[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Pennsauken 10-30-1978 by Ord. No. 78-35. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Development regulations — See Ch. 141.
Flood control — See Ch. 166.
Noise — See Ch. 210.
Sewers and drainage systems — See Ch. 256.
Solid waste — See Ch. 269.
[1]
Editor's Note: This chapter, formerly Ch. 150, was renumbered as Ch. 142 12-30-2002 by Ord. No. 02-32.
[Amended 12-30-2002 by Ord. No. 02-32]
In order to assure the harmonious development of all areas of the Township of Pennsauken in accordance with the intended appearance of the Township as established by the Pennsauken Township Master Plan, to assure that maximum care is exercised to preserve and enhance existing natural features and environmental conditions, to preclude the creation of adverse conditions of traffic flow or traffic safety problems and to maximize efforts to assure each property owner the right to safe and comfortable use of his or her property and environmental design for new construction proposed within the Township, all site plans shall be reviewed by the Environmental Commission of the Township of Pennsauken and the Pennsauken Planning Board and, where applicable, by the Pennsauken Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of the State of New Jersey, prior to issuance of a construction permit.
The submission to the Pennsauken Township Environmental Commission of an environmental impact statement shall be required for any major subdivision or site plan application that involves the development of 1.5 acres or more of undeveloped land. The environmental impact statement shall include a response to the following items pertaining to a proposed development. Said proposal shall be consistent with all standards and requirements of the Pennsauken Township Master Plan, the Municipal Land Use Law (Chapter 291 of the Laws of New Jersey 1975, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.) and all other federal, state and local laws.
A. 
Soil types.
(1) 
United States Department of Agriculture soil types (shown on map).
(2) 
Permeability of soil on site.
(3) 
Rate of percolation of water through the soil with one test for each five acres or less.
B. 
Surface water drainage. Special attention shall be given to proper site surface drainage so that removal of surface water will not adversely affect neighboring properties or the public storm drainage system. Stormwater shall be removed from all paved areas and carried away in an efficient and approved manner so that it will not obstruct the flow of vehicles or pedestrian traffic and will not create puddles in paved areas.
(1) 
Key map showing location and distance from site to nearest stream.
(2) 
Rate of runoff from the site before and after development.
(3) 
Destination of runoff water and method of controlling downstream effects.
(4) 
Submission of an erosion and sediment control plan.
C. 
Ground cover, including trees. The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practicable, by minimizing tree and soil removal.
(1) 
Extent of existing impervious ground cover on the site.
(2) 
Extent of proposed impervious ground cover on the site.
(3) 
Extent of existing vegetative cover on the site.
(4) 
Extent of proposed vegetative cover on the site.
D. 
Topography. Furnish a plan showing existing and proposed contours of entire site and adjacent sites which may affect project site. Any grade changes shall be in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring developed areas.
E. 
Groundwater.
(1) 
Average depth to seasonal high-water table.
(2) 
Minimum depth to water table on site.
(3) 
Maximum depth to water table on site.
F. 
Water supply.
(1) 
The source and adequacy of the potable water system to be provided to the site.
(2) 
The expected daily water requirements for the site.
G. 
Sewerage system.
(1) 
Sanitary sewer system (description and location of system on the site).
(2) 
Expected contents of the sewage effluent (human waste, pesticides, detergents, oils, heavy metals, other chemicals, etc.). Must meet requirements of the Pennsauken Township Industrial Waste Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was repealed 11-7-1984 by Ord. No. 84-40. See Ch. 5, Art. I, for establishment of Sewerage Authority.
(3) 
Expected daily volume of sewage.
(4) 
Effect on sewage treatment plant's present capacity and authorized capacity.
H. 
Solid waste.
(1) 
Estimated quantity of solid waste to be developed on the site during and after construction.
(2) 
Method of disposal of solid waste during and after construction.
(3) 
Plans for recycling of solid waste during and after construction.
I. 
Air quality.
(1) 
Expected changes in air quality due to activities at the site during and after construction.
(2) 
Plans for control of emissions affecting air quality.
J. 
Noise.
(1) 
Noise levels, above existing levels, expected to be generated at the site (source and magnitude in decibels) during and after construction.
(2) 
Proposed method for control of possible additional noise on site during and after construction.
K. 
Impact of proposed action applied for.
(1) 
Existing plant species and effects thereon.
(2) 
Existing animal species and effects thereon.
(3) 
Existing wild fowl and other birds and effects thereon.
(4) 
Effects on drainage and runoff.
(5) 
Effects on groundwater quality.
(6) 
Effects on situation of surface waters.
(7) 
Effects on surface water quality.
(8) 
Effects on air quality.
(9) 
Effects on sites of historic significance.
(10) 
Alternatives to proposed development consistent with the zoning of the tract.
L. 
Critical impact areas. ln addition to the aforementioned, plans shall include any area, condition or feature which is considered environmentally sensitive, or which, if disturbed during construction and/or development, would adversely affect the environment.
(1) 
Critical impact areas include but are not limited to stream corridors, streams, wetlands, estuaries, slopes greater than 15º, highly acid or highly erodible soils, areas of high-water table and mature stands of native vegetation and aquifers recharge and discharge areas.
(2) 
A statement of impact upon critical areas and of adverse impacts which cannot be avoided.
(3) 
Environmental protective measures, procedures and schedules to minimize damage to critical impact areas during and after development and/or construction.
(4) 
A list of all licenses, permits and other approvals required by municipal, county or state law and the status of each.
(5) 
A listing of steps proposed to minimize environmental damage to the site and region during construction and/or development and operation.
M. 
All documents, statements and listings shall be prepared by and bear the signature and seal of a licensed professional engineer or other qualified individual whose qualifications have been previously authenticated and approved by the Planning Board.
If an environmental impact statement is required in accordance with first above-mentioned stipulation(s) herein, it shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Planning Board 60 days prior to filing for final approval of the site plan.
A. 
Upon receipt of the application, the Secretary of the Planning Board shall forward the environmental impact statement to the Environmental Commission and to any other Township agency which the Planning Board may desire for consultation.
B. 
Such aforementioned Township agency or agencies shall review the applicant's environmental impact statement and shall report its findings and comments within 30 days of the date of submission to the Planning Board.
C. 
The Planning Board and/or the Environmental Commission may require the opinion of experts in their review of the environmental impact statement and, if deemed essential, may hire an expert consultant to assist them in the evaluation of submitted information by the applicant.
D. 
Fees for the costs of such consultant as described in Subsection C above shall be paid by the applicant.
E. 
Copies of the environmental impact statement shall be on file and available for inspection in the office of the Construction Official of the Township of Pennsauken.
Appeals may be taken by any party in interest concerning any adverse decision by any Township agency charged with the obligation of promulgating decisions concerning this chapter. Such appeals shall be taken to the Township Committee of the Township of Pennsauken by filing a notice of appeal with the Township Clerk of the Township of Pennsauken within 10 days of final decision of such local agency. The practices and procedures of such appeals shall be governed in accordance with the requirements for appeals from decisions under the Municipal Land Use law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.