[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 700]
1. The following subdivision and/or land development principles, standards
and requirements shall be applied in evaluating plans for proposed
subdivisions and/or land developments.
2. The standards and requirements in this chapter shall be considered
minimum standards and requirements for the promotion of the public
health, safety and general welfare of New Britain Township. Applicants
are always encouraged to exceed minimum standards. In addition, the
Board reserves the right to require standards in excess of the minimum
requirements if warranted.
3. Where literal compliance with the standards specified herein is clearly
impractical, the Board may modify or adjust the standards to permit
reasonable utilization of property while securing substantial conformance
with the objectives and intent of this chapter.
4. Whenever other applicable regulations impose more restrictive standards
and requirements than those in this chapter, the more restrictive
regulations shall apply.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 701]
1. All portions of a tract being subdivided shall be taken up in lots,
streets, public lands or other proposed uses.
2. All portions of a tract shall be designated as to their use, such
as lots, roads, open space, parking areas, etc.
3. Proposed subdivisions and/or land developments shall be coordinated
with existing and proposed neighborhoods both within and outside of
the Township, so that the community as a whole may develop harmoniously.
4. Reserve strips controlling access to lots, public rights-of-way,
public lands or adjacent private lands are prohibited.
5. Applicants shall preserve scenic areas, historic sites, other community
assets and landmarks and natural amenities such as trees and waterways.
6. Plans shall be designed to avoid excessive disturbance of vegetation
and movement of earth.
7. Floodplain areas shall be governed by additional standards contained in this chapter, the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27], Township Building Code [Chapter
5] and all relevant state and federal regulations.
8. The applicant shall construct, install and guarantee all public and
private improvements required as part of plan approval including,
but not limited to, streets, curbs, sidewalks, water and sewage facilities,
stormwater management facilities, streetlights, fire hydrants, road
signs, monuments, lot pins, utilities, trees and buffers at no cost
to the Township.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 702; as amended
by Ord. 2010-03-01, 3/22/2010, § IX]
1. Township Zoning Ordinance. Proposals for land development or subdivision shall comply in all respects with the New Britain Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27] of 1995, as amended.
2. Township Comprehensive Plan. Proposals for land development or subdivisions
shall be consistent with the current Comprehensive Plan of New Britain
Township and the Township's Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan. All
proposals shall also be consistent with the New Britain Township Open
Space Plan of 2000, as amended.
3. Federal, State, County Public Improvement Plans. Proposals shall
be consistent with the location and timing of public improvements,
such as roadways, water and sewage facilities, in accordance with
the appropriate infrastructure plans governing those facilities. Where
regional facilities are proposed in the plan, effort shall be made
to preserve needed right-of-way in the proposed land development or
subdivision.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 703]
1. Notwithstanding Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27] provisions, the minimum block length shall be 500 feet and the maximum block length shall be 1,600 feet. The block width shall be the equivalent of the depth of two lots when the lots are laid out back to back, according to the requirements of the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27].
2. Blocks shall be designed to provide efficient, convenient and safe
pedestrian and vehicular circulation, including the reduction of intersections
with arterial streets. Blocks shall also be designed to preserve natural
features that may constrain subdivision and/or land development. Unless
a watercourse is located along the rear of lots in the block, drainage
should be away from the interior of the block toward the abutting
streets.
3. Walkways, including public sidewalks, should be designed into blocks
where necessary for safe, convenient and direct pedestrian access
to commercial, institutional or open space/recreation areas, as determined
by the Board.
4. General Lot Standards.
A. Lot Size and Width.
(1)
Each lot shall meet or exceed the minimum lot area and width requirements of the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27]. The area within any existing or proposed easement shall not be counted toward the minimum lot area.
(2)
Lots that contain natural resources that are protected by the provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27] (such as floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes, forests, agricultural soils, or other features) shall be made large enough to provide suitable areas for the intended use of the lot without requiring encroachment upon the natural resources.
(3)
Lots with existing or planned public improvements such as electrical
lines, underground utility easements, detention or retention basins,
high voltage power lines or other facilities should be sized to allow
suitable area for the intended use of the lot, without requiring encroachment
on the public facilities or easements.
(4)
The depth of any proposed lot shall not exceed three times its
width.
B. Lot Frontage. Except for lane lots as regulated below, every lot shall meet the frontage requirement along the right-of-way of a public street, in accordance with the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27].
C. Lot Lines. Lot lines shall be drawn parallel, concentric, at right
angles or radial to the street right-of-way line unless not feasible
or undesirable due to existing, permanent, natural or man-made features.
In general, lot lines shall follow Township boundary lines rather
than cross them.
5. Lot Numbering. Lot numbers and all street names shall be in accordance
with Township requirements and shall be shown on the final plans.
6. Lane Lots. Lane lots shall be permitted by the Board in accordance with the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27] and the following standards:
A. A lane lot may be used for only a single-family detached dwelling
and shall not be permitted in a subdivision with proposed streets
or extensions of existing streets.
B. In a subdivision of five or more lots, lane lots may not comprise
more than 10% of the total number of lots, rounded to the nearest
whole number.
C. The access strip shall be a minimum of 50 feet wide along its entire
length and configured to accommodate a future public street. If the
lot is deed restricted against further subdivision the access strip
width may be reduced to 25 feet.
D. Points of access for lane lots shall be separated by at least 300
feet along the street right-of-way line.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 704]
1. Easements shall be provided as necessary for watercourses, stormwater
facilities, drainage swales, utilities, deed restricted or conservation
areas, natural resource protected areas, pedestrian or vehicular access,
buffers, public access for recreational trails and/or other purposes.
2. Width of Easements.
A. Easements for single utility lines shall be a minimum of 20 feet
and easements for two utility lines shall be a minimum of 30 feet.
Utility lines sharing a common easement shall have a minimum ten-foot
horizontal separation and shall be approved by each utility provider.
B. Easements for pedestrian or vehicular access shall be a minimum of
20 feet, unless a wider easement is required by the Board, upon recommendation
of the Township Engineer. Easements for pedestrian or vehicular access
shall not be combined with utility easements.
C. Easements for deed-restricted or conservation areas, natural resource
protected areas and buffers shall correspond to the boundary of the
area protected unless a wider easement is required by the Board, upon
recommendation of the Township Engineer.
3. Proposed easements shall be centered on or adjacent to front, side
or rear property lines.
4. Nothing shall be placed, planted or set within the area of an easement
and the area shall be kept as lawn or in a natural state.
5. Easements shall be described by metes and bounds in the deed of the
property and shall be shown on the site plans. Deeds to all lots with
easements shall state any and all restrictions on buildings or plantings
within the easement area.
6. Easements shall allow for the maintenance, repair and reconstruction
of utilities, stormwater facilities or other facilities within easements.
This shall include the right of passage over such land by vehicles,
machinery and other equipment for such purposes. The Township may
require the owner to convey such easements to the Township as necessary,
at no cost to the Township.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 705; as amended
by Ord. 2010-03-01, 3/22/2010, §§ X-XII]
1. General Standards.
A. Streets shall be planned and designed in relation to existing and
other proposed streets, topographical conditions, public convenience
and safety and their appropriate relationship to the proposed land
uses they will serve.
B. Residential and local streets shall be laid out to discourage through
traffic. In addition, they shall be designed to provide for continuation
of existing streets or platted streets and for proper access to adjoining
undeveloped tracts.
C. If lots resulting from the proposed subdivision are large enough
to permit future subdivision, or if a portion of the tract is not
subdivided or proposed for development, adequate street rights-of-way
shall be provided to permit future subdivision and/or land development.
D. Dead-end, new-half or partial streets shall be prohibited.
E. When a subdivision and/or land development abuts or contains an existing
or proposed arterial street, the Township may require reverse frontage
lots, in order to reduce the number of access points on the arterial
street, separate through and local traffic and adequately protect
adjacent properties.
F. The entire street right-of-way for Township streets shall be constructed
in accordance with the details listed in the Appendix. The entire
street right-of-way for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT) streets under its jurisdiction shall apply, unless the Township
standards are more restrictive.
G. All plans that require access to a street or highway under the jurisdiction
of PennDOT shall either require a highway occupancy permit prior to
recording of final plans or an acknowledgment on the site plan of
the requirement to obtain a highway occupancy permit prior to the
issuance of a use and occupancy permit. The highway occupancy permit
is required pursuant to § 420 of the Act of June 1, 1945
(P.L. 1242, No. 428), known as the "State Highway Law." Prior to formal
application for a highway occupancy permit, the applicant shall submit
a highway occupancy permit application, plans supporting documentation
to the Township for review and approval, in accordance with the provisions
of 67 Pa. Code, Chapter 441.3(J), as amended.
H. All streets shall be constructed both as to materials and methods,
in conformance with the PennDOT Specifications Publication 408, as
amended, and American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO) A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets,
as amended. The standards of this section apply to any proposed street
or any existing street proposed to be widened.
I. Prior to applying the final wearing course to any existing or proposed
roadway, the applicant must submit as-built plans for review and approval
by the Township Engineer. A note to this effect shall be included
on the record plan and in the sequence of construction.
2. Functional Street Classification. Every street, road or highway within
the Township shall be classified by its function and shall be subject
to the requirements for its classification as contained in this chapter.
The Township classifications are arterial, major collector, minor
collector and local street. These classifications are based on the
standards established by the AASHTO and PennDOT and are intended to
provide appropriate standards for each road, as well as to coordinate
street functions and improvements among neighboring municipalities,
the region and the state. Refer to the Street Classification Map listed
in the Appendix for street classifications.
3. Ultimate Right-of-Way Improvements.
A. The required ultimate right-of-way and street improvements shall
be designed based on the street classification in accordance with
the following minimum standards:
Functional Classi-fication
|
Right-of-Way Width
|
Cartway Width
|
Curbs
|
Sidewalks
|
On-Street Parking
|
Grass Strip Width
|
---|
Arterial
|
100 feet
|
52 feet
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
3 to 6 feet
|
Major Collector
|
80 feet
|
48 feet
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
3 to 6 feet
|
Minor Collector
|
60 feet
|
36 feet
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
3 to 4 feet
|
Local Street
|
50 feet
|
28 feet
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
3 to 4 feet
|
B. The Board or PennDOT may require additional right-of-way widths,
cartway widths and/or parking restrictions in order to lessen traffic
congestion, improve safety or, to facilitate the adequate provision
for transportation and utility improvements.
C. Where a subdivision and/or land development abuts or contains an
existing street, the applicant shall be required to improve the street
to the Township standards for ultimate right-of-way and cartway widths.
D. The primary street through a residential subdivision of 50 or more
dwelling units shall at a minimum be designed to the specifications
of a minor collector.
E. Private streets within a subdivision shall be designed to the specifications
of a local street.
F. All streets proposed within a nonresidential subdivision shall be
designed to the specifications of a minor collector.
G. Where a subdivision and/or land development abuts or contains an
existing street, the applicant shall be required to mill and overlay
the entire width of the roadway a depth of 1 1/2 inches.
4. Street Intersection Design.
A. All intersection approaches shall be designed at 90° angles for
a minimum of 50 feet from the edge of the intersecting street ultimate
right-of-way line.
B. When existing streets abutting the site intersect at odd angles or
have more than four approaches, the applicant shall be required to
make corrective improvements to bring the intersection into compliance
with this chapter.
C. Intersection spacing, clear sight triangles and curb radii listed
below shall be considered minimum requirements.
Functional Classification
|
Intersection Spacing
|
Clear Sight Triangle
|
Curb Radius
|
---|
Arterial
|
1000 feet
|
100 feet
|
35 feet
|
Major and Minor Collector
|
800 feet
|
75 feet
|
25 feet
|
Local Street
|
500 feet
|
50 feet
|
25 feet
|
D. PennDOT may require a greater dimensional requirement for intersection
spacing, clear sight triangles or curb radii for state highways.
E. Street intersection spacing shall apply to streets on the same side
or opposite side of the street they intersect.
F. The minimum right-of-way radius at an intersection shall equal the
curb radius plus 10 feet. In no case shall the right-of-way radius
at an intersection be less than 20 feet. Where streets of different
functional classifications intersect, the requirements for the higher
classification street shall apply.
5. Clear Sight Triangle.
A. Clear sight triangles for street intersections and driveway intersections
with street right-of-way lines shall be measured from the point of
intersection of the street right-of-way lines.
B. Where differing classifications of streets intersect, the higher
classification of street shall determine the dimensions used.
C. Within the area of clear sight triangles, obstructions to visibility
shall not be permitted within the ranges of height between two feet
and seven feet above the edge of paving. Any plant materials placed
within clear sight triangles shall be properly maintained to continually
comply with the height restrictions herein. The site plan shall contain
a notation stating that the applicant is required to maintain the
area of the clear sight triangle, and the Township has the right to
enter the area and perform maintenance if deemed critical to public
welfare pursuant to a Declaration of Covenants, Restrictions and Conditions
approved by the Board.
6. Sight Distances. Minimum sight distances for stopping, passing and
intersections shall comply with PennDOT standards.
7. Street Alignment and Grades. Horizontal and vertical curvature, normal
and superelevated cross slopes, and maximum and minimum street grades
shall be in compliance with the standards contained in A Policy on
Geometric Design of Highways and Streets published by AASHTO, PennDOT
standards or Township standards, whichever are more restrictive.
A. Horizontal Street Alignment. Minimum horizontal alignment standards
for all streets shall be as follows:
(1)
Minimum center-line radii:
(b)
Minor Collector: 300 feet.
(c)
Arterial and Major Collector: 500 feet.
(2)
Long radius, gentle curves are encouraged rather than shorter
radius curves connected by tangents. Minimum center-line tangents
between reverse curves shall be as follows:
(b)
All other streets: 100 feet.
(3)
Curve tangent relationships shall follow accepted engineering
standards for safety and efficiency.
B. Vertical Street Alignment. Minimum vertical alignment standards for
all streets shall be as follows:
(1)
Vertical curves shall be used for changes in grade of more than
1%.
(2)
All other vertical curve lengths shall be calculated per AASHTO
design standards contained in the A Policy on Geometric Design of
Highways and Streets, as amended. The length of vertical curve shall
be calculated using the following Rate of Vertical Curvature values
per percent of change in grade:
Functional Classification
|
Crest Vertical Curvature, K
|
Sag Vertical Curvature, K
|
---|
Arterials
|
As recommended by PennDOT
|
As recommended by PennDOT
|
Major Collectors
|
110
|
90
|
Minor Collectors
|
80
|
70
|
Local Streets
|
40
|
40
|
(3)
Curve grade combinations shall follow accepted engineering standards
for safety and efficiency.
(4)
Proposed streets with superelevation curves shall have a radii
not less than 600 feet, with a maximum cross-slope of 4%.
C. Street Grades. Street grades shall be measured along the center line
in accordance with the following:
(1)
Minimum center-line grade for all streets shall not be less
than 1%.
(2)
Maximum grades shall be as follows:
(a)
Minor Collector and Local Street: 8%.
(b)
Arterial and Major Collector: 6%.
(3)
At all approaches to intersections, grades for arterial and
major collector streets shall not exceed 3% for a minimum distance
of 100 feet from the intersection of curblines or edges of cartways.
Street grades for all other streets shall not exceed 3% for a minimum
distance of 50 feet from the intersection of curblines or edges of
cartways.
8. Permanent Cul-de-Sac Streets.
A. Culs-de-sac within New Britain Township are discouraged and connectivity
with existing public streets is required where determined feasible
by the Township.
B. Cul-de-sac streets shall have a minimum length of 400 feet, but shall
not exceed 800 feet in length nor serve more than 25 dwellings or
units. Cul-de-sac streets may be extended to 1,200 feet upon approval
by the Board. Measurement of the length shall be from the edge of
cartway of the abutting through street to the center of the cul-de-sac
turnaround, measured along the cul-de-sac street center line.
C. Cul-de-sac streets shall be provided with a left side turnaround
configuration at the closed end with a minimum right-of-way radius
of 60 feet and a minimum paving radius of 50 feet.
D. Cul-de-sac streets shall be permitted only as side streets extending
from a through street. Such streets may not create a four-way intersection
unless two permanent cul-de-sac streets intersect directly opposite
one another along a local access street.
E. Cul-de-sac streets shall be prohibited from being connected to another
cul-de-sac street.
F. A fifteen-foot by twenty-foot snow storage easement shall be required
along the right-of-way of the cul-de-sac bulb at a location approved
by the Board.
9. Temporary Cul-de-Sac Streets.
A. Temporary cul-de-sac streets shall be constructed as permanent cul-de-sac
streets.
B. Temporary cul-de-sac streets shall be constructed to the tract boundary
line at a location and grade that are logical for extension onto the
abutting tract.
C. Temporary cul-de-sac streets shall not be extended as cul-de-sac
streets, but shall be connected to another through street.
D. Those portions of the turnaround extending beyond the street ultimate
right-of-way shall be located on temporary access easements, in a
form approved by the Township Solicitor. Upon extension of the street,
the area of the temporary easements shall revert to the landowners
of the adjacent lots on which they were located.
E. A note shall be added to the site plan stating that the applicant
responsible for extension of the temporary cul-de-sac street shall
also be responsible for the following:
(1)
Removal of all paving, curbing and sidewalks associated with
the temporary turnaround beyond the width of the street's cartway.
(2)
Installation and/or extension of utilities, sidewalk, curb and
cartway paving to complete the street connection.
(3)
Grading, installation and restoration of areas where affected
by the street extension.
F. A two-foot by three-foot double-sided sign stating "Future Street
to be Extended" shall be installed at the end of each temporary cul-de-sac
street. The double-sided sign shall be aluminum, green, with three-inch
white letters.
10. Single Access Loop Streets. Such streets shall be permitted when
no alternatives are determined to be feasible due to physical site
constraints, property geometry and/or limited street access, upon
approval by the Board. When permitted, the maximum number of lots
or units shall be 25 and the maximum length shall be 2,400 feet, measured
from the intersection with the through street, along the center line
around to its own intersection.
