[Ord. 266, 7/11/2005, § 101]
1. The governing body of the municipality finds that:
A. Inadequate management of accelerated stormwater runoff resulting
from development throughout a watershed increases flood flows and
velocities, contributes to erosion and sedimentation, overtaxes the
carrying capacity of existing streams and storm sewers, greatly increases
the cost of public facilities to convey and manage stormwater, undermines
floodplain management and flood reduction efforts in upstream and
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, welfare, and the protection
of the people of the municipality and all the people of the commonwealth,
their resources, and the environment.
C. Through project design, impacts from stormwater runoff can be minimized
to maintain the natural hydrologic regime, and sustain high water
quality, groundwater recharge, stream baseflow, and aquatic ecosystems.
The most cost effective and environmentally advantageous way to manage
stormwater runoff is through nonstructural project design, minimizing
impervious surfaces and sprawl, avoiding sensitive areas (i.e., stream
buffers, floodplains, steep slopes), and designing to topography and
soils to maintain the natural hydrologic regime.
[Ord. 266, 7/11/2005, § 102]
1. The purpose of this Chapter
25B is to promote health, safety, and welfare within the East Branch Perkiomen watershed by minimizing the damages described in §
25B-101, Subsection 1A, of this Chapter
25B through provisions designed to:
A. Promote alternative project designs and layout that minimizes impacts
to surface and ground water.
B. Promote nonstructural best management practices.
C. Minimize increases in stormwater volume.
D. Minimize impervious surfaces.
E. Manage accelerated runoff and erosion and sedimentation problems
at their source by regulating activities that cause these problems.
F. Utilize and preserve the existing natural drainage systems.
G. Encourage recharge of groundwater where appropriate and prevent degradation
of groundwater quality.
H. Address the quality and quantity of stormwater discharges from the
development site.
I. Maintain existing flows and quality of streams and watercourses in
the municipality and the commonwealth.
J. Preserve and restore the flood-carrying capacity of streams.
K. Provide proper maintenance of all permanent stormwater management
facilities that are constructed in the municipality.
L. Provide performance standards and design criteria for watershed-wide
stormwater management and planning.
[Ord. 266, 7/11/2005, § 103]
The municipality is empowered to regulate land use activities
that affect runoff by the authority of the Act of October 4, 1978,
P.L. 864 (Act 167), 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq., as amended,
the "Storm Water Management Act," and the Pennsylvania Borough Code,
53 P.S. § 45101 et seq.
[Ord. 266, 7/11/2005, § 104]
1. This Chapter
25B shall apply to those areas of the municipality that are located within the East Branch Perkiomen watershed, as delineated in Appendix 25B-D which is hereby adopted as part of this Chapter
25B.
2. This Chapter
25B shall only apply to permanent best management practices (BMPs) and/or stormwater management facilities constructed as part of any of the regulated activities listed in this section. Stormwater management and erosion and sedimentation control during construction activities are specifically not regulated by this Chapter
25B, but shall continue to be regulated under existing laws and ordinances.
3. This Chapter
25B contains only the stormwater management performance standards and design criteria that are necessary or desirable from a watershed-wide perspective. Local stormwater management design criteria (e.g., inlet spacing, inlet type, collection system design and details, outlet structure design, etc.) shall continue to be regulated by the applicable municipal ordinances or at the municipal engineer's discretion.
4. The following activities are defined as "regulated activities" and shall be regulated by this Chapter
25B:
C. Construction of new or additional impervious or semipervious surfaces
(driveways, parking lots, patios, tennis courts, etc.).
D. Construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings.
E. Diversion or piping of any natural or man-made stream channel.
F. Installation of BMPs and/or stormwater management facilities or appurtenances
thereto.
[Ord. 266, 7/11/2005, § 107]
Approvals issued pursuant to this Chapter
25B 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.