In expansion of the declaration of legislative intent and community development objectives contained in Article
I of this chapter, the specific intent of this article is:
A. To conserve and protect areas of steep slope from
inappropriate development and excessive grading.
B. To avoid negative impacts caused by erosion, stream
siltation, soil failure leading to structural collapse, damage, or
unsanitary conditions.
C. To minimize danger to public health and safety by
promoting safe and sanitary drainage, conservation, and construction
practices.
D. To permit and encourage the use of steep slope areas
for open space purposes, so as to constitute a harmonious aspect of
the continuing physical development of the Township.
On those lands having a slope of 15% or greater, only those uses permitted in §
170-124A and
B shall be permitted. All applications for development of steep slope areas for uses under §
170-124B shall be accompanied by an erosion and sediment control plan, notwithstanding the minimum acreage requirements of the Clean Streams Law, P.L. 1987, as amended. The plan shall comply with the practices set forth in the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Manual of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as amended, as well as other recognized conservation practices.
In addition to that information required in §
170-31 for conditional use applications to the Board of Supervisors, the applicant shall supply the following:
A. A plan by a registered professional engineer or surveyor
which accurately locates the proposed use with respect to the SSC
District boundaries and existing development within 200 feet of the
proposed use, together with all pertinent information describing the
proposal, topographical survey, contour elevations at two foot intervals,
the erosion and sediment control plan required by this article, and
any other information required by the Township.
B. The following as deemed necessary by the Board of
Supervisors:
(1)
Plan view of the site, conforming to the preliminary plan requirements of Chapter
145, Subdivision and Land Development.
(2)
Topographic survey showing contour elevations
at two-foot contours as well as typical tract cross-sections at a
scale of one inch equals 100 feet or larger. In addition, typical
tract cross-sections at a vertical and horizontal scale deemed appropriate
by the Township Engineer.
(3)
Specifications of building materials and construction
including filling, grading, materials storage, water supply, and sewage
disposal facilities.
(4)
Proposed modifications to the existing topography
and vegetative cover, as well as the means of accommodating stormwater
runoff and preventing erosion.
(5)
Documentation of any additional engineering
and/or conservation techniques designed to alleviate environmental
problems created by the proposed activities, or documentation prepared
by a geologist regarding subsurface materials, properties, and excavation
methods.
(6)
Type of foundation to be used for the structure,
with all accompanying calculations.
In considering a conditional use application, the Board shall consider the following, in addition to the standards and criteria of §
170-31 of this chapter:
A. Relationship of the proposed use to the legislative intent set forth in §
170-121.
B. Adverse effects to abutting, uphill, and downhill
properties.
C. Extent and severity of steep slopes on the site.
D. Extent and proposed disturbance of existing vegetative
cover on the site.
E. Soil types and underlying geology of the site.
F. Length or extent of steep slopes both on the site
in question and on adjacent lands within 200 feet of the site.
G. Evidence that:
(1)
The proposed development, any impervious surface,
and the resultant disturbance to the land and existing vegetative
cover will not cause excessive runoff and/or related environmental
problems.
(2)
Proposed buildings or structures are of sound
engineering design and that footings are designed to extend to stable
soil and/or bedrock.
(3)
Proposed roads, drives and parking areas are
designed that land clearing and/or grading will not cause accelerated
erosion. Both vertical and horizontal alignment of such facilities
shall be so designed that hazardous conditions are not created.
(4)
Proposed on-lot sewage disposal facilities shall
be properly designed and constructed in conformity with applicable
regulations.
(5)
Proposed nonagricultural displacement of soil
shall be for causes consistent with the intent of this chapter and
shall be executed in the manner that will not cause erosion or other
unstable conditions.
(6)
Surface runoff of water will not create unstable
conditions, including erosion, and that appropriate stormwater management
facilities will be constructed as necessary.
No steep slope areas shall be occupied until
a certificate of compliance has been issued by the Zoning Officer.
The Zoning Officer shall request the applicant to submit certification
by a registered professional engineer and/or land surveyor, as applicable,
that the construction of any buildings or other improvements or any
other changes were accomplished in compliance with this chapter. The
Zoning Officer shall issue a certificate of compliance within 10 days
of receipt of the certification from the applicant.