[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Haverford 10-31-1988 by Ord. No. 2027. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 58.
Environmental performance standards — See Ch. 76.
Erosion and sediment control — See Ch. 78.
Sewage and drainage facilities — See Ch. 149.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 157.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 160.
Trees — See Ch. 170.
Zoning — See Ch. 182.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Township of Haverford Slope Control Ordinance."
The purpose of this chapter is to encourage
the sensitive treatment of hillsides and the related soil and vegetation
resources in an effort to minimize adverse environmental impacts.
The objectives of this chapter are:
A.
To conserve and protect slopes from harmful land disturbances,
i.e., excessive grading, land form alteration and excessive removal
of vegetation.
B.
To avoid potential hazards to property and the destruction
of ecological balances, which may result in increased runoff, flooding,
soil erosion and sedimentation, blasting and ripping of rock, landslide
and soil failure.
C.
To encourage the use of slopes for open space and
other uses which are compatible with the preservation and protection
of natural resources.
D.
To be used in conjunction with and enhance existing
zoning, subdivision and land development and erosion and sediment
control regulations.
[Amended 11-9-1998 by Ord. No. 2301]
E.
To permit only those uses that are compatible with
development of slope areas in order to avoid accelerated erosion,
soil failure, accelerated seepage or other conditions which may cause
a danger to life and/or property.
F.
To promote the ecological balance among those natural
system elements, i.e., wildlife, vegetation and aquatic life, which
could be adversely affected by inappropriate development of steep-slope
areas.
G.
To prevent development that would cause excessive
erosion and a resultant reduction in water-carrying capacity of the
watercourses which flow through or around the township with the consequences
of increased flood crests and flood hazards within the township and
to both upstream and downstream municipalities.
No person shall directly or indirectly disturb
vegetation ground cover on more than the following percentages of
each classification of land:
|
Slope Classification
|
Permissible Area
(maximum)
|
|---|---|
|
Steep (15% to 25%)
|
15%
|
|
Very steep (greater than 25%)
|
5%
|
The following information is required from an
applicant for any land development or subdivision on preliminary plan
submitted:
A.
Typical cross sections and elevations.
B.
Description of existing land cover.
C.
Soil types.
D.
Narrative report describing slope, soil and vegetation,
proposed buildings, types of foundations, landscaping, sewage disposal,
water supply, erosion and sedimentation control measures.
E.
Site plan indicating shading of areas of steep or
very steep slopes.
F.
Use and slopes within 200 feet of property involved.
[Amended 11-9-1998 by Ord. No. 2301]
A.
All subdivision, land development and erosion and
sediment control plans shall include a contour map with a contour
interval no greater than two feet on a horizontal scale of not more
than one inch equals 50 feet. Said contour map shall be sealed by
a registered engineer or surveyor and shall be derived from actual
topographic surveys that accurately reflect the current topography.
Contour elevations shall be referenced, where reasonably feasible,
to a known, established benchmark.
C.
For the purpose of this chapter, steep slopes and
very steep slopes, as defined herein, shall be delineated based upon
the slope calculated over two consecutive two-foot contour intervals
(four-foot vertical change in elevation).
Neither the approval of all proposed subdivision
by any officer, employee or agency of the Township of Haverford nor
the grant of any subdivision approval by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Haverford shall constitute a representation, guaranty
or warranty of any kind by the Township of Haverford 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 Haverford, its officers, employees, agencies or
members of its agencies.
[Amended 3-12-2012 by Ord. No. 2660]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any
provision of this chapter shall, upon summary conviction before any
district Justice of the Peace, pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 and
costs of prosecution, and, in default of one payment of the fine and
costs, the violator may be sentenced to the county jail for a term
of not more than 90 days. Each and every day in which any person,
firm or corporation shall be in violation of this chapter shall constitute
a separate offense.
[Added 11-9-1998 by Ord. No. 2301]
Any appeal from a decision made by the Codes Enforcement Officer or Township Engineer in the administration of this chapter shall be made directly to the Zoning Hearing Board, and such appeal shall be made within 30 days after the notice of the decision is issued or if no decision is made. Appeals shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of § 182-1005 of the General Laws of the Township of Haverford, Pennsylvania.
[Added 11-9-1998 by Ord. No. 2301]
If compliance with any of the requirements of this chapter would result in an exceptional hardship to a prospective builder, developer or landowner, the Zoning Hearing Board may, upon request, grant relief from the strict application of the requirements. Requests for a variance shall be considered in accordance with § 182-1004 of the General Laws of the Township of Haverford, Pennsylvania.
