materials List.
(a)
Canopy trees (2 1/2 inches caliper).
|
Acer rubrum (red maple).
|
|
Acer saccharum (sugar maple).
|
|
Fraxinus americana (white ash).
|
|
Fraxinus pennsylvania lanceolata (green ash).
|
|
Ginkgo biloba [ginkgo (male only)].
|
|
Gleditsia triacanthos inermis (thornless honey
locust).
|
|
Liquidambar styraciflua (sweet gum).
|
|
Phellondendron amurense (Amur cork tree).
|
|
Plantanus acerifolia (London plane tree).
|
|
Quercus alba (white oak).
|
|
Quercus borealis (red oak).
|
|
Quercus coccinea (scarlet oak).
|
|
Quercus palustris (pin oak).
|
|
Robina psuedo-acacia inermis (thornless black
locust).
|
|
Sophora japonica (Japanese pagoda tree).
|
|
Tilia-Linden (all species hardy to the area).
|
|
Zelkova serrata (Japanese zelkova).
|
(b)
Flowering trees.
|
Amelanchier canadensis (shadblow serviceberry):
five to six feet.
|
|
Cornus florida (flowering dogwood): five to
six feet.
|
|
Cornus kousa (kousa dogwood): five to six feet.
|
|
Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry): five to six feet.
|
|
Crataegus species (hawthorn): five to six feet.
|
|
Koelreuteria paniculata (goldenrain tree): eight
to 10 feet.
|
|
Laburnam vossi (golden chain): 1/2 inch caliper.
|
|
Magnolia soulangeana (saucer magnolia): five
to six feet.
|
|
Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay): five to six
feet.
|
|
Malus baccata (Siberian crab): 1/2 inch caliper.
|
|
Malus floribunda (Japanese flowering crab):
1/2 inch caliper.
|
|
Malus hopa (hopa red-flowering crab): 1/2 inch
caliper.
|
|
Oxydendrum arboreum (sourwood): five to six
feet.
|
|
Prunus kwanzan (kwanzan cherry): 1/2 inch caliper.
|
|
Prunus subhertella pendula (weeping cherry):
1/2 inch caliper.
|
|
Pyrus calleryana Bradford (callery pear): 1/2
inch caliper.
|
(c)
Evergreens (four to five feet).
|
Ilex opaca (American holly).
|
|
Picea abies (Norway spruce).
|
|
Picea omorika (Serbian spruce).
|
|
Picea pungens (Colorado spruce).
|
|
Pinus strobus (white pine).
|
|
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir).
|
|
Tsuga canadensis (Canada hemlock).
|
[Amended 11-17-2014 by Ord. No. 979]
A. Where a proposed park, playground, school or other
public use shown in the Comprehensive Plan is located in whole or
in part in a subdivision or land development, the Borough Council
may require the dedication or reservation of such area within the
subdivision or land development in those cases in which Borough Council
deems such requirements to be reasonable.
B. Where deemed essential by Borough Council, upon consideration
of the particular type of development proposed, and especially in
large-scale planned unit developments, the Borough Council may require
the dedication or reservation of such other areas or sites of a character,
extent and location suitable to the needs created by such development
for schools, parks and other neighborhood purposes.
C. Where a proposed park, playground or other public
use is indicated on a proposed subdivision or land development plan,
the Park and Recreation Board shall review the plan and submit recommendations
to the Borough Council.
D. In residential subdivisions or land development applications, suitable
open areas shall be dedicated for recreation. Standards to be used
by Borough Council in testing the adequacy of space provided shall
be as follows:
(1) For each residential dwelling unit, a minimum of 1,500 feet of land
shall be dedicated for recreation space;
(2) The land dedicated shall be dedicated to the Borough or to another
suitable organization as approved by Borough Council;
(3) The land proposed for dedication shall be easily and safely accessible,
have adequate ingress and egress, and have access to an external public
road or a road to be dedicated as a public road to which the public
has access;
(4) The geometry of the land to be dedicated shall be as close to square
as reasonably possible. The area shall not include narrow or irregular
pieces of land that would limit the feasibility of using the dedicated
land for recreation activities;
(5) Playgrounds for active sports shall be of adequate size to provide
sufficient area for proposed uses;
(6) If the tract to be developed or subdivided abuts any existing Borough
park or recreation area or conservation easement, the park and recreation
land offered for dedication shall be adjacent to the Borough park
or recreation area or conservation easement or be connected by public
access easement and trail constructed by the applicant;
(7) Recreation areas shall not be traversed by utility easements unless
said utilities are placed underground, and no part of them or their
supportive equipment protrudes above ground level;
(8) Onsite improvements on the dedicated park and recreation land shall
be commensurate with the adjacent onsite development improvements,
including but not limited to grading, curbing, utilities, and walking
path.
E. Where the requirements of §
164-36D are not met, the Borough may assess a park and recreation fee in lieu of dedication as follows:
(1) A fee of $1,500 per dwelling unit payable at the time of building permit, less any credit under Subsection
E(2), for any residential subdivision or land development application.
(2) The applicant may receive a credit of up to $500 per unit for documented
expenditures made toward recreation improvements within the subdivision
or land development including dedicated recreation areas, playground
equipment, or other similar improvements. The credit shall be calculated
by dividing the total expenditures made for recreation improvements
by the number of units.
Each site is unique. It has physical features
which are rarely precisely duplicated on another site. Portions of
some sites may not be usable and a minimum amount of buildable land
should be retained for recreation. The purpose of this section is
to determine the appropriate intensity of use to which a specific
tract may be put. For each tract that is five acres or larger in R-1A
and R-1B Residential Districts, the developer shall include the following
calculation with the initial plan submission:
A. Base site area. Certain portions of a tract may not
be usable for the activities proposed for the site; these shall therefore
be subtracted from the site area to determine base site area:
(1) Site area as determined by actual on-site survey (acres).
(2) Subtract: land within ultimate rights-of-way of existing
roads or utility rights-of-way or easements (acres).
(3) Subtract: land which is not contiguous, i.e., a separate
parcel which does not abut or adjoin nor share common boundaries with
the rest of the development and/or land which is cut off from the
main parcel by a road, railroad, existing land uses or major stream
so as to serve as a major barrier to common use or so that it is isolated
and unavailable for building purposes (acres).
(4) Subtract: land which in a previously approved subdivision
was reserved for resource reasons, such as flooding or recreation
(acres).
(5) Subtract: land used or zoned for another use, i.e.,
land which is used or to be used for commercial or industrial uses
in a residential development or land in a different zoning district
than the primary use (acres).
(6) Equals base site area (acres).
B. Resource protection land.
(1) All land within the base site area shall be mapped
and measured for the purpose of determining the amount of open space
needed to protect it.
(2) The resource protection land equals, for each resource,
the acres of land in the resource multiplied by the open space ratio
for that resource. The open space ratios are as follows:
|
Resource
|
Open Space Ratio
|
---|
|
Floodplain district
|
1.00
|
|
Floodplain soils
|
1.00
|
|
Lakes or ponds
|
1.00
|
|
Natural retention area
|
.90
|
|
Steep slope (25% or more)
|
.85
|
|
Steep slope (15% to 25%)
|
.70
|
|
Steep slope (8% to 15%)
|
.60
|
(3) The total land with resource restrictions equals the
total of the acres of land in each resource.
(4) The total resource protection land equals the total of all of the lands resulting from the calculation in §
164-40B(2) above.
C. Determination of site capacity. Individual site capacity
is found by calculating net buildable site area. For single-family
or performance standard subdivisions, the number of allowable dwelling
units is determined by multiplying the density by net buildable site
area. The calculations are as follows:
(1) The base site area (acres) multiplied by the open space ratio (Chapter
186, Zoning, §
186-44) (acres) equals the minimum required open space (acres).
(2) The base site area (acres) minus the total resource
protection land or minimum required open space, whichever is greater
(acres), equals the net buildable site area (acres).
(3) The net buildable site area (acres) multiplied by the density (Chapter
186, Zoning, §
186-44) (acres) equals the number of dwelling units (do not round up).
The developer shall determine the presence of
environmental or natural features on the site and shall meet the following
standards of environmental protection. Site alterations, regrading,
filling or clearing of vegetation prior to submission of the plans
for development shall be a violation of this chapter.
A. Floodplains. All such lands shall remain as permanent open space, except
that roads and utilities may cross the floodplain where design approval
is obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
and where other applicable ordinances, regulations and statutes are
complied with.
B. Floodplain soils. All such lands shall remain as permanent
open space, except that roads may cross these soils where design approval
is obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
and that recreational, conservation or agricultural open space uses
shall be permitted. Where floodplains are defined, they shall be used
rather than floodplain soils.
C. Steep slopes. In areas of steep slopes, i.e., those
above 8%, the following standards shall apply:
(1) Eight percent to 15%: No more than 40% of such areas
shall be developed and/or regraded or stripped of vegetation.
(2) Fifteen percent to 25%: No more than 30% of such areas
shall be developed and/or regraded or stripped of vegetation.
(3) Twenty-five percent or more: No more than 15% of such
areas shall be developed and/or regraded or stripped of vegetation.
(4) Notwithstanding any standards established herein,
any slopes having a grade of 15% or greater and being part of a woodland
area shall be preserved so that 80% of such slope shall remain in
natural cover and as permanent open space.
[Added 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 604]
D. Lakes and ponds. These areas shall be left as permanent
open space. No development, filling, piping or diverting shall be
permitted.
[Amended 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 604]
E. Natural retention areas. Such areas shall be 100%
open space.
[Amended 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 604]
F. Wetlands. Such areas shall be left as permanent open
space. No development, filling, piping or diverting shall be permitted.
In addition, a buffer of 100 feet shall be maintained from the limits
of the wetland vegetation or the limit of the wetland soils, whichever
is less, in order to minimize hydrologic modifications and potential
for pollution. Within the buffer area, an 80% natural cover must be
maintained as permanent open space. The remaining 20% of the buffer
area may be developed.
[Added 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 604; amended 2-20-1989 by Ord. No. 615]
G. Woodlands. Such areas shall remain in at least 50%
open space, provided further that such open space area shall permanently
retain the original natural cover.
[Added 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 604]
H. Topsoil standards.
[Added 10-16-1995 by Ord. No. 770]
(1) After final grading, there shall be a minimum of six
inches of topsoil on the entire site other than that portion of the
site where there are buildings or other impervious surface coverage.
There shall be no removal of excess topsoil permitted from the site
until inspection and approval of compliance with this section by the
Borough Engineer.
(2) The developer is not required to import topsoil to
the site if a six-inch final depth cannot be achieved. In cases where
the original site has less than six inches of topsoil at the start
of the grading activities, as determined by the Borough Engineer,
the total amount available on the site at that time will become the
minimum topsoil requirement. No topsoil will be allowed to be removed
from the site in that instance.
[Added 8-7-1989 by Ord. No. 621]
A. General requirements.
(1)
Grade changes and excavations shall not encroach
upon the tree protection zone (TPZ).
(2)
No toxic materials shall be stored within 100
feet of a tree protection zone, including petroleum based and/or derived
products.
(3)
The area within the TPZ shall not be built upon,
nor shall any materials be stored there, either temporarily or permanently.
Vehicles and equipment shall not be parked in the TPZ.
(4)
When tree stumps are located within 10 feet
of the tree protection zone, the stumps shall be removed by means
of a stump grinder to minimize the effect on surrounding root systems.
(5)
Tree roots which must be severed shall be cut
by a backhoe or similar equipment aligned radially to the tree. This
method reduces the lateral movement of the roots during excavation
which, if done by other methods, could damage the intertwined roots
of adjacent trees.