11. Alleys.
A. Alleys shall have an easement width of 20 feet, a cartway width of
space 16 feet and shall be built to local road construction standards.
B. No parking shall be permitted or provided for within the cartway
of an alley.
C. Street systems that contain alleys shall be designed to discourage
through traffic on the alleys.
D. Any portion of an alley located between two points of ingress and
egress shall provide for rear access to not more than 20 dwelling
units.
E. Alleys may only intersect local streets and dead-end alleys are not
permitted.
F. The maximum length of alleys shall be 660 feet as measured from the
edge of cartway of the adjacent local streets.
G. Alleys shall be centered on a rear or side property line and shall
be dedicated to the Homeowners Association.
H. Easement rights of access shall be granted to all properties served
by an alley.
I. The Homeowners Association shall be responsible for all maintenance
and repair, including snow removal and maintenance to local street
construction standards.
J. Parking along local streets that are adjacent to alleys shall be
limited to a distance of 30 feet from the alley center line.
K. Alleys shall be required for a minimum of 50% of all dwelling units
within a B10 Village house development.
L. In order to minimize traffic speeds throughout developments with
alleys the Board may reduce the center-line radius of the streets.
12. Street Naming.
A. All proposed street names shall be recommended by staff and reviewed
by the Township Fire Marshal's office for duplication. Street
names shall be subject to approval by the Board.
B. Streets that are extensions of or in alignment with existing streets
shall bear the names of the existing streets.
C. All street regulatory signage shall be in accordance with PennDOT
regulations and shall be installed on standard PennDOT approved breakaway
posts. Types and samples of street nameplates, standards, installation
and location shall be in accordance with the details listed in the
Appendix, and subject to the inspection and approval of the Township
Superintendent of Public Works.
D. Applicants are encouraged to choose street names with historical,
geographic, topographic or other local significance. Street names
shall not be repeated within the Township.
E. Street name signs shall be erected prior to issuance of the first
occupancy permit.
F. The street name sign shall be located in order to be visible at all
times with a minimum of effort by both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
The sign shall be as close to the side of the cartway or curb as practical,
but no part of the nameplate shall be permitted to hang over any part
of the cartway or curb. On street intersections where streets cross,
there shall be at least two street name signs. At intersections where
one street ends or joins with another, there shall be at least one
street name sign. At all intersections with new or modified traffic
signals, street name signs for each intersecting street shall be installed
on the traffic signal mast arms, in accordance with current PennDOT
standards.
G. All roadway signs, regulatory (warning and street name signs) shall
be of high intensity prismatic material meeting minimum ASTM Type
III retro-reflective standards; no engineer grade signs shall be accepted.
H. The sizes of all signs shall meet the following standards.
(1)
Stop signs (R1-1) shall be 30 inches by 30 inches.
(2)
Speed limits signs (R2-1) shall be 24 inches by 30 inches for
two-lane roadways and three or more lane roadways with a maximum speed
of 40 MPH. Speed limit sign size shall be 30 inches by 36 inches for
roadways with three or more lanes and speeds of 45 MPH or greater.
(3)
All warning signs shall follow Pennsylvania Department of Transportation,
Publication 236M or most current.
(4)
The applicant shall seek guidance from the New Britain Township
Public Works Superintendent for additional information or further
clarification of types and sizes of signs.
(5)
Posts for street signs shall be U-Channel, 2 1/2 pounds
per foot galvanized steel breakaway structure of ten-foot length with
a 3 1/2 foot base and include lap splice hardware. Hardware for
mounting signs to post shall be two and three-eights-inch by five-sixteenth-inch
one-way bolts and five-sixteenth inch breakaway nuts.
(6)
Street name signs must meet current PennDOT requirements as
set forth below or as revised by PennDOT:
(a)
Nine inch wide signs of extruded aluminum with six inch letters
in high intensity prismatic material.
(b)
All signs shall have a green background with white HIP letters,
all in pressure sensitive material.
(c)
All signs shall be mounted on a two and three-eighths inch aluminum
round post cemented into the ground to a minimum of two foot depth
and eight foot width, and eight foot minimum out of the ground.
(d)
All signs must be mounted on vandal-proof hardware with the
proper size bracket depending on the sign length; four inch for up
to a twenty-four-inch long sign blank and one inch for anything longer
than 24 inches.
13. Access Drive and Driveway Intersections.
A. The location of any proposed access drive or driveway intersecting
a street may be prohibited by the Board where such intersections would
create a hazard to traffic flow and safety issues such as street grades,
frequency of intersections, or limited sight distances. In such cases,
alternative locations for vehicular access or shared access drives
or driveways shall be required.
B. When streets of different classifications are involved, all access
drives and driveways shall provide access to the street of lesser
classification.
C. All access drives and driveways shall be provided with a stopping
area of 20 feet, at a maximum grade of 3%, measured from the edge
of cartway.
D. All access drive and driveway construction shall be designed in accordance
with the details listed in the Appendix and the following criteria:
Type of Access
|
Driveway Width
|
Minimum Radius
|
Maximum Grade
|
Maximum Change of Grade
|
---|
Residential
|
12 feet
|
|
|
|
Driveways
|
16 feet (shared*)
|
10 feet
|
8%
|
6%
|
Non-Residential
|
|
|
|
|
Access
|
10 feet (one-way)
|
25 feet
|
6%
|
7%
|
Driveway
|
25 feet (two-way)
|
25 feet
|
6%
|
7%
|
E. A minimum distance of 100 feet shall be maintained between access
drives and driveways on a single lot.
F. A minimum distance of five feet shall be maintained between any access
drive or driveway and any side or rear lot line.
G. Driveways shall be located at least 40 feet from street intersections,
measured from the center line of the driveway to the point of intersection
of the street ultimate right-of-way lines (extended).
H. Clear sight triangle for access drives and driveways intersecting
a street shall be measured from the point of intersection of the street
right-of-way line and edge of the access drive or driveway. For access
drives and driveways, the dimensions used shall be determined by the
classification of street being intersected. The site plan shall contain
a notation that states that the applicant is required to maintain
the area of the clear sight triangle and the Township has the right
to enter and perform required maintenance in the area if deemed critical
to public welfare pursuant to a Declaration of Covenants, Restrictions
and Conditions approved by the Board. The applicant shall be required
to obtain easements from adjoining property owners if deemed critical
to public welfare.
I. When sidewalks are installed across an access drive or driveway,
a concrete apron shall be required in accordance with the detail listed
in the Appendix.
J. Driveways shall have a minimum turnaround area of 10 feet by 20 feet,
or as recommended by the Township Fire Marshal's Office and approved
by the Board.
14. Paving Standards.
A. The pavement construction of all streets, access drives and driveways
shall be in accordance with the details listed in the Appendix.
B. The road subgrade shall be prepared to the established subgrade elevation,
and compacted in compliance with PennDOT Specifications Publication
408, as amended.
C. Pavement underdrains shall be placed along both sides of all proposed
streets and in areas of cartway widening of existing streets, in accordance
with the details listed in the Appendix.
D. All driveways serving lots of two acres in size or less shall be
paved for their entire distances. All driveways serving lots larger
than two acres shall be paved for a minimum of 50 feet from the edge
of the street or to the ultimate right-of-way, whichever is greater.
E. Bituminous paving mixtures shall not be installed between October
31 and April 1, unless otherwise permitted by the Township Engineer.
Bituminous paving mixture shall not be placed when surfaces are wet
or when the temperature is 40° F. or lower of either the air or
the surface on which the mixture is to be installed.
15. Crosswalks.
A. Crosswalks shall be required at intersections and at other locations
where necessary to facilitate pedestrian circulation and to provide
access to community facilities.
B. Crosswalks shall be a minimum of five feet in width and shall be
constructed in accordance with PennDOT standards.
C. The Board may require bollards, special paving material, striping,
signage or lighting to improve the function of a crosswalk.
D. Crosswalks shall consist of brick red thermoplastic street imprint
with herringbone pattern and six inch white stripes, unless otherwise
approved by the Board of Supervisors.
16. Roadside barriers and guide rails shall be required in compliance with PennDOT Design Manual, Part
2, Highway Design, Chapter 12 (PennDOT Publication 13), as amended. Construction and materials shall be in compliance with applicable PennDOT standards.
17. The applicant shall be responsible for furnishing and installing
all traffic signals, traffic regulatory signs, speed limit signs and
pavement striping and markings that are required by the Township or
PennDOT. The applicant shall coordinate furnishing and installing
these items with the Public Works Superintendent. Labor and materials
furnished by the Township shall be paid by the applicant. The applicant
shall install such traffic signals, signs and markings prior to the
issuance of the first building permit for that street. All traffic
signals, signs and markings shall comply with specifications of PennDOT
for Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings (PennDOT Publication 68),
as amended, and PennDOT Publication 203, Work Zone Traffic Control
(1967 Pa. Code, Chapter 203), as amended.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 706; as amended
by Ord. 2010-03-01, 3/22/2010, § XIII]
1. Required Curb Locations.
A. Curbs shall be installed along each side of every proposed street
in a subdivision and/or land development.
B. Curbs shall be installed along the property frontage of every existing
street abutting a proposed subdivision and/or land development.
C. Curbs shall be required for all parking areas, including access drives
and services drives, with a capacity of four or more vehicles.
D. All proposed curbs shall have a minimum radius of curvature of five feet, unless a greater radius is required by this chapter or the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27].
2. Required Sidewalk Locations.
A. Sidewalks shall be installed along each side of every proposed street
in a subdivision and/or land development.
B. Sidewalks shall be installed along the property frontage of every
existing street abutting a proposed subdivision and/or land development.
C. Sidewalks shall be located within a public right-of-way, public easement
or common open space area. Sidewalks shall create an interconnected
system within the subdivision and/or land development and shall also
connect with any sidewalks adjacent to the tract.
D. Sidewalks shall be a minimum of five feet in width. In nonresidential
areas, or where significant pedestrian traffic is anticipated, the
Board may require wider sidewalks.
E. The alignment and gradient of sidewalks shall be coordinated with
the grading plan to prevent the passage of concentrated surface water
on or across the sidewalk, and to prevent the pocketing of surface
water by the sidewalk.
3. Design Standards.
A. All curbs and sidewalks shall be designed and constructed in accordance
with specifications and details listed in the Appendix and in accordance
with current ACI and PennDOT standards.
B. All curbs and sidewalks shall provide access for persons with disabilities
in accordance with Americans with Disability Act, as amended.
C. Curbs shall be constructed of concrete within all public rights-of-way.
D. All sidewalks shall have a maximum center-line grade of 8%.
E. Belgian block curb must be used for proposed residential streets,
except within PennDOT right-of-ways. A note shall be added to the
record plan stating "The applicant will contribute individual Belgian
blocks, having a uniform color and size that matches the installed
blocks, consisting of 5% of the total linear curb footage along the
streets. The applicant will deliver the Belgian blocks to the Township
Public Works Facility and will be stored at a location approved by
the Superintendent of Public Works. All Belgian blocks not having
uniform color matching the installed blocks may be rejected."
F. The applicant shall demonstrate that accessible routes meet ADA standards
by providing sufficient spot elevations to verify grades. All curbs
shall be designed in accordance with the latest PennDOT standards.
G. All curb ramps shall be provided with "brick red" detectable warning
surfaces or other approved contrasting color.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 707; as amended
by Ord. 2010-03-01, 3/22/2010, § XIV]
1. Pedestrian Walkways and Recreational Trails. Pedestrian walkways
provide access through residential developments and open space, or
to connect to institutional, commercial, industrial and recreational
facilities. Recreational trails provide facilities for walking or
bicycling as a recreational or educational activity.
A. Required Locations. The Board, upon the recommendation of the Trail
Committee and/or Planning Commission, may require pedestrian walkways
or recreational trails at locations that include, but are not limited
to, the following:
(1)
To connect to schools, parks, recreation facilities, community
buildings, commercial or employment centers or other facilities that
are the destination of pedestrians or bicyclists.
(2)
To connect between streets in the middle of residential blocks
which are more than 1,000 feet in length.
(3)
To facilitate pedestrian travel in areas where a conventional
sidewalk is impractical.
(4)
To pass through and connect different open space areas within
a development, especially along streams and other linear landscape
features.
B. Design Standards.
(1)
Whenever possible, the location of the walkway or trail should
include natural areas, historic sites, views or vistas or access to
other unique areas of interest to the community and shall be located
either on required open space or dedicated easements to the Township.
(2)
The minimum width of a pedestrian walkway shall be six feet.
The minimum width of a recreational trail that is anticipated to have
bicycle traffic shall be eight feet. The width of a recreational trail
shall be increased in the following areas: on hills; around sharp
turns; where raised curbs exist on one or both sides of the trail
and in areas of vehicular traffic or parking.
(3)
If a pedestrian walkway is contiguous to a bicycle trail, then
the walkway shall be widened, clearly marked, and striped to separate
pedestrians from bicycles and improve safety.
(4)
The maximum center-line grade shall not exceed 8%.
(5)
The design center-line profile shall be shown on the plan.
(6)
Vertical curves shall be designed for changes in grade. Breaks
in grade are not permitted.
(7)
Horizontal curves shall be designed for changes in direction.
(8)
Curb ramps shall be required at all intersecting streets. Curb
ramps shall have a maximum slope of six horizontal to one vertical,
with maximum side of two horizontal to one vertical.
(9)
Minimum vertical clearance shall be 10 feet.
(10)
Bollards, fences or other barriers may be required in motor
vehicle areas.
(11)
Minimum width, design and construction standards for bicycle
trails may be increased if construction, maintenance or emergency
vehicles are anticipated to use the trail.
(12)
The Board may require lighting for certain pedestrian walkways
or recreational trails, at intersections or other potentially hazardous
locations.
(13)
The Board may require pedestrian walkways or bicycle trails
to have any of the following features:
(a)
Bridges to cross natural features such as streams or grade separation
from major roads or intersections.
(b)
Rest areas at regular intervals. These areas may include benches,
picnic tables, bike racks and trash barrels, as appropriate.
(c)
Traffic control devices where pedestrian walkways or recreational
trails cross streets. Semi-actuating (push button) switches may be
required.
(d)
Landscaping and buffering, in order to reduce potential conflicts
with adjacent land uses.
C. Construction Standards. As approved by the Board, pedestrian walkways
or recreational trails shall be constructed of concrete or asphalt,
unless more suitable materials are required in environmentally sensitive
areas. Asphalt pedestrian walkways or recreational trails shall be
constructed with 2 1/2 inches of wearing course and six inches
of 2A stone subbase. Concrete pedestrian walkways or recreational
trails shall be constructed with four inch class 'AA' (3,500
PSI) concrete and four inches 2B (Clean) stone subbase.
2. Bicycle Lanes.
A. Bicycle lanes on public streets may be required by the Board in locations
where off-street bicycle facilities are not feasible because of physical
constraints or ownership patterns of land.
B. The design and construction standards for bicycle lanes on streets
shall be the same as for the streets themselves, with respect to pavement
construction, alignment and grades, sight distances, etc.
C. When a bicycle lane is proposed on the shoulder of any street, the
street shall be widened by a minimum of five feet beyond the travel
lanes as required in this chapter.
D. Bicycle lanes shall be delineated by pavement markings, curbs, signage
or other materials suitable to improve function.
E. Bicycle lanes on federal highways shall comply with the standards
of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
Bicycle lanes on state roads shall comply with the standards of the
PennDOT. Bicycle lanes on county roads shall comply with the regulations
of Bucks County.
3. Signs and Markings for Pedestrian Walkways, Recreational Trails and
Bicycle Lanes.
A. Signs may be required at decision points along the bicycle trail
or lane, such as directional changes, stop signs or intersections.
The Board may also require identification signs or warning signs regarding
motorists or other hazards.
B. All signs and markings shall comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1971, as amended.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 708]
1. General Standards.
A. Parking areas shall be provided for all subdivisions and/or land developments in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27].
B. Parking areas shall be designed to create a hierarchy of access drives
and parking aisles to direct vehicular traffic from a public street.
Parking areas shall also be designed to separate pedestrian and vehicular
traffic.
C. On-street parking shall be parallel parking only. No angular or perpendicular
parking shall be permitted along streets.
D. Parking areas shall be designed to permit access to each vehicle
without the need to move other vehicles.
E. Nonresidential parking areas shall be designed to prohibit vehicles
backing directly into any street.
F. Entrances and exists for off-street parking areas shall be located
so as to avoid interference with street traffic.
2. Parking Stalls.
A. The minimum stall dimensions for angled off-street parking shall
be 10 feet by 18 feet and eight feet by 22 feet for off-street parallel
parking.
B. All parking stall striping shall be double-lined in accordance with
the detail listed in the Appendix.
C. All proposed planting islands and strips shall be provided with curb.
D. No more than 15 parking spaces shall be permitted in a continuous
row without being separated by a ten-foot by eighteen-foot planting
island.
E. No parking area shall exceed 30 spaces in capacity, without being
separated into smaller parking areas by ten-foot planting strips.
F. Where parking stalls are proposed adjacent to a sidewalk or walkway,
the minimum width of the sidewalk or walkway shall be increased to
a minimum width of six feet.
G. To separate parking areas and access drives, planting islands, a
minimum of 10 feet by 36 feet, shall be provided at the end of each
row of parking stalls.
H. A single row of parking stalls located parallel to and between two
access drives shall be separated by a ten-foot planting strip.
3. Parking Aisles.
A. The primary function of parking aisles is to provide direct access
from access drives to parking stalls within parking areas. Parking
aisles shall not have direct access from a public street.
B. Multiple parking aisles intersections with a main access drive shall
be avoided in favor of a separate parking area, with a secondary access
drive.
C. The minimum parking aisle width shall be determined by the angle
of parking and direction of traffic as follows.
