[Added 11-8-2021 by Ord. No. 180]
A. Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings as stated
after them:
FIRST ORDER TRAIL
A trail that connects parcels, properties, or developments
together.
IMPROVEMENTS
Items along trails that are not roads, water, watercourses,
private ways and buildings, amenities, structures, boating access
and launch ramps, bridges, fishing piers, boat docks, ramps, paths,
paved or unpaved trails, hunting blinds and machinery or equipment
when attached to the realty. The term shall also not include areas
providing access to, or parking for, lands and waters, including,
but not limited to, access ramps, trails or piers for use by recreational
users with disabilities.
MAINTENANCE
Activities that make a trail passable, including, but not
limited to, snow removal, cutting, clearing, and repair of surfaces
and/or structures used along the trail.
MOTOR VEHICLE
A vehicle which is self-propelled, except an electric personal
assistive mobility device or a vehicle which is propelled solely by
human power.
PLAN
Any development submitted for approval containing 20 acres
or more.
SECOND ORDER TRAIL
A trail that is surfaced that is entirely contained within
one property or development.
THIRD ORDER TRAIL
A trail that is not surfaced that is entirely contained within
one property or development.
TRAIL
A thoroughfare or track across land or snow, used for recreational
purposes, specifically pedestrian activities, including wheelchair
use where terrain permits.
B. Trail system. In order to promote walking connectivity across the
Township, all plans consisting of 20 acres or more submitted for approval
must contain a system of first order, second order, and third order
trails.
C. The applicant shall provide for connection of trails to adjacent
site(s). Easements for continuous pedestrian circulation utilizing
sidewalks and trails shall be required. Where subdivision or land
developments abut neighboring Townships, the applicant shall provide
easements for trail connections. Trails shall link internal common
open space areas and peripheral open space areas, as well as nearby
neighborhoods, parks, and trails (existing and proposed). The trails
will be open to the public and will create a continuous pedestrian
pathway connecting either end of the property. The trail network shall
be connected to existing or proposed regional pedestrian networks
whenever possible.
D. A map consisting of a proposed outline of trails must be included
with any plan submitted for consideration that is subject to this
section.
E. First order trails must be impermeable surfaces of the types and
specifications contained in Appendix A.
F. Second order trails must be permeable surfaces or impermeable surfaces
of the types and specifications contained in Appendix A.
G. Third order trails must be cut trails or pathed trails or permeable
surfaces of the types and specifications contained in Appendix A.
H. The Township hereby adopts an official map of proposed first order
trail corridors, attached as Appendix B to this chapter. All trail plans must follow said map,
showing first order trails within the areas marked as such.
I. First order trails must be adjacent to road frontage where possible
and, when possible, fully follow all road frontage from where the
road enters the property to where the road exits the property. First
order trails must also connect to a road at the edge of a property,
plan or development where there is no adjacent connecting trail.
J. Second order trails must connect to a first order trail. Second order
trails must connect to any adjacent properties with second order trails
at property borders, where possible.
K. Third order trails are only to be developed within a contiguous development
or plan.
L. Third order trails can connect to third order trails outside of the
development or plan.
M. Construction and material specifications for all trails are attached
as Appendix A and made a part hereof. All trails built under this
section must conform to these specifications.
N. No motor vehicles shall be permitted on trails, except for maintenance
vehicles and wheelchairs as defined by the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990.
O. Unpowered vehicles, including, but not limited to, bicycles, tricycles,
or other pedal vehicles, shall be permitted on trails owned by the
Township, unless specifically restricted by resolution of the Board
of Supervisors. This subsection does not preclude operation of maintenance
vehicles or wheelchairs as defined by the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990.
P. Trails must meet the specifications of the Outdoor Developed Areas
Accessibility Guidelines, 36 CFR Part 1191, attached as Appendix C.
Q. The maximum speed limit on all trails within the Township is seven
miles per hour.
R. No improvements, as defined above, may be made to or adjacent to
second order trails and third order trails.
S. Every trail plan submitted for approval must contain documents outlining
the ownership of the trail, the maintenance responsibilities of the
trail, and other supporting documentation, all of which shall be reviewed
and approved by the Township Solicitor. Unless otherwise provided,
the maintenance and repair of trails, including the maintenance of
landscaping adjacent to such trail, is the responsibility of the property
owner on which the trail is located or fronted. Maintenance by an
association (homeowners' or property owners') must be agreed
upon at the time of plan approval and included as a requirement in
the association documents, covenants and restrictions.
T. The Township Engineer shall review and approve all trail plans and
construction specifications.
U. The Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors shall review and
approve all trail plans as part of the subdivision or land development
process.
V. No subdivision or land development subject to this section may be
approved without a trail plan. Exceptions to any provision relating
to trails in this section must be made via written request to the
Board of Supervisors and provide a detailed narrative as to why the
exception should be granted. Exceptions are only granted by the Board
of Supervisors with advice and recommendation of the Planning Commission.
Parking areas and related internal driveways
shall be governed by the provisions of the Adams Township Public and
Private Improvement Code and the Adams Township Zoning Ordinance.
[Amended by 11-8-2021 by Ord. No. 180
In addition to the Overlay Participation Development
Agreement, as adopted by the Board of Supervisors from time to time,
an executed agreement/contractual commitment shall be required, in
writing, signed by the applicant and approved by the Township Solicitor.
Such agreement/contractual commitment may include, but not be limited
to, requirements that the applicant or owner/applicant is bound not
to cause any physical change in the land or to any structure which
requires prior approval or the issuance of a permit, or both, from
any governmental body or agency until such permits or approvals are
actually obtained. Such agreement shall also specify, among other
things, that the subdivision or land development shall be completed
and maintained in the manner approved in the final plan within the
time schedule agreed upon and the hours within which construction
takes place, the maintenance of existing and proposed roads and facilities
and authorizing the Township to obtain an immediate ex parte injunction,
the withdrawal of permits and such other remedies as the Township
deems appropriate against the applicant, its agents and contractors
in the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County, if work is commenced
without such permits or approvals or violation of other terms in the
agreement. Such agreement shall also specify what additional information,
as deemed appropriate by the Board of Supervisors, must be provided
by the owner/applicant and shall specify what remedies for failure
of the owner/applicant to comply are applicable.