As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
An applicant may seek relief from the requirements of these regulations
by applying for variances to either the Planning Board or the Zoning Board
of Adjustment, depending on which board has jurisdiction based on the provisions
of the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law.
The Town Engineer, when reviewing an application to disturb precautionary
slopes or when reviewing an application for variance relief from the requirements
of this chapter, shall submit a report to the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment
for each application. The Planning Board or Board of Adjustment shall be guided
by, but not limited to, the following performance standards:
A. The applicant shall demonstrate that the disturbance
of the steep slope area is necessary for the proposed development of the subject
tract or lot, and that such development is otherwise in accordance with the
applicable ordinance provisions of the Borough of Riverdale.
B. The applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed development
has utilized the noncritical areas of the tract to the extent reasonably practicable
and that an attempt has been made to minimize the disturbance of the steep
slope areas by limiting development to isolated areas of steep slopes.
C. The applicant shall demonstrate that appropriate revegetation
and landscaping of the disturbed steep slope areas will be provided so as
to adequately stabilize the slopes and enhance the attractiveness of the site,
all in accordance with accepted soil conservation and stormwater management
techniques as promulgated by the Borough Engineer.
D. The applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed disturbance
of the steep slope area minimizes the impairment of the visual quality of
the site and protects the higher elevations along hillsides, ridges, and mountain
tops which create visual amenities.
E. The applicant shall also demonstrate that:
(1) Any geologic disturbance, including blasting, cutting,
or excavating, resulting from the development of a steep slope area will be
satisfactorily mitigated; and
(2) The cost of providing and maintaining public facilities
and services to those portions of the site where steep slope areas to be disturbed
will not be substantially increased as a result of such disturbance.
Any applicant proposing to disturb steep slopes in the Borough of Riverdale
shall submit the following information to the Borough Engineer and to the
Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, and
all submitted plans, details and calculations shall be prepared, signed and
sealed by a New Jersey-licensed professional engineer:
A. A steep slope analysis, utilizing the best available
topographical information, as determined by the Borough Engineer. The analysis
shall be based on two-foot contour intervals or spot elevations if appropriate.
Areas designated as steep slope areas shall be shaded and the amount of land
area calculated. The analysis shall identify noncritical, precautionary, and
prohibitive slopes.
B. A grading plan, which shall be prepared at a minimum
scale of one inch equals 20 feet, shall include the following information
in addition to all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Ordinance:
(1) Plans showing the location of, and details for, all drainage
devices, retaining walls, cribbing, dams, or other protective devices to be
constructed and any existing or proposed swales, ditches, brooks or other
drainage patterns;
(2) Plans, profiles, cross sections and details of all retaining
walls showing the height of each wall, the elevation at the top and bottom
of each wall, the materials to be used, a profile and cross section of each
wall, any proposed plantings, any safety barriers, the calculations of anticipated
earth and hydrostatic pressures and surcharges and the calculations detailing
the design of each wall; and
(3) A map designating the maximum limits of clearing and
disturbance.
C. Drainage plans and supporting computations for any storm
drainage system shall be submitted, including the following information as
may be required by the Borough Engineer:
(1) All existing or proposed storm sewer lines within or
adjacent to the tract showing the profile, size, and slope of the lines, the
direction of flow, and the location of each catch basin, inlet, manhole, culvert,
headwall, and utility line, including pipe sizes and grads;
(2) A map drawn to scale (minimum one inch equals 100 feet)
showing the contributing area to each inlet or cross drain;
(3) The weighted runoff coefficient for each drainage area
that was utilized in the submitted computations and a report by the design
engineer containing the design criteria used, the alternates considered, the
reasons for the final selections and the design calculations.
D. Landscaping plans, indicating the following information:
(1) The proposed limits of disturbance of the subject site;
(2) A general depiction of all existing vegetation within
the area to be disturbed and a planting plan, including a planting schedule,
for the plant material to be installed;
(3) A specific identification within the area to be disturbed
of all individual trees or groups of trees which have a caliper of eight inches
or more measured three feet above the ground level, with an indication of
which trees are to be removed.
Developments shall be exempt from the steep slope requirements of this
chapter, as follows:
A. Land development plans, which were approved prior to
the adoption date of this chapter.
B. Any development proposal where the steep slope to be
disturbed is less than 1,000 square feet shall be exempt. Proof of such exemption
eligibility shall be determined by the Borough Engineer.
Development approvals issued pursuant to this chapter are to be considered
an integral part of development approvals under the subdivision and site plan
review process and do not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to secure
required permits or approvals for activities regulated by other applicable
codes, rules, acts or ordinances. In their interpretation and application,
the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements
for the promotion of the public health, safety, general welfare, and the protection
of water quality.