[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of New Hempstead 5-3-1984 by L.L.
No. 10-1984. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Clearing, Filling and Excavation
Law of the Village of New Hempstead."
The Board of Trustees of the Village of New Hempstead hereby
finds that uncontrolled clearing, filling or excavating of land may
cause serious health, safety and environmental problems, including
erosion, siltation, flooding and other potential harmful effects.
It is the purpose of this chapter to prevent such harmful effects
and thus to promote the public health, safety and welfare in the Village
of New Hempstead.
[Amended 6-5-1986 by L.L.
No. 11-1986]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
- BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- The Board of Trustees of the Village of New Hempstead.
- BUILDING, ACCESSORY
- A building subordinate to the main building on the lot and used for purposes customarily incidental to that of the main building. Where an accessory building is attached to the main building in a substantial manner, such as by a wall or roof, such accessory building shall be considered part of the main building.
- BUILDING INSPECTOR
- The Building Inspector of the Village of New Hempstead.
- CODE INSPECTOR
- The Code Inspector of the Village of New Hempstead.
- PLANNING BOARD
- The Planning Board of the Village of New Hempstead. In the event that no Planning Board has been created, the term "Planning Board" shall be deemed to mean the Board of Trustees of the Village of New Hempstead.
- SUBDIVISION CONSTRUCTION PLANS
- Drawings as defined in and in compliance with all requirements of Chapter 255, Subdivision of Land, in effect in the Village of New Hempstead.
- ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
- The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of New Hempstead.
A.
Permits required.
[Amended 6-5-1986 by L.L.
No. 11-1986]
(1)
A clearing, filling or excavation permit from the Planning Board shall be required for any "operation," which is hereby defined as any landfilling, excavation, regrading, removal, stripping or disturbance of topsoil, earth, sand, gravel, rock or other substance from the ground or for the establishment of a lake or pond or the removal of trees 12 inches in diameter at breast height or greater and more than 200 feet from an existing one-family residence located on a lot of one acre or greater, except as provided in Subsections C and D of this section. No existing operation shall be extended in area, except as provided in Subsection D hereof, without first securing a permit therefor.
(2)
A blasting permit from the Building Inspector shall be required for
any blasting.
B.
Prohibited operations.
(1)
There shall be no processing of fill, topsoil, earth, sand, gravel,
rock or other substance from the ground on the premises except for
use on the same premises.
(2)
There shall be no operation commenced or carried on which is primarily
for the purpose of the sale or exchange of fill, excavated topsoil,
earth, sand, gravel, rock or other substance from the ground.
(3)
Material used for landfilling must be clean and nonburnable before
being delivered to the site. Such material shall not contain garbage,
disease-producing organisms, harmful radioactivity or any other substance
which may be considered harmful by the Planning Board. No material
may be used for this purpose which will produce obnoxious odors or
either cause or require covering or other measures to prevent the
attraction of rats or other vermin, flies, mosquitoes or other harmful
insects.
(4)
There shall be no blasting or rock drilling activities commenced or carried on at any location within 300 yards of a church, school or camp as defined in Chapter 290, Zoning, of the Code of the Village of New Hempstead, or any playground or recreational field associated therewith, during the hours when such church, school or camp is used by children under the age of 18 years in connection with the operation thereof.
[Added 6-5-1986 by L.L.
No. 11-1986]
C.
Other permits or approvals deemed a permit.
(1)
Building permit deemed a permit. A duly issued building permit for
a building and/or its accessory structures shall be deemed to be the
permit for such landfilling excavations and/or its accessory structures
and driveways, provided that the volume of any added fill or excavated
material removed from the property does not exceed two times the volume
of the cellar and foundation of the dwelling and/or accessory structures
for which the building permit was issued. The Building Inspector shall
suitably endorse the building permit to the effect that such landfill
and/or excavation and removal is permitted and shall specify thereon
the maximum volumes of added fill and/or excavated material which
may be removed.
(2)
Approved subdivision construction plans deemed a special permit.