Angle of Parking
|
Minimum Aisle Width
|
---|
Parallel/one-way
|
12 feet
|
45°/one-way
|
18 feet
|
60°/one-way
|
18 feet
|
90°/one-way
|
20 feet
|
90°/two-way
|
24 feet
|
4. Access Drives.
A. The primary function of access drives is to distribute traffic from
public streets to parking aisles. Secondary functions include providing
access to buildings, storefront areas, trash collection areas, loading
facilities, fire lanes, etc.
B. The minimum width shall be 25 feet and parking along access drives
is prohibited.
C. Access drives shall be designed and separated from parking areas
by planting strips.
5. Service Drives Around Buildings.
A. The primary function of service drives is to provide emergency service
access to the building, and to provide access to employee parking
areas, loading facilities, trash collection areas and service areas.
B. The minimum width shall be 20 feet and parking along service drives
shall be prohibited.
6. Parking Area Design Standards.
A. All off-street parking shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from
any street ultimate right-of-way line, sewage disposal system or private
well. All off-street parking shall be set back a minimum of three
feet from any side of any building. This setback shall not apply to
driveways entering garages, service bays or carports.
B. The grade of parking areas shall be a maximum of 5% and a minimum
of 1%. Grade changes between terraced parking areas shall not exceed
three horizontal to one vertical slope.
C. All parking areas shall be paved in accordance with the details listed
in the Appendix, unless higher strength paving is required due to
the type of anticipated vehicles.
D. Raised pedestrian crosswalks and refuge islands shall be provided
at maximum two-hundred-foot intervals along parking aisles. The Board
may require bollards, special paving material, striping, signage or
lighting to improve the function of crosswalks.
E. All parking areas and passenger loading zones shall comply with the
requirements of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
F. Dead end parking areas shall be designed to provide sufficient back-up
area with a minimum depth of five feet for the end stalls.
G. Parking areas serving nonresidential uses that allow shopping carts
in the parking areas shall be designed with cart return areas of suitable
sizes and in suitable locations. Such cart return areas shall not
be counted as parking spaces. The number and location of such cart
return areas shall be approved by the Board.
H. Parking aisle, access drive and service drive intersections shall
be provided with stop signs and painted stop bars.
I. The minimum radius of curvature within a parking area shall be five feet, unless a greater radius is required by this chapter or the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27].
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 709]
1. General Standards.
A. The number and use of off-street loading facilities shall be in accordance with the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27].
B. Reasonable precautions shall be taken by the applicant to ensure
the availability of required facilities to the delivery and pick-up
vehicles they are designed to serve.
C. Each required loading space shall be no less than 14 feet by 60 feet
for a tractor-trailer and 12 feet by 35 feet for smaller trucks.
D. Each loading space and the area needed for maneuvering shall be located
entirely on the lot being served and shall not conflict with parking
aisles, stalls, access drives or service drives.
E. Loading facilities shall be paved in accordance with the details
listed in the Appendix, unless higher strength paving is required
due to the type of anticipated vehicles.
F. The loading area shall be designed and used in such a manner so that
at no time will it constitute a nuisance, a public safety hazard or
an unreasonable impediment to traffic.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 710]
1. General. All subdivisions and/or land developments shall comply with the following requirements of the Township Building Code and Fire Prevention Code [Chapter
5], as amended.
2. Water Supply and Fire Hydrants.
A. In all major subdivisions and all land developments involving residential,
commercial, industrial or institutional land uses, one or more fire
hydrants shall be installed in locations as recommended by the Township
Fire Marshal's office and approved by the Board.
B. Fire hydrants shall be located within three feet of the curb along
the means of access, unless another location is required by the water
authority having jurisdiction.
C. Threads on fire hydrant outlets shall be American National Fire Hose
Connection Screw Threads and shall be equipped with thread adapters
where local fire department thread is different.
D. When the infrastructure is being installed and, prior to the location
and construction of buildings or portions thereof, the water supply
for fire protection, either temporary or permanent and acceptable
to the authority having jurisdiction, shall be made available prior
to delivery of combustible materials.
E. When the infrastructure is being installed and, prior to the location
and construction of buildings or portions thereof, fire hydrants shall
be installed at a spacing not to exceed 660 feet of vehicle travel
distance. Where buildings are proposed, the authority having jurisdiction
shall require additional hydrants and closer spacing where building
size, use, construction and lack of built-in fire protection mandate.
F. At least one hydrant shall be provided within 500 feet of any building
at a location recommended by the Township Fire Marshal's office
and approved by the Board. No portion of the exterior walls of the
building shall be more than 500 feet from a fire hydrant, where vehicular
access is provided. Additional fire hydrants shall be provided to
meet the remaining fire flow, if necessary.
G. Fire hydrants shall be supplied by a water main of not less than
eight inches in diameter.
H. Fire hydrants must be within the following distance of a fire department
connection. If mounted on the building they serve, fire department
connections for sprinkler systems shall be located not less than 100
feet or more than 200 feet from a fire hydrant. If such connections
are located at least 100 feet from the building they serve, they shall
be located not more than 50 feet from a fire hydrant. The location
of the fire department connection shall be recommended by the Township
Fire Marshal's Office and approved by the Board.
I. For subdivisions and/or land developments requiring a fire flow exceeding
1,500 gpm the water supply system shall be capable of delivering the
required fire flow for a minimum of two hours at 20 psi. For all other
required fire flow, the water supply system shall be capable of delivering
the required fire flow for a minimum of one hour at 20 psi.
J. Water supply systems not publicly owned and installed shall meet
the minimum requirements of the National Fire Protection Association
Regulation 24, Standards for the Installation of Private Service Mains
and Appurtenances, as amended, where no recognized waters supply system
exists.
3. Fire Lanes.
A. Access to all sides of buildings for multifamily, commercial, industrial,
or institutional uses shall be provided to permit fire apparatus access
to the building and roof. For sprinkler buildings of less than 50,000
square feet or one-story buildings no higher than 20 feet, access
may be provided on only two sides.
B. Turns in fire lanes shall be constructed with a minimum radius of
25 feet at the inside curb line and a minimum radius of 50 feet at
the outside curb line.
C. Fire lanes connecting to roadways shall be provided with depressed
curb in accordance with the detail in the Appendix.
D. Fire lanes shall be designed to have adequate width, radii and material
strength to accommodate and support emergency vehicles. The specific
locations, dimensions and maintenance of fire lanes shall be subject
to the review of the Township Fire Marshal's office and approval
by the Board.
E. Fire lanes shall have appropriate signage and pavement markings to
prevent parking or blocking as recommended by the Township Fire Marshal's
Office and approved by the Board.
4. Emergency Access.
A. At least one emergency access shall be provided for subdivisions
with a proposed single access loop street or cul-de-sac street.
B. Emergency access locations for subdivision and/or land developments,
involving multi-family, commercial, industrial or institutional land
uses, shall be recommended by the Township Fire Marshal's office
and approved by the Board.
C. The Board may require more than one emergency access for all subdivisions
and/or land developments to protect and provide for the public health,
safety and welfare.
D. An emergency access shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide and shall
be paved or constructed of an interlocking grass paver system as recommended
by the Township Fire Marshal's office and approved by the Board.
At least 13 feet six inches of nominal vertical clearance shall be
provided and maintained over the full width of all emergency accesses.
E. Emergency accesses shall have appropriate signage and other markings
to prevent parking or blocking.
F. All gates or chains proposed across an emergency access shall be
located outside the legal right-of-way and shall open inwards. Any
support poles and/or bollards shall be located at least two feet from
the edge of the emergency access.
G. The fire companies shall have ready access to locking mechanisms
on any gate restricting access to a fire lane or emergency access
way.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 711]
1. General. Whenever the vegetation or topography within a subdivision,
land development or lot are to be disturbed, such activity shall be
in conformance with PADEP, Subpart C, Protection of Natural Resources,
Article II, Water Resources, Chapter 102, as amended, and Bucks County
Conservation District's Policies and Standards.
2. Performance Principles. The following measures are effective in minimizing
erosion and sedimentation and shall be included where applicable in
the erosion control plan:
A. Stripping of vegetation, re-grading or other development shall be
done in a way that will minimize erosion.
B. Development plans shall preserve natural features, keep fill operations
to a minimum, and ensure conformity with topography so as to create
the least erosion potential and adequately handle the volume and velocity
of surface water runoff.
C. Whenever feasible, natural vegetation shall be retained, protected
during and after construction and supplemented.
D. The permanent vegetation, erosion control measures and drainage facilities
shall be installed in the development as soon as practical to stabilize
disturbed areas. Disturbed areas and the duration of exposure shall
be kept to a practical minimum.
E. Provisions shall be made to effectively accommodate the increased
surface runoff caused by changed soil and surface conditions during
and after development. Where necessary, the rate of surface water
runoff will be mechanically retarded.
3. Grading for Drainage. In order to provide more suitable sites for
building and other uses, improve surface drainage, and control erosion,
the following requirements shall be met:
A. All disturbed land within a development shall be graded at a minimum
slope of 2% to provide proper drainage and dispose of stormwater runoff
without ponding.
B. Concentration of stormwater runoff shall only be permitted in watercourses,
swales and detention basins.
C. Grading around buildings constructed of wood shall have a minimum
separation of eight inches between the top of foundation wall and
the outside finished grade elevation.
D. Grading equipment shall not be allowed to cross any wetlands, watercourses,
floodplains, etc., unless the applicant obtains the required federal,
state and Township permits.
4. Excavation and Fill.
A. Excavation and fill slopes shall not exceed three horizontal to one
vertical, unless an approved retaining wall is constructed to support
the face of the excavation or fill. Retaining wall specifications
and design details shall be approved by the Township Engineer prior
to final plan approval by the Township.
B. Adequate provisions shall be made to prevent surface water from damaging
the cut face of excavations and the sloping surfaces of fill. Fill
shall be placed and compacted so as to minimize sliding or erosion
of the soil.
C. The top or bottom edge of slopes shall be a minimum of five feet
from property lines in order to permit normal rounding of the edge
without encroaching onto the abutting property.
D. Fill shall not encroach on wetlands, watercourses and floodplains.
A minimum grading buffer of five feet shall be maintained from wetlands,
watercourses and floodplains unless other federal, state or Township
standards require a more restrictive buffer. Fill placed adjacent
to wetlands, watercourses or floodplains shall have suitable protection
against erosion.
5. Soil Protection.
A. The top six inches of soil that existed naturally on the site prior
to subdivision and/or land development shall be stockpiled on the
site. Following construction, the stockpiled soil shall be redistributed
uniformly on the site to a minimum depth of six inches.
B. All disturbed areas including the stockpile soil of the site shall
be immediately stabilized and protected against erosion.
C. The applicant may stockpile any soil in excess of the six-inch depth
that existed prior to subdivision and/or land development separately
for other on-site uses. Soil shall not be removed from the site.
D. During grading operations, necessary measures for dust control shall
be exercised.
6. Responsibility.
A. Whenever sedimentation is caused by stripping vegetation, re-grading
or other development, it shall be the responsibility of the applicant
causing such sedimentation to remove it from all adjoining surfaces,
drainage systems and watercourses and to immediately repair any damage.
B. It is the responsibility of any applicant doing any act on or across
a watercourse, natural drainageway, waters of the commonwealth or
floodplain during the period of the activity, to return it to its
original or equal condition after such activity is completed.
C. An applicant shall not block, impede the flow of, alter, construct
any structure, deposit any material or commit any act which will affect
normal or flood flow in any wetlands, watercourses, or floodplains,
unless the applicant obtains the required federal, state and Township
permits.
7. Compliance with Regulations and Procedures.
A. The Board in its consideration of all preliminary plans for subdivision
and/or land development shall condition its approval upon the execution
of erosion and sedimentation control measures as contained in this
section. The Township Engineer shall ensure compliance with the appropriate
policies and standards of PADEP and the Bucks County Conservation
District.
B. The installation and design of all erosion and sediment control measures
shall, as a minimum, be in accordance with standards and specifications
of the Bucks County Conservation District.
C. Final approval of plans and specifications for the control of erosion
and sedimentation shall be concurrent with the final plan approval
of subdivisions and/or land developments and shall become a part of
those plans.
D. An erosion and sedimentation control plan approved by the Bucks County
Conservation District is required prior to the recording of final
plans and any earthmoving activities.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 712; as amended
by Ord. 2007-04-01, 4/26/2007; and by Ord. 2010-03-01, 3/22/2010,
§§ XV — XVII]
1. Purpose. Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Act,
Act No. 167 of October 4, 1978 (P.L. 864), as amended, and the Second
Class Township Code, the applicant shall construct and/or install
stormwater management facilities as necessary to:
A. Prevent erosion and siltation of watercourses, pollution of groundwater,
overloading of existing drainage facilities, undermining of floodplain
management in downstream communities.
B. Encourage groundwater recharge and promote water quality through
utilization of Best Management Practices.
C. Manage stormwater runoff created by land development activities by
conveying stormwater runoff along or through the subject property
to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the Township and
the environment.
D. Manage stormwater runoff created by development activities, taking
into account the cumulative basin-wide stormwater impacts from peak
runoff rates and runoff volume.
E. Maintain and/or improve the existing water quality of watercourses
and impoundments by preventing the additional loading of various stormwater
runoff pollutants into the stream system and enhancing base flow as
much as possible.
F. Not only control the anticipated peak discharge from the property
being subdivided or developed in accordance with the applicable release
rate, as set forth in this chapter, but also the existing runoff being
contributed from all land at a higher elevation within the same watershed.
G. Preserve watercourses, riparian buffers, natural drainageways, wetlands,
floodplains and alluvial soils.
H. Provide for proper maintenance of all public or private stormwater
management facilities.
2. General Requirements. The standards contained in this section shall
apply as minimum design standards; however, federal, state and other
New Britain Township regulations may impose standards subject to their
jurisdiction. In particular, the regulations of the Township Stormwater
Management Ordinances as amended shall also apply.
A. Watercourses.
(1)
Whenever a stream, intermittent stream, natural drainageway
or waters of the commonwealth is located within a development site,
it shall remain open in its natural state and location and shall not
be piped, unless required or approved by the appropriate federal,
state or Township agency.
(2)
No stormwater runoff or watercourse shall be so diverted as
to overload existing drainage systems (including existing stormwater
management facilities) or create flooding.
(3)
A permanent easement shall be provided along any watercourse,
including any associated wetlands and floodplain, located within the
boundary of any property being subdivided or developed. The purpose
of any such easement shall be for the protection and maintenance of
the watercourse area. The terms of the easement shall prohibit excavation,
the placing of fill or structures, clearing, and any alterations that
may adversely affect the watercourse. The required width of any such
easement shall be the greater width as determined by the Township
Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, PADEP or other public agency
having jurisdiction, but in no case shall be less than 50 feet. In
zoning districts where riparian buffers and wetland margins are also
required, the permanent easement shall be extended to the greater
width.
(4)
The Site Plan and development agreements shall contain a provision
permitting access to such easement(s) for inspection or emergency
repair/maintenance by the Township. In the event the applicant, lot
owner or homeowners association responsible for maintenance fails
to honor the responsibility set forth herein, the Township shall have
the right of entry upon and within the area of the easement to undertake
any required corrective or maintenance efforts. The total cost of
such efforts, including administrative, engineering and legal costs
for enforcement, may be imposed upon the responsible party as determined
by the Township. The applicant shall retain the easement until such
time as one of the following is accomplished:
(a)
The easement is offered for dedication by the applicant and
accepted by the Township.
(b)
If an easement acceptable to the Township is established, the
maintenance shall then be the responsibility of the individual lot
owners over whose property the easement passes. For land developments,
the maintenance shall be the responsibility of the owner of the affected
property or properties. The maintenance responsibility shall be clearly
established and recorded with the Deed of Easement.
(c)
A homeowners association or other legal entity, approved by
the Township, assumes responsibility for the maintenance of the development,
including maintenance of the watercourse easement.
B. Stormwater Management Facilities. The applicant shall install stormwater
management facilities, on- and off-site, as necessary:
(1)
To satisfactorily convey, detain or retain the rate of release
of stormwater runoff and prevent soil erosion.
(2)
To manage the anticipated peak discharge from property being
subdivided or developed and existing runoff being contributed from
all land at a higher elevation in the same watershed.
(3)
To convey stormwater runoff along or through the property to
a natural outfall, such as a watercourse, drainage swale, storm sewer
or other drainage facilities. If an applicant concentrates or redirects
stormwater runoff to discharge at another location on the property,
the applicant is responsible for constructing an adequate channel
or storm sewer system on downstream properties and rights-of-way until
a natural outfall is reached. A natural outfall shall have sufficient
capacity to receive stormwater without deterioration of the facility
and without adversely affecting property in the watershed.
C. Where applicable, stormwater management facilities shall comply with
the requirements of Chapter 102 (Erosion Control), Chapter 105 (Dam
Safety and Waterway Management) and Chapter 106 (Floodplain Management)
of Title 25, Rules and Regulations, of the PADEP and PennDOT, as amended.
D. No person, corporation, or other such entity shall block, impede
the flow of, alter, construct any structure, deposit any material
or perform any work that will affect the normal runoff onto or off
of an adjacent parcel.
E. Stormwater management facilities located within or affecting the
floodplain of any watercourse shall also be subject to the requirements
of any Township ordinance that regulates construction and development
within areas that are subject to flooding.
F. Where stormwater runoff will be collected within the subdivision
and/or land development and discharged over lands within or beyond
the boundaries of the subdivision and/or land development, the applicant
shall reserve or obtain easements over all lands affected. The stormwater
easement width shall be of adequate width to collect the stormwater
runoff and for access to the stormwater facility for maintenance and
repairs. If requested by the Board, the applicant shall convey, at
no cost, the easement(s) to the Township. Otherwise, all such easements
shall be owned and maintained by individual lot owner(s) or another
approved entity. Ownership and maintenance responsibilities shall
be noted on the site plan and stormwater agreement for such shall
be as approved by the Township Solicitor.