(6)
Within four hours of any severance of roots,
all tree roots that have been exposed and/or damaged shall be trimmed
cleanly and covered temporarily with moist peat moss, moist burlap
or other moist biodegradable material to keep them from drying out
until permanent cover can be installed.
(7)
Sediment, retention and detention basins shall
not discharge into the tree protection zone.
(8)
Sediment, retention and detention basins shall
not be located within the tree protection zone.
B. The tree protection zone. Prior to construction, the
tree protection zone shall be delineated by the following methods:
(1)
The tree protection zone that is delineated
on the site prior to construction shall conform to the approved development
plans.
(2)
All trees scheduled to remain shall be marked;
where groups of trees exist, only the trees on the edge need to be
marked.
(3)
A forty-eight-inch-high wooden snowfence mounted
on steel posts, located eight feet on center, shall be placed along
the boundary of the tree protection zone.
(4)
In addition to the tree protection zone, trees
may be left standing as protection between the trunks of the trees
to be retained and the limits of grading. When additional trees are
used as protection, the tree protection zone on the approved plan
shall be marked in the field so that the additional buffer area is
delineated. When this method of protection is used, these additional
trees shall be removed at the time of completion of the project.
(5)
When the wooden snowfence has been installed,
it shall be inspected and approved by the Borough Arborist prior to
commencing clearing and further construction; the fencing along the
tree protection zone shall be maintained until all work/construction
has been completed; and damages to the protective fencing shall be
replaced and repaired before further construction shall begin.
(6)
Trees being removed shall not be felled, pushed
or pulled into a tree protection zone or into trees that are to be
retained.
C. Retaining walls.
(1)
When the original grade cannot be retained at
the tree protection zone line, a retaining wall shall be constructed
outside of the tree protection zone.
(2)
The retaining wall shall be designed to comply
with the municipal standards for retaining walls.
(3)
In addition, the following methods shall be
used to ensure survival of the tree:
(a)
The top of the wall shall be four inches above
the finished grade line.
(b)
The wall shall be constructed of large stones,
brick, building tile, concrete blocks or treated woodbeams not less
than six by six inches; a means for drainage through the wall shall
be provided so water will not accumulate on either side of the wall.
Weep holes shall be required with any wall.
![](/attachment/PE0952/164-41.1C3b.tif.SM.png)
(c)
Any severed roots as a result of excavation
shall be trimmed so that their edges are smooth and are cut back to
a lateral root if exposed.
(d)
A layer of clean stone (sized 3/4 inch to one
inch) shall be placed one foot out from the wall to aid in drainage.
D. Pruning methods. All final cuts shall be made sufficiently
close to the trunk or parent limb but without cutting into the branch
collar or leaving a protruding stub, according to the National Arborist
Association standards. All necessary pruning cuts must be made to
prevent bark from being torn from the tree and to facilitate rapid
healing. Flush cuts are unacceptable.
E. Fertilization methods.
(1)
All trees which have experienced any disturbance
or have had damages to the roots or branches shall be fertilized.
(2)
Trees shall be fertilized in early fall (September
to October) or midspring (April to May). Fall applications are preferred.
(3)
Fertilizer shall be broadcast over the soil surface in an area twice the size of the tree protection zone at the rates given in Subsection
E(5) below. A minimum of 1,000 square feet per tree will receive fertilization.
(4)
Fertilizer grade shall have approximately three
parts nitrogen to one part phosphorus and potassium (3:1:1 ratio).
(5)
Fertilizer shall be applied at a rate equivalent
to one pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
|
|
Example:
|
How much 20:8:8 fertilizer needed to apply
one pound nitrogen over 1,000 square feet.
|
|
|
|
Need 1 pound nitrogen
|
|
|
|
.20
|
x
|
= 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
x
|
= 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
___
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
x = 5 pounds
|
|
|
|
5 pounds 20:8:8 should be broadcast over an
area of 1,000 square feet.
|
F. Trenching and tunneling.
(1)
If there is no alternative but to locate a utility
line through a TPZ, tunneling shall be used instead of trenching,
except where, in the opinion of the Borough Arborist, survival of
the tree would not be affected by either method. The Borough Arborist
shall determine the most desirable location for the utility line.