Where the Planning Board has approved, with or without conditions,
the construction plans for proposed streets and drainage facilities
in new subdivisions, the approved construction plans shall be deemed
to be a duly issued permit for such operation within the rights-of-way
and slope rights of the proposed streets and areas reserved for drainage
facilities as may be necessary for their establishment, provided that
if there is to be landfilling and/or removal of excavated material,
said fill and/or removal shall be disclosed as an integral part of
the subdivision plans. All operations outside such street rights-of-way
and slope rights and drainage facilities shall be subject to the permit
and approval requirements of this chapter, unless such operations
are shown on an approved grading plan as part of said construction
plans, the rehabilitation of the disturbed areas is bonded as a condition
of subdivision approval, and provided that, if there is to be landfilling
and/or removal, said operation shall be disclosed as an integral part
of the subdivision plans. For the purposes of this section, the term
"Planning Board" shall be deemed to include the Planning Board of
the Town of Ramapo.
(3)
Approved site plans deemed a special permit. Where Chapter 290, Zoning, of the Village Code requires the approval of a site plan and when, in the opinion of the Planning Board, the finished elevations shown on this plan are necessitated by or required for the intended land use and/or by other provisions of this chapter, the approved final site plan shall be deemed to be a duly issued permit for the necessary landfilling and/or excavation and removal of material from the property, provided that the rehabilitation of the disturbed areas is bonded as a condition of site plan approval and provided that such operation is disclosed as an integral part of the site plan. For the purposes of this section, the term "Planning Board" shall be deemed to include the Planning Board of the Town of Ramapo.
D.
Exceptions.
(1)
Waiver. The Planning Board may waive the permit requirements for
an excavation or filling operation involving less than 100 cubic yards
of material.
(2)
Village of New Hempstead. The provisions of this chapter shall not
apply to operations conducted by or for the Village of New Hempstead
or any department or agency thereof.
(3)
Farming. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed as
prohibiting or limiting the normal use of land for farming or gardening
or similar agricultural or horticultural uses in any district.
(4)
Lawns and gardens. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed
as prohibiting or limiting the normal addition of topsoil or fertilizer
to lawns and gardens or the addition of gravel or material for the
primary purpose of improving or beautifying the surfaces of previously
graded areas.
[Amended 6-5-1986 by L.L.
No. 11-1986]
A.
Application. The site plan required for an application for any clearing,
filling or excavation permit required by this chapter shall include
the following items:
(1)
The area proposed to be disturbed and its relation to neighboring
properties, together with buildings, roads and natural watercourses,
if any, within 250 feet of the boundaries of the area. An inset map
at a reduced scale may be used, if necessary and helpful.
(2)
The area that is to be disturbed by the proposed excavation or landfilling.
(3)
The estimated maximum quantity of material to be excavated and/or
removed and the estimated maximum quantity that will be used for regrading
or filling, computed from cross sections of a proposed excavation
or disturbed area.
(4)
A description of any material to be used for landfilling and, where
fill is to be brought onto the premises, its source, method of transport
and estimated volume.
(5)
The location of any well, and the depth thereof, and the location
of natural watercourses, if any, located within 50 feet of the proposed
disturbed area.
(6)
The location of any sewage disposal system, any part of which is
within 50 feet of the proposed disturbed area.
(7)
Existing topography of the area proposed to be disturbed at a contour
interval of not more than two feet. Contours shall be shown for a
distance 50 feet beyond the limits of the proposed disturbed area.
(8)
The proposed final contours at a maximum contour interval of two
feet.
(9)
The location and present status of any previous operations of the
type contemplated by this chapter on the property within the preceding
year.
(10)
The details of any drainage system proposed to be installed
and maintained by the applicant, designed to provide for proper surface
drainage of the land, both during the performance of the work applied
for and after the completion thereof.
(11)
If a proposed excavation is for the purpose of making a lake
or pond, the details of the proposed construction of the dam or other
structure or embankment intended to impound the water, together with
the details and location of proposed discharge and of a valved outlet
for drainage purposes.
(12)
The rehabilitation proposed and the estimate of the cost of
such work in accordance with the standards in this section.
B.
Board action. The Planning Board shall approve, approve with conditions
or disapprove applications under this chapter within 30 days of the
receipt of a complete application.
C.
Village Engineer review and report.
(1)
The Planning Board shall refer each application to the Village Engineer for review and report in accordance with the standards and requirements of this chapter and Chapter 290, Zoning. The Village Engineer shall prepare and submit a report to the Planning Board setting forth his findings and recommendations.
(2)
The Village Engineer's report shall state whether or not the
following criteria are met:
(a)
The location and size of the proposed operation, the nature
and intensity of the work involved and the size of the site in relation
to the operation are such that, upon completion of the operation and
the establishment of the permitted use, the site will be in harmony
with the appropriate and orderly development of the area in which
it is located.