G. A stormwater management study shall be submitted with all subdivision
and/or land development applications, and shall, at a minimum, include
the following.
(1)
Mapping, drawn to scale, of all watershed areas within a subdivision
and/or land development, including areas to individual drainage structures.
(2)
Narrative describing the existing site conditions, topographical
features, soil conditions and limitations, proposed uses, proposed
stormwater management facilities, methodology, field assumptions for
stormwater analysis and proposed erosion control measures.
(3)
Computations and supporting data for the design of all stormwater
management facilities.
(4)
Computations and supporting data for the design of all erosion
control facilities.
H. When subdivision and/or land development plans are submitted for
approval in phases, a complete stormwater management design for the
entire subdivision and/or land development shall be submitted in the
application for the first phase.
I. All proposed stormwater management facilities including those submitted
with a building permit or site plan in conjunction with an approved
subdivision plan shall be designed by a professional engineer licensed
in the commonwealth.
J. All as-constructed stormwater management facilities shall be surveyed
by a professional land surveyor licensed in the commonwealth, to verify
compliance with the stormwater management facilities as depicted on
the approved final plan. As-constructed plans shall be submitted to
the Township for review and approval upon completion of all facilities
and prior to offering of dedication of any public facilities and/or
submission of financial security for the required eighteen-month maintenance
period.
K. All sump pump and roof drains for proposed residential and nonresidential
buildings shall be connected to an existing or proposed storm sewer
system or discharged directly to a stormwater detention facility.
Sump pump and roof drains may be discharged to a watercourse or drainage
swale provided a minimum twenty-foot drainage easement is provided
over all affected properties. Sump pumps and roof drains shall not
be discharged over or through a curb onto a public street or connected
to a roadway underdrain system.
L. All new public streets shall be constructed with a minimum six-inch
under-drain system on both sides of the cartway in accordance with
the details listed in the Appendix. A minimum six-inch underdrain
system shall also be installed along existing roadways where widening
is proposed with curb in accordance with the details listed in the
Appendix.
M. Additional studies and higher levels of control than the minimum
levels required in this chapter may be required by the Board to ensure
adequate protection to life and property.
N. Stormwater management best management practices (BMPs) must be incorporated into the design of the stormwater management system as determined by the Township Engineer. All proposed best management practices for stormwater and erosion control shall be designed in accordance with the latest DEP BMP Manual and the Township's Stormwater Management Ordinances, as amended [Chapter
26].
3. Stormwater Runoff Methodology.
A. Any stormwater detention facilities required by this chapter shall meet the applicable water quality requirement for the one-year return period, and peak rate requirements for the two-, five-, ten-, twenty-five-, fifty- and one-hundred-year return periods, consistent with the calculation methodology specified herein and in accordance with the regulations of the Township's Stormwater Management Ordinances, as amended [Chapter
26].
B. To calculate the increase in total stormwater runoff and peak flow
resulting from a proposed subdivision and/or land development, the
"cover complex" method will be used, as outlined in Urban Hydrology
for Small Watersheds, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation
Service, Technical Release 55 (NTIS PB87-101580) and following mathematical
analyses described in Computer Program for Project Formulation —
Hydrology (SCS Technical Release 20, 1983), as amended. The design
of any stormwater management facility intended to meet the requirements
of this chapter shall be verified by routing the design storm hydrographs
through the proposed stormwater detention facility.
C. All stormwater detention facilities shall be designed to meet the Release Rate Districts requirements in accordance with the Township's Stormwater Management Ordinances, as amended [Chapter
26].
D. All stormwater detention facilities shall be designed to meet the water quality requirements in accordance with the Township's Stormwater Management Ordinances, as amended [Chapter
26].
E. Farm field or disturbed earth (existing conditions) within a watershed,
or portion thereof, used for modeling purposes shall be considered
as "meadow" when developing the necessary "cover complex" calculations.
F. The Soil Conservation Service Type II twenty-four-hour rainfall distribution shall be used in the soil cover complex calculations. The twenty-four-hour rainfall depths for the return periods used in the calculations shall be in accordance with the Township's Stormwater Management Ordinances, as amended [Chapter
26].
G. In calculating the time of concentration for a watershed, the maximum
length of sheet flow over paved or unpaved surfaces shall not exceed
150 feet. All time of concentration paths used for calculation purposes
shall be shown on the Watershed Area Plan.
4. Detention Basin Facilities.
A. Detention basins shall be designed to utilize the natural contours
of the land whenever possible. When such design is not practical,
the construction of the basin shall utilize slopes as flat as possible
to blend the structure into the terrain. Detention basins shall be
designed to facilitate regular maintenance, mowing and periodic de-silting.
B. The use of regional detention basins to combine and eliminate numerous
smaller basins is encouraged. Within subdivisions, detention basins
shall be located in open space, on an individual lot, or common area,
but shall not cross individual lot boundaries, unless a homeowners
association will own and maintain the detention basin. If a homeowners
association is not created for a subdivision, any detention basin
located on an individual lot shall be owned and maintained by the
lot owner.
C. All detention basin berms, including emergency spillways, shall have
a maximum interior and exterior side slope of three horizontal to
one vertical. The toe of any slope shall be located a minimum of five
feet from any property line or street right-of-way line.
D. The maximum difference between the top of berm elevation and the
invert elevation of the outlet structure shall be seven feet.
E. Post-development runoff volume generated from the one-year, twenty-four-hour
design storm shall be controlled so that it is released over a minimum
of 24 hours. Except with the one-year design storm, basins shall be
designed so that they return to normal conditions within 12 hours
after the termination of the storm.
F. The grading and utility plan shall contain a note that all detention
basin embankments shall be placed in lifts not to exceed one foot
in thickness.
Each lift shall be compacted to a minimum of 95% of Modified
Proctor Density as established by A.S.T.M. D-1557.
|
G. Outlet pipes from detention facilities shall be designed to control
the peak rate for the one-hundred-year design storm. All basin outlet
pipes shall be watertight reinforced concrete having "0-Ring" joints,
with a minimum size of 18 inches.
H. An emergency spillway shall be provided for a detention basin in
order to convey basin inflow in excess of design flows, or in the
event the outlet structure becomes blocked and is unable to convey
the design flow. The minimum capacity of the emergency spillway shall
be equivalent to the one-hundred-year peak inflow rate for the post-development
design storm. Emergency spillways shall be constructed with a suitable
liner, as determined by the Township Engineer, designed in accordance
with the manufacturers' specifications, back-filled with topsoil,
and seeded to protect the berm against erosion. The emergency spillway
lining shall extend to the toe of the embankment on the exterior of
the berm, and shall extend to an elevation of three feet below the
spillway crest on the interior of the berm.
I. The minimum freeboard through the emergency spillway shall be one
foot and the maximum spillway length shall not exceed 75 feet.
J. All portions of the detention basin bottom shall be sloped towards
the outlet structure at a minimum slope of 2%.
K. The minimum basin berm width at the design elevation shall be 10
feet. A cutoff trench (keyway) of impervious material shall be provided
under all embankments that require fill material. The cut-off trench
shall be a minimum of eight feet wide, three feet deep and have side
slopes of one horizontal to one vertical.
L. For all detention basins, the permanent outlet control structure
shall be a Type "M" inlet grate and box. The inlet grate shall only
be used as an emergency outflow and the grate elevation shall be equal
to or higher than the one-hundred-year water surface elevation, but
at least six inches below the emergency spillway elevation.
M. Two anti-seep collars shall be installed around the basin outlet
pipe and shall be centered within the normal saturation zone of the
berm. The antiseep collars and their connections to the pipe barrel
shall be watertight.
N. Detention basins shall be installed before the construction of any
buildings or site improvements, unless otherwise approved by the Board
and the Bucks County Conservation District. A preliminary basin as-built
plan must be submitted and approved by the Township Engineer prior
to beginning any building construction to confirm that the constructed
volumes are in accordance with the design plans. A note confirming
this shall be included on the record plan and in the sequence of construction.
O. If a detention basin will serve as a temporary sedimentation basin,
the temporary control measures shall be shown for the basin as required
by PennDOT, Chapter 102 Regulations, as amended. Temporary sediment
basins shall be in place prior to any earth moving activities within
their tributary drainage areas.
P. Energy dissipating devices (cable concrete/rip rap, or equivalent)
shall be provided at all discharge points. Bethlehem Precast Cable
Concrete CC-20, or approved equal, shall be required where a basin
outlet pipe is discharged along or within a public road right-of-way.
Q. Basins shall be screened and landscaped in accordance with the Landscape
Planting requirements of this chapter.
R. Where a retention basin is proposed, the applicant shall demonstrate
the retention basin is designed to protect the public health, safety
and welfare. At a minimum, the retention basin design shall include
a ten-foot wide safety ledge, a clay liner, a four foot permanent
pool depth, wet-tolerant plantings, cutoff trench, two fountain aerators
with locked controls, the location of power source, and specifications
for embankment construction and soil testing. The above criteria shall
be specified in a retention basing cross section detail.
S. Underground detention basins may be utilized for stormwater management,
when approved by the Board. When approved, the underground detention
basins shall be designed in accordance with the following criteria:
(1)
Underground detention basins shall be located outside all public
rights-of-way.
(2)
Underground detention basins shall be constructed of high density
corrugated polyethylene pipe, or approved equal. The required volume
shall be provided utilizing only underground pipe capacity. Each pipe
shall have a minimum slope of 0.5%.
(3)
Inlets or storm manhole structures with steps shall be located
at each corner of the underground detention basin to provide access
for maintenance.
(4)
A minimum of one-foot of freeboard shall be provided between
the one-hundred-year water surface elevation and the top of all inlet
grates or manhole rims.
(5)
An emergency overflow weir shall be provided for the outlet
structure in order to convey basin inflow in excess of design flows
or in the event the outlet structure becomes blocked and is unable
to convey the design flow. The minimum capacity of the emergency overflow
weir shall be equivalent to the one-hundred-year peak inflow rate
for the post-development design storm.
(6)
Proposed site improvements and grading downstream of the underground
detention basin shall be designed to convey the one-hundred-year peak
inflow rate to a natural outfall, storm sewer system or other drainage
facility, without adversely affecting downstream properties.
(7)
As-built plans shall be provided for any underground detention
basin to verify it was constructed in accordance with the approved
plan prior to backfilling of the basin. A note to this effect shall
be included on the record plan and in the sequence of construction.
5. Storm Sewer.
A. All storm sewer systems shall provide the required capacity for the
one-hundred-year design storm based on the Rational Method, as determined
by the PennDOT Design Manual, Part 2, as amended, and the U.S. Department
of Commerce, Hydraulic Design Series No. 5, Hydraulic Design of Highway
Culverts, as amended. Storm sewer systems located along a Township
road or state highway shall also be designed to convey the one-hundred-year
peak flow rate.
B. Rainfall intensity values found in the PennDOT Design Manual Part
2, as amended, shall be used for calculating peak flow rates.
C. Consideration shall be given to future land use changes in the drainage
area in selecting the "C" coefficient. For drainage areas containing
several different types of ground cover, a weighted value of "C" shall
be used. Runoff coefficient values for the design of storm sewer systems
shall be as follows:
Description of Area
|
Runoff Coefficient (C)
|
---|
Impervious (pavement, concrete, stone)
|
0.95
|
Lawn or unimproved areas
|
0.40
|
Meadow
|
0.30
|
Woods
|
0.25
|
Residential, 2 acre lots
|
0.50
|
Residential, 1 acre lots
|
0.60
|
Residential, 1/4 acre lots
|
0.70
|
Townhouses, Multifamily Units, Village Homes
|
0.80
|
D. Storm Duration.
(1)
In determining the peak flow rate to individual storm sewer
inlets, headwalls (or other collection structures), a five-minute
time of concentration shall be used if the time duration does not
result in a maximum expected discharge that exceeds the capacity of
a thirty-inch diameter pipe.
(2)
If a five-minute time of concentration results in a pipe size
exceeding 30 inches, the time of concentration approach found in the
PennDOT Design Manual Part 2, as amended, shall be used in determining
the storm duration.
(3)
If a five-minute time of concentration results in a pipe size
exceeding 30 inches, within any run of pipe, the time of concentration
approach found in the PennDOT Design Manual Part 2, as amended, may
be used for sizing of pipes from that point on, by adjusting the time
of concentration.
E. Storm sewer shall be reinforced concrete pipe with a minimum diameter
of 15 inches or equivalent. Storm sewer located outside a public ultimate
right-of-way or easement shall be high density corrugated polyethylene.
F. Storm sewer shall be installed with a slope such that a minimum full-flow
velocity of two feet per second will be attained; however, the slope
shall not be less than 0.50%. No pipe shall exceed a slope that will
permit full-flow velocity in excess of fifteen-feet-per-second.
G. The top of all storm sewer piping shall be at least six inches below
the grade elevation of the pavement stone sub base. For storm sewer
located in pervious areas, the top of pipe elevation shall be a minimum
of one foot below the finished grade elevation.
H. A minimum of one foot of freeboard shall be provided between the
one-hundred-year water surface elevation and the top of inlet grate
or manhole rim.
I. When there is a change in storm sewer size at an inlet or manhole
structure, the top of pipe elevations shall be the same. For equal
storm sewer sizes, a minimum of two inches shall be provided between
the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe invert elevations.
6. Inlets.
A. All inlets to be utilized in a storm sewer system shall conform to
the design standards of the most current PennDOT Publications 408
and 72 (Road Construction Standards).
B. Inlets to be utilized within a public right-of-way shall be Type
"C" or Type "M," with standard concrete top unit and "bicycle safe"
structural steel grate.
C. Inlet spacing in paved areas shall be arranged so that a minimum of 80% of the gutter flow tributary to the inlet will be captured. The designer shall be required to verify that bypass surface runoff from the one-hundred-year design storm will enter the storm sewer piping system at some point, prior to discharge into a detention basin or other approved outlet point. Inlets shall be spaced so that the accumulation of surface bypass runoff and surface runoff tributary to an individual inlet will not exceed other design requirements specified in this chapter. Inlet capacity shall be based on inlet efficiency curves provided in PennDOT Design Manual, Part
2, as amended.
D. Storm sewer inlet spacing shall not exceed 300 feet.
E. At street intersections, inlets shall be placed at the curb tangent
and not in the curved portion of the curb. At least one inlet shall
be required at the curb tangent on the upstream side of all access
drive and driveway intersections with public roadways.
F. The capacity of inlets shall be based on a maximum surface flow to
the inlet of four cubic feet per second. The maximum flow to inlets
located in low points of paved areas (such as sag vertical curves)
shall include the overland flow directed to the inlet, as well as
the cumulative bypass surface runoff from inlets upstream. The bypass
runoff from each upstream inlet shall be calculated using inlet efficiency
curves found in the PennDOT Design Manual Part 2, as amended.
G. An inlet at a low point of a paved area may be designed to accept
a maximum of six cubic feet per second. Type "M" inlets shall be designed
to accept a maximum surface flow of six cubic feet per second, unless
otherwise approved by the Township Engineer. Double inlets will not
be permitted where additional pipe and inlets can be placed upstream
to intercept the excessive surface flow. A maximum of eight cubic
feet per second shall be permitted to be collected by an inlet located
in an isolated pervious area, provided the designer can verify such
an inlet would not cause stormwater to accumulate outside of the associated
storm sewer easement, and that the depth of the water would not exceed
12 inches.
H. Curbed Sections. The maximum encroachment of runoff on the roadway
pavement shall not exceed 1/2 of the traveled lane during a twenty-five-year
design storm of five-minute duration. Inlets shall be provided to
control the encroachment of water on the travel lane.
7. Manholes.
A. All storm sewer manholes to be utilized in a storm sewer system shall
conform to the design standards of the most current PennDOT Publications
408 and 72 (Road Construction Standards).
B. Storm sewer manhole spacing shall not exceed 300 feet.
C. Storm sewer manholes located within public rights-of-way, the manhole
covers shall have the word "STORM" cast in two-inch high letters.
8. Headwalls and Endwalls.
A. All headwalls and endwalls to be utilized in a storm sewer system
shall conform to the design standards of most current PennDOT Publications
408 and 72 (Road Construction Standards).
B. A Type "DW" endwall shall be provided at the termination of all storm
sewer systems, unless conditions warranted an alternate type approved
by PennDOT and/or the Board.
C. A headwall shall be required (instead of an inlet) where calculated
surface flows exceed the requirements for inlets in pervious areas.
Headwalls/endwalls with a height greater than three feet may be required
to have a safety fence or guide rail.
D. Rock apron or other approved velocity dissipation devices shall be
placed at all headwalls and endwalls to reduce flow velocity and prevent
erosion.
9. Overflow System. An overflow system shall be provided to carry all
bypass flow and/or flow in excess of storm sewer design capacity,
to the detention basin (or other approved outlet point) when the capacity
of the storm sewer system is exceeded. Stormwater runoff will not
be permitted to discharge from any storm sewer structures.
10. Drainage Swales.
A. All drainage swales located within a site, or along a Township road
or state highway, shall be designed to convey the one-hundred-year
peak flow rate, as determined by the Rational Method.
B. The maximum velocity, as determined by Manning's equation, shall
not exceed the allowable velocities as found in the PADEP, Erosion
and Sediment Control Program Manual, as amended.
C. All vegetated channels shall have maximum side slopes of four horizontal
to one vertical and a minimum center-line slope of 2%.
11. Bridges and Road Culverts.
A. Bridges and culverts shall be designed and constructed to meet current
PennDOT construction and loading standards (HS-25 loading standards).
They shall be constructed to the full width of the right-of-way or
to an adequate dimension to accommodate special grade conditions.
