For any of the activities regulated by this chapter, the preliminary or final approval of subdivision and/or land development plans, the issuance of any building or occupancy permit, or the commencement of any earth-disturbance activity may not proceed until the property owner or applicant or his/her agent has received written approval of a drainage plan from Union Township, unless the project qualifies for an exemption from the requirements to submit a drainage plan.
A. 
General exemptions. The following land use activities are exempt from the drainage plan submission requirements of this chapter:
(1) 
Use of land for gardening for home consumption.
(2) 
Agricultural plowing and tilling are exempt from the rate control and stormwater management site plan preparation requirements of this chapter, provided that the activities are performed according to the requirements of 25 Pa. Code, Chapter 102.
(3) 
Forest management and timber operations are exempt from the rate control and stormwater management site plan preparation requirements of this chapter, provided that the activities are performed according to the requirements of 25 Pa. Code, Chapter 102.
The drainage plan shall consist of a general description of the project, including sequencing items described in either Article III or IV, as appropriate, calculations, maps and plans. A note on the maps shall refer to the associated computations and erosion and sediment control plan by title and date. The cover sheet of the computations and erosion and sediment control plan shall refer to the associated maps by title and date. All drainage plan materials shall be submitted to Union Township in a format that is clear, concise, legible, neat, and well organized; otherwise, the drainage plan shall not be accepted for review and shall be returned to the applicant. The following items shall be included in the drainage plan:
A. 
General.
(1) 
A general description of the project.
(2) 
A general description of permanent stormwater management techniques, including construction specifications of the materials to be used for stormwater management facilities.
(3) 
Complete hydrologic, hydraulic, and structural computations for all stormwater management facilities.
(4) 
An erosion and sediment control plan, including all reviews and approvals by the Berks County Conservation District.
(5) 
A general description of nonpoint-source pollution controls.
B. 
Maps. Map(s) of the project area shall be submitted on 24 x 36 inch sheets and/or shall be prepared in a form that meets the requirements for recording at the offices of the Recorder of Deeds of Berks County. If Chapter 172, Subdivision and Land Development (SALDO), has more stringent criteria, then the more stringent criteria shall apply. The contents of the map(s) shall include but not be limited to:
(1) 
The location of the project relative to highways, municipalities or other identifiable landmarks.
(2) 
Existing contours at intervals of two feet. In areas of steep slopes (greater than 15%), five-foot contour intervals may be used.
(3) 
Existing streams, lakes, ponds or other waters of the commonwealth within the project area.
(4) 
Other physical features, including flood hazard boundaries, stream buffers, existing drainagecourses, areas of natural vegetation to be preserved, and the total extent of the upstream area draining through the site.
(5) 
The locations of all existing and proposed utilities, sanitary sewers, and waterlines within 50 feet of property lines.
(6) 
An overlay showing soil names and boundaries.
(7) 
Limits of earth disturbance, including the type and amount of impervious area that would be added.
(8) 
Proposed structures, roads, paved areas, and buildings.
(9) 
Final contours at intervals of two feet. In areas of steep slopes (greater than 15%), five-foot contour intervals may be used.
(10) 
The name of the development, the name and address of the owner of the property, and the name of the individual or firm preparing the plan.
(11) 
The date of submission.
(12) 
A graphic and written scale of one inch equals no more than 50 feet; for tracts of 20 acres or more, the scale shall be one inch equals no more than 100 feet.
(13) 
A North arrow.
(14) 
The total tract boundary and size, with distances marked to the nearest foot and bearings to the nearest degree.
(15) 
Existing and proposed land use(s).
(16) 
A key map showing all off-site existing man-made features which may be affected by stormwater runoff or stormwater management controls for the project.
(17) 
The location of all open channels.
(18) 
Overland drainage patterns and swales.
(19) 
A twenty-foot-wide access easement around all stormwater management facilities that would provide ingress to and egress from a public right-of-way.
(20) 
The location of all erosion and sediment control facilities.
(21) 
A note on the plan indicating the location and responsibility for maintenance of stormwater management facilities that would be located on-/off-site. All on-/off-site facilities shall meet the performance standards and design criteria specified in this chapter.
(22) 
A statement, signed by the landowner, acknowledging that any revision to the approved drainage plan must be approved by Union Township and the Berks County Conservation District.
(23) 
The following signature block for the design engineer:
"I, (design engineer), on this date (date of signature), hereby certify that the drainage plan meets all design standards and criteria of the Tributaries to the Schuylkill River in Berks County Act 167 Stormwater Management Ordinance."
C. 
Supplemental information.
