[Ord. 2011-415, 5/5/2011, § 3]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of human activity and natural processes at a rate greater than
would occur because of the natural process alone.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Activities associated with agriculture, such as agricultural
cultivation, agricultural operation, and animal heavy-use areas. This
includes the work of producing crops, tillage, land clearing, plowing,
disking, harrowing, planting, harvesting crops, or pasturing and raising
of livestock and installation of conservation measures. Construction
of new buildings or impervious area is not considered an agricultural
activity.
ALTERATION
As applied to land, a change in topography as a result of
the moving of soil and rock from one location or position to another;
changing of surface conditions by causing the surface to be more or
less impervious; land disturbance.
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has
filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors
and assigns.
AS-BUILT PLAN
A drawing showing the final as-built location, elevation
and/or depth, size and materials of all completed public and private
improvements as well as all easements.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs)
Activities, facilities, designs, measures or procedures used
to manage stormwater impacts from regulated activities to meet state
water quality requirements, to promote groundwater recharge and to
otherwise meet the purposes of this Part. Stormwater BMPs are commonly
grouped into one of two broad categories or measures: nonstructural
or structural. "Nonstructural BMPs" are measures referred to as operational
and/or behavior-related practices that attempt to minimize the contact
of pollutants with stormwater runoff whereas "structural BMPs" are
measures the consist of a physical device or practice that is installed
to capture and treat stormwater runoff. "Structural BMPs" include,
but are not limited to, a wide variety of practices and devices, from
large-scale retention ponds and constructed wetlands to small-scale
underground treatment systems, infiltration facilities, filter strips,
low-impact design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving, grassed
swales, riparian or forested buffers, sand filters, detention basins,
and manufactured devices. "Structural stormwater BMPs" are permanent
appurtenances to the project site.
CARTWAY
That paved road surface from front of curb to front of curb.
CHANNEL EROSION
The widening, deepening, and headward cutting of small channels
and waterways due to erosion caused by moderate to large floods.
CISTERN
An underground reservoir or tank used for storing rainwater.
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Butler County Conservation District. The Butler County
Conservation District has the authority under a delegation agreement
executed with the Department of Environmental Protection to administer
and enforce all or a portion of the regulations promulgated under
25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
The construction standards for streets, stormwater management
facilities, sanitary sewer systems, pedestrian circulation, driveways,
parking areas, fire hydrants, guiderails, cable TV and other facilities
as set forth in this Part.
CULVERT
Any structure not classified as a bridge that provides an
opening under the roadway.
DAM
An artificial barrier, together with its appurtenant works,
constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another
fluid or semifluid, or a refuse bank, fill or structure for highway,
railroad or other purposes which does or may impound water or another
fluid or semifluid.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-506, 1/27/2022]
DESIGNEE
The agent of this Township and/or agent of the governing
body involved with the administration, review or enforcement of any
provisions of this Part by contract or memorandum of understanding.
DESIGN SPEED
Anticipated posted speed limit plus five miles per hour.
DESIGN STORM
The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation
from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., a
twenty-five-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the
design and evaluation of stormwater management systems. Also see "return
period."
DETENTION BASIN
A stormwater facility that collects and temporarily stores
surface runoff and releases it at a controlled rate. Detention basins
may be classified into the following categories:
A.
DRY BASINA detention basin designed to completely drain following a storm event. (See Chapter
17.)
B.
NATURALIZED BASINA detention basin designed to completely drain following a storm event and which blends into the surrounding environment by being curvilinear in shape and using native plants to provide soil stabilization. (See Chapter
17.)
C.
UNDERGROUND BASINDetention storage located in underground tanks or vaults designed to provide water quantity control through detention of stormwater runoff.
D.
(1)
A basin that has a permanent pool of water throughout the year.
(2)
Also may be called a "wet basin" or "retention pond." (See Chapter
17.)
DETENTION VOLUME
The volume of runoff that is captured and released into waters
of the commonwealth at a controlled rate.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, not a public utility company, agent of such
landowner, including the landowner's contractor or resident or superintendent
or tenant with permission of such landowner, who constructs or causes
to be constructed any public or private improvements anywhere in the
Township not under a contract.