(2)
Trenches shall be filled as soon as possible
and tamped lightly to avoid air spaces.
[Added 11-17-2008 by Ord. No. 929]
A. Requirement for Transportation Impact Study. A Transportation Impact
Study shall be required for all major subdivisions and land developments
to enable the Borough to assess the impact of a proposed development
on the local transportation systems, both highways and public transportation.
The purpose of the study is to ensure that proposed developments do
not adversely affect the transportation network and to identify any
traffic problems that are created in the existing highway network
as a result of the development and to delineate solutions to potential
problems and to present improvements to be incorporated into the proposed
development or to the highway and/or public transportation systems
within the designated study area. The study shall assist in the protection
of air quality, the conservation of energy and the encouragement of
public transportation use.
B. Conduct of the Transportation Impact Study. The Transportation Impact
Study shall be prepared by a qualified traffic engineer and/or transportation
planner with previous traffic study experience in accordance with
the procedures and standards set forth in this section.
C. Applicability. A Transportation Impact Study shall be submitted as
part of the preliminary plan application for all subdivision and land
development proposals that have the potential of generating 250 or
more trips per day. The number of trips per day are determined through
the use of the most current edition of the Institute of Transportation
Engineers (ITE), Trip Generation publication. The proposed development
shall be identified using the ITE land use code that best describes
the use of the proposed development. Where doubt exists, the applicant
shall seek guidance from the Borough Engineer or his/her designee.
The application shall not be considered complete until the Transportation
Impact Study is submitted to the Borough in accordance with the provisions
of this section. Council may, at its discretion, require any other
application to be accompanied by a Transportation Impact Study, provided
that Council notifies the applicant immediately following Council's
first meeting to consider the proposal. Such notification shall specify
the reason for the requirement, citing the proposal's particular
location or existing problems or type of use (e.g., generation of
heavy truck traffic).
D. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
CAPACITY ANALYSIS
The analysis compares the actual or projected traffic volume
to the intersection capacity and results in a volume/capacity (v/c)
ratio. Intersection approach capacity is the maximum rate of vehicular
flow that can pass through an intersection under prevailing roadway,
traffic and signalization conditions.
LANE GROUPS
Each individual vehicular movement that may be completed
from an existing lane, such as a left turn, right turn, or through
movement.
LEVEL OF SERVICE
Level of service (LOS) as described in the Highway Capacity
Manual 2000, Transportation Research Board, is a qualitative measure
of the operational conditions within a traffic stream and their perceptions
by motorists. Levels of service are defined in terms of delay for
signalized intersections and reserve capacity for unsignalized intersections.
Six levels of service (A through F) are defined for a transportation
facility. LOS A represents ideal operation conditions with no congestion,
and LOS F represents a breakdown in operating conditions with severe
congestion.
MAJOR INTERSECTION
Any intersection, either signalized or unsignalized, where
traffic generated by the proposal may have an impact on the operation
of the intersection. The transportation engineer shall seek guidance
from the Borough Engineer prior to the initiation of the Transportation
Impact Study to ensure agreement on the location of major intersections.
OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
Other transportation improvements that are generally not
contiguous with the property being developed and not required as an
on-site improvement, but found to be necessary as a result of the
proposed development.
ON-SITE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
All improvements on or adjacent to the development site in
the public right-of-way required to be constricted by the developer
pursuant to any ordinance, resolution or requirement of the Borough
and/or directly related to the transportation needs of the subdivision
and/or land development.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Transportation services for the general public provided by
a common carrier of passengers generally, but not necessarily on a
regular route basis, by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation
Authority or a private operator operating service to the public.
