For any of the activities regulated by this Part 2, 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 the Township of Exeter, unless the project
qualifies for an exemption from the requirements to submit a drainage
plan.
A.
General exemptions.
(1)
The following land use activities are exempt from the drainage plan
submission requirements of this Part 2:
(a)
Use of land for gardening for home consumption.
(b)
Agricultural plowing and tilling are exempt from the rate control and stormwater management site plan preparation requirements of this Part 2, provided the activities are performed according to the requirements of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102, and applicable Township ordinances. The property owner shall have an approved erosion and sedimentation pollution control plan for the agricultural activity.
(c)
Forest management and timber operations are exempt from the rate control and stormwater management site plan preparation requirements of this Part 2, provided the activities are performed according to the requirements of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102, and applicable Township ordinances. An approved erosion and sedimentation pollution control plan must be submitted to the Township prior to the start of a forest management or timber operation that would cause disturbance to the site.
(d)
The construction of improvements on a lot where the impervious surface of the proposed improvements does not exceed the percentage of the net tract area, or the maximum square footage in the aggregate, whichever is lesser as found in Table 320-29.1, Impervious Area Exemption Criteria. The applicable minimum distance requirement set forth in Table 320-29.1 and the additional exemption requirements of Subsection C shall also be met by the applicant. Such determinations shall be made by the Township Zoning Officer, after consultation with the Township Engineer. Further, to the extent that the Township Zoning Officer determines that the particular characteristics of the subject property and/or of the proposed improvements may result in deleterious stormwater impacts to a neighboring property, the Township Zoning Officer may deny such exemption request and a drainage plan would be required.
(2)
Multiple exemptions may be requested and granted up to the maximum
percentage or square footage permitted for the tract of land after
which compliance with this Part 2 shall be demonstrated by the applicant.
|
Table 320-29.1
Impervious Area Exemption Criteria
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total Parcel Size
(acres)
|
Percentage of Net Lot Area Exempt
|
Maximum Impervious Area Exempt
(square feet)
|
Minimum Distance*
(feet)
| |
|
Less than 1/4
|
4.0
|
400
|
10
| |
|
1/4 to less than 1/2
|
3.0
|
600
|
15
| |
|
1/2 to less than 1
|
2.5
|
1,000
|
25
| |
|
1 to less than 2
|
2.0
|
1,500
|
50
| |
|
2 to less than 3
|
1.5
|
1,900
|
100
| |
|
3 and greater
|
1.0
|
4,000
|
150
| |
|
*
|
Note: The minimum distance is between the proposed impervious
area and/or stormwater controls/structures discharge point to the
downstream property line.
|
B.
Stormwater quantity control exemption.
(1)
Any regulated activity that meets the impervious area exemption criteria in Table 320-29.2 shall not be required to implement the stormwater quantity controls specified in § 320-25 of this Part 2. These criteria shall apply to the total development even if development is to take place in phases. February 28, 2005, the date of the Township adoption of Ordinance No. 591, shall be the starting point from which to consider tracts as "parent tracts" in which future subdivisions and respective impervious area computations shall be cumulatively considered. Impervious areas existing on the "parent tract" prior to adoption of Ordinance No. 591 shall not be considered in cumulative impervious area calculations for exemption purposes.
|
Table 320-29.2
Impervious Area Exemption Criteria
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
(Applicable to § 320-25 Stormwater Quantity Controls Only)
| |||
|
Total Parcel Size
(acres)
|
Impervious Area Exemption
(square feet)
|
Minimum Distance*
(feet)
| |
|
Less than 1/4
|
10% of total parcel size; not to exceed 10,000
|
10
| |
|
1/4 to less than 1/2
|
10% of total parcel size; not to exceed 10,000
|
15
| |
|
1/2 to less than 1
|
10% of total parcel size; not to exceed 10,000
|
25
| |
|
1 to less than 2
|
10% of total parcel size; not to exceed 10,000
|
50
| |
|
2 to less than 3
|
10% of total parcel size; not to exceed 10,000
|
100
| |
|
3 and greater
|
10% of total parcel size; not to exceed 10,000
|
150
| |
|
*
|
Note: The minimum distance is between the proposed impervious
area and/or stormwater controls/structures discharge point to the
downstream property line.
|
(2)
Submissions for projects that utilize the exemption under Subsection B shall still be required to meet the groundwater recharge (§ 320-22), water quality (§ 320-23), and streambank erosion (§ 320-24) controls of this Part 2. Drainage plans in accordance with § 320-30A(2), B(7), (8), (11), (15), and (22) and D(2) must still be submitted. Any exemption must first be approved by the Township of Exeter.
C.
Additional exemption requirement.
(1)
Exemption responsibilities. An exemption shall not relieve the applicant
from implementing such measures as are necessary to protect the public
health, safety, and property.
(2)
HQ and EV streams. This exemption shall not relieve the applicant from meeting the special requirements for watersheds draining to high-quality (HQ) or exceptional-value (EV) waters, identified and source water protection areas (SWPA) and requirements for nonstructural project design sequencing (§ 320-21), groundwater recharge (§ 320-22), water quality (§ 320-23), and streambank erosion (§ 320-24).
(3)
Drainage problems. If a drainage problem is documented or known to
exist downstream of, or expected from the proposed activity, then
the Township of Exeter may require a drainage plan submittal by the
upstream landowner.
(4)
All regulated activities occurring in drainage areas tributary to
waters designated HQ/EV pursuant to 25 Pa. Code, Chapter 93, shall
not change any biological, chemical, or physical characteristics,
including volume, rate, velocity, course, current, cross section,
or temperature of the waters, unless the activity is specifically
permitted in accordance with the environmental laws of the commonwealth.
The drainage plan shall consist of a general description of the project including sequencing items described in § 320-21, 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 the Township of Exeter 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.
(2)
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 Conservation District; and
(5)
A general description of nonpoint source pollution controls.
B.
Maps. Map(s) of the project area shall be submitted on twenty-four-inch
by thirty-six-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 the Subdivision and Land Development
Ordinance (SALDO) has more stringent criteria,[1] 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 drainage courses, 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 water lines extending 50 feet beyond 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 and/or compass.
(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)
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 Part 2.
(22)
A statement, signed by the landowner, acknowledging that any
revision to the approved drainage plan must be approved by the Township
of Exeter and the 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 Schuylkill River Watershed Act 167 Stormwater Management Ordinance."
|
(24)
The approved stormwater management plan shall be submitted to
the Township in Arc View shapefile (preferable) or AutoCAD .DWG format.
C.
Supplemental information.
(1)
A written description of the following information shall be submitted:
(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, described
in detail, and details/cross sections provided illustrating their
construction.
(2)
Profiles shall be provided for all storm sewers and underground detention/retention
facilities at one of the following sets of scales:
(a)
One inch equals 10 feet horizontal and one inch equals one foot
vertical; or
(b)
One inch equals 20 feet horizontal and one inch equals two feet
vertical; or
(c)
One inch equals 40 feet horizontal and one inch equals four
feet vertical; or
(d)
One inch equals 50 feet horizontal and one inch equals five
feet vertical.
(3)
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.
(4)
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 the Township of
Exeter shall commence until approval by the Township of Exeter 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,
and shall be submitted on sheets up to 36 inches by 48 inches. The
approved map(s) shall be submitted to the Township in ArcView shapefile
(preferable) or AutoCAD .DWG format. The contents of the map(s) shall
include, but not be limited to:
[1]
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 drainage courses, and areas of natural
vegetation to be preserved;
[6]
The locations of all existing and proposed utilities, sanitary
sewers, and water lines 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;
and
[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 the Township of Exeter.
(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 the Township of Exeter, stormwater controls and
BMPs may also be dedicated to and maintained by the Township of Exeter;
(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)
The Township of Exeter shall make the final determination on the
continuing operations and maintenance responsibilities. The Township
of Exeter reserves the right to accept or reject the operations and
maintenance responsibility for any or all of the stormwater controls
and BMPs.
F.
Township review of stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance
plan.
(1)
The Township of Exeter shall review the stormwater control and BMP
operations and maintenance plan for consistency with the purposes
and requirements of this Part 2, and any permits issued by DEP.
(2)
The Township of Exeter shall notify the applicant in writing whether
the stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan is
approved.
(3)
The Township of Exeter may require a "record drawing" of all stormwater
controls and BMPs, and an explanation of any discrepancies with the
operations and maintenance plan.
The Township of Exeter shall require receipt of a complete plan, as specified in this Part 2. 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 Township's SALDO review process.
A.
For projects that 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.
B.
For these regulated activities that do not require SALDO approval, see § 320-28, General requirements.
A.
The Township Engineer shall review the drainage plan with the standards
set forth in the Township of Exeter's Stormwater Management Ordinance
for consistency with the adopted Schuylkill River Watershed Act 167
Stormwater Management Plan. Any drainage plan found incomplete shall
not be accepted for review and shall be returned to the applicant.
B.
For activities regulated by this Part 2, the Township Engineer shall
notify the applicant and the Township of Exeter in writing, within
90 calendar days, of 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 Township 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 Township 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 Part 2.
C.
For regulated activities specified in § 320-14 of this Part 2 which require a building permit, the Township Engineer shall notify the Municipal Building Permit Officer in writing, within a time frame consistent with the Municipal Building Code and/or SALDO, 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 Part 2.
D.
For regulated activities under this Part 2 that require an NPDES
permit application, the applicant shall forward a copy of the Township
Engineer's letter stating that the drainage plan and supporting calculations
are consistent with this Part 2 to the Conservation District. PADEP
and the Conservation District may consider the Township Engineer's
review comments in determining whether to issue a permit.
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 the Township Engineer
and the Township of Exeter for final approval. The Township of Exeter
may withhold approval of the record drawings until the Township of
Exeter 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 Conservation District. The
above permits and approvals must be based on the record drawings.
G.
The Township of Exeter's approval of a drainage plan shall be valid for a period not to exceed five years commencing on the date that the Township of Exeter 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 the Township of Exeter may consider the drainage plan disapproved and may revoke any and all permits. Drainage plans that are considered disapproved by the Township of Exeter shall be resubmitted in accordance with § 320-34 of this Part 2.
A.
A modification to a drainage plan under review by the Township of Exeter 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 the Township Engineer and/or the Township of Exeter, shall require a resubmission of the modified drainage plan consistent with § 320-31 of this Part 2 and be subject to review as specified in § 320-32 of this Part 2.
B.
A modification to an already approved or disapproved drainage plan
shall be submitted to the Township of Exeter, 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 the Township
of Exeter shall be submitted to the Township of Exeter, accompanied
by the applicable review and inspection fee.
A disapproved drainage plan may be resubmitted, with the revisions addressing the Township Engineer's and the Township of Exeter's concerns documented in writing and addressed to the Township Secretary in accordance with § 320-31 of this Part 2 and distributed accordingly and be subject to review as specified in § 320-32 of this Part 2. The applicable review and inspection fee must accompany a resubmission of a disapproved drainage plan.
