[Added 7-12-2005 by Ord. No. 05-09;
amended 6-11-2013 by Ord. No. 13-04]
Each land development project must be suitable
for the purpose(s) of its intended use. The environmental soundness
of each land development application must be confirmed by the Planning
Board based on an environmental impact statement and other information
as may be required by the Planning Board.
[Added 7-12-2005 by Ord. No. 05-09]
A. Intent. The intent of the environmental impact statement
(EIS) requirement is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact
of major development projects on the Township's physical and social
environment and to ensure that any adverse impacts are mitigated to
the maximum extent possible.
B. Submission requirements. An environmental impact statement
shall be submitted for all major subdivision and major site plan applications.
The EIS must be submitted with the application for preliminary approval
for the application to be deemed complete. The EIS must substantially
comply with the requirements of this section for the application to
be deemed complete. Incomplete or perfunctory statements will not
be accepted. Any substantive EIS deficiencies will be sufficient grounds
for the development application to be deemed incomplete.
C. EIS waiver. The Planning Board may, at the request
of the applicant, waive the requirement for an environmental impact
statement if sufficient evidence is submitted to support a conclusion
that the proposed development will have a slight or negligible environmental
impact. Portions of such requirement may likewise be waived upon a
finding that the complete report need not be prepared in order to
evaluate adequately the environmental impact of a particular project.
Any EIS waiver requests shall be considered submission waivers and
shall be granted or denied within 45 days of the request.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-10]
D. Preparation. The environmental impact statement should
be prepared using an interdisciplinary approach by a recognized environmental
professional. The qualifications of the person(s) who prepared each
of the various elements of the statement shall be identified in a
separate section of the EIS. References shall be cited throughout
the statement, as appropriate, and listed fully using a consistent
standard format. A New Jersey licensed professional engineer or planner
who is responsible for the overall EIS content shall provide testimony
regarding the project impacts at the public hearing and shall sign
the document.
E. Format. The environmental impact statement shall be
bound or in a loose-leaf binder and submitted on eight-and-one-half-inch
by eleven-inch paper. Each major section of the statement shall be
clearly identified and shall begin on a separate page. All maps, plans
and aerial photographs included in the statement shall specify a North
point, graphic scale, date of preparation, source of information and,
where appropriate, boundary lines. Maps, plans and aerial photographs
submitted in each major section of the statement shall be at appropriate
scales to facilitate comparative analyses and assessments of environmental
impacts. The EIS is to be a standalone document, including all maps,
calculations and reports that support its determinations. References
to other documents or drawings are not acceptable.
F. Content. The EIS shall contain the following elements,
as specified below:
(1)
Cover page. The cover page shall indicate the
name or title of application; the name of the proposed facility; the
location within the Township; the name, address and telephone number
of the person who prepared the EIS; and the date of preparation.
(2)
Summary. A one-page executive summary shall
be placed at the beginning of the EIS and shall contain a brief description
of the proposed facility; a summary of major beneficial and adverse
environmental impacts; a summary of alternatives considered; and the
regulatory approvals required for the proposed facility.
(3)
Table of contents. The EIS shall contain a table
of contents indicating the page numbers of the major sections and
subsections.
(4)
EIS worksheet and Joint Environmental Commission (JEC) coordination. The EIS shall contain proof that it has been transmitted to the JEC for review. The EIS summary worksheet form (§
145-69) should be completed and submitted with the EIS.
[Amended 12-13-2011 by Ord. No. 11-09]
(5)
Environmental inventory. The applicant shall succinctly describe the existing environmental conditions of the site and surrounding region in sufficient detail to assist in the location and design of the facility, provide a basis for the applicant's assessment of the probable beneficial and adverse impacts of the proposed facility and enable the Township to make the findings for permit approval. The environmental inventory shall fully comply with Subsection
G of this section.
(6)
Project description. The applicant shall succinctly
describe the proposed project both during construction and operation
of the facility. The project description shall include written text
and graphic materials, including a site plan which may contain much
of the project description information. General project description
requirements for each facility type as required herein.
