Town of Weymouth, MA Article IIIB Groundwater Protection District

[Added May 1995 ATM by Art. 58, approved 7-31-1995; amended 2-2-2004 by Ord. No. 04-041]

§ 120-10.5 Intent.

The Groundwater Protection District is established for the following purposes:

A. To preserve, protect and maintain areas within the Town which supply groundwater recharge to the municipal drinking water wells.

B. To protect the community from detrimental use and development of land and waters within the Groundwater Protection District.

C. To protect the public health and preserve the future use of groundwater supplies for the health, safety, welfare and enjoyment of the people of the Town of Weymouth.

§ 120-10.6 Establishment; determination of boundaries.

A. The Groundwater Protection District includes those areas that fall within the Hydrogeologic Zone II as approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) under 310 CMR 22.00, plus those areas of Zone III from which groundwater drains into Zone II. The district includes all areas delineated on the Zoning Map.

B. Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the boundaries of the district, the Inspector of Buildings, with the assistance and guidance of the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works, shall make the necessary interpretation.

C. The Groundwater Protection District is an overlay district and shall be superimposed on the other districts established by this bylaw. No use not permitted in the portions of the districts so overlaid shall be permitted within the district.

§ 120-10.7 Prohibited uses.

The following are prohibited in the Groundwater Protection Overlay District. Further definitions, in addition to those supplied herewithin, describing the areas listed below shall be found in the appropriate Massachusetts General Laws and/or Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulations.

A. All uses prohibited in the Watershed Protection District. (See § 120-10.4.)

B. Storage of sludge and septage as defined in 310 CMR 32.05, unless storage is in compliance with 310 CMR 32.30, 310 CMR 32.31, and 310 CMR 22.00.

C. Treatment or disposal works for nonsanitary wastewaters, except those treatment works approved by the DEP.

§ 120-10.8 Site plan review.

The following uses shall require a site plan review process subject to Article XXVA:

A. Any use that will render impervious any lot or parcel more than 15% or 2,500 square feet, whichever is greater. A design for groundwater recharge must be provided which does not degrade groundwater quality. For nonresidential uses, recharge shall be by stormwater infiltration basins or similar system covered with natural vegetation, and dry wells shall be used only where other methods are infeasible. For all nonresidential uses, all such basins and wells shall be preceded by oil, grease, and sediment traps to facilitate removal of contaminants. Any and all recharge areas shall be permanently maintained in full working order by the owner.

§ 120-10.9 Special permit uses.

The following uses shall require a special use permit and are subject to the conditions and requirements of Article XXV of this ordinance:

A. Those activities that involve the handling of toxic or hazardous materials in quantities greater than those associated with normal household use, as permitted in the underlying zoning (except as prohibited in § 120-10.7). Such activities shall require a special permit to prevent contamination of the environment.

B. The construction or expansion of cemeteries and mausoleums.