Township of Exeter, PA Drainage Plan Requirements

The following land use activities are exempt from the drainage plan submission requirements of this Part 2:

Use of land for gardening for home consumption.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stormwater quantity control exemption.

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.

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.

Additional exemption requirement.

Exemption responsibilities. An exemption shall not relieve the applicant from implementing such measures as are necessary to protect the public health, safety, and property.

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).

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.

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.

§ 320-30 Drainage plan contents.

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:

General.

General description of the project including those areas described in § 320-21;

General description of permanent stormwater management techniques, including construction specifications of the materials to be used for stormwater management facilities;

Complete hydrologic, hydraulic, and structural computations for all stormwater management facilities;

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.

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:

The location of the project relative to highways, municipalities or other identifiable landmarks.

Existing contours at intervals of two feet. In areas of steep slopes (greater than 15%), five-foot contour intervals may be used.

Existing streams, lakes, ponds or other waters of the commonwealth within the project area.

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.

[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 330, Subdivision and Land Development.

Supplemental information.

A written description of the following information shall be submitted:

The overall stormwater management concept for the project designed in accordance with § 320-21.

Stormwater runoff computations as specified in this Part 2.

Stormwater management techniques to be applied both during and after development.

Expected project time schedule.

(e)

Development stages (project phases) if so proposed.

(f)

An operation and maintenance plan in accordance with § 320-39 of this Part 2.

An erosion and sediment control plan.

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.

Stormwater management facilities.

All stormwater management facilities must be located on a plan, described in detail, and details/cross sections provided illustrating their construction.

Profiles shall be provided for all storm sewers and underground detention/retention facilities at one of the following sets of scales:

One inch equals 10 feet horizontal and one inch equals one foot vertical; or

One inch equals 20 feet horizontal and one inch equals two feet vertical; or

One inch equals 40 feet horizontal and one inch equals four feet vertical; or

One inch equals 50 feet horizontal and one inch equals five feet vertical.

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.

All calculations, assumptions, and criteria used in the design of the stormwater management facilities must be shown.

Responsibilities for operations and maintenance of stormwater controls and BMPs.

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.

The following items shall be included in the stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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;

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.

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.

Township review of stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan.

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.

The Township of Exeter shall notify the applicant in writing whether the stormwater control and BMP operations and maintenance plan is approved.

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.

§ 320-31 Plan submission.

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.

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.

For these regulated activities that do not require SALDO approval, see § 320-28, General requirements.

Six copies of the drainage plan shall be submitted to the Township and distributed as follows:

Two copies to the Township of Exeter accompanied by the requisite Township review fee, as specified in the Exeter Township Fee Schedule.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Current Fee Schedule is on file in the Township offices.

Two copies to the Conservation District.

One copy to the Township Engineer.

One copy to the Berks County Planning Commission.

§ 320-32 Drainage plan review.

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.

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.

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.