(7)
Unavoidable adverse environmental impact. The
applicant shall describe probable adverse environmental impacts of
the facility that cannot be avoided, including irretrievable commitments
of resources, which shall be listed in the order of their relative
magnitude. The negative and positive impacts of the project both during
and after construction shall be addressed. The specific concerns that
shall be considered include the following and shall be accompanied
by specific quantitative measurements where possible and necessary:
(a)
Soil erosion and sediment control;
(b)
Flooding and floodplain disruption;
(c)
Degradation of surface water quality; total
suspended solids (TSS) control;
(e)
Reduction of groundwater capabilities;
(i)
Disruption of wildlife habitats of rare, threatened,
or endangered species;
(j)
Destruction or degradation of scenic and historic
features;
(n)
Impact on, or the loss of, agricultural enterprises
if the development is located within the municipal or county agricultural
development area.
(8)
Mitigation. The applicant shall describe the
steps that will be taken to minimize or avoid adverse environmental
impacts during the facility's construction, operation or removal,
both at the site and in the surrounding region. The applicant's program
for ascertaining and verifying the accuracy of the environmental assessment
of the facility and the actual effects of project construction shall
also be described. In particular, the mitigative measures employed
may include, but not be limited to, soil erosion and sediment control
measures, sewage disposal techniques, water and energy conservation
measures, landscaped buffers, and stormwater control measures.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-10]
(9)
Alternatives. The applicant shall identify,
describe and analyze alternatives to all or any part of the proposed
facility, including the alternatives of no action, alternative sites,
alternative uses of the site, and postponing construction. The discussion
of alternatives shall include an evaluation of methods of avoiding
or minimizing some or all of the probable adverse environmental impacts
of the project. The costs and benefits of the alternatives shall be
analyzed and presented. Reasons for the acceptability or nonacceptability
of each alternative shall be given.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-10]
(10)
Required licenses, permits and approvals. The
applicant shall list all known licenses, permits and other approvals
required by Township, county, state or federal law for the construction
and operation of the proposed facility. The status of each approval
shall be identified.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-10]
(11)
Documentation. The applicant shall prepare a
reference list using a consistent standard format of all published
materials, reports, manuscripts or other written sources of information
on the facility, its site and surrounding region consulted and employed
in the preparation of the environmental impact statement. A separate
reference list of all government agencies and individuals that either
provided information orally and by letter or coordinated the EIS shall
be prepared, with the dates and locations of all meeting specified.
The documentation section shall also indicate the person(s) that prepared
each major section and subsection of the EIS, including their qualifications.
G. Environmental inventory. The EIS shall contain a comprehensive
inventory of site environmental conditions as detailed below.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-10]
(1)
General site location map. The site of the proposed
facility shall be located generally on a United States Geological
Survey Map of the Township.
(2)
Site location map. A site location map shall
be provided consistent with the standards established for site plan
submission.
(3)
Site constraints map. A site constraints map
shall be submitted indicating all of the existing site conditions
that may limit, hinder, or prevent development, such as woodlands,
floodplains, delineated wetlands, wetland buffers, surface water bodies
and steep slopes. Any substantive site constraints shall be shown
on the site constraints map.
(4)
Existing regional conditions. The existing and
proposed supply of, and estimated need for, the proposed facility
or land development shall be described for the relevant surrounding
region.
(5)
Geology. A map and text shall describe the underlying
geology and its impact on site development.
(6)
Topography. Existing slope analysis with slopes
of zero to 1%, 2% to 4%, 5% to 9%, 10% to 14%, and 15% or more delineated.
(7)
Soils. A map and text shall identify and describe
the site soil characteristics, including but not limited to:
(a)
Soil types, as classified and mapped by the
Salem County Soil Survey prepared by the Soil Conservation Service
of the United States Department of Agriculture.
(b)
A soil data chart with descriptions of each
soil type identified within the site, including drainage classification,
permeability, seasonal high-water table, foundation limitations, agricultural
capability, erosion potential, septic tank suitability (if appropriate),
trafficability (dust hazard), and the degree of acidity and alkalinity
of the soil.
(c)
Engineering soil classification, as mapped by
SCS-USDA. An engineering design characteristics chart indicating the
limitations of soils for road cuts and fills, embankments, and pavement
support characteristics.
(8)
Fill conditions. The location, nature and thickness
of any areas containing landfill materials on and within 100 feet
of the site, a description of the landfill materials, and the appropriate
beginning and cessation dates of landfill activities. Any areas of
historic fill shall be defined and characterized.
