[Adopted 11-12-1980 by Ord. No. 446]
A. 
Purpose. The specific purpose of these special provisions is:
(1) 
To regulate the subdivision and/or development of land within any designated floodplain district in order to promote the general health, welfare, and safety of the community.
(2) 
To require that each subdivision lot in flood-prone areas be provided with a safe building site with adequate access; and that public facilities which serve such uses be designed and installed to preclude flood at the time of initial construction.
(3) 
To protect individuals from buying lands which are unsuitable for use because of flood, by prohibiting the improper subdivision and/or land development of unprotected lands within the designated floodplain districts.
B. 
Abrogation and greater restrictions. This Part supersedes any conflicting ordinance in effect in flood areas. However, any other applicable ordinance shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that those provisions are more restrictive.
[Amended 10-9-1991 by Ord. No. 497]
C. 
Borough's liability. The grant of a permit or approval of a plan for any proposed subdivision and/or land development to be located within any designated floodplain district shall not constitute a representation, guarantee, or warranty of any kind by the Borough or by any official or employee thereof, of the practicability or safety of the proposed use, and shall create no liability upon the Borough, its officials or employees.
[Amended 10-9-1991 by Ord. No. 497]
A. 
Preapplication procedures.
(1) 
Prior to the preparation of any plans, it is suggested that prospective developers consult with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources concerning soil suitability when on-site sewage disposal facilities are proposed.
(2) 
Prospective developers shall consult the County Conservation District representative concerning erosion and sediment control and the effect of geologic conditions on the proposed development. At the same time a determination should be made as to whether or not any flood hazards either exist or will be created as a result of the subdivision or development.
B. 
Preliminary plan requirements. The following information shall be required as part of the preliminary plan and shall be prepared by a registered engineer or surveyor:
(1) 
Name of engineer, surveyor, or other qualified person responsible for providing the information required in this section.
(2) 
A map showing the location of the proposed subdivision and/or land development with respect to any designated floodplain district, including information on, but not limited to, the one-hundred-year flood elevations, boundaries of the floodplain districts, proposed lots and sites, fills, flood or erosion protective facilities, and areas subject to special deed restrictions.
(3) 
Where the subdivision and/or land development lies partially or completely within any designated floodplain districts, or where the subdivision and/or land development borders on a floodplain district, the preliminary plan map shall include detailed information giving the location and elevation of proposed roads, public utilities, and building sites. All such maps shall also show contours at intervals of two or five feet, depending upon the slope of the land, and identify accurately the boundaries of the floodplain districts.
C. 
Final plan requirements.
(1) 
The following information shall be required as part of the final plan and shall be prepared by a registered engineer or surveyor:
(a) 
All information required for the submission of the preliminary plan incorporating any changes requested by the Borough Council.
(b) 
A map showing the exact location and elevation of all proposed buildings, structures, roads, and public utilities to be constructed within designated floodplain districts. All such maps shall show contours at intervals of two feet and identify accurately the boundaries of the flood-prone areas.
(2) 
Submission of the final plan shall also be accompanied by all required permits and related documentation from the Department of Environmental Resources and any other commonwealth agency, or local municipality where any alteration or relocation of a stream or watercourse is proposed. In addition, documentation shall be submitted indicating that all affected adjacent municipalities have been notified of the proposed alteration or relocation. The Department of Community Affairs and the Federal Insurance Administrator shall also be notified whenever any such activity is proposed.
D. 
Performance bond. No final plan shall be approved by the Council of the Borough of Leetsdale, until the improvements required by this Part 1 are constructed in a satisfactory manner and approved by the Council of the Borough of Leetsdale. In lieu of such construction, the Council may grant final approval prior to completion, providing the developer complies with the provisions for guaranteeing completion of improvements as outlined in Article VII of this chapter.
A. 
General.