B. All bridges and culverts located within a site, or along a Township
street or state highway, shall be designed to convey the one-hundred-year
peak flow rate without increasing the extent and depth of the one-hundred-year
flood plain, as determined by the Rational Method.
C. When pipe capacity and/or limited grade elevations warrant utilization
of multiple pipes, a box culvert shall be utilized in lieu of the
multiple pipes.
D. Bethlehem Precast Cable Concrete CC-20, or approved equal, shall
be required at the upstream and downstream ends of all bridges and
culverts.
12. Access Drive and Driveway Culverts.
A. All proposed access drives and driveways, where curbs and storm sewer
is not required by the Board, shall have a culvert with flared end
sections or endwalls.
B. The minimum culvert size shall be 15 inches, or equivalent and constructed
of reinforced concrete pipe.
C. The minimum culvert length shall be 24 feet, with pipe extension
at least five feet beyond the edge of the paving.
D. Where an existing roadside drainage swale is too shallow to permit
installation of a driveway pipe, the Board may approve the use of
a concrete trench box with grate.
13. Drainage Easements, Ownership and Maintenance. Drainage easements,
ownership and maintenance responsibilities for all stormwater management
facilities shall be as follows:
A. Detention Basin Easement.
(1)
When any detention basin is proposed within a subdivision and/or
land development, an easement description of the facility, access
to facility, and the terms of the ownership and required maintenance,
shall be incorporated on the site plan.
(2)
An easement and stabilized access to a detention basin shall
be provided for maintenance and operation. This access easement shall
be cleared and shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width. Access to detention
basins shall be constructed of interlocking grass paving system and
backfilled with topsoil and seeded. The access shall be a minimum
of 12 feet in width and be no steeper in slope than 12 horizontal
to one vertical. In addition, depressed curb and concrete driveway
apron shall be provided where the access enters a road or access drive.
Access easement shall be owned and maintained by the individual lot
owner or homeowners association.
B. Storm Sewer and Drainage Swale Easements.
(1)
Easements shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width and shall be
provided to accommodate required storm sewer facilities and drainage
swales. No other utilities shall be located within a storm sewer easement,
unless approved by the Township.
(2)
On private property, the individual owner or homeowners association
shall maintain the easement area, including ground cover, fencing
and/or landscaping.
C. Stormwater Maintenance Agreement.
(1)
When an applicant retains ownership of any stormwater management
facility, such entity shall be responsible for repair and maintenance
of the facility. The site plan shall contain a notation permitting
access to such facilities deemed critical to public welfare, for inspection
at any reasonable time by the Township or its designee.
(2)
The site plan shall also contain a notation that states the
approval of the final plans is conditioned upon the applicant agreeing
to be responsible for all repairs and maintenance of the stormwater
management facility, and permitting access to such facilities deemed
critical to public welfare, for inspection at any reasonable time
by the Township or its designee. This Stormwater Maintenance Agreement
shall be in writing, as prepared by the Township Solicitor, for recording.
The failure of the applicant to properly maintain any stormwater management
facility shall be construed to be a violation of this chapter and
shall be declared to be a public nuisance, subjecting the violator
to any and all penalties provided by law.
D. Stormwater Management Facility Maintenance Fees. The Township shall
require payment of a fee in order to maintain the stormwater management
facilities. The fee shall apply to all storm sewers located in public
rights-of-way or any easement owned by the Township. The amount of
the fee shall be set by Township resolution.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 713; as amended
by Ord. 2010-03-01, 3/22/2010, § XVIII]
1. Purpose. It is the purpose of these planting requirements to conserve
existing healthy plant communities such as woodlands and to require
new landscape plantings in critical areas of new developments in order
to:
A. Reduce soil erosion and protect surface water quality by minimizing
stripping of existing woodlands or tree masses.
B. Reduce stormwater runoff velocity and volume by providing planting
areas where stormwater can infiltrate.
C. Improve air quality by conserving existing or creating new plantings,
which produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
D. Conserve historically, culturally or environmentally sensitive landscapes
such as wooded hillsides, scenic views, and natural areas, while enhancing
the aesthetic appearance of the Township and community.
E. Provide planted buffers for subdivisions and/or land developments,
which act to visually integrate a development into the existing landscape.
F. Improve the environment for pedestrians along streets, parking areas
and other pedestrian areas.
2. Preservation and Protection and Existing Vegetation.
A. All subdivisions and/or land developments shall be laid out in such
a manner as to minimize the removal of healthy trees and shrubs on
the site. If required by the Township, the applicant shall produce
evidence from a qualified professional that no alternative layouts
are possible that would reduce the loss of individual trees, vegetated
areas and woodlands.
B. Protection of Existing Vegetation. Each individual tree, vegetated area and woodlands designated "TO REMAIN" shall be made part of the Tree Protection Zone as required in the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27] and shall be protected in the field prior to any clearing or earthmoving activities in accordance with the following:
(1)
A four-foot high, orange construction fence shall be erected
a minimum of one foot outside the dripline on all sides of individual
trees and woodlands and along the entire perimeter of vegetated areas
to remain.
(2)
The tree protection fence shall be placed to prevent disturbance
to or compaction of soil inside the area to remain until construction
is complete.
(3)
The limits of clearing and location of tree protection fence
shall be shown on the landscape plan.
(4)
The site plan shall contain a plan notation stating the Township
Engineer shall inspect and approve the tree protection fence installation
prior to any clearing or earthmoving activities.
(5)
The site plan shall contain plan notations stating that, in
the opinion of the Township Engineer's representative or certified
arborist, any trees disturbed, damaged or killed during or as a result
of construction shall be replaced at a one caliper inch for one caliper
inch.
C. Alteration of existing drainage patterns and water supply for the
protected trees and vegetation shall be minimized.
D. If an applicant encroaches into a designated tree protection zone
resulting in the damage or destruction of existing trees and/or vegetation
designated to remain, the applicant shall be responsible for replacing
the damaged or destroyed vegetation on an equivalent caliper basis.
The caliper of all the trees damaged or destroyed shall be added together,
and the applicant shall be required to plant new trees, with a minimum
caliper of three inches, whose cumulative caliper equals or exceeds
that of the damaged or destroyed trees. The replacement trees shall
be selected from the Township's List of Required Plant Material
listed in the Appendix and shall be planted not less than 20 feet
on center. In addition, the applicant shall be required to replace
any damaged or destroyed shrubs or ground cover, with plant material
of equivalent type, size and shape. Any new replacement trees or plant
material shall be guaranteed for one year or until the end of the
eighteen-month maintenance period for the project, whichever is greater.
3. Parking Area Landscaping.
A. Planting Islands. All ten-foot by thirty-six-foot planting islands
shall contain two shade trees and all ten-foot by eighteen-foot planting
islands shall contain one shade tree.
B. Planting Strips. Planting strips shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide,
and shall run the length of a parking row. Planting strips shall contain
one shade tree at intervals of every 25 feet on average.
C. All planting islands and strips shall be underlain by soil, not stone
or bituminous material, and shall be graded not to exceed a slope
of five horizontal to one vertical.
D. The placement of light standards shall be coordinated with the landscape
plan to avoid a conflict with the effectiveness of light fixtures.
E. Shade trees shall be selected from the List of Required Plant Material
contained in the Appendix.
F. All required parking area trees shall be in addition to any parking area trees required by the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27].
4. Street Trees.
A. Street trees shall be planted every 30 feet along all proposed streets
and existing streets when they abut or lie within the proposed subdivision
and/or land development.
B. Street trees shall be planted between three and five feet outside
the ultimate right-of-way line, and as an alternative, the same quantity
of trees may be planted in an informal arrangement along the perimeter
of the street, when approved by the Board.
C. Street trees shall be selected from the List of Required Plant Material
listed in the Appendix.
5. Landscaped Buffers and Screens.
A. All subdivisions and/or land developments shall comply with the buffer yard requirements of the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27].
B. Landscaped buffers and screens shall be required for proposed land
developments to screen or delineate the following site elements:
(1)
Off-Street Parking Areas. One deciduous or evergreen shrub planted
every five feet along the perimeter of the parking area.
(2)
Trash Collection Areas and Mechanical Units. A minimum six-foot
wooden shadow-box fence, or approved equal, on at least three sides,
with a staggered row of evergreen trees planted every 10 feet along
the fence perimeter.
(3)
Detention/Retention Basins. One deciduous or evergreen tree
planted every 20 feet, plus one deciduous or evergreen shrub every
10 feet along the basin perimeter, planted in an informal arrangement.
(4)
Outdoor Storage Areas. A minimum six-foot wooden shadow-box
fence, or approved equal, on at least three sides, with evergreen
trees planted every 10 feet along the fence perimeter.
(5)
Public or Private Sewage Pump Stations and Treatment Plants.
A minimum six-foot wooden shadow-box fence, or approved equal, on
all sides, with a staggered row of evergreen trees planted every 10
feet along the fence perimeter.
(6)
Multifamily Residential Units. A berm varying in height from
three to five feet, with one ornamental or evergreen tree for every
20 feet, plus one deciduous or evergreen shrub for every 10 feet,
planted in an informal arrangement along the perimeter of the property
being subdivided. The maximum side slopes of the berm shall be four
horizontal to one vertical.
(7)
Active Recreational Areas and Facilities. A berm varying in
height from three to five feet, with one ornamental or evergreen tree
for every 20 feet, plus one deciduous or evergreen shrub for every
10 feet, planted in an informal arrangement along the perimeter of
the property being subdivided. The maximum side slopes of the continuous
berm shall be four horizontal to one vertical. The Board may require
fencing depending on the type of proposed recreational facilities
and/or adjacent land uses.
(8)
Easements. The boundary of a pedestrian or vehicular access
easement, when located on, or adjacent to, a lot shall have a method
of physical delineation on both sides consisting of six-foot arborvitaes,
planted nine feet on center, with four-foot-high split-rail fence.
C. Site elements not included in the above list having similar visual
impact shall be screened in accordance with requirements for the most
similar elements as determined by the Township.
D. Landscape plantings shall be selected from the List of Required Plant
Material in the Appendix.
6. Plant Materials, Specifications, Maintenance, and Guarantee. The
following standards shall apply to all plant materials or transplanted
trees as required under this chapter:
A. General Requirements. The location, dimensions and spacing of required
plantings should be adequate for their proper growth and maintenance,
taking into account the sizes of such plantings at maturity and their
present and future environmental requirements, such as wind, soil,
moisture and sunlight. Plantings should be selected and located where
they will not contribute to conditions hazardous to public safety.
B. Plant Specifications. All plant material shall meet the minimum standards
for health, form, and root condition as outlined in the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) Z60.1 — 1996, as amended. All plant
material shall be hardy and within the United States Department of
Agricultural (USDA) Hardiness Zone 6, applicable to Bucks County,
Pennsylvania.
C. Installation. All shade and evergreen trees shall be supported with
stakes and guy wiring in accordance with The American Nursery and
Landscape Association (ANLA) Standards. The backfill for excavated
planting areas shall be composed of native topsoil and shall be mulched
six inches beyond the dripline.
D. Maintenance and Guarantee. The landscape plan shall contain plan
notation stating that the applicant is required to maintain and guarantee
all plant material until the end of the eighteen-month maintenance
period. Any plant material that is deemed, in the opinion of the Township
Engineer, not to have survived or not to have grown in a manner characteristic
of its type, shall be replaced within the eighteen-month maintenance
period.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 714]
1. Purpose. It is the purpose of these requirements to regulate the
design, placement, orientation and distribution of lighting in order
to:
A. Provide lighting of facilities to protect public health, safety and
welfare.
B. Control glare from parking areas and protect the privacy of adjacent
properties.
C. Provide lighting for safe vehicular and pedestrian movements.
D. Limit spacing, fixture type and height of lighting to lessen light
pollution.
E. Promote efficient design and construction with regard to energy conservation.
2. Applicability. Lighting shall be required for all public streets,
parking areas, loading facilities, access drives, nonresidential buildings,
multifamily subdivisions, recreational facilities, other public facilities
and at any other locations deemed necessary by the Board.
3. Public Streetlights.
A. Residential Streets. Public streetlights shall be required for all
residential subdivisions at the following locations:
(1)
All street intersections, cul-de-sac bulb radii and along horizontal
street curves, at locations approved by the Board.
(2)
At any existing street intersection abutting the proposed subdivision,
where required by the Board.
(3)
Multifamily parking areas with sufficient lights to meet the
minimum illumination levels and uniformity ratio specified in this
chapter.
(4)
Any other location where lighting will improve the function
of the street, sidewalk or pedestrian access way, where required by
the Board.
B. Nonresidential Streets. Public streetlights shall be required for
all nonresidential subdivisions at the following locations:
(1)
Along all proposed streets with sufficient streetlight spacing
to meet the minimum illumination levels and uniformity ratio specified
in this chapter.
(2)
All street intersections and along cul-de-sac bulb radii.
(3)
Any existing street intersection abutting the proposed subdivision,
where required by the Board.
(4)
Any other location where lighting will improve the function
of the street, sidewalk or pedestrian access way, where required by
the Board.
C. Prior to the submission of Final Plans, the applicant shall submit
a petition to create a streetlight district to the Township.
D. The site plan shall contain a plan notation stating, "All streetlights
shall be installed and energized prior to the issuance of the first
occupancy permit for any subdivision and/or land development or first
phase or section thereof and the lighting and maintenance costs shall
be assessed to affected property owners on a per lot basis."
E. The applicant shall be responsible for all costs involved in lighting
the streets until such time that the Township accepts the streets
for dedication.
F. Streetlight Specifications.
(1)
The construction of streetlights shall be in accordance with
the standards and specifications of the National Electric Code. All
provisions and regulations of the electric supplier and the Township
shall also apply.
(2)
Where streetlights are installed at intersections, the applicant
shall install combination street name signs and streetlights.
(3)
The Site Plan shall contain a plan notation stating that unless
otherwise approved by the Township, a maximum of two connections to
the electric supplier's power source shall be permitted by the
applicant.
(4)
All lighting fixtures shall be controlled by automatic photocells
to regulate lighting between dawn and dusk.
(5)
The streetlight fixture and pole design shall be in accordance
with the detail listed in the Appendix.
4. Parking Areas and Loading Facilities.
A. Lighting of parking areas, including access drives and loading facilities,
shall meet the minimum illumination levels and uniformity ratio specified
in this chapter.
B. Light standards shall be a maximum of 20 feet in height, and have
a concrete base raised 30 inches above finished grade.
C. Light standards shall be located in planting islands or planting
strips within parking areas. Light standards shall not be installed
directly on the parking area surface.
D. All lighting fixtures shall be controlled by automatic photocells
to regulate lighting between dawn and dusk.
E. All electrical power lines to lighting fixtures shall be underground.
F. Glare Control.
(1)
The maximum light intensity measured at any point along the
property line shall be 0.2 footcandles.
(2)
All lighting fixtures shall meet all applicable IESNA cutoff
criteria.
(3)
All lighting shall be effectively shielded and directed towards
the interior of the parking area away from adjacent properties.
(4)
Illuminated signs shall have a shielded lighting source and
shall be directed away from all street rights-of-way.
5. All other lighting required by this chapter for recreational facilities,
sidewalks, pedestrian walkways, trails, crosswalks, bicycle lanes,
etc., may be approved by the Board in accordance with the recommended
practices and standards of the IESNA.
6. The applicant shall submit three copies of an as-built lighting plan
to the Township to verify existing light intensities and uniformity
are in accordance with the approved final plans.
7. Where required by this chapter, illumination levels shall have intensities
and uniformity ratios in accordance with recommended practices of
the IESNA handbook RP-20-98 and IESNA Handbook RP-8-00, as amended,
and in accordance with the minimum standards listed below:
Description of Use/Area
|
Maintained Footcandles
|
Uniformity Avg.: Min.
|
---|
High Activity Nonresidential Parking, Loading Facilities and
Drives (e.g., Retail, Office)
|
0.9 Minimum
|
4:1
|
Medium Activity Nonresidential Parking, Loading Facilities and
Drives (e.g., Industrial, Institutional)
|
0.4 Minimum
|
4:1
|
Multifamily Residential Parking
|
0.2 Minimum
|
4:1
|
All Nonresidential Subdivision Streets
|
0.9 Average
|
6:1
|
Pedestrian Walkways, Bike Lanes, Trails
|
0.2 Average
|
5:1
|
Building Entrances
|
2.0 Average
|
—
|
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 715]
1. Purpose. All residential subdivisions and/or land development plans
regulated under this section shall provide for suitable and adequate
recreation land and/or fees as set forth in this chapter in order
to:
A. Ensure acquisition, development and maintenance of adequate recreation
areas and facilities to serve the people that live and/or work in
the Township, and to serve the future residents of the Township.
B. Maintain compliance with recreational guidelines as recommended by
the Township Park and Recreation Advisory Board and the guidelines
and recommendations of the National Recreation and Park Association.
C. Coordinate existing recreational areas with future recreational areas.
D. Enhance existing recreational areas and facilities to enable them
to be supportive of future development.
E. Ensure that dedicated park and recreation land is suitable for the
intended use.
F. Provide for the orderly acquisition and development of additional
park and recreation areas.
2. Park and Recreational Land Dedication Requirements.
A. The applicant shall dedicate land to the Township (or other entity
as may be approved by the Board) suitable for park and recreation
use, unless one of the alternatives set forth in this section is approved
by the Board. Land to be dedicated shall be dedicated prior to recording
the final plans.
B. In zoning districts other than the WS District, this land shall be
in addition to any open space that is set aside as part of a development
that requires open space.
C. The amount and location of land to be dedicated to the Township shall
bear a reasonable relationship to the use of the park and recreational
facilities by future residents of the Township. To that end, the following
minimum criteria apply:
(1)
Residential Subdivision and/or Land Development: The amount
of land to be dedicated for park and recreation areas in all residential
subdivisions, or land developments of single-family, attached or multifamily
configuration, shall be 2,500 square feet per new dwelling unit.
