For the purposes of this chapter the following definitions shall
apply:
AGRICULTURAL USE
The production, keeping or maintenance of plants or animals
for sale, lease or personal use.
APPROVAL AUTHORITY
The Hampton Township Planning Board constituted pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
[Amended 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-12]
BEDDING
The arrangement of a sedimentary rock in layers of varying
thickness and character.
BEDROCK
A general term for the rock that underlies soil or other
unconsolidated material.
CARBONATE AREA DISTRICT
The Carbonate Area District is comprised of the Carbonate
Rock District and the Carbonate Drainage Area.
CARBONATE ROCK
Rock consisting chiefly of calcium and magnesium carbonates.
CAVE
A natural opening of a size permitting human exploration
and extending into a region of sharply reduced or no light.
CLOSED DEPRESSION
A shallow, dish-shaped hollow on the land surface which,
in areas of limestone geology, may be indicative of old sinkholes
or incipient collapse.
DEVELOPMENT
Any improvements in the Carbonate Area District requiring,
pursuant to existing land use statutes or ordinances, subdivision
or site plan approval; this chapter shall also be applicable to any
improvements that require the disturbance of one or more acres of
land and/or the construction of 0.25 acre or more of new impervious
cover. Disturbance for the purpose of this rule is the placement of
impervious surface or exposure and/or movement of soil or bedrock
or clearing, cutting, or removing of vegetation.
DISSOLUTION
A space or cavity in or between rocks, formed by the solution
of part of the rock material.
DOLOMITE
A carbonate rock that contains more than fifteen-percent
magnesium carbonate.
DRAINAGE
The process by which water moves from an area by stream or
overland sheet flow and/or the removal of excess surface water from
soil by downward flow through the soil profile.
FAULT
A surface or zone of rock fracture along which there has
been noticeable differential movement.
FISSURE
An extensive crack, break, or fracture in the rock.
GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM
A program which identifies the geologic nature of the bedrock
materials underlying the site and provides solutions directed at preserving
the water quality and assuring the safety of any planned facility
or improvement built over carbonate rocks.
JOINT
A fracture in rock generally more or less vertical or transverse
to bedding, along which no appreciable movement has occurred.
KARST
A type of topography that is formed over limestone or dolomite
by dissolving or solution of the carbonate rocks, characterized by
sinkholes, closed depressions, caves, solution channels, internal
drainage, and irregular bedrock surfaces.
LIMESTONE
A carbonate sedimentary rock consisting chiefly of calcium
carbonate. Limestone is commonly used as a general term for that class
of rocks which consists of at least eighty-percent calcium or magnesium
carbonate. In this chapter, the term "limestone" shall be used generically
to refer to carbonate rocks, limestone formations and Precambrian
marbles.
LINEATION
Any straight line or alignment of natural features seen on
an aerial photograph or any geographically referenced source. Although
some lineations may be geologically controlled, ground-based geologic
investigations are necessary to define their existence and significance.
MARBLE
A metamorphic rock consisting chiefly of crystalized limestone
or dolomite.
OUTCROP
An exposure of bedrock projecting through the ground surface.
PINNACLE
An irregular rock projection often buried beneath the ground
surface.
SHEAR ZONE
A zone in which shearing has occurred on a large scale so
that the rock is crushed and brecciated (broken).
SINKHOLE (DOLINE)
A localized land subsidence, generally a funnel-shaped or
steep-sided depression, caused by the dissolution of underlying carbonate
rocks or the subsidence of the land surface into a subterranean passage,
cavity or cave. Sinkholes are formed by the underground removal of
soil and rock material.
SOIL
The material found in the surface layer of the earth's crust
which may be moved by a spade or shovel.
SOLUTION CHANNELS
Tubular or planar channels formed by solution in carbonate
rock terrains, usually along joints and bedding planes. These openings
are the main water carrier in carbonate rocks.
SOLUTIONED CARBONATES
Carbonate rocks that have had cavities formed, fractures
widened, and passages in the rock created through the dissolution
of the rock by the passage of surface water.
SPRING
A place where water naturally flows from rock or soil upon
the land or body of surface water.
SUBSIDENCE SINKHOLES
Sinkholes formed by the downward settlement of unconsolidated
overburden into openings in the underlying, soluble bedrock.
SURFACE RUNOFF
The part of the precipitation that passes over the surface
of the soil.
VOID
Opening in the soil or rock materials.
[Amended 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-12]
The GTC's review of the geotechnical investigation report for
proposed development in the CRD shall consider the data, formal reports,
maps, drawings and related submission materials and shall advise the
Planning Board whether or not the applicant has provided the Township
with:
A. Sufficient design, construction and operational information to ensure
that the proposed development of the tract will not adversely impact
on the health, safety and welfare of the community.
B. Proof that the proposed method of development of the tract will minimize
any adverse effects on the quality of surface or subsurface water,
and will not alter the character of surface and/or subsurface water
flow in a manner detrimental to known on-site or off-site conditions.
C. Specific details ensuring that design concepts and construction and
operational procedures intended to protect surface and subsurface
waters will be properly implemented.
D. Specific details on inspection procedures to be followed during construction
and after project completion.
E. The following note shall be provided on the final subdivision plat
or final site plan for any project located within the CRD: "This site
is underlain by limestone formations which are susceptible to sinkholes
and subsidence. The occurrence of sinkholes and/or subsidence is not
predictable and therefore Hampton Township, its employees, the Township
Engineer, and the Township geotechnical consultant assume no liability
for any damages which may occur on private property as a result of
the formation of sinkholes or subsidence."
In certain situations, a specific geologic hazard may not be
identified while the geologic investigation program is underway and
may be discovered during or after construction. In such cases the
applicant shall:
A. Report the occurrence of the hazard to the Municipal Clerk within
24 hours of discovery.
B. Halt construction activities which would impact the geologic hazard.
C. Prepare a report on the geologic hazard which analyzes the impact
of the hazard and details a remediation plan for review and approval
by the Township geotechnical consultant.
D. After obtaining approval from the Township, perform necessary remediation
of the hazard to prevent or minimize damage to buildings, structures,
utilities, driveways, parking areas, roadways, and other site improvements,
and to minimize pollution of the groundwater.
E. Repair any damage to improvements and restore ground cover and landscaping.
F. In those cases where the hazard cannot be repaired without adversely
affecting the site plan or subdivision, the applicant shall file an
amended application for a site plan or subdivision approval in compliance
with the provisions of this chapter.