(9)
Resource potential. Potentially valuable mineral,
gravel or other subsurface resources of the site shall be identified.
(10)
Hydrology. A topographic map of the site and
its surroundings to a distance of 100 feet, with contour intervals
consistent with those required for subdivision/site plan submissions
and accompanied by appropriate text, shall identify and describe the
following items:
(a)
Surface water.
[1] Existing natural and man-made watercourses,
including drainageways, swales and water control structures, on and
within 100 feet of the site, with their location, width, slope, capacity
and direction of flow.
[2] Flood hazard or flood-prone areas
with cross section of watercourses at an appropriate scale and at
appropriate intervals along the watercourse, showing extent of floodplain,
top-of-bank, normal water level and bottom elevation.
[3] Existing lakes or ponds within
or adjacent to the site, with location, extent and water level elevation.
[4] Existing storm drainage systems,
including storm sewers, drainage ditches and retention or detention
basins, on or adjacent to the site, with location, extent, capacity
and direction of flow.
[5] Existing stormwater runoff from
the project site and upstream watershed areas and calculations used
to determine same.
(b)
Groundwater.
[2] Apparent direction of groundwater
flow based upon surficial topography monitoring or potable water well
data if available.
[3] Yields of existing wells within
1/2 mile of the site, including description of aquifer(s) being utilized.
(11)
Vegetation. A map and text shall identify and
describe the vegetation of the site, including but not limited to
the following items:
(a)
The vegetation types present, indicating the
major species by scientific and common name. Where applicable, both
overstory and understory species should be included.
(b)
The acreage and percent of total area represented
by each type.
(c)
Data for forest types shall include average
diameter breast high (dbh), diameter range and basal area for the
overstory trees.
(d)
Species or specimen trees unique because of
scarcity, size, historic significance or endangered classification
shall be indicated.
(e)
Wetlands as determined through actual field
delineation should be described. A wetlands delineation report prepared
by a qualified individual per the requirements of the New Jersey Freshwater
Wetlands Protection Act shall be included as an appendix to the environmental
impact statement. Alternatively, a statement from a qualified individual
as to the absence of wetlands, if applicable, should be provided.
A copy of the letter of interpretation (LOI) from the NJDEP verifying
the wetlands delineation shall be provided.
(12)
Wildlife. A map and text shall identify and
describe the wildlife of the site (indicated by their common and scientific
names), including but not limited to the following items:
(a)
The species of wildlife (mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians or aquatic organisms) present or which could be affected
by the proposed project and the amount and quality of their associated
habitat.
(b)
Any areas within the proposed site which are
critical to the life cycle of any species of wildlife should be discussed.
(c)
Those species of wildlife classified as threatened
or endangered by the appropriate state or federal agencies.
(d)
The results of a natural heritage database search.
An on-site survey shall be conducted for any species identified in
proximity to the site to confirm the absence or presence of the species.
The applicant shall also address the suitability of the site for any
species identified by the Natural Heritage Database for Salem County
or listed in the JEC Environmental Resource Inventory.
(13)
Water quality.
(a)
Surface waters. A water quality inventory of
such water bodies directly affected by the proposed facility shall
be prepared utilizing existing authoritative sources of information.
The classifications of such affected water bodies, their water quality
standards, and their status in meeting the established water quality
standards shall be described. Existing restrictive uses of these water
bodies shall be identified. The need to present additional site specific
data shall be based upon the relative sensitivity of the water body
affected.
(b)
Groundwater. Where groundwater is to be utilized
for potable water supplies, the water quality inventory shall include
those parameters established for prevailing drinking water standards
and any water quality standards established for groundwater.
(14)
Water supply. The existing and proposed potable
water supply system available to the site shall be identified and
described in maps and text, indicating the source of supply, the adequacy
of supply, pressure and volume of water available, and the anticipated
maximum water demands of the project. All proposed water conservation
measures shall be described.
(15)
Sewerage system.
(a)
The existing and proposed sewerage system available
to the site shall be identified and described in maps and text, indicating
the availability and adequacy of existing facilities as demonstrated
by a letter from the Woodstown Sewerage Authority. If the applicant
is proposing an on-site sewage disposal system generating in excess
of 2,000 gallons per day, conformance with a Township wastewater management
plan must be provided. The applicant shall describe the projected
wastewater flow rate and any wastewater allocation commitments from
the Sewerage Authority. Any proposed pretreatment or treatment facilities
shall be described in terms of process design, capacity, average and
peak flows, water quality standards and effluent limitations.
