[Added 3-13-2012 ATM by Art. 5]
The purpose of this article is to reduce damage to streams and
lakes from the consequences of excessive and improper construction,
erosion, stormwater runoff, or effluent from improperly sited sewage
disposal systems, and to preserve the natural topography, drainage
patterns, vegetative cover, scenic views, wildlife habitats, and to
protect unique natural areas.
[Amended 3-13-2018 ATM by Art. 5]
This article shall apply to all areas where the proposed site
disturbance of slopes 15% or greater is greater than a cumulative
20,000 square feet as shown via a site-specific topographical survey.
A.
Uses that will cause more than one acre of site disturbance must
show the area subject to site disturbance in two-foot contours.
B.
An engineering plan will be prepared by a professional engineer that
shows specific methods that will be used to control soil erosion and
sedimentation, soil loss, and excessive stormwater runoff, both during
and after construction.
C.
A hydrology, drainage, and flooding analysis will be included that
shows the effect of the proposed development on water bodies and/or
wetlands in the vicinity of the project.
D.
A grading plan for the construction site and all access routes will
be prepared.
All uses, including driveways, permitted in the underlying district
will be a conditional use in the Steep Slope Conservation District
and must meet the following conditions for approval:
A.
The grading cut and fill should not exceed a 2:1 ratio.
B.
Existing natural and topographic features, including the vegetative
cover, will be preserved to the greatest extent possible. In the event
that extensive amounts of vegetation are removed, the site shall be
replanted with indigenous vegetation and shall replicate the original
vegetation as much as possible.
C.
No section of any driveway may exceed a ten-percent slope for residential
subdivisions or eight-percent slope for nonresidential site plans.
D.
No structure shall be built on an extremely steep slope (greater
than 25% prior to site disturbance).
In addition to meeting the conditions set forth in this section,
conditional use permits shall be granted in accordance with the following
pertinent procedures:
A.
A conditional use permit shall be granted by the Planning Board upon
a finding that the proposed use is consistent with the intent of this
article and following receipt of a review and recommendation of the
Conservation Commission and any other professional expertise deemed
necessary by the Board.
B.
The applicant must demonstrate that no practicable alternatives exist
to the proposal under consideration, and that all measures have been
taken to minimize the impact that construction activities will have
upon the district.
All costs pertaining to the consideration of an application,
including consultants fees, on-site inspections, environmental impact
studies, notification of interested persons, and other costs, shall
be borne by the applicant and paid prior to the Planning Board's final
action.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the
movement of wind, water, ice, and/or land disturbance activities.
The process by which sediment resulting from accelerated
erosion has been or is being transported off the site of the land-disturbing
activity or into a lake or natural watercourse or wetland.
Any activity that removes the vegetative cover from the land
surface or includes excavation of earth.
[Amended 3-13-2018 ATM
by Art. 5]
The degree of deviation of a surface from the horizontal,
usually expressed in percent or degrees; rise over run.
Grasses, shrubs, trees, and other vegetation which hold and
stabilize soils.