(b)
The proposed operation is not in conflict with any requirement of this chapter, Chapter 290, Zoning, or any other local law of the Village of New Hempstead.
(c)
The proposed operation is incidental to the establishment, improvement
or operation of a use permitted in the zoning district in which the
property is located.
(3)
The Village Engineer's report shall include an estimate of the
amount of performance bond to be furnished by the applicant and any
special condition or other safeguards deemed necessary or desirable
for the proposed operation. Said estimate and recommended conditions
shall be included even if the Village Engineer recommends denial of
the application.
D.
Required performance bond. No clearing, filling or excavation permit
shall be issued by the Planning Board pursuant to this chapter until
the applicant shall have posted a performance bond with the Village
insuring conformance with the approved plans and all applicable regulations,
restrictions and special conditions. Such performance bond shall become
effective only if and when the Board of Trustees shall have approved
the same as to amount, form, surety and manner of execution. The Planning
Board shall set a reasonable time limit for the performance of the
work shown on the approved plans, not to exceed two years, except
in the case of continuing operations contemplated by this chapter,
in which case a permit shall only be extended if the bond is correspondingly
extended by the Board of Trustees.
E.
Permits issued under this chapter shall expire within the time limit
set by the Planning Board as provided herein, except that the Planning
Board, after complete review of all plans and examination of work
accomplished and proposed, may extend permits for such further periods
of time as may be fixed by the Board.
F.
Rehabilitation of site.
(1)
Upon completion of the work permitted, the site shall be rehabilitated
in accordance with the following standards:
(a)
The final slope shall be finished at a slope no steeper than
one foot vertically for each two feet horizontally for any material
other than rock, except where supported by a retaining wall or foundation.
Finished surface excavated to fast rock shall have a slope no steeper
than six feet vertical for each one foot horizontal.
(b)
Excess materials shall first be used in filling all open pits,
quarries, etc., and the remaining material shall either be removed
from the premises or smoothed and covered with topsoil and seeded
as hereinafter provided.
(c)
A minimum of four inches of topsoil shall be replaced over all
ground surfaces exposed by any operation contemplated herein, except
rock, roads, driveways, parking places, garden spaces and surfaces
excavated below high-water marks of lakes, ponds or streams, so that
a stand of grass or other permanent cover will be established within
two growing seasons. These ground surfaces shall be seeded as required
to prevent erosion before the permanent cover becomes established.
(d)
Where a permit has been issued for an excavation for the purpose
of making a lake or pond, the provisions of this chapter applicable
to regrading, refilling and seeding shall not apply to that part of
the excavation below the high-water mark of such lake or pond.
(2)
Upon completion of all rehabilitation work, the applicant shall notify
the Planning Board. The Planning Board shall make or cause to be made
a field inspection of the site to determine if all work has been completed
in accordance with the terms of the permit and the approved plans.
The Planning Board may request the assistance of the Village Engineer to
determine the degree of compliance. The Planning Board shall make
a report to the Board of Trustees upon the completion of its investigation,
describing the degree to which the operation is in conformance with
the terms of the permit and plans, together with its recommendation
as to the release of the performance bond posted.
[Added 6-5-1986 by L.L.
No. 11-1986]
A.
Application. The application for any blasting permit required by
this chapter shall include the following items:
(1)
A site plan including the following information:
(a)
The area proposed to be disturbed and its relation to neighboring
properties, together with buildings, roads, underground utilities
and natural watercourses, if any, within 1,000 feet of the boundaries
of said area. An inset map at a reduced scale may be used, if necessary
and helpful.
(b)
The area that is to be disturbed by the proposed blasting.
(c)
The location of any well, and the depth thereof, located within
500 feet of the proposed disturbed area.
(d)
The location of any sewage disposal system, any part of which
is within 500 feet of the proposed disturbed area.
(e)
The rehabilitation proposed.
(2)
The name, address and telephone number of the person in charge of
the proposed blasting operations.
(3)
Evidence that such person is duly licensed to conduct blasting operations.
(4)
A description of the blasting procedure to be used, including type
and amount of explosive charge.
B.
Village Engineer review and report.
(1)
The Building Inspector shall refer each application to the Village
Engineer for review and report in accordance with the standards and
requirements of this chapter.
(2)
The Village Engineer shall review each application and report to
the Building Inspector as to whether or not the proposed blasting
operation poses a danger to persons and property in the vicinity of
the area proposed to be disturbed and whether the measures proposed
to protect persons and property from such danger are sufficient.