(1) 
A written description of the following information shall be submitted:
(a) 
The overall stormwater management concept for the project, designed in accordance with either Article III or IV, as appropriate.
(b) 
Stormwater runoff computations, as specified in this chapter.
(c) 
Stormwater management techniques to be applied both during and after development.
(d) 
Expected project time schedule.
(e) 
Development stages (project phases), if so proposed.
(f) 
An operation and maintenance plan in accordance with § 165-38 of this chapter.
(2) 
An erosion and sediment control plan.
(3) 
The effect of the project (in terms of runoff volumes and peak flows) on adjacent properties and on any existing municipal stormwater collection system that may receive runoff from the project site.
D. 
Stormwater management facilities.
(1) 
All stormwater management facilities must be located on a plan and described in detail.
(2) 
When infiltration facilities, such as seepage pits, beds or trenches, are used, the locations of existing and proposed septic tank infiltration areas and wells must be shown.
(3) 
All calculations, assumptions, and criteria used in the design of the stormwater management facilities must be shown.
E. 
Responsibilities for operations and maintenance of stormwater controls and BMPs.
(1) 
No regulated earth-disturbance activities within Union Township shall commence until approval by Union Township of a stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan which describes how the permanent (e.g., postconstruction) stormwater controls and BMPs will be properly operated and maintained.
(2) 
The following items shall be included in the stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan:
(a) 
Map(s) of the project area, in a form that meets the requirements for recording at the offices of the Recorder of Deeds of Berks County, which shall be submitted on twenty-four-inch-by-thirty-six-inch sheets. The contents of the maps(s) shall include but not be limited to:
[1] 
A clear identification of the location and nature of permanent stormwater controls and BMPs.
[2] 
The location of the project site relative to highways, municipal boundaries or other identifiable landmarks.
[3] 
Existing and final contours at intervals of two feet, or others as appropriate.
[4] 
Existing streams, lakes, ponds, or other bodies of water within the project site area.
[5] 
Other physical features, including flood hazard boundaries, sinkholes, streams, existing drainagecourses, and areas of natural vegetation to be preserved.
[6] 
The locations of all existing and proposed utilities, sanitary sewers, and waterlines within 50 feet of property lines of the project site.
[7] 
Proposed final changes to the land surface and vegetative cover, including the type and amount of impervious area that would be added.
[8] 
Proposed final structures, roads, paved areas, and buildings.
[9] 
A twenty-foot-wide access easement around all stormwater controls and BMPs that would provide ingress to and egress from a public right-of-way.
(b) 
A description of how each permanent stormwater control and BMP will be operated and maintained and the identity of the person(s) responsible for operations and maintenance.
(c) 
The name of the project site, the name and address of the owner of the property, and the name of the individual or firm preparing the plan.
(d) 
A statement, signed by the landowner, acknowledging that the stormwater controls and BMPs are fixtures that can be altered or removed only after approval by Union Township.
(3) 
The stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan for the project site shall establish responsibilities for the continuing operation and maintenance of all permanent stormwater controls and BMPs, as follows:
(a) 
If a plan includes structures or lots which are to be separately owned and in which streets, sewers and other public improvements are to be dedicated to Union Township, stormwater controls and BMPs may also be dedicated to and maintained by Union Township.
(b) 
If a plan includes operations and maintenance by a single ownership, or if sewers and other public improvements are to be privately owned and maintained, then the operation and maintenance of stormwater controls and BMPs shall be the responsibility of the owner or private management entity.
(4) 
Union Township shall make the final determination on the continuing operations and maintenance responsibilities. Union Township reserves the right to accept or reject the operations and maintenance responsibility for any or all of the stormwater controls and BMPs.
F. 
Municipality review of stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan.
(1) 
Union Township shall review the stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan for consistency with the purposes and requirements of this chapter and any permits issued by DEP.
(2) 
Union Township shall notify the applicant, in writing, whether the stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan is approved.
(3) 
Union Township may require a record drawing of all stormwater controls and BMPs and an explanation of any discrepancies with the operations and maintenance plan.
A. 
Union Township shall require receipt of a complete plan, as specified in this chapter.
B. 
For any activities that require an NPDES permit for stormwater discharges from construction activities, a PADEP joint permit application, a PennDOT highway occupancy permit, or any other permit under applicable state or federal regulations or are regulated under Chapter 105 (Dam Safety and Waterway Management) or Chapter 106 (Floodplain Management) of PADEP's Rules and Regulations, the proof of application for said permit(s) or approvals shall be part of the plan. The plan shall be coordinated with the state and federal permit process and the municipal SALDO review process.