(1) 
Where not prohibited by this Part 1 or any other laws or ordinances, land located in any designated floodplain district may be platted for development with the provision that the developer construct all buildings and structure to preclude flood damage in accordance with this and any other laws and ordinances regulating such development.
(2) 
No subdivision and/or land development, or part thereof, shall be approved if the proposed development and/or improvements will individually or collectively, increase the one-hundred-year flood elevation more than one foot at any point.
(3) 
Building sits for residences or any other type of dwelling or accommodation shall not be permitted in any floodway area. Sites for these uses may be permitted outside the floodway area if the sites or dwelling units are elevated up to the regulatory flood elevation. If fill is used to raise the elevation of a site, the fill area shall extend out laterally for a distance of at least 15 feet beyond the limits of the proposed structures.
(4) 
Building sites for structures or buildings other than for residential uses shall also not be permitted in any floodway area. Also, such sites for structures or buildings outside the floodway shall be protected as provided for in Subsection A(3) above. However, the Council may allow the subdivision and/or development of areas or sites for commercial and industrial uses at an elevation below the regulatory flood elevation if the developer otherwise protects the area to that height or assures that the buildings or structures will be floodproofed at least up to that height.
(5) 
If the Council of the Borough of Leetsdale determines that only a part of a proposed plat can be safely developed, it shall limit development to that part and shall require that development proceed consistent with this determination.
(6) 
When a developer does not intend to develop the plat himself and the Borough Council determines that additional controls are required to insure safe development, it may require the developer to impose appropriate deed restrictions on the land. Such deed restrictions shall be inserted in every deed and noted on every recorded plat.
B. 
Excavation and grading. Where any excavation or grading is proposed or where any existing trees, shrubs or other vegetative cover will be removed, the developer shall consult the County Conservation District representative concerning plans for erosion and sediment control and also to obtain a report on the soil characteristics of the site so that a determination can be made as to the type and degree of development the site may accommodate. Before undertaking any excavation or grading, the developer shall obtain a grading and excavation permit if such is required by the Borough.
C. 
Drainage facilities.
(1) 
Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of surface waters without damage to persons or property. The system shall insure drainage at all points along streets, and provide positive drainage away from buildings and on-site waste disposal sites.
(2) 
Plans shall be subject to the approval of the Borough Council. The Borough Council may require a primarily underground system to accommodate frequent floods and a secondary surface system to accommodate larger, less frequent floods. Drainage plans shall be consistent with local and regional drainage plans. The facilities shall be designed to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent properties.
D. 
Streets. The finished elevation of proposed streets shall not be more than one foot below the regulatory flood elevation. The Borough Council may require, where necessary, profiles and elevations of streets to determine compliance with the requirement. Drainage openings shall be sufficient to discharge flood flows without duly increasing flood heights.
E. 
Sewer facilities.[1]
(1) 
All sanitary sewer systems located in any designated floodplain district, whether private or public, shall be floodproofed up to the regulatory flood elevation.
(2) 
The Borough Council shall prohibit installation of sewage disposal facilities requiring soil absorption systems where such systems will not function due to high ground water, flooding, or unsuitable soil characteristics. The Borough Council may require that the developer note on the face of the plat and in any deed of conveyance that soil absorption fields are prohibited in designated areas.
(3) 
The Borough Council may prescribe adequate methods for waste disposal. If a sanitary sewer system is located on or near the proposed subdivision and/or land development, the Borough Council shall require the developer to provide sewage facilities to connect to this system where practical, and shall prescribe the procedures to be followed by the developer in connecting to the system.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 236, Sewers.
F. 
Water facilities. All water systems located in any designated floodplain district, whether public or private, shall be floodproofed up to the regulatory flood elevation. If there is an existing public water supply system on or near the subdivision, the Borough Council shall require the developer to connect to this system, where practical, and shall prescribe the procedures to be followed by the developer in connecting to the system.
G. 
Other utilities and facilities. All other and/or private utilities and facilities including gas and electric shall be elevated or floodproofed up to the regulatory flood elevation.