A.
The provisions
of this article are intended:
(1)
To minimize surface water runoff and soil erosion that may be
caused by inappropriate construction and development of steep slope
areas.
(2)
To protect residents from property damage and personal injury
due to surface water runoff, soil erosion and landslides attributable
to inappropriate construction and development of steep slope areas,
and to promote safe drainage, conservation and construction practices.
(3)
To protect the Township from excessive expenditures for public
works to alleviate the effects of surface water runoff and soil erosion
that may be caused by inappropriate construction and development of
steep slope areas.
B.
In areas
of steep slopes (not including man-made steep slopes), the following
standard shall apply:
[Added 9-12-2011 by Ord. No. 1602]
(1)
Eight
percent to 15% grade. No more than 40% of such areas shall be altered,
regraded, cleared or built upon.
(2)
Fifteen
percent to 25% grade. No more than 30% of such areas shall be altered,
regraded, cleared or built upon.
(3)
Twenty-five
percent or steeper. No more than 15% of such areas shall be altered,
regraded, cleared or built upon.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Shall be determined as follows:
|
Average Slope = 0.0023/A x I x L
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Where:
| |||
|
I
|
=
|
the contour interval in feet
| |
|
L
|
=
|
the combined length of contour lines in feet
| |
|
A
|
=
|
the area in acres of the parcel in question
| |
Any slope or slopes having a grade of 15% or more.
The requirements of this article shall be deemed to be an overlay on all zoning districts now or hereafter enacted to regulate the use of land in the Township and shall apply to all areas, lots or tracts of land having any steep slope as delineated on a plan under the provisions of the Township's Land Development and Subdivision Regulations, Chapter 300 of the Code of Upper Moreland Township or on any plan required under the provisions of the Township's Building Code, Chapter 115, Article I, of the Code of Upper Moreland Township.
The provisions of this article shall have no effect on the permitted
uses in the underlying zoning district; provided, however, that the
following shall apply:
A.
Any lot, which if created by subdivision in accordance with the permitted
minimum lot area of the underlying zoning district would result in
the creation of a lot having an average slope of at least 15% but
not more than 20%, shall have the minimum lot area increased by a
factor of 1.3 and the impervious surface coverage of such lot shall
not be greater than 30% of the permitted minimum lot area of the underlying
zoning district.
B.
Any lot, which if created by subdivision in accordance with the permitted
minimum lot area of the underlying zoning district would result in
the creation of a lot having an average slope of at least 20% but
not more than 25%, shall have the minimum lot area increased by a
factor of 1.5 and the impervious surface coverage of such lot shall
not be greater than 20% of the permitted minimum lot area of the underlying
zoning district.
C.
Any lot, which if created by subdivision in accordance with the permitted
minimum lot area of the underlying zoning district would result in
the creation of a lot having an average slope of at least 25%, shall
have the minimum lot area increased by a factor of two and the impervious
surface coverage of such lot shall not be greater than 10% of the
permitted minimum lot area of the underlying zoning district.
A.
Any application for construction, grading, development or use of
any land within, or a portion of which is within, the Steep Slope
Conservation District shall include the following to be submitted
to the Township for review by the Township Engineer.
(1)
A plan of the property drawn to a scale of at least one inch
equals 50 feet, sealed by a registered professional engineer, depicting
the following:
(a)
The location, dimensions, and elevations of the property.
(b)
Existing and proposed uses and development of the property.
(c)
Existing and proposed contours at two-foot intervals.
(e)
Typical cross sections and elevations of the property and proposed
structures at intervals sufficient to depict the construction and
grading required to be performed on the property.
(2)
A report on the area within the Steep Slope Conservation District,
including therewith photographs of the existing conditions, describing
the slope, soil and vegetation characteristics of the property within
the district. Such report shall also describe the proposed type and
methods of proposed building construction, the type of excavation
and other grading proposed, the type of foundations proposed, proposed
methods of erosion and sediment control, and proposed landscaping.
B.
In addition to submitting the foregoing to the Township for review
by the Township Engineer, the same information may be required to
be submitted for review and comment by the Montgomery County Soil
Conservation District of the Department of Environmental Protection
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Montgomery County Planning
Commission and the Advisory Planning Agency of the Township.
The following uses shall be prohibited within the boundaries
of the Steep Slope Conservation District:
A.
The filling or removal of topsoil except when done in conformity
with an approved plan under this article.
B.
Any use which shall result in the creation of steep slopes of 25%
or greater as a result of excavation, grading or other development,
except a minor area not exceeding 500 square feet and when done in
conformity with an approved plan under this article.
Neither the approval of any proposed subdivision or land development
nor the grant of any permit shall constitute or be deemed to constitute
a representation, warranty or guaranty of any kind by the Township
or any of its officers, employees, agents, agencies or members thereof
of the safety or practicality of the proposed subdivision or use,
and such approval shall create no liability on the part of the Township
or its officers, employees, agents, agencies or members thereof.