(1) 
For projects which require SALDO approval, the drainage plan shall be submitted by the applicant as part of the preliminary plan submission where applicable for the regulated activity.
(2) 
For these regulated activities that do not require SALDO approval, see § 165-27, General requirements.
(3) 
Six copies of the drainage plan shall be submitted and distributed as follows:
(a) 
Two copies to Union Township, accompanied by the requisite municipal review fee, in accordance with this chapter.
(b) 
Two copies to the Berks County Conservation District.
(c) 
One copy to the Municipal Engineer.
(d) 
One copy to the County Planning Commission/Department.
A. 
Union Township shall review the drainage plan with the standards set forth in this chapter for consistency with the adopted Tributaries to the Schuylkill River in Berks County Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan. Any found incomplete shall not be accepted for review and shall be returned to the applicant.
B. 
For activities regulated by this chapter, Union Township shall notify the applicant, in writing, within 90 calendar days, whether the drainage plan is consistent with the stormwater management plan.
(1) 
Should the drainage plan be determined to be consistent with the stormwater management plan, the Municipal Engineer shall forward an approval letter to the Municipal Secretary, who will then forward a copy to the applicant.
(2) 
Should the drainage plan be determined to be inconsistent with the stormwater management plan, the Municipal Engineer shall forward a disapproval letter to the Municipal Secretary, who will then forward a copy to the applicant. The disapproval letter shall cite the reason(s) and specific ordinance sections for the disapproval. Disapproval may be due to inadequate information to make a reasonable judgment as to compliance with the stormwater management plan. Any disapproved drainage plans may be revised by the applicant and resubmitted consistent with this chapter.
C. 
For regulated activities, specified in § 165-4 of this chapter, which require a building permit, the Municipal Engineer shall notify the Municipal Building Permit Officer, in writing, within a time frame consistent with the Municipal Building Code and/or Chapter 172, Subdivision and Land Development, whether the drainage plan is consistent with the stormwater management plan and forward a copy of the approval/disapproval letter to the applicant. Any disapproved drainage plan may be revised by the applicant and resubmitted consistent with this chapter.
D. 
For regulated activities under this chapter that require an NPDES permit application, the applicant shall forward a copy of the Municipal Engineer's letter stating that the drainage plan is consistent with the stormwater management plan to the Berks County Conservation District. PADEP and the Conservation District may consider the Municipal Engineer's review comments in determining whether to issue a permit.
E. 
Union Township shall not grant approval or grant preliminary approval to any subdivision or land development for regulated activities specified in § 165-5 of this chapter if the drainage plan has been found to be inconsistent with the stormwater management plan, as determined by Union Township. All required permits from PADEP must be obtained prior to approval of any subdivision or land development.
F. 
The applicant shall be responsible for completing record drawings of all stormwater management facilities included in the approved drainage plan. The record drawings and an explanation of any discrepancies with the design plans shall be submitted to Union Township for final approval. Union Township may withhold approval of the record drawings until Union Township receives a copy of an approved highway occupancy permit from the PennDOT District Office, NPDES permit, and any other applicable permits or approvals from PADEP or the Berks County Conservation District. The above permits and approvals must be based on the record drawings.
G. 
Union Township's approval of a drainage plan shall be valid for a period not to exceed five years, commencing on the date that Union Township signs the approved drainage plan. If stormwater management facilities included in the approved drainage plan have not been constructed, or if constructed and record drawings of these facilities have not been approved within this five-year time period, then Union Township may consider the drainage plan disapproved and may revoke any and all permits. Drainage plans that are considered disapproved by Union Township shall be resubmitted in accordance with § 165-33 of this chapter.
A. 
A modification to a drainage plan under review by Union Township for a development site that involves a change in stormwater management facilities or techniques, or that involves the relocation or redesign of stormwater management facilities, or that is necessary because soil or other conditions are not as stated on the drainage plan as determined by Union Township, shall require a resubmission of the modified drainage plan consistent with § 165-30 of this chapter and be subject to review as specified in § 165-31 of this chapter.
B. 
A modification to an already approved or disapproved drainage plan shall be submitted to Union Township, accompanied by the applicable municipal review and inspection fee. A modification to a drainage plan for which a formal action has not been taken by Union Township shall be submitted to Union Township, accompanied by the applicable municipal review and inspection fee.
A disapproved drainage plan may be resubmitted, with the revisions addressing Union Township's concerns documented in writing and addressed to the Municipal Secretary in accordance with § 165-30 of this chapter and distributed accordingly and be subject to review as specified in § 165-31 of this chapter. The applicable municipal review and inspection fee must accompany a resubmission of a disapproved drainage plan.