(b)
Where individual septic tanks are proposed,
the EIS shall indicate:
[1] Location of registered or licensed
water supplies within 500 feet of the project.
[2] Field data describing results of
soil borings, percolation test and seasonally high groundwater table
conditions, with specific locations of (including the dates of these
tests). Soil borings shall be classified by the United Soil Classification
System.
(16)
Air quality. The existing air quality of the
site and its surrounding region shall be evaluated and described,
using monitoring data collected by and available from the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection. The applicant may also monitor
the existing air quality, or estimate air quality utilizing other
sources of information.
(17)
Energy. The energy supplies available for delivery
to the site shall be estimated, with types of energy, points of origin
and means of transmission and delivery described and located. The
percent of existing supply presently utilized shall be identified
and, if applicable, differences is seasonal demands shall be indicated.
All proposed energy conservation methods shall be described.
(18)
Public services. Existing public and private
services relevant to the proposed facility and available at the site
and its surrounding region shall be described and located. Such services
shall include, but not be limited to police and fire protection, first
aid and ambulance services, health services, solid waste and garbage
services, public and private educational facilities and commercial
facilities.
(19)
Outdoor recreation. A map and accompanying text
shall identify the site and locate and describe the types and quantities,
physical accessibility and availability for public use of recreation
facilities and services within one mile of the site, including but
not limited to the following: waterways, wetlands, marinas, boat docks
and launching platforms, playgrounds, parks, forests, natural areas,
tennis courts, swimming pools, bikeways, etc. The extent of existing
used and of unused capacity of these facilities shall also be indicated.
The proposed on-site or off-site recreational facilities that will
be developed by the applicant shall be described.
(20)
Transportation. The existing and known proposed
transportation system available to the site and its surrounding region
shall be described and located on a map at an appropriate scale. The
highway and road network, other forms of public and private, individual
and mass transportation, frequencies, volumes, peak periods and routes
shall be identified. The relationship between places of employment
and residential areas in the region shall be discussed.
(21)
Historic and cultural resources. The social,
economic and community history of the site and its relevant surrounding
region shall be described. Areas and sites of archaeological, architectural,
anthropological and historic significance, including those proposed
for nomination or included in the National State Register of Historic
Places, shall be identified, described and located on a map. An awareness
of both aboveground and below ground cultural resources, if any, should
be reflected in this section, which should include a synopsis of the
effort and method that is the basis for this awareness.
(22)
Aesthetics. The existing visual character and
scenic attributes of the built and natural environment of the site
and its relevant surrounding region, including common and significant
views and vistas to and from the site, shall be described and depicted
graphically, as appropriate.
(23)
Demographic, social and economic conditions.
A general demographic profile of the municipality and county in which
the proposed facility is located shall be prepared, including data
on the age, family income and occupation distribution of the population,
as well as recent demographic trends. The relevant general social
and economic problems and opportunities of the site and its relevant
surrounding region, including housing considerations, municipal and
county government revenues and expenditures, employment and property
values and the relevant legitimate economic aspirations of the inhabitants
of the area shall be discussed.
(24)
Hazardous materials. Any known or suspected
deposits of man-made regulated hazardous materials, including hazardous
wastes, such as contaminated soil, aboveground or below ground oil
storage tanks or abandoned chemical storage facilities, shall be described.
The applicant shall specify whether such deposits are to be removed
from the site in compliance with applicable Department of Environmental
Protection rules and regulations. A Phase I ESA prepared in accordance
with ASTM and NJDEP technical guidance shall be submitted. Any site
investigations recommended by the Phase I analysis shall be undertaken
and described in the EIS including soil sampling on former agricultural
lands in accordance with the NJDEP Task Force Recommendations for
historic residual pesticide contamination.
H. Agricultural impact assessment. The environmental
impact statement for any project that will result in the conversion
of agricultural lands to nonagricultural purposes must address that
project's impact on all agricultural lands and enterprises located
within 500 feet of the subject property in accordance with this section.