STUDY AREA
This area will extend along the adjacent roadways in all
directions approximately 1/2 mile from the site access points. The
study area will include all major intersections in the vicinity of
the proposed development. The transportation engineer will seek guidance
from the Borough Engineer prior to initiation of the Transportation
Impact Study to ensure agreement on the study area boundaries.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL WARRANTS
A series of tests that detail the minimum traffic or pedestrian
volumes or other criteria necessary for the installation of a traffic
signal. These warrants are outlined in the then-current edition of
the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
TRIP GENERATION RATES
The total count of vehicular trips to and from the study
site per unit of land use, as measured by parameters such as square
footage or dwelling units. The latest edition of Trip Generation by
the ITE shall be referenced to determine trip generation rates.
E. General requirements and standards.
(1)
General site description. The site description shall include
the size, location, proposed land use(s), construction staging, and
completion date of the proposed development. If the development is
residential, a description of the types and number of dwelling units
shall also be included. The general site description shall also include
probable socioeconomic characteristics of potential site users 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 developments within the study area shall
also be provided.
(2)
Transportation facilities description.
(a)
The description shall contain a full documentation of the proposed
internal and existing external transportation system. This 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 channelizations,
and any traffic signals or other intersection control devices at all
intersections within the site. The site design shall be shown to maximize
potential public transportation usage to and from the development,
such as providing adequate turning radii at all access points to allow
a bus to enter the development and designating bus shelters and sign
locations where appropriate.
(b)
The report shall describe the entire external roadway system
within the study area. Major intersections in the study area shall
be identified and illustrated. All existing and proposed public transportation
services and facilities within a one-mile radius of the site shall
also be documented. All regional rail stations within a three-mile
radius of the site shall also be documented. All future highway improvements,
including proposed constriction and intersection signalization, shall
be noted. This information shall be obtained from the latest Regional
Transportation Improvement Program maintained by the Delaware Valley
Regional Planning Commission. Any roadway improvements to be conducted
in conjunction with surrounding land developments shall be recorded.
(3)
Existing traffic conditions.
(a)
Existing traffic conditions shall be measured and documented
for all roadways and intersections in the study area, and shall include
current average daily traffic volumes, peak highway hour(s) traffic
volumes, and peak development-generated hours(s) traffic volumes.
Traffic counts date shall not be more than one year old. Traffic counts
shall be taken on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of a nonholiday
week. Additional counts (Saturday for a commercial or tourist attraction)
may also be required in some cases. The individual or firm performing
the Transportation Impact Study shall obtain the traffic counts during
average volume conditions during fair weather, and in consideration
of any construction activities or special events which may otherwise
affect traffic volumes of the roadway.
(b)
Roadway characteristics shall be described and illustrated.
Features to be addressed shall include lane configurations, geometry,
signal timing, traffic control devices, posted speed limits, and sight
distance limitations. Existing levels of service shall be calculated
for all intersections and turning movements within the study area.
(c)
This analysis will determine the adequacy of the existing roadway
system to serve the existing traffic demand. Roadways, signalized
intersections, or individual movements experiencing levels of service
below C, and v/c rations greater than or equal to 1.0 shall be noted
as deficient. Unsignalized intersections with levels of service below
D shall also be indicated.
(4)
Transportation impact of development.
(a)
Estimation of vehicular trips to result from the proposal shall
be completed for the average daily trips, average daily peak highway
hour(s) and peak development-generated hour(s). Vehicular trip generation
rates to be used for this calculation shall be obtained from the latest
edition of Trip Generation. For land uses not listed in the document,
the transportation engineer shall seek guidance from the Borough Zoning
Officer and Borough Engineer.
(b)
All turning movements shall be calculated. These generated volumes
shall be distributed to the study area and assigned to the existing
roadways and intersections throughout the study area. Documentation
of all assumptions used in the distribution and assignment phases
shall be provided. Traffic volumes shall be assigned to individual
access points. Pedestrian volumes shall also be calculated, if applicable.
If school crossings are to be used, pedestrian volumes shall be assigned
for each crossing. Any characteristics of the site that will cause
particular trip generation or distribution problems shall be noted.