DEVELOPMENT SITE (SITE)
The specific area of land where any regulated activities
in the municipality are planned, conducted or maintained.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-506, 1/27/2022]
DISTURBED AREA
An unstabilized land area where an earth disturbance activity
is occurring or has occurred.
DOWNSLOPE PROPERTY LINE
That portion of the property line of the lot, tract, or parcels
of land being developed located such that all overland or pipe flow
from the site would be directed toward it.
DRAINAGE CONVEYANCE FACILITY
A stormwater management facility designed to convey stormwater
runoff and shall include streams, channels, swales, pipes, conduits,
culverts, storm sewers, etc.
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management, drainage, or conveyance
purposes.
DRAINAGEWAY
Any natural or artificial watercourse, trench, ditch, pipe,
swale, channel, or similar depression into which surface water flows.
DRIVEWAY
A private area used exclusively for circulation and ingress
and egress to a street by the owner or owners or visitors of the lot.
All driveways shall meet the requirements of this Part.
DRY BASIN
A detention basin designed to completely drain following
a storm event.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY
A residential building containing one dwelling unit occupied
by one family and which is the only principal building on the lot.
EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the
surface of the land, including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing,
grading, excavations, embankments, land development, agricultural
plowing or tilling, timber harvesting activities, road maintenance
activities, mineral extraction, and the moving, depositing, stockpiling,
or storing of soil, rock or earth materials.
EMERGENCY
Any unforeseen circumstance that calls for immediate action.
ENGINEER
The Township Engineer who is charged with the design and
inspection of the work, and with determining the quantities of materials
and labor to be paid for. During the execution of the work the Engineer
shall also be interpreted to mean the assistant, inspector, or other
representative acting within the authority given. The Engineer is
to be considered an agent of the Township.
EROSION
The movement of soil particles by the action of water, wind,
ice, or other natural forces.
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE WATERS
Surface waters of high quality which satisfy Pa. Code Title
25, Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards,
93.4b(b) (relating to antidegradation).
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The initial condition of a project site prior to the proposed
construction. If the initial condition of the site is undeveloped
land and not forested, the land use shall be considered as "meadow"
unless the natural land cover is documented to generate lower curve
numbers or Rational "C" coefficient.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
A corporate bond letter of credit or escrow account from a surety or a financial institution acceptable to the Township, naming the Township as obligee in forms specified in Part
3 of this chapter.
FLOOD
A temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.
FLOODPLAIN
Any land area susceptible to inundation by water from any
natural source or delineated by applicable Department of Housing and
Urban Development, Federal Insurance Administration Flood Hazard Boundary,
mapped as being a special flood hazard area. Included are lands adjoining
a river or stream that have been or may be inundated by a one-hundred-year
flood. Also included are areas that comprise Group 13 soils, as listed
in Appendix A of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
(PADEP) Technical Manual for Sewage Enforcement Officers (as amended
or replaced from time to time by PADEP).
FLOODWAY
The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent
land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood
without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than
one foot.
[Amended by Ord. 2015-454, 5/6/2015]
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forestland.
These include timber inventory and preparation of forest management
plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design
and construction, timber harvesting, site preparation and reforestation.
FREEBOARD
A vertical distance between the elevation of the design high
water and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin, or diversion ridge.
The space is required as a safety margin in a tank, pond or basin.
GRADE
A.
A slope, usually of a road, channel or natural ground specified
in percent and shown on plans as specified herein.
B.
TO GRADETo finish the surface of a roadbed, top of embankment or bottom of excavation.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes
to infiltrate, evapotranspire or reuse stormwater on the site where
it is generated.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-506, 1/27/2022]
HIGH-QUALITY WATERS
Surface water having quality that exceeds levels necessary
to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation
in and on the water by satisfying Pa. Code Title 25, Environmental
Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, 93.4b(a).
HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP (HSG)
Infiltration rates of soils vary widely and are affected
by subsurface permeability as well as surface intake rates. Soils
are classified into one of four HSGs (A, B, C, and D) according to
their minimum infiltration rate, which is obtained for bare soil after
prolonged wetting. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
of the United States Department of Agriculture defines the four groups
and provides a list of most of the soils in the United States and
their group classification. The soils in the area of interest may
be identified from a soil survey report from the local NRCS office
or the County Conservation District.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (IMPERVIOUS AREA)
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the
ground. Impervious surface (or areas) includes, but is not limited
to: roofs, additional indoor living spaces, patios, garages, storage
sheds and similar structures, parking or driveway areas, and any new
streets and sidewalks. Any surface areas proposed to initially be
gravel or crushed stone shall be assumed to be impervious surfaces.
IMPOUNDMENT
A retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater
runoff and release it at a controlled rate.
INFILTRATION STRUCTURES
A structure designed to direct runoff into the ground (e.g.,
french drains, seepage pits, seepage trench, etc.).
INLET
A surface connection to a closed drain. A structure at the
diversion end of a conduit. The upstream end of any structure through
which water may flow.
KARST
A type of topography or landscape characterized by surface
depressions, sinkholes, rock pinnacles/uneven bedrock surface, underground
drainage and caves. Karst is formed on carbonate rocks, such as limestone
or dolomite.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-506, 1/27/2022]
LAND DEVELOPMENT (DEVELOPMENT)
Any of the following activities:
A.
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts,
or parcels of land for any purposes involving:
(1)
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings,
whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential
building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or
tenure.
(2)
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially
or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective
occupants by means of or for the purpose of streets, common areas,
leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot, including
the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such
option or contract is subject to any conditions), a lessee (if he
is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner)
or other persons having a proprietary interest in the lot.
LANE WIDTH
The width of the travel lane. Typically set at 11 feet when
painted with yellow and white lines.
LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID)
An approach to land development that uses various land planning
and design practices and technologies to simultaneously conserve and
protect natural resource systems and reduce infrastructure costs.
LID still allows land to be developed, but in a cost-effective manner
that helps mitigate potential environmental impacts.
MAIN STEM (MAIN CHANNEL)
Any stream segment or other runoff conveyance facility used
as a reach in the Butler County Act 167 watershed hydrologic model(s).
MANNING EQUATION (MANNING FORMULA)
A method for calculation of velocity of flow (e.g., feet
per second) and flow rate (e.g., cubic feet per second) in open channels
based upon channel shape, roughness, depth of flow and slope. "Open
channels" may include closed conduits so long as the flow is not under
pressure.
MUNICIPALITY
Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-506, 1/27/2022]
NATURALIZED BASIN
A detention basin designed to completely drain following
a storm event and which blends into the surrounding environment by
being curvilinear in shape and using native plants to provide soil
stabilization.
NOAA ATLAS 14
Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States, Atlas
14, Volume 2, US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Design
Studies Center, Silver Spring, Maryland (2004). NOAA's Atlas 14 can
be accessed at Internet address http://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/.
NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION
Pollution that enters a water body from diffuse origins in
the watershed and does not result from discernible, confined, or discrete
conveyances.
NRCS
Natural Resource Conservation Service [previously Soil Conservation
Service (SCS)].
OPEN CHANNEL
A drainage element in which stormwater flows with an open
surface. Open channels include, but shall not be limited to, natural
and man-made drainageways, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes
not under pressure.
OUTFALL
A.
Point where water flows from a conduit, stream, or drain;
B.
"Point Source" as described in 40 CFR 122.2 at the point where
the Township's storm sewer system discharges to surface waters of
the commonwealth.
OUTLET
Points of water disposal from a stream, river, lake, tidewater,
or artificial drain.
PADEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
PARKING AREA
A public or private garage or a paved, open, off-street area
other than a driveway or street with adequate means of access, which
meets the requirements of this Part and which is used exclusively
for the parking of vehicles of occupants or visitors of the lot; however,
a driveway serving a single-family dwelling or which is for the exclusive
use of an individual dwelling unit in a residential building may be
used as a parking area.
PARKING LOT STORAGE
Involves the use of impervious parking areas as temporary
impoundments with controlled release rates during rainstorms.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm
event.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, public or private association
or corporation, or a governmental unit, public utility or any other
legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject
of rights and duties.
PIPE
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including
appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
POINT SOURCE
Any discernible, confined, or discrete conveyance, including,
but not limited to: any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, or conduit from
which stormwater is or may be discharged, as defined in state regulations
at 25 Pa. Code § 92.1.
PRIVATE IMPROVEMENT
A street, sidewalk, walkway, gutter, curb, sewer, water line,
driveway, parking area, streetlight, street sign, or related facility
to be operated and maintained by a private entity, but which must
comply with this Part.
PROBABLE MAXIMUM FLOOD (PMF)
The flood that may be expected from the most severe combination
of critical meteorological and hydrologic conditions that are reasonably
possible in any area. The PMF is derived from the probable maximum
precipitation (PMP) as determined on the basis of data obtained from
the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
PROJECT SITE
The specific area of land where any regulated activities
in the Township are planned, conducted, or maintained.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT
A street, sidewalk, walkway, gutter, curb, sewer, water line,
streetlight, street sign or related facility to be dedicated to or
maintained by the Township and which must comply with this Part.
PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY
Any company subject to the jurisdiction of and control by
the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or franchised cable television
company.
QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL
Any person licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of State
or otherwise qualified by law to perform the work required by the
ordinance.
RECORD DRAWING
A drawing that provides surveyed engineering data of constructed
infrastructure.
REDEVELOPMENT
Earth disturbance activities on land that has previously
been developed.
REGULATED ACTIVITIES
Any earth disturbance activities or any activities that involve
the alteration or development of land in a manner that may affect
stormwater runoff.
RELEASE RATE DISTRICT
Those subwatershed areas in which post-development flows
must be reduced to a certain percentage of predevelopment flows as
required to meet the plan requirements and the goals of Act 167.
RETENTION BASIN
An impoundment in which stormwater is stored and not released
during the storm event. Stored water may be released from the basin
at some time after the end of the storm.
RETENTION VOLUME/REMOVED RUNOFF
The volume of runoff that is captured and not released directly
into the surface waters of this commonwealth during or after a storm
event.
RETURN PERIOD
The average interval, in years, within which a storm event
of a given magnitude can be expected to recur. For example, the twenty-five-year
return period rainfall would be expected to recur on the average of
once every 25 years; or stated in another way, the probability of
a twenty-five-year storm occurring in any one given year is 0.04 (i.e.,
a four-percent chance).
RIPARIAN BUFFER
A vegetated area bordering perennial and intermittent streams
and wetlands that serves as a protective filter to help protect streams/wetlands
from the impacts of adjacent land uses.
RISER
A vertical pipe extending from the bottom of a pond that
is used to control the discharge rate from the pond for a specified
design storm.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Earth disturbance activities within the existing road right-of-way,
such as grading and repairing existing unpaved road surfaces, cutting
road banks, cleaning or clearing drainage ditches, and other similar
activities. Road maintenance activities that do not disturb the subbase
of a paved road (such as milling and overlays) are not considered
earth disturbance activities.
ROOFTOP DETENTION
Temporary ponding and gradual release of stormwater falling
directly onto flat roof surfaces by incorporating controlled-flow
roof drains into building designs.
RUNOFF
Any part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
RUNOFF CAPTURE VOLUME
The volume of runoff that is captured (retained) and not
released into surface waters of the commonwealth during or after a
storm event.
SEDIMENT
Soils or other materials transported by surface water as
a product of erosion.
SEDIMENT BASIN
A barrier, dam, retention or detention basin located and
designed to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt, or other material transported
by stormwater runoff.
SEDIMENT POLLUTION
The placement, discharge, or any other introduction of sediment
into waters of the commonwealth occurring from the failure to properly
design, construct, implement or maintain control measures and control
facilities in accordance with the requirements of this Part.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated
or deposited by the movement of water.
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCH
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
coarse material into which surface water is directed for infiltration
into the ground.
SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, Township streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters,
ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) primarily used for collecting
and conveying stormwater runoff.
SHEET FLOW
Runoff that flows over the ground surface as a thin, even
layer not concentrated in a channel.
SIDEWALK
A walk for pedestrians constructed to the standards set forth
in this Part.
SOIL COVER COMPLEX METHOD
A method of runoff computation developed by the NRCS that
is based on relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter
called curve number (CN).
SPECIFICATIONS
Those portions of the contract documents consisting of written
technical descriptions of materials, equipment, construction systems,
standards and workmanship as applied to the work.
SPILLWAY (EMERGENCY)
A depression in the embankment of a pond or basin, or other
overflow structure, that is used to pass peak discharges greater than
the maximum design storm controlled by the pond or basin.
STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
The regulatory requirements to protect, maintain, reclaim,
and restore water quality under Title 25 of that Pa. Code and the
Clean Streams Law.
STORAGE INDICATION METHOD
A reservoir routing procedure based on solution of the continuity
equation (inflow minus outflow equals the change in storage) with
outflow defined as a function of storage volume and depth.
STORM FREQUENCY
The number of times that a given storm event occurs or is
exceeded on the average in a stated period of years. See also "return
period."
STORM SEWER
A system of pipes and/or open channels that convey intercepted
runoff and stormwater from other sources, but excludes domestic sewage
and industrial wastes.
STORMWATER
Runoff from the surface of the land resulting from precipitation,
snow, or ice melt.
STORMWATER HOTSPOT
A land use or activity that generates higher concentrations
of hydrocarbons, trace metals, or toxicants than are found in typical
stormwater runoff.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
Any structure, natural or man-made, that due to its condition,
design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater
runoff. Typical stormwater management facilities include, but are
not limited to: detention and retention basins, open channels, storm
sewers, pipes and infiltration facilities.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Butler County Stormwater Management Plan for managing
stormwater runoff in Butler County as required by the Act of October
4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167) and known as the "Storm Water Management
Act."
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SITE PLAN
The plan prepared by the developer or his representative
indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the development
site in accordance with this Part. "Stormwater management site plan"
will be designated as "SWM site plan" throughout this Part.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2022-506, 1/27/2022]
STREAM ENCLOSURE
A bridge, culvert, or other structure in excess of 100 feet
in length upstream to downstream which encloses regulated waters of
the commonwealth.
STREET
An avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane,
viaduct and any other ways used by vehicular traffic, but not including
driveways, parking areas or walkways. "Street" includes the entire
right-of-way.
STREET EXCAVATION
Excavation of 18 inches or more performed within public rights-of-way
or easements within the Township.
SUBWATERSHED AREA
The smallest drainage unit of a watershed for which stormwater
management criteria has been established in the stormwater management
plan.
SUBDIVISION
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2022-506, 1/27/2022]
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land that gathers or carries surface
water runoff.
TEMPORARY ROADWAY
A roadway that is constructed for a defined amount of time
to facilitate a construction activity.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Cranberry, Butler County, Pennsylvania.
TIME OF CONCENTRATION (Tc)
The time for surface runoff to travel from the hydraulically
most distant point of the watershed to a point of interest within
the watershed. This time is the combined total of overland flow time
and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.
UNDERGROUND BASIN
Detention storage located in underground tanks or vaults
designed to provide water quantity control through detention of stormwater
runoff.
USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture.
UTILITY
A public service including but not limited to electric service,
gas service, and cable TV service.
WALKWAY
A walk for pedestrians constructed to the standards set forth
in the Public Improvements Code.
WATERCOURSE
Includes all existing and proposed rivers, streams, creeks,
runs, rivulets, channels, ditches, drains and drainage facilities
which may flow continuously or flow intermittently during periods
of wet weather or rain.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments, ditches,
watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds,
springs and other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and
underground water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial,
within or on the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
WATERSHED
Area drained by a river, watercourse, or other surface water,
whether natural or artificial.
WETLAND
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or
groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and
that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including
swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. (The term includes but is
not limited to wetland areas listed in the State Water Plan, the United
States Forest Service Wetlands Inventory of Pennsylvania and a wetland
area designated by a river basin commission. This definition is used
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United
States Army Corps of Engineers.)
WET POND
A basin that has a permanent pool of water throughout the
year. A wet pond also may be called a "wet basin" or "retention pond."