(2)
Nonresidential Subdivision and/or Land Development: The amount
of land to be dedicated for park and recreational areas shall be 2,500
square feet per 4,000 square feet of building area (herein defined
as the area occupied by buildings to the extremities of all roof lines).
D. The land dedicated to the Township for park and recreation purposes
need not be a part of the land development or subdivision. It may
be located on a separate parcel of land provided that the Board in
its sole discretion determines that the land so dedicated is appropriate
in the particular circumstances.
E. In the event of a conflict between the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27] and this chapter to the amount of recreational areas that shall be dedicated, this chapter shall control.
F. Where an applicant dedicates land, the acquisition value of the land
and any improvements being placed on the land for park and recreation
purposes shall equal or exceed the fee-in-lieu of dedication as established
from time to time by resolution of the Board. If the value of the
fee-in-lieu of dedication is not met or exceeded, the applicant shall
supply the balance of the obligation in cash or additional land or
improvements as the Board may agree to.
G. Alternative to Dedication.
(1)
Dedication and Improvement of Off-Site Land. The land to be
dedicated to the Township for park and recreation purposes need not
be a part of the land development or subdivision. It may be located
on a separate parcel of land, provided that the Board in its sole
discretion determines that the land being dedicated is accessible
to the subdivision and/or land development or for the general use
of residents of the Township.
(2)
Fee-In-Lieu of Dedication.
(a)
Where, upon agreement with the applicant, it is determined that
the dedication of all or any portion of the land area required for
park and recreation purposes is not feasible because of the size,
shape, location, access, topography or other features of the land
or any other need of the Township, the applicant shall pay to the
Township a fee-in-lieu of dedication of any such land. The fee shall
not apply to any existing dwelling units involved in the subdivision
and/or land development.
(b)
The amount of the fee shall be specified in the schedule of
fees adopted by resolution by the Board.
(c)
Fees required under this section shall be paid prior to the
recording of the approved final plan or as determined by the Board.
In the case of a phased development, fees shall be paid prior to the
recording of the approved final plan for each phase.
(3)
Recreation Fee Districts. The fees shall be recorded to one
of the recreation fee districts to ensure that the lands and facilities
are accessible to the residents of the development(s) that paid fees
towards their cost. The Recreation Fee District Map in this Appendix
designates "Recreation Fee Districts." Any fees collected under this
chapter shall be expended only within the same Recreation Fee District
as the subdivision and/or land development that contributed the fees,
except that fees from any district may be used for Township-wide community
parks and recreation areas.
3. Criteria for Location and Suitability of Park and Recreation Land
Dedication.
A. The Township Planning Commission and the Board in exercising their
duties regarding the review of subdivision and/or land development
plans shall consider the recommendation of the Township Park and Recreation
Advisory Board as well as the following criteria in determining where
to approve the proposed plan for use and location of the proposed
park and recreation area:
(1)
The land proposed for dedication shall be easily and safely
accessible, have good ingress and egress, and have access to an external
public road or to a road to be dedicated as a public road to which
the general public has access. However, if the subject land is being
dedicated to a homeowners association, the access may be from an internal
road.
(2)
The geometry of the land being dedicated shall be as close to
square as reasonably possible. The size and shape of the site(s) shall
be suitable for the development as a recreation area and the configuration
of the site(s) shall be able to accommodate recreation activities
proposed by the development plans. The area shall not include narrow
or irregular pieces of land, which are remnants from subdividing or
the design of streets or parking areas.
(3)
If a tract to be subdivided or developed abuts an existing Township
park, open space, or conservation easement, the park and recreation
land to be offered for dedication shall be adjacent to such existing
Township land or be connected by public access easement and trail
constructed by the applicant.
(4)
Site(s) shall have suitable topography for the development as
a particular type of active or passive recreation area. Suitability
shall be determined by the Board upon recommendation of the Township
Engineer and shall be judged on the basis of the type of recreation
area proposed. However, the following minimum restrictions apply:
No more than 25% of the area shall be floodplain or areas with slopes
above 8%, or both.
(5)
Site(s) designated for active recreation land shall not include
any of the following:
(a)
Land with natural resources restrictions, as defined by the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27].
(b)
Stormwater Detention Facilities. Stormwater retention basins
may be approved by the Board if the resulting body of water is integrated
into the landscape and the area can be used by the residents for active
recreational activities.
(c)
Land designated for any other purpose, such as lots, streets
or parking areas.
(6)
Site(s) designated for passive recreation may contain lands
with natural resource restrictions; provided, that the land can be
used by residents for passive recreational activities.
(7)
The development plans and recorded plans shall show:
(a)
The recreational activities and/or facilities for which an area
is intended.
(b)
The legal basis by which the recreational, park or open space
use is preserved.
(8)
Recreation areas shall not be traversed by utility easements
unless said utilities are placed underground, and no part of them
or their supportive equipment protrudes above ground level.
(9)
On-site improvements on the dedicated park and recreation land
shall be commensurate with the adjacent on-site development improvements,
including but not limited to grading, curbing, utilities and walking
paths.
(10)
Land shall comply with all other applicable requirements of the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27] (including minimum lot size) and this chapter.
B. Ownership and Dedication to the Township.
(1)
If the Board determines that a park and recreation land dedication
is in the public interest, such park and recreation land shall first
be offered for dedication to the Township.
(2)
If the Township does not accept dedication, the land may be
owned and maintained by an entity that the Board determines is acceptable
to ensure proper long-term oversight and maintenance of the land.
The approved entity must agree to accept such land for permanent park
and recreation purposes, in compliance with the following:
(a)
The land may be dedicated to a formal homeowner or condominium
association, upon approval of the Board. Site plan shall contain a
plan notation stating, "If any entity responsible for such park and
recreation land should dissolve, upon demand by the Township, the
land shall revert to the Township at no cost to the Township."
(b)
The land may be dedicated to the state or county government,
or other public entity, as approved by the Board.
(3)
If the Board determines that a park and recreation land dedication
is in the public interest, acceptance of the dedication shall be by
adoption of a resolution of the Board and acceptance of a deed of
dedication in a form acceptable to the Township Solicitor.
(4)
Deed restrictions and/or easements in favor of the Township
shall be required on all park and recreation land to ensure its permanent
use for park and recreation purposes and to prohibit the construction
of buildings on the land, except buildings for noncommercial recreation
or to support maintenance of the land. Deed restrictions and easements
shall be approved by the Board, upon recommendation of the Township
Solicitor and Township Engineer.
4. Review by the Planning Commission. For preliminary and final plans,
the Planning Commission shall review the plan for conformance to this
section and may on its own motion require formal review by the Park
and Recreation Advisory Board, which shall promptly review if so requested.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 716]
1. All monuments and markers shall be set and certified by a professional
land surveyor. All monuments and markers shall be set within 0.04
of a foot from its required location.
2. A concrete monument shall be accurately placed at the following locations:
A. At all outbound existing property corners, including changes in direction
of boundary.
B. At all proposed lot corners, including changes in direction of boundary,
if the lot size is greater than two acres.
C. Along both sides of a street ultimate right-of-way line at all intersections,
curves and changes in direction if right-of-way.
D. At the beginning and end of all easements, including changes in direction
of easement.
E. Along the external boundary of all areas to be preserved as open
space, agricultural areas or deed-restricted areas, including changes
in direction of boundary and intersections with right-of-way lines.
F. At such other places along a street right-of-way line that may be
necessary to define a future street extension.
3. Where one of the above locations along the street right-of-way line
is a point common to a property corner, the concrete monument shall
be set in lieu of a marker.
4. Any existing concrete monument that is found and identified to be
an existing property corner shall remain undisturbed.
5. Markers shall be set at all lot corners, changes in direction and
intersections with the ultimate right-of-way line, unless a concrete
monument is required.
6. Monuments and markers shall be set prior to acceptance of dedication
of any public improvements by the Board.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 717]
1. Except for electric and natural gas transmission lines, all electric,
natural gas, telecommunication, cable television and any other utility
lines shall be placed underground in all subdivisions and/or land
developments.
2. Utility lines shall be placed underground within the street right-of-way,
or in appropriate easements at locations approved by the Board. Each
shall have the necessary shutoff valves and other safety requirements
normally associated with safe operations. All utility connections
shall be appropriately capped for safety purposes whenever a lot or
building is not occupied.
3. All underground utilities shall be installed prior to street paving
at locations approved by the Township, and shall be located as much
as possible between the curb or edge of cartway and the edge of the
sidewalk.
4. All above ground utility boxes, transformers, junctions, cable "dog
houses" and the like shall be located only in areas designated for
same.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 718]
1. Purpose. These regulations are to ensure that each residential dwelling
unit and nonresidential building to be served by a public water supply
shall have an adequate supply of potable water.
2. A public water supply system shall be required and approved by the
Township in accordance with the uses permitted in the applicable zoning
district for the following:
A. All multifamily subdivisions and mobile home parks.
B. Industrial, office, commercial or institutional developments including,
but not limited to, hospitals, schools, churches, retirement villages,
life care facilities and group homes.
3. The applicant shall construct sufficient water mains to make service
available to each lot, building or dwelling unit in the subdivision
and/or land development. The system shall be designed to comply with
the standards and requirements of the applicable water authority and
shall be subject to its approval.
4. Fire Protection. The public water supply system shall be designed
with adequate capacity and fire hydrants for fire fighting purposes.
The water system, including the location of all fire hydrants, shall
be reviewed by the Township Fire Marshal's office and approved
by the Board.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 719]
1. Purpose. These regulations are to ensure that each residential dwelling
unit and nonresidential building to be served by a private on-lot
well shall have an adequate supply of potable water.
2. Where public water supply is not available within 100 feet of the property boundary, and a public water supply is not required for the proposed use by the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter
27], the applicant shall construct a well on each proposed lot, which services only one lot or unit.
3. No applicant shall withdraw groundwater for any purpose by use of
a well except as permitted by this chapter.
4. No permit for a residential or nonresidential building, or addition
to a building, which is to be served by a well, shall be issued unless
the well intended to serve the building has been constructed and tested
in accordance with this chapter.
5. A well that does not provide an adequate supply of water for the
proposed use, considering both quality and quantity, and/or adversely
affects nearby wells or watercourses shall not be approved by the
Township.
6. The site plan shall contain a plan notation stating that any proposed
well is subject to the provisions of the well construction standards,
which includes requirements for well permitting, water quality testing
and well production certification.
7. For all residential subdivisions containing three or more lots/units,
including the existing lot/unit, and, all nonresidential subdivisions
and/or land developments, the applicant shall satisfy the following:
A. Four copies of a Water Resource Impact Study shall be submitted to
the Township with the preliminary plan application. An application
for subdivision and/or land development shall be considered incomplete
without the required water resource impact study.
B. A seventy-two-hour pump test is required for the overall site for
preparation of the water resource impact study in accordance with
the requirements of this chapter at a location approved by the Township
Engineer.
C. A minimum of four monitoring wells is required for the seventy-two-hour
pump test. Monitoring wells should be existing wells located on the
site and on nearby properties, as approved by the Township Engineer.
If existing wells are not available, or permission from the property
owner is not secured, then monitoring well(s) shall be drilled where
permissible.
D. For any subdivision containing 25 or more lots/units, an additional
seventy-two-hour pump test shall be required at a different location
on-site. Four monitoring wells are required for the second pump test;
however, monitoring wells used for the first pump test may be utilized
for the second test, when approved by the Township Engineer.
E. The applicant shall execute a Well Depletion Agreement with the Township
and post the required financial security prior to recording the final
plans.
F. Any existing dwelling units located on a site count towards the lot/unit
threshold requirement. All lots and/or properties in existence as
of the date of adoption of this chapter shall be counted towards the
lot threshold requirement. The piece-meal subdivision of lots will
not result in an exemption from requirements of this chapter and upon
application for the third lot of any property in existence as of the
date of the adoption of this chapter, the requirements of this chapter
shall be mandatory.
8. Water Resources Impact Study.
A. Purpose. These regulations are to ensure that new wells constructed
in New Britain Township are able to provide a reliable, safe and adequate
supply of water to support the intended use within the capacity of
available groundwater resources and to estimate any impacts of the
additional water withdrawals on existing nearby wells, underlying
aquifers and watercourses.
B. All elements of the pump testing well and water quality analysis
shall be completed prior to submission of the water resource impact
study. A well construction permit is required for the pumping test
well(s) and monitoring well(s) for preparation of the water resource
impact study. The location of the pumping test(s) and monitoring well(s)
shown on the well permit application shall be reviewed by the Township
Engineer prior to issuance of a well permit.
C. A water resources impact study shall be prepared by a professional
geologist and/or professional engineer, licensed in the commonwealth,
experienced in the performance of groundwater investigations for water
supply wells.
D. The water resource impact study shall be signed and sealed by the
person(s) preparing the study and shall include the following information,
with respect to the proposed subdivision and/or land development:
(1)
Calculations of the projected water demand, including both average
and peak daily consumption, using the applicable criteria set forth
in the following references:
(a)
The adequacy of each residential water supply shall be determined
based upon 200 gallons of water per bedroom per dwelling unit per
day in accordance with the calculation of household water demand contained
in the New Jersey Geological Survey Groundwater Report Series No.
1, Two-Part Pump Test for Evaluating the Water Supply Capabilities
of Domestic Wells, as prepared by Jeffrey L. Hoffman and Robert Canace
for the New Jersey Geological Survey, PADEP.
(b)
The adequacy of nonresidential water supplies shall be determined
based upon the minimum water requirements published in Table IV-1.2
of Part IV of the current edition of the PADEP Public Water Supply
Manual. For nonresidential facilities other than those found in Table
IV-1.2, the adequacy of nonresidential supplies shall be based upon
the flow assumptions published in PA Title 25, Chapter 73, Standards
For Sewage Disposal Facilities, Section 73.17(b), or shall be based
on actual water meter or sewage meter flow data for facilities of
similar type and size. The applicant shall substantiate any meter
flow data used to determine the adequacy of nonresidential supplies
by submitting copies of water and/or sewer bills for the similar facilities.
(c)
Public Water Supply Manual, Bureau of Water Quality Management
Publication No. 15, by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
(d)
Guide for Determination of Required Fire Flow by the Insurance
Services Office (ISO), as amended.
(e)
Standards and Manuals for the American Water Works Association,
as amended.
(f)
In addition to the above, the projected water demand shall include
any additional flow required to comply with National Fire Protection
Association specifications for sprinkler systems.
(2)
A geologic map of the area within a one-mile radius of the site.
(3)
The following information shall be mapped for the area within
one-quarter mile radius of all proposed wells. If any existing wells
withdrawing over 10,000 gpd are located within 1.0 mile of the site,
the mapping radius shall be extended to 1.0 mile.
(a)
The location of all faults, lineaments and fracture traces.
(b)
The location of all existing and proposed wells.
(c)
The location of all existing and proposed on-lot sewage disposal
systems.
(d)
The location of facilities storing or handling residual or hazardous
wastes and substances or petroleum products.
(e)
The location of all perennial and intermittent watercourses.
(4)
A hydrologic budget shall be calculated for the area within
the specified mapping radius, based on the drought recharge capacity
of the underlying aquifer and the projected water demand of the proposed
well(s) and any existing wells within the required radius from the
project location. Based on the results of the hydrologic budget, a
determination shall be made on whether or not the potential exists
for adverse affects on hydrogeology of the project vicinity, including
adjacent wells, springs, surface water or wetlands.
(5)
A discussion of the aquifers underlying the site and their long-term
drought recharge capability based on accepted published data or detailed
site specific investigations.
(6)
A narrative describing the design of all on-lot sewage disposal
systems and their effect upon groundwater recharge and quality with
respect to all proposed and existing water supplies. Available existing
groundwater quality data shall be obtained from nearby, adjacent supply
wells, test wells or springs.
(7)
The study shall include a brief statement of the qualifications
of the person(s) preparing the study.
E. Site-Specific Investigations Requirements.
(1)
An accurate geologic log should be maintained during the drilling
of the pumping test well(s) giving a detailed description of the type
and thickness of rocks and overburden encountered. Additionally, the
log shall contain information on the depth and thickness of all water
bearing zones encountered and the yield from each zone. The total
yield from the well shall be measured using a quantitative method.
Samples shall be collected every 20 feet during drilling, or at each
change in rock type.
(2)
A seventy-two-hour pumping test(s) shall be conducted at a rate
of not less than 150% of the combined projected water demand for the
entire development, and shall include the monitoring of background
water levels in all wells for a period not less than two weeks prior
to start of pumping. The pumping test shall be conducted during a
period when there is no measurable precipitation for at least 48 hours
prior to pumping and throughout the test. If precipitation is encountered
during this period, the data shall be evaluated using an acceptable
method to account for the effects of any recharge upon water levels
in the wells, and upon all calculations and assumptions based on the
pumping test data. The pumping test shall be conducted at a constant
pumping rate that shall not deviate greater than +/- 5% during the
test. The pumping test shall be followed by a recovery test, with
monitoring conducted until at least 95% recovery of draw down is observed
in the test well, or until 48 hours after termination of pumping,
whichever is first.
(3)
The monitoring well locations and monitoring program shall be
subject to approval by the Township Engineer.
(4)
A means of accurately measuring the well discharge shall be
provided subject to approval by the Township Engineer.
(5)
The pump test discharge shall be directed away from the test
well so as not to significantly influence draw down in the test well
and monitoring wells. The means of conveyance and point of discharge
shall be approved by the Township Engineer, and shall be in accordance
with the PADEP Best Management Practices for Water Well Drilling and
Aquifer Testing, Publication 3800-FS-DEP2685, as amended.
(6)
Records shall be compiled in typewritten form to include the
following information:
(a)
Name of driller and personnel conducting test.
(b)
Description of pumping test well to include horizontal and vertical
dimensions, casing installed and grouting details.
(c)
List of formation samples.
(d)
Static water level immediately prior to yield testing.
(e)
Hydrograph of depth to water surface during test pumping and
recovery period at the test well showing corresponding pump and discharge
rate in gallons per minute and time readings were taken.
(f)
Log of depth to water surface at existing and monitoring wells
during the test pumping period showing time readings were taken.
(g)
Copies of all raw field notes showing original observations,
water level and flow readings and the time readings were taken.
(7)
A report shall accompany the pump test data that documents interpretation
of all data as to the impacts on the groundwater supply and existing
wells. The report shall include a graphical extrapolation of long-term
drawdown and a contour map of water levels in the test well and monitoring
wells after one year of pumping under drought conditions (no recharge),
based upon the pump test data. Conclusions regarding the long-term
yield of the pumping well and impacts of long-term pumping to surrounding
wells shall be drawn from the analysis.
(8)
All well construction information required by the Well Construction
Standards shall be included in the Water Resource Impact Study.
9. Well Construction Standards.
A. Any well proposed within the Township is subject to the provisions
of this section.
B. An approved permit from the Township is required for the construction
of any well. The required drilling, pump testing and water quality
report shall be completed in compliance with the standards herein,
prior to the issuance of a building permit.
C. There are two phases of a well construction permit. Phase I consists
of the construction permit requirements for drilling the well. Phase
II consists of sampling and analysis of the water quality.
(1)
Phase I Construction Permit Requirements. The following information
shall be submitted with the well construction permit application:
(a)
Applicant's name, address and telephone number.
(b)
Location map of the proposed development.
(c)
A copy of the preliminary plan for subdivision and/or land development
for the site pump test and monitoring wells, if applicable.
(d)
For any residential well, a copy of the plot plan for building
permit application.
(e)
Location of all on-site sewage disposal systems.
(f)
Show one-hundred-foot isolation distance for each proposed well
to verify compliance with the regulations of PA Title 25, Chapter
73, Standards for Sewage Disposal Facilities.
(g)
Well driller's name, address and telephone number.
(h)
Projected water quantity requirements for the use that the well
will serve.
(i)
Show the location of and information on all monitoring wells,
if applicable.
(2)
Phase II Water Quality Analysis Requirements.
(a)
Samples shall be obtained from the well at the termination of
pump testing to demonstrate drinking water quality conforming to this
section. Additional or specialized analysis should be discussed with
the Township Engineer prior to sampling for the purposes of streamlining
the permitting process; however, said discussion shall not be construed
as final approval of the proposed testing.
(b)
All samples shall be collected, transported and analyzed in
accordance with USEPA and PADEP protocol for drinking water. Sample
testing shall be performed by a laboratory certified by the commonwealth
to perform drinking water analysis. Laboratory reports shall contain
sufficient quality assurance and quality control data to explain any
analysis and reporting conditions or deficiencies.
(c)
Water quality must comply with currently published USEPA National
Primary and Secondary Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories.
(d)
Water quality testing shall include, at a minimum, the following
parameters: Total Coliform, Nitrate/Nitrite, ph, Iron, Manganese,
Lead, Chloride, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Surfactants (Detergents),
Volatile Organic Compounds — Group 1 (VOC1) + 10 unknowns,*
MTBE, Herbicides — Group 1 (H1) and Pesticides — Group
3 (P3). [*NOTE: A Library search for Tentatively Identified Compounds
(TICs). Additional analysis will be required if TICs are discovered.
Group 1 (VOC1), etc., refers to PADEP categories of contaminants.]
(e)
The applicant shall perform a survey to identify and evaluate
potential sources of contamination that may impact water quality in
the proposed well(s) and shall perform additional sampling and analysis
as may be required to assure water quality is satisfactory for the
protection of human health and the environment.
(f)
Additional sampling and analysis will be required to quantify
any observed objectionable effects resulting from the quality of the
water, including, but not limited to, odor, color, foaming, staining,
scaling and sedimentation.
(g)
A well that does not meet the above standards will be required
to meet them through adequate treatment facilities. After treatment
facilities are installed, the applicant shall have the water supply
tested again.
(h)
The following information shall be submitted to the Township
with the water quality report:
1)
A copy of the well record and completion report submitted to
the state by the well driller.
2)
The report from the laboratory shall contain the name, license
number and address of the laboratory.
3)
Location of the well or wells.
4)
Elevation of the ground at the well head.
5)
Depth and diameter of the well.
7)
Type of casing and grouting used.
8)
The following information shall be shown on the plot plan submitted
for a building permit: location and distance from on-lot wastewater
disposal systems; septic tanks; sewer mains and laterals.
9)
Location and distance to any existing on-lot well(s).
10) Level of treatment provided.
11) Type and quantity of storage provided, if applicable.
D. General Well Construction Requirements. A plan note shall be added
to the final record plans referencing the following well construction
standards:
(1)
All well construction shall be in accordance with the construction
requirements set forth by the PADEP Public Water Supply Manual, latest
edition, and as contained in this section. If there is a conflict
between the requirements of the PADEP and the requirements of this
section, the more restrictive shall be applicable.
(2)
When drilling or increasing the depth of a well, an accurate
well drilling log shall be maintained. This log shall contain the
following information:
(a)
Interval. The depth in feet below a datum level such as ground
level or top of casing through which the drill is advancing.
(b)
Geologic Description. A description of the rock type penetrated
through the particular interval. The description shall include such
things as color, texture, rock type and geologic name, if known.
(c)
Yield. The total yield of water at the base of the interval
last described.
(d)
General Comments. Include anything that the driller finds noteworthy,
i.e., water bearing zones, artesian conditions, change in pressure,
loss of fluid, etc.
(3)
The pump shall be so located and designed as to make the use
of a pump pit unnecessary. Pitless adapters shall conform to the standards
set forth by the PADEP.
(4)
The space between the pump column and the casing of each well
shall be provided with a vent which shall be protected with an elbow
facing downward or mushroom type head located at least 18 inches above
flood levels. All vents shall be screened to prevent the entry of
insects.
(5)
The casing shall be temporarily capped and any open space covered
until the well has been grouted and the pump installed. The cap should
be either threaded onto the casing or be a friction type device which
locks onto the outside of the casing.
(6)
The well head shall be constructed so as to assure the maximum
protection of the well and to exclude entry of any contaminant. All
wells shall be cased to protect against contamination. Water bearing
formations that are known to be contaminated or identified as being
in danger of contamination shall be sealed off with casing and grout.
Sealing shall be accomplished by a method approved by the PADEP.
(7)
Completed wells shall be properly capped with sanitary seals
to prevent the entry of contamination.
(8)
All wells shall be provided with a watertight, one-quarter-inch
thick welded steel pipe casing. Pipe shall be in accordance with AWWA
Standard C200. The minimum length of casing shall be 40 feet or 10
feet into bedrock, whichever is greater. All joints between sections
of the casing shall be made by continuous welding in accordance with
AWWA Standard C206. All casing shall be extended at least 18 inches
above final grade or 12 inches above the basement floor. The space
between the earth and outside casing shall be filled with cement grout
to a distance of at least six feet below the ground surface.
(9)
All monitoring wells, pump test wells or uncompleted wells that are to be abandoned shall be properly sealed. The "Water Well Abandonment Procedures", as published in Chapter
7 of the PADEP Groundwater Monitoring Guidance Manual, February 1996 edition, as amended, shall be followed for all well abandonment.
E. Single-Family Dwelling Well Requirements. In addition to the pump
testing and water quality testing for the total site, the applicant
shall address the following for the each proposed well prior to issuance
of a building permit for that lot:
(1)
The application for a well construction permit shall be made
prior to the building permit application. The required drilling, pump
testing and water quality analysis shall be completed in compliance
with the standards herein, prior to the issuance of a building permit
to verify adequate water supply is available for the lot and water
is potable.
(2)
Each proposed well for a single-family dwelling shall be evaluated
through a two-part pump test comprised of a peak demand test and a
constant rate pump test. Such pumping tests and any required storage
shall be calculated in accordance with the New Jersey Geological Survey
Groundwater Report Series No. 1, Two-Part Pump Test for Evaluating
the Water Supply Capabilities of Domestic Wells, as prepared by Jeffrey
L. Hoffman and Robert Canace for the New Jersey Geological Survey.
The Domestic Well Worksheet contained in the above-referenced report
shall be submitted to the Township for approval prior to issuance
of any building permits.
(3)
In order to be certified for use for a single-family dwelling,
a well shall have a production of not less than six gallons per minute
as certified by a licensed well driller. If less than six gallons
per minute yield is established, such a well may still be certified
for use if sufficient storage is provided to meet the calculated peak
demand. In no case shall a well yielding less than two gallons per
minute be certified for use by the Township.
(4)
A bacterial test shall be performed on the well after installation
of the house plumbing, but within 30 days of requesting issuance of
an occupancy permit for the dwelling. The guidelines set forth by
the Bucks County Department of Health shall be followed for disinfecting
a contaminated well.
10. Monitoring Wells. Monitoring wells shall be constructed in accordance
with the general construction standards and the following criteria:
A. The well(s) shall be constructed so as to intercept the aquifer being
pumped by the test well, and shall allow for water level measurements
or water quality samples to be obtained that are representative of
conditions in the aquifer. Well construction shall be approved by
the Township prior to any required testing.
B. The applicant shall secure written permission from the property owner
for any existing well to be used for monitoring, granting the Township
permission for a period not to exceed 18 months after completion of
the project, to obtain water level measurements and samples of the
water for laboratory analysis as required to verify compliance with
this chapter.
C. The well(s) shall be located close enough to the pumping well(s)
so that sufficient drawdown is created in the observation well(s)
during the pump test so that aquifer properties and the radius of
influence can be calculated. The Township Engineer shall approve the
location of the monitoring well(s) and the frequency of monitoring.
D. The monitoring well(s) shall be equipped with a continuous record
water level recorder. Hand held electric level tapes or other alternative
methods for obtaining water levels will be allowed only upon the written
approval of the Township Engineer.
E. The monitoring well(s) shall be completed, including installation
of the level recorder prior to any removal of water from the site
for domestic use.
F. Pennsylvania State Plane coordinates shall be provided to establish
the location of the well(s).
G. The elevation of the ground adjacent to the well(s) in addition to
the static water level shall be based on USGS vertical datum.
11. Well Depletion Agreement.
A. For subdivisions and/or land developments involving water supply
wells, the applicant shall be required to enter into a Well Depletion
Agreement with the Township as a condition of final plan approval
for all residential subdivisions containing three or more lots/units
including the existing lot/unit and all nonresidential subdivisions
and all land developments. The Well Depletion Agreement shall establish
financial security, in accordance with the approved fee schedule,
to provide recourse for the owners of existing wells who have demonstrated
adverse impacts upon water quality or quantity in their water supplies,
as a direct result of the operation of the applicant's well.
The applicant shall be required to maintain the foregoing financial
security for a period of 18 months from the date that the Township
either accepts dedication of any public improvements or approves completion
of improvements not to be publicly dedicated, whichever last occurs.
B. A well monitoring program shall be required for the duration of the
Well Depletion Agreement period, to evaluate the actual impact of
the development upon adjacent water supply wells and groundwater.
The scope of the monitoring program shall be approved by the Township
Engineer and made part of the Well Depletion Agreement. At a minimum
the program shall include the monthly monitoring of water levels in
all monitoring and pumping wells, and the monitoring of precipitation.
If indicated in the Water Resources Impact Study, or in any subsequent
groundwater sampling, the program shall include quarterly groundwater
sampling to monitor the concentration of any contaminants that exceed,
or threaten to exceed, USEPA and PADEP drinking water Maximum Contaminant
Levels or Health Advisory Levels. Four copies of the monitoring results
shall be submitted to the Township on a quarterly basis in the form
of a written monitoring report. Each report shall include a well location
map, monthly groundwater contour maps, tabulated data summary, laboratory
reports (if required) and analysis of findings and recommendations
for program changes and/or mitigation of adverse impacts.
C. The Well Depletion Agreement shall be in a form subject to the approval
of the Township, and access agreements shall be secured by the applicant
for the benefit of New Britain Township for any existing off-site
wells which are being utilized as monitoring wells to provide the
Township with access during the eighteen-month maintenance period.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 720]
1. Purpose. These regulations are to ensure that each residential dwelling
unit, commercial, institutional or industrial building constructed
in the Township will have an adequate sanitary sewer system.
2. When consistent with the Township's Act 537 Sewage Facilities
Plan and Comprehensive Plan, the applicant shall extend existing public
sanitary sewer systems to service a proposed subdivision and/or land
development, following approval of the plans by the Chalfont-New Britain
Township Joint Sewage Authority, PADEP and the township. Any variation
from the Township's Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan and Comprehensive
Plan requires approval of the Township, Chalfont-New Britain Township
Joint Sewage Authority and PADEP.
3. PADEP Sewage Facilities Planning Module. A completed PADEP Sewage
Facilities Planning Module shall accompany all preliminary plan applications
submitted for subdivision and/or land development that propose connection
to a public sewer system. Prior to submitting the planning module
to the Township for approval, the planning module shall have been
approved and executed by the applicant, responsible professional engineer,
Chalfont-New Britain Township Joint Sewage Authority, Bucks County
Department of Health and Bucks County Planning Commission.
4. All public sanitary sewer systems shall be designed and constructed
in accordance with standards of the Township and Chalfont-New Britain
Township Joint Sewage Authority, as well as in accordance with PADEP
Sewerage Manual and Domestic Wastewater Facilities Manual, as amended.
All sanitary sewer systems shall also conform to the standards and
procedures set forth in Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 71, Administration
of Sewer Facilities Planning Program.
5. In areas not presently served by public sanitary sewers, appropriate
on-site sewage disposal systems shall be provided in accordance with
the regulations and procedures of the Township and the PADEP. However,
if extension of the existing public sewer system is planned within
five years to the service area, the applicant shall install sewer
mains and laterals to provide adequate service to each lot when the
public sewer extension occurs. The sewer mains shall be suitably capped
at the limits of the subdivision, and the laterals shall be capped
at the right-of-way line. The sewer main shall be located within rights-of-way
or easements, to be owned and maintained by the applicant, Chalfont-New
Britain Township Joint Sewage Authority, or private entity approved
by the Township.
6. Any public sewage treatment facility or pumping station proposed
to service a subdivision shall be dedicated to the Chalfont-New Britain
Township Joint Sewage Authority. For any private sewage pumping station
proposed to service a land development, the property owner shall execute
an operation and maintenance agreement with the Township and post
the required financial security. The design plans, and specifications
for all facilities shall be approved by the Township and the Chalfont-New
Britain Township Joint Sewage Authority prior to final plan approval.
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 721]
1. Purpose. These regulations are to ensure that each residential dwelling
unit, commercial, institutional or industrial building constructed
in the Township will have an adequate on-lot sewage disposal system.
2. If connection to the public sewer system is not feasible, or when
consistent with the Township's Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan
and Comprehensive Plan, the applicant shall install a sewage disposal
system on an individual lot basis in accordance with Township standards
and the provisions of Chapters 71 and 73, Administration of Sewage
Facilities Program, Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act of January
24, 1966), P.L. 1535, No. 537, as amended (35 P.S. § 750).
3. PADEP Sewage Facilities Planning Module. A completed PADEP Sewage
Facilities Planning Module shall be submitted with all preliminary
plan applications submitted for subdivision and/or land development
with on-lot sewage disposal systems. Prior to submission of the Planning
Module to the Township for approval, the planning module shall be
approved/executed by the applicant, responsible professional soil
scientist, Bucks County Department of Health and Bucks County Planning
Commission.
4. The applicant shall provide the type of sanitary sewer disposal facility
consistent with the existing physical, geographical and geological
conditions, and the Township's Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan
and Comprehensive Plan. The type, capacity, location and layout of
an on-lot sewage disposal system shall comply with all rules, regulations
and ordinances of the Township, the Bucks County Department of Health,
PADEP and all applicable statutes of the commonwealth.
5. Final plans shall not be recorded until a permit from the Bucks County
Department of Health is issued for each proposed on-lot sewage disposal
system, indicating the lot proposed for subdivision and/or land development
is suitable for the type of on-lot sewage disposal proposed by the
applicant.
6. If the property being subdivided or developed contains an existing
on-site sewage disposal system, the applicant shall submit to the
Township acknowledgment from the Bucks County Department of Health
indicating that the existing system has been inspected and is functioning
properly.
7. All lots shall also be tested to identify a suitable replacement
area in the event the primary sewage disposal system fails. The on-lot
sewage replacement area shall be identified for each lot on the plans
and the soil testing shall be approved by the Township and Bucks County
Department of Health. An easement deed restricting the sewage replacement
area from being built upon shall be provided and shown on the site
plan. The sewage replacement area shall be located a minimum of 25
feet from the primary system, and shall not be located directly down
slope of the primary system, or within any well isolation area.
8. The applicant shall provide to each lot owner a plan and specifications
of the on-lot sewage disposal system and all operational manuals required
for the use and proper maintenance of the system.
9. The property owner shall execute an operation and maintenance agreement
with the Township and post the required financial security for any
non-conventional sewage system, such as an Individual Residential
Spray Irrigation System, Small Flow Treatment Facility or Community
Sewage System. The design, plans and specifications for the proposed
system shall be approved by the Township and Bucks County Health Department
prior to final plan approval.
[Added by Ord. No. 2018-07-02, 7/2/2018]
1. Applicability. The Corridor Overlay District shall apply to all properties
in New Britain Township, regardless of zoning district, depicted on
the Corridor Overlay District Plan incorporated into this chapter
as Appendix F. These are supplemental regulations which shall apply in addition to all other applicable regulations of Chapter
27, Zoning, and this Chapter
22, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Township Code. In the case of a conflict between this section and any other section of the Code, the section imposing the stricter requirements shall apply.
2. Purpose. The purpose of the Corridor Overlay District is to enhance
the appearance and design of the Butler Avenue Corridor, which serves
as a gateway to Bucks County and to New Britain Township; to develop
a process for review and approval of development that maintains a
high standard of architectural and site development design; to ensure
that facilities for parking and vehicular and pedestrian circulation
can be safely and adequately provided; to provide for landscaping,
street trees, and public spaces; and to make sure that new development
reflects and enhances the visual, historic, and cultural character
of New Britain Township.
3. Design Review Process. Applicants for subdivisions or land development
shall undergo a review of the proposed design as part of the subdivision
or land development review process. Where no subdivision or land development
approval is required but the proposed work is subject to a building
or zoning permit, such as, but not limited to, facade changes/improvements,
signage changes, or changes in use, the proposed design shall be reviewed
by the Township as part of the permit review process and, at the request
of the Township, by the New Britain Township Planning Commission,
to ensure such proposed changes comply with the applicable provisions
of this section. Design review consists of a systematic assessment
of the three-dimensional configuration, design, and materials to be
used to ensure that the proposed development meets the goals for the
Corridor Overlay District. All applicants undergoing a design review
shall submit, in addition to all other required information, the information
and drawings listed below:
A. Description of use or uses proposed;
B. Architectural drawings of proposed building(s) showing all sides
of the proposed building(s), with information on building materials
and colors; and
C. Photographs of the original site on which the proposed development
will occur, prior to any changes being made, showing surrounding areas,
surrounding zoning districts, and how the new development will relate
to the existing surroundings.
4. Standards for Development Within the Corridor Overlay District.
A. Prototypical Design. Design of any and all establishments undergoing
development shall conform to the following standards of building design,
site layout, landscaping, parking, green space, and lighting for developments
within the Corridor Overlay District. Modifications shall be made
to any prototypical design to ensure that it meets the purpose and
standards of the Corridor Overlay District.
B. Building Design. The following standards shall apply to all buildings
within the Corridor Overlay District. The Board of Supervisors shall
have the authority to approve the use of other similar building materials,
designs, and/or styles on a case-by-case basis, consistent with the
purposes of this section.
(1)
All sides of a building shall be architecturally consistent
with the front facade, and all building faces visible from the street
or abutting properties shall have the same architectural features
and style as the front facade. Modifications may be made in the design
for necessary loading, other utility areas, and similar uses. The
front facade shall be the side of the building facing and fronting
Butler Avenue, or if the lot does not front Butler Avenue, the side
facing and fronting a public street.
(2)
Building materials shall be limited to the following:
(c)
Slate or slate substitute.
(f)
Clapboard (wood or simulated).
(h)
Cedar shakes or simulated shakes looking like cedar.
(3)
Roof Design. Pitched roofs are required. Flat roofs are prohibited
except where there is a partial or pent roof that extends along all
sides of the building.
(4)
Colors. All buildings and roofs shall be designed to use primarily
earth tones; colors of natural materials; or colors of traditional
building materials such as brick, stone, or wood. Appropriate augmenting
trim colors shall be permitted.
(5)
Maximum building height: 35 feet.
(6)
Building Spacing. The distance at the closest point between
any two buildings shall not be less than 30 feet, unless attached.
(7)
Building Size.
(a)
No building shall exceed 150 feet in length or depth, except
the length or depth of a building may extend up to 300 feet, provided
any facade measuring 100 feet or more shall be broken by variations/articulations
in the facade. Such variations/articulations shall comprise a minimum
six-foot offset depth and a minimum width-to-depth ratio of 4:1.
(b)
Building walls of more than 50 feet in length must be designed
so that there are no long expanses of unbroken wall. The building
wall shall include changes in materials, color, or texture; windows;
entranceways; and other variations to break up the facade.
(c)
No more than three buildings may be attached to each other,
provided further that the facade of any building attached to another
building be visibly offset from the adjoining building at an angle
of approximately 90°. Where buildings are attached to each other,
none of the attached buildings shall exceed 150 feet in length.
(8)
Mechanical Systems, Electrical Equipment and Trash.
(a)
All building mechanical systems, such as air-conditioning units,
generators, exhaust systems, satellite dishes, fire escapes, elevator
housings, and other similar elements (including dumpsters), shall
be integrated into the overall design and character of the building
and screened from view. The screen and landscaping design shall be
provided on the site plan for review before issuance of any permit
or certificate of occupancy for any use on any lot.
(b)
Mechanical/electrical equipment shall be located/mounted at
ground level, unless the applicant can demonstrate, to the satisfaction
of the Board of Supervisors, that such equipment mounted above ground
level can be located and integrated into the overall design and architectural
character of the building so as to be hidden or disguised from view
from any adjacent street or property, in which case, such equipment
may be located above ground level.
(c)
Areas for trash disposal shall be located to the rear of the
principal building(s) on the site and shall be enclosed by a masonry
wall six feet in height and screened from view by buffer plantings
consisting of a staggered row of evergreen trees planted every 10
feet along the wall perimeter.
(d)
All enclosures for trash and mechanical systems shall be architecturally
compatible with the buildings on a site.
(e)
Sound attenuation devices shall be installed on all equipment
to minimize noise pollution at the property line of any nearby residential
property. This requirement shall be noted on the plans.
C. Site Layout. The following standards shall apply to the development
of a site within the Corridor Overlay District:
(1)
Butler Avenue setback (as measured from Butler Avenue only).
Entrance driveways and sidewalks may cross through this front yard
setback.
(a)
Principal and accessory buildings: 50 feet.
(b)
Surface parking areas and interior drives: 25 feet.
(2)
Setbacks from all other street lines shall be 50 feet, except
surface parking areas and interior drives may be located up to 10
feet from all other street lines. Entrance driveways and sidewalks
may cross through these setbacks.
(3)
Along any property line which adjoins an existing residential
zoning district or use, all buildings, structures, surface parking
areas, and interior drives shall be set back at least 75 feet from
that adjoining residential district or use boundary.
(4)
Maximum building coverage ratio: 40%.
(5)
Maximum impervious surface ratio: 65%.
(6)
Accessory buildings shall be located behind the front facade
of the principal building(s) on the site.
(7)
Buffering and Landscaping.
(a)
Along every public and private public street, a mixture of street
trees from the following list shall be planted 50 feet on center:
Scientific Name
|
Common Name
|
Mature Height
(feet)
|
---|
Acer campestre
|
Hedge maple
|
25 to 40
|
Acer griseum
|
Paperbark maple
|
25 to 35
|
Acer nigrum
|
Black maple
|
50 to 60
|
Acer rubrum
|
Red maple
|
40 to 60
|
Acer tataricum
|
Tatarian maple
|
15 to 25
|
Acer x freemanii
|
Armstrong Freeman maple
|
45 to 70
|
Carpinus betulus
|
European hornbeam
|
35 to 40
|
Carpinus caroliniana
|
American hornbeam
|
20 to 35
|
Cornus mas
|
Cornelian dogwood
|
20 to 30
|
Cornus racemosa
|
Gray dogwood
|
20 to 30
|
Liquidambar styraciflua (seedless cultivars)
|
Sweetgum
|
50 to 75
|
Ostrya virginiana
|
American hophornbeam
|
30 to 40
|
Quercus bicolor
|
Swamp white oak
|
50 to 70
|
Quercus robur
|
English oak
|
60 to 80
|
Quercus rubra
|
Red oak
|
60 to 80
|
Quercus shumardii
|
Shumard oak
|
60 to 80
|
Tilia americana
|
Basswood (American linden)
|
50 to 70
|
Ulmus americana (disease-resistant varieties)
|
American elm
|
70 to 90
|
Zelkova serrata
|
Japanese zelkova
|
60 to 70
|
(b)
All street trees shall be planted in the planting strip located between the curbline and the sidewalk. See the "Typical Plan View" illustration in Subsection
4D(7).
(c)
The street trees shall be planted in a proper location for the
chosen species (i.e., the level of sunlight, type of soils, size of
planting area, distances to buildings and utilities, etc.). For example,
where there may be conflict with overhead utility wires, the shorter
tree species should be used.
(d)
Where more than three trees are required, no more than 25% of
any one species shall be used. Where three or less trees are required,
each must be of a different species.
(e)
Along any property line which adjoins an existing residential zoning district or use, a buffer planting strip of not less than 45 feet in depth shall be planted and maintained in accordance with the buffer requirements set forth in Chapter
27, Zoning. Sidewalks are permitted to cross this strip.
D. Parking. All parking areas shall be set back as set forth above.
The area between the cartway and the parking areas shall be devoted
to required street trees, buffering, landscaping, and sidewalks.
(1)
Parking lots shall be designed so that all parking spaces are
located to the side and the rear of the building, with the front of
the building assumed to be facing Butler Avenue. At its sole discretion,
the Board of Supervisors may allow parking in the front of the building,
where the applicant has shown such parking to be necessary and such
parking is limited to one bay (two rows of parking spaces with one
shared drive aisle between the rows).
(2)
Parking layout shall provide for pedestrian circulation throughout
the parking area. This pedestrian circulation system shall be illustrated
on the site plan and shall connect to walkways within the right-of-way
and to adjacent public spaces, parks, and facilities.
(3)
When a site has access to a side street, all entrances to parking
areas shall be from that side street and not Butler Avenue.
(4)
Shared parking between lots is allowed and encouraged in accordance
with the following:
(a)
The shared parking area shall be within 1,000 feet of each respective
use relying upon this area to meet its parking requirements.
(b)
A request signed by all parties intending to use and rely upon
the proposed shared parking area shall be filed with the Township,
along with a shared parking analysis that clearly demonstrates the
feasibility of shared parking by addressing, at a minimum, the size
and type of the proposed development, the composition of tenants,
the anticipated rate of parking turnover, and the anticipated peak
parking and traffic loads for all uses that will be using this shared
parking area.
(c)
All record property owners of lots intending to use and rely
upon the proposed shared parking area shall execute and record a shared
parking agreement, in a form approved by the Township. At a minimum,
this agreement shall provide for the shared use of the parking area,
the repair and maintenance of the parking area, the continued existence
of the parking area, Township enforcement rights, and the need for
Township approval for any change to the agreement. This shared parking
agreement shall be executed and recorded before issuance of any building
permit or certificate of occupancy for any use to be served by the
shared parking area.
(5)
Where feasible (i.e., where unusual topography or site conditions
do not make cross easements between properties unachievable or unbeneficial
to the public and the adjoining properties), driveway connections
between adjacent nonresidential developments shall be provided and
clearly identified. All driveway connections shall be constructed
and stubbed, and future development of adjacent property shall complete
a connection to any existing stub. Access easements, in a form approved
by the Township, shall be required to ensure continued access between
adjacent lots. These access easements shall be executed and recorded
before issuance of any building permit or certificate of occupancy
for any use on any lot required to execute such an easement.
(6)
Bicycle Parking. The following bicycle parking requirements
shall be met:
(a)
Bicycle parking shall be provided in an amount equal to 5% of
the minimum required off-street parking for vehicles, or a minimum
of two spaces, whichever is greater.
(b)
Such bicycle parking shall be located in close proximity to
the primary entrance used by customers, visitors, or residents and
shall be accessible from the street via improved walkways without
obstacles such as stairs or steep slopes.
(c)
Bicycle parking areas shall be designed to utilize bike racks
installed on paved surfaces and shall be appropriately lit. The racks
shall be either of the two illustrated below from Victor Stanley,
or an appropriate alternative approved by the Board of Supervisors.
(7)
Parking Area Landscaping and Buffering.
(a)
Where parking areas are located or are proposed to be located
between a street and a principal building, a buffer fence shall be
installed within five feet of the ultimate right-of-way line of the
street between this parking area and the street. This buffer fence
shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the following
standards, figures, and illustrations:
1)
The fencing shall be black steel or aluminum, 36 inches to 42
inches in height, and installed and maintained between the masonry
piers.
2)
The masonry piers shall be constructed out of stone or brick,
six to 18 inches taller than the fencing between them, 24 to 36 inches
in width and depth, and with a concrete or stone cap. The piers shall
be evenly installed 14 to 22 feet on center.
3)
Evergreen hedge plants, initially at least 18 to 24 inches in
height and maintained at a height of no less than 30 inches, shall
be installed and maintained between the fencing and the street.
(8)
Paved Area Landscaping.
(a)
Any lot containing three or more parking spaces shall be required
to provide landscaped areas within the paved area. This required landscaped
area shall be equal to a minimum of 5% of the total paved area. A
maximum of 15 consecutive and contiguous parking spaces in a row shall
be allowed without being separated by a landscaped area.
(b)
One deciduous tree shall be required for every 4,000 square
feet of paved area. This number of trees shall be in addition to any
trees required by any other section of this Code. The trees shall
be chosen from the list of street trees provided above. Where more
than three trees are required, no more than 25% of any one species
shall be used, and where three or fewer trees are required, each must
be of a different species.
(c)
At least 50% of the parking area trees required by Subsection
4D(8)(b) above shall be planted within the paved parking area within protected islands. These protected islands should be used to direct the flow of traffic through the parking lot in a smooth and safe manner to prevent "cross-taxing" and shall have a minimum interior dimension of five feet.
(d)
For every existing tree on the lot that is preserved and maintained
and that would generally meet the requirements of this subsection,
one fewer shade tree shall be required to be planted.
E. Lighting. All parking areas, walkways, and passages shall be adequately
illuminated with a lighting system designed to complement the general
areas and the site of the proposed development and to prevent any
off-site glare and spillover light onto adjacent properties.
(1)
All light fixtures shall be shielded to reduce light spillage
beyond the extent of the property line. At no point shall any light
trespass onto adjacent residential properties exceed 0.1 footcandle
at the residential property line, and at no point shall any light
trespass onto adjacent nonresidential properties exceed 0.5 footcandle
at the nonresidential property line.
(2)
Pedestrian scaled lighting shall be positioned along on-site
pedestrian walks and trails such that lighting levels along them maintain
a consistent 0.2 footcandle.
(3)
All lighting sources shall be LEDs and shall emit white light.
Colored lighting is not permitted. All streetlights to be dedicated
to the Township shall be consistent with the Township's standard
detail with LED lighting.
(4)
Freestanding fixtures shall utilize appropriate shape cutoff
luminaires with shielding of the light source at angles above 72°
from the vertical.
(a)
In order to establish a consistent design scheme along the Corridor
Overlay District, all freestanding fixture types shall be constructed
of metal, with a black finish. The luminaire shall be in the style
illustrated below from Philips [CityPost LED Post Top (TX1)] and shall
be placed upon a P3165 pole from Philips, or the Board of Supervisors
may approve an appropriate alternative.
(b)
The design lighting plan shall provide details on all proposed
fixtures and poles and shall be accompanied by appropriate manufacturer
cut sheets at the time of plan submission.
(c)
The maximum height of freestanding fixtures shall vary to provide
scale and dimension to the project. All lighting fixtures shall not
exceed 15 feet in height, except up to 25% of the fixtures may be
up to 25 feet in height. Fixture heights shall be measured from the
top of the fixture to ground level.
(5)
Building-mounted lighting shall be shown on all plans. All building-mounted
lighting shall be designed so that all light from the source is shielded
at angles above 72° from the vertical so as not to create any
glare or visible source of light. Building-mounted lighting shall
not be installed higher than the building upon which it is mounted
and shall not exceed 30 feet in height in all cases, as measured from
the top of the fixture to ground level. Lights are not permitted to
outline buildings or rooflines.
F. Pedestrian Facilities. Pedestrian facilities shall be provided in
the Corridor Overlay District in accordance with the following requirements:
(1)
Pedestrian walkways at least eight feet in width shall be provided
along all Butler Avenue frontages. Sidewalks at least five feet in
width shall be provided along all other public road frontages. These
sidewalks may be parallel to such roads or meandering to allow for
street trees between the sidewalks and the road, to allow existing
vegetation to be preserved, and to address topographic issues. All
sidewalks shall be separated from streets by a grass planting strip
at least five feet wide, except where the sidewalk is connected to
the street for a crossing.
(2)
Continuous pedestrian walkways, no less than five feet in width,
shall be provided from the public sidewalk to the principal customer
entrance of nonresidential establishments and the primary entrance
of multifamily buildings. The walkways may be no less than four feet
if five-foot-by-five-foot passing areas are provided every 200 feet
of walkway. At a minimum, walkways shall connect areas of pedestrian
activity such as, but not limited to, road crossings, parking areas,
and building entry points.
(3)
Pedestrian crosswalks in public streets, internal streets, drives,
and parking areas shall be distinguished from asphalt driving surfaces
through the use of maroon-colored StreetPrint asphalt imprinted textured
crosswalks, or an appropriate alternative approved by the Board of
Supervisors. The use of this distinguishing material is to enhance
pedestrian safety and comfort, as well as the attractiveness of the
crosswalks. These crosswalks shall be at least as wide as the sidewalks/walkways
to which they connect and shall match the following illustration.
(4)
Public benches and trash receptacles shall be installed along
sidewalks at a minimum of one bench and receptacle for every 500 feet
of sidewalk. At least one bench and receptacle shall be installed
on every lot. The benches and receptacles shall be black and metal
in a style illustrated below from Victor Stanley, or an appropriate
alternative approved by the Board of Supervisors.
G. Green Space. A minimum of 15% of a site shall be designed, built
and maintained as green space. Such green space shall be in the form
of a plaza, pocket park, or other well-landscaped outdoor gathering
area. Such spaces shall contain shrubs and trees, public benches,
and some type of public amenity, such as gardens, sculptures, gazebos,
or fountains. The type of green space shall be different from neighboring
green spaces to provide a wide variety of amenities and shall be designed
to complement the style of the principal structure(s) located upon
the site.
H. Rotating or revolving signs, electronic message boards, pennants,
flags, banners, balloons, and other objects and items (such as tires,
automobiles, food products, etc.) that are designed to draw attention
to the product or business are all prohibited in the Corridor Overlay
District.