(5)
Analysis of transportation 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. The annual background growth factor shall be determined using
the projected rates of population and employment growth as determined
by the Bucks County Planning Commission, the average annual traffic
growth of the area's roadways as determined from the Delaware
Valley Regional Planning Commission's "Highway Network Coverage
Traffic Counts" or the Bucks County Planning Commission's traffic
count database, and current twenty-four-hour traffic counts.
(b)
The delay analysis shall be conducted using the total future
demand and the future roadway capacity. If staging of the proposed
development is anticipated, calculations for each stage of development
shall be made.
(c)
The analysis shall be performed for the peak highway hour(s)
and peak development-generated hour(s) for all roadways and intersections
in the study area. Delay calculations shall be made for all intersections
in the study area as well as for all access points into the development.
It is usually at these locations that capacity is most restricted.
A volume/capacity analysis shall be conducted for all intersections
having a future level of service below C.
(d)
All access points and pedestrian crossings shall be examined
as to the feasibility of installing traffic signals. This evaluation
shall compare the projected traffic and pedestrian volumes to the
warrants for traffic signal installation.
(6)
Conclusions and recommended improvements.
(a)
Levels of service and volume/capacity ratios shall be listed
for all roadways and intersection lane groups. All roadways, signalized
intersections, and/or lane groups showing levels of service below
C and volume/capacity ratios greater than or equal to 1.0 shall be
considered deficient. Specific recommendations for the elimination
of all deficiencies shall be listed, and shall include but not be
limited to the following elements: internal circulation design, site
access location and design, external roadway intersection design and
improvements, traffic signal installation and operation including
signal timing, and transit design improvements. All physical roadway
improvements shall be illustrated. Signal timing should be evaluated
for any intersection with a level of service below C but a volume/capacity
ratio less than 1.0. Warrants for signalization shall be examined
for all unsignalized intersections operating at deficient levels of
service.
(b)
The study shall outline mitigation measures and demonstrate
any changes to the level of service achieved by these measures. Any
alternatives or suggested phasing of improvements shall be described.
The mitigation measures may include recommendations such as roadway
widening, turning lanes, deceleration lanes/tapers, changes to signalization,
use of access management techniques or a reduction in the proposed
intensity of use. The responsibility and timing of all recommended
roadway improvements shall be described within the Transportation
Impact Study.
(c)
Existing and/or future public transportation service shall also
be addressed. Listings of all actions to be taken to encourage public
transportation usage for development-generated trips and/or improve
existing service, if applicable, shall be included.
F. Submission procedures and implementation.
(1)
Time of Submission.
(a)
The Transportation Impact Study shall be submitted to the Borough
of Perkasie and the Bucks County Planning Commission with the preliminary
plan application. If a sketch plan is submitted for the proposed development,
it would be advantageous to the applicant to submit a Transportation
Impact Study at this time. However, the Transportation Impact Study
shall be resubmitted at the preliminary plan stage. Furthermore, if
a preliminary plan is revised, the Transportation Impact Study may
also need to be revised, depending upon the revisions to the plan.
(b)
Improvement plans shall not be submitted to Penn DOT until the
plans have been reviewed by the Perkasie Borough Planning Commission,
the Perkasie Borough Engineer, the Bucks County Planning Commission
and the Perkasie Borough Council. The submittal to Penn DOT shall
be accompanied by the comments of the Borough, Borough Engineer and
the Bucks County Planning Commission.
(2)
Implementation. The Perkasie Borough Planning Commission, the
Bucks County Planning Commission, the Perkasie Borough Engineer and
the Perkasie Borough Council shall review the Transportation Impact
Study to analyze its adequacy in identifying solutions to traffic
problems that may occur either totally, or in part as a result of
the subdivision or land development. Transportation improvements required
in order to eliminate deficient conditions on or adjacent to the site,
that result from the development, may be mandatory for plan approval.
These necessary improvements may be attached to the conditions of
approval set forth by the Borough prior to plan approval. If the Borough
determines that additional off-site improvements are necessary prior
to plan approval, the developer shall have the opportunity to resubmit
alternative improvement designs.