The agricultural impact assessment (AIA) shall conform to the following
requirements:
[Added 10-11-2005 by Ord. No. 05-14]
(1)
Scope of impact assessment. All projects located
within the AR Districts, or within 500 feet of the limits of the AR
Zoning Districts' limits, must prepare a comprehensive agricultural
impact analysis since, by definition, major land development is secondary
to agricultural activities within all AR Zoning Districts. If the
project is a proposed residential development within the VN, SR, or
RR Zoning Districts, or a proposed commercial development project
within the NC or HC Zoning Districts, and is not located within 500
feet of the AR Zoning District, and conforms to the intent and purpose
of the Master Plan, the AIA may address the agricultural impacts in
a concise manner.
(2)
Context. The AIA must indicate whether the project
is within or within 500 feet of any county or Township agricultural
development areas (ADAs) and must address the impact of land conversion
on all applicable farmland preservation plans. The applicant must
specifically address whether any lands located within 500 feet of
the subject property are within the eight-year or permanent farmland
preservation programs or have applied for inclusion within either
program.
(3)
Soil resources. The applicant must address the
presence of soils of prime and statewide importance on the subject
property as defined by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).
These soils are considered a limited resource in the State of New
Jersey. The applicant must also address the relative importance of
these soils, the significance of their permanent conversion to nonagricultural
use, and the extent to which such conversion will impact the Township's
farmland preservation objectives.
(4)
ADA impact. If the parcel is located within
the Township ADA, the applicant must address the nature, extent, and
significance of the impact of the proposed conversion to nonagricultural
purposes on the Township's planning incentive grant ("PIG grant")
program. In particular, the applicant must address the project's impact
on the Township's objective to establish permanent contiguous agricultural
districts unobstructed by residential activities where farming is
most efficient.
(5)
Adjacent lands. The Agricultural Impact Assessment
must include a specific discussion of the nature of agricultural enterprises
located within 500 feet of the subject property by describing all
farming activities that are involved in such enterprises and the potential
impact of residential uses on those activities. These impacts may
include, but are not be limited to, potential for pilfering of products,
physical land or crop destruction by children and domestic pets, presence
of windblown litter, and limitations on farm access or agricultural
practices, despite "right-to-farm" and other applicable laws. The
applicant must also address whether the project is likely to trigger
further agricultural land conversion, and the nature and extent of
the project's short- and long-term subjective impact on the Township's
rural landscape.
(6)
Mitigation. The applicant must address the extent
to which the project will mitigate the agricultural impacts. Mitigation
may take several forms including, but not limited to, the following:
(a)
Clustering of units as may be permitted by ordinance
and permanent preservation of lands of sufficient size and location
to be economically viable as farms;
(b)
Establishment of suitable agricultural buffers
by applying the agricultural buffer requirements of this chapter and
other appropriate methods such as but not limited to berms, fences,
landscaping, and preservation of existing vegetation.
(7)
Unavoidable impacts. All agricultural impacts
that cannot be mitigated must be identified. Applicants must present
sufficient data and analysis to confirm that, on balance, the detriments
of these unavoidable impacts are substantially outweighed by the project's
benefits.
I. EIS Review. Upon receipt of the application, the administrative
officer shall forward the environmental impact statement to the Board
Engineer and the Board Planner for review.
[Amended 12-13-2011 by Ord. No. 11-09]
J. EIS approval or disapproval. Upon completion of all
review and public hearing(s), the Planning Board shall either approve
or disapprove of the environmental impact statement as a part of its
decision to grant or deny preliminary subdivision or site plan approval.
In reaching a decision, the municipal agency shall take into consideration
the effect of the applicant's proposed development upon all aspects
of the environment as outlined above as well as the sufficiency of
the applicant's proposals for dealing with any immediate or projected
adverse environmental effects.
[Added 9-10-1996 by Ord. No. 96-4]
A. Procedures for submitting an application not mentioned
above. The applicant shall submit to the administrative officer 18
copies of the General Requirements Checklist, as well as any other checklist for which relief may be
granted, i.e., site plans, subdivisions, etc., and if no other relief
is sought, then the applicant shall comply with the provisions for
minor subdivision approval.
B. Action by the Township shall be in accordance with that set forth in §
145-56C(1) and
(2).