In the interest of the public health, safety
and welfare, the provisions of this Article are intended to:
A. Minimize runoff and soil erosion which is caused by
inappropriate development of steepslope land areas.
B. Protect the Township from development of steep slopes
of land which may cause a subsequent expenditure for public works
and disaster relief which affects the economic well-being of the Township
and its residents.
C. Protect residents from property damage and personal
injury due to runoff and erosion and landslides attributable to nearby
development on steeply sloping land.
D. Relate the intensity of development to the steepness
of terrain in order to minimize grading, the removal of vegetation,
runoff and erosion and to help ensure the utilization of land in accordance
with its natural capabilities to support development.
E. Restrict sedimentation and the alteration of natural
drainage patterns which may aggravate flooding both in the immediate
area and in downstream areas.
The requirements of all zoning districts shall
be modified in accordance with the provisions of this Article on all
land having a slope of 10% or more as delineated on a plan which meets
the requirements of a preliminary plan as specified in the Springfield
Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
AVERAGE SLOPE
The slope of land determined according to the formula:
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Where:
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S = The "average slope" in percent.
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I = The contour interval in feet.
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L = The combined length in contour lines in
feet.
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A = The area in acres of the parcel being considered.
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IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
Surfaces that do not absorb rain; all buildings, parking
areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks and areas of concrete and nonporous
asphalt or other areas as determined by the Township Engineer shall
be considered "impervious surfaces."
In every zoning district, the following regulations
shall apply:
A. Every lot hereafter created by subdivision having
an average slope of at least 10% but less than 15% shall have the
minimum lot area increased by a factor of 1.3 and shall not have impervious
surfaces exceeding 30% of the lot areas. No more than 40% of the total
lot area shall be regraded and/or stripped of vegetation.
B. Every lot hereafter created by subdivision having
an average slope of at least 15% but less than 25% shall have the
minimum lot area increased by a factor of 1.5 and shall not have impervious
surfaces exceeding 20% of the lot area. No more than 30% of the total
lot area shall be regraded and/or stripped of vegetation.
C. Every lot hereafter created by subdivision having
an average slope of at least 25% but less than 35% shall have the
minimum lot area increased by a factor of two and shall not have impervious
surfaces exceeding 10% of the lot area. No more than 15% of the total
lot area shall be regraded and/or stripped of vegetation.
D. The increase in the minimum lot area pursuant to Subsections
A through
C above shall be required once, regardless of the effect such increase shall have on the average slope of the lot created.
E. All freestanding structures, buildings and substantial
improvements, with the exception of driveways and utilities when no
other location is feasible, are prohibited on slopes of 35% or greater
and are prohibited on slopes where soil type is classified as "stony
land, steep," by the document entitled "Soil Survey Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania," prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture,
Soil Conservation Service, dated April 1967, copies of which are on
file in the Township Office, 1510 Paper Mill Road, Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
19118.
Neither the approval of any proposed subdivision
by an officer, employee or agency of the Township of Springfield nor
the grant of any subdivision approval by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Springfield shall constitute a representation,
guaranty or warranty of any kind by the Township of Springfield or
by any of its officers, employees, agencies or members of its agencies
of the safety or practicality of the proposed subdivision and use,
and such approval or grant of approval shall create no liability on
the part of the Township of Springfield or its officers, employees,
agencies or members of its agencies.