C.
Approval or disapproval. The Building Inspector shall approve or
disapprove the application for a blasting permit within 20 days of
the receipt of a complete application.
D.
Required certificate of insurance. No blasting permit shall be issued
by the Building Inspector pursuant to this chapter until the applicant
shall have filed a certificate of insurance with the Village which
shall comply with the following requirements:
(1)
The insurance carrier for the blasting contractor shall be an A-rated
company licensed to do business in the State of New York.
(2)
The certificate of insurance shall name the required additional named
insured as follows: "The following are all named as additional named
insureds with all rights and privileges of the policy contract without
the responsibility to pay premiums: the Village of New Hempstead and
the owners of each of the following lots as designated on the Town
of Ramapo Tax Maps: _____"
(3)
The blasting contractor shall maintain products liability and completed
operations liability coverage for a minimum period of two years after
completion of blasting operations.
(4)
The certificate of insurance shall show premises operations liability
and completed operations liability coverages, with limits of liability
for bodily injury or property damage of at least $5,000, or such lesser
amount as the Building Inspector may accept after taking into consideration
the type and extent of proposed blasting activities, and shall specify
that explosion, collapse and underground hazards are included in such
coverages.
(5)
The certificate of insurance shall indicate the following cancellation
clause: "The coverage afforded under the policies will not be canceled
or allowed to expire unless 30 days' written notice is given
to the addressee of this certificate."
E.
Required indemnification agreement. No blasting permit shall be issued
by the Building Inspector pursuant to this chapter until the applicant
shall have filed an executed indemnification agreement with the Village,
which shall provide as follows: "The contractor shall indemnify and
hold harmless the Village of New Hempstead and its agents and employees
from and against all claims, damages, losses and expenses, including
attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting from the performance
of the blasting work, provided that any such claim, damage, loss or
expense: 1) is attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or
death or to injury to or destruction of tangible property (other than
the blasting work itself), including the loss of use resulting therefrom,
and 2) is caused in whole or in part by any act or omission of the
contractor, any subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed
by any of them or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable,
regardless of whether or not it is caused in part by a party indemnified
hereunder."
F.
Required notice. Whenever a blasting permit shall be issued pursuant
to this chapter, written notice shall be given to property owners
at their respective addresses as shown on the latest assessment roll
of the Town of Ramapo as to all improved properties within an area
designated by the Building Inspector. Said area shall include all
properties which the Building Inspector shall determine may be substantially
affected by the proposed blasting. Said notice shall state the date
on which blasting is proposed to commence and the estimated date when
blasting will be completed. Said notice shall be mailed by certified
mail, return receipt requested, at least 10 calendar days before the
proposed commencement of blasting and shall be placed at each property
in a conspicuous place at least three days before commencement of
blasting. An affidavit of mailing or delivery of the notice, designating
the name and address of each property owner notified, shall be filed
with the Building Inspector before commencement of blasting. Failure
to furnish evidence of such notice shall be grounds for revocation
of a blasting permit by the Building Inspector.
[Amended 6-5-1986 by L.L.
No. 11-1986]
Any person aggrieved by an action of the Planning Board or Building
Inspector in approving or disapproving an application before it under
this chapter may take an appeal therefrom to the Zoning Board of Appeals
of the Village of New Hempstead.
[Amended 6-5-1986 by L.L.
No. 11-1986]
The Code Inspector or Building Inspector shall issue and post
notices of violations of this chapter. In addition, by resolution,
the Board of Trustees may direct the Code Inspector or Building Inspector
to make such inspection and reports, initiate and take such court
proceedings and perform all other actions as required by the Board
of Trustees as may be necessary to enforce this chapter or to invoke
penalties for its violation.
[Amended 6-5-1986 by L.L.
No. 11-1986]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter or
any other regulation made under authority conferred thereby, or who
shall build or alter any structure or use any land in violation of
any statement or plan submitted and approved thereunder, or who shall
knowingly assist therein, shall be liable to a fine of not more than
$5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both such fine and
imprisonment. Each day's continued violation shall constitute
a separate and additional violation. In addition to the foregoing
provisions, the Village shall have such other remedies for any violation
or threatened violation of this chapter as are now or may hereafter
by provided by law.
[Amended 6-5-1986 by L.L.
No. 11-1986]
Referrals under this chapter shall be accompanied by a fee as
listed in the Fee Schedule adopted by the Board of Trustees.
