The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the intensity of
use in areas of steeply sloping terrain in order to limit soil loss,
erosion, excessive stormwater runoff, the degradation of surface water
and to maintain the natural topography and drainage patterns of land.
This chapter shall be applicable to new development or land
disturbance on a steep slope within Cranbury Township.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
DISTURBANCE
The placement of impervious surface, the exposure or movement
of soil or bedrock, or the clearing, cutting, or removing of vegetation.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Any structure, surface, or improvement that reduces or prevents
absorption of stormwater into land, and includes porous paving, paver
blocks, gravel, crushed stone, decks, patios, elevated structures,
and other similar structures, surfaces, or improvements.
REDEVELOPMENT
The construction of structures or improvements on areas which
previously contained structures or other improvements.
STEEP SLOPES
Any slope equal to or greater than 20% as measured over any
minimum run of 10 feet. Steep slopes are determined based on contour
intervals of two feet or less.
The percent of slope (rise in feet per horizontal distance)
shall be established by measurement of distance perpendicular to the
contour of the slope. The percent of slope shall be calculated for
each two-foot contour interval. For example, any location on the site
where there is a one-foot rise over a ten-foot horizontal run constitutes
a 10% slope; a one-and-a-half-foot rise over a ten-foot horizontal
run constitutes a 15% slope; a two-foot rise over a ten-foot horizontal
run constitutes a 20% slope.
For steep slopes any disturbance shall be prohibited except
as provided below:
A. Redevelopment within the limits of existing impervious surfaces;
and
B. New disturbance necessary to protect public health, safety or welfare,
such as necessary linear development with no feasible alternative;
to provide an environmental benefit, such as remediation of a contaminated
site; to prevent extraordinary hardship on the property owner peculiar
to the property; or to prevent extraordinary hardship, provided the
hardship was not created by the property owner, that would not permit
a minimum economically viable use of the property based upon reasonable
investment. For example, redevelopment within the footprint of existing
impervious cover should be allowed to support efforts to revitalize
development that has fallen into disrepair. The applicant shall demonstrate
through site plans depicting proposed development and topography that
new disturbance is not located in areas with a 20% or greater slope.