[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
This chapter shall be known and may be called as the "Canton Township Stormwater Management Ordinance."
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
1.
The Board of Supervisors of Canton Township finds that:
A.
Inadequate management of accelerated runoff of stormwater resulting from development throughout a watershed increases flood flows and velocities, contributes to erosion and sedimentation, overtaxes the carrying capacity of streams and storm sewers, greatly increases the cost of public facilities to carry and control stormwater, undermines floodplain management and flood-control efforts in downstream communities, reduces groundwater recharge and threatens public health and safety.
B.
A comprehensive program of stormwater management, including reasonable regulation of development, and activities causing accelerated erosion is fundamental to the public health, safety and welfare and the protection of the people of Canton Township and all the people of the commonwealth, their resources and the environment.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
1.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and welfare by minimizing the damages described in § 17-102, Subsection 1A, of this chapter by provisions designed to:
A.
Control accelerated runoff and erosion and sedimentation problems at their source by regulating activities which cause such problems.
B.
Utilize and preserve the desirable existing natural drainage systems.
C.
Encourage recharge of groundwater.
D.
Maintain the existing flows and quality of streams and watercourses in Canton Township and the commonwealth.
E.
Preserve and restore the flood-carrying capacity of streams.
F.
Provide for proper maintenance of all permanent stormwater management structures which are constructed in Canton Township.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
1.
This chapter shall be applicable to all subdivision or site plan and land development applications, unless eligible for an exemption or granted a waiver by the Township of Canton under the applicable specifications of this chapter. This chapter also applies to land development activities that are smaller than the minimum applicability criteria, even though multiple separate and distinct land development activities may take place at different times on different schedules. In addition, all plans must be reviewed by Washington County Conservation District officials to ensure that established water quality standards will be maintained during and after development of the site and that post-construction runoff levels are consistent with any local and regional watershed plans.
2.
To prevent the adverse impacts of stormwater runoff, Canton Township has developed a set of performance standards that must be met at new development sites. These standards apply to any construction activity disturbing 5,000 or more square feet of land. The following activities may be exempt from these stormwater performance criteria:
A.
Any logging and agricultural activity which is consistent with an approved soil conservation plan or a timber management plan prepared or approved by the Washington County Conservation District, as applicable.
B.
Additions or modifications to existing single-family structures less than 1,000 square feet.
C.
Developments that do not disturb more than 5,000 square feet of land and do not create more than 1,000 square feet of impervious surface, provided that the same are not part of a larger common development plan.
D.
Repairs to any stormwater treatment practice deemed necessary by the Township of Canton.
3.
When a site development plan is submitted that qualifies as a redevelopment project, decisions on permitting and on-site stormwater requirements shall be governed by stormwater sizing criteria found in the current ordinance. This criteria is dependent on the amount of impervious area created by the redevelopment and its impact on water quality. Final authorization of all redevelopment projects will be determined after a review by the Township of Canton.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
Any ordinance of Canton Township inconsistent with any of the provisions of this chapter is hereby repealed; reference Canton Township Code of Ordinances § 22-908 (ordinance signed 5-28-1996) and any other sections prior to this chapter.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
Should any section or provision of this chapter be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of any of the remaining provisions of this chapter.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
Permits and approvals issued pursuant to this chapter do not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to secure required permits or approvals for activities regulated by any other applicable code, rule, act or ordinance. If more-stringent requirements concerning regulation of stormwater or erosion and sedimentation control are contained in the other code, rule, act or ordinance, the more-stringent regulation shall apply.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined action of man's activities and natural processes at a rate greater than would occur because of the natural processes alone.
Activities, facilities, measures or procedures used to manage stormwater impacts from land development, to protect and maintain water quality and groundwater recharge and to otherwise meet the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, infiltration, filter strips, low-impact design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving, grassed swales, forested buffers, sand filters and detention basins.
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
The Conservation District serving Washington County, Pennsylvania.
A pipe, conduit or similar structure, including appurtenant works, which carries surface water.
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event, measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., fifty-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), and used in computing stormwater management control systems.
A basin designed to retard stormwater runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate. A detention basin can be designed to drain completely after a storm event, or it can be designed to contain a permanent pool of water.
Any landowner, agent of such landowner or tenant with the permission of such landowner who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development.
A channel and a ridge constructed to a predetermined grade across a slope and designed to collect and divert runoff from slopes which are subject to erosion.
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
The removal of said particles by the action of water, wind, ice or other geological agents.
All activities connected with growing and harvesting of forest products, including the site preparation, cultivation and logging of trees, and the construction and maintenance of roads.
Replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies.
A surface which prevents the percolation of water into the ground.
Any structure or device designed to infiltrate retained water to the subsurface. These facilities may be above grade or below grade.
Any activity involving grading, tilling, digging or filling of ground or stripping of vegetation or any other activity which causes land to be exposed to the danger of erosion.
Canton Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
A tract of land on which trees and plants are raised or stored for transplanting and sale.
The maximum rate of flow of water at a given point and time resulting from a specified storm event.
That part of precipitation which flows over the land.
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, is being transported or has been moved from its site of origin by water.
A barrier, dam, or retention or detention basin designed to retain sediment.
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar material and into which surface water is directed for infiltration into the ground.
A surface such as stone, rock, concrete or other materials which permits some vertical transmission of water.
The applicable agency of the United States Department of Agriculture.
A method of runoff computation developed by SCS and found in its publication "Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds," Technical Release No. 55, SCS, January, 1975.
A system of pipes or other conduits which carry intercepted surface runoff, street water and other wash waters or drainage but exclude domestic sewage and industrial wastes.
The plan for managing stormwater runoff adopted by Washington County as required by the Storm Water Management Act, 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq.
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership, or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface water runoff.