[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
1. 
The following land subdivision principles, standards and requirements shall be applied by the Forward Township Planning Commission in evaluating the plans for proposed subdivisions and land development and shall be considered as minimum requirements.
2. 
Subdividers shall be required to show that adequate consideration has been given to the provision of adequate rights-of-way and paving on existing streets, sidewalks, and improvements to existing roads and streets that border the proposed subdivision, and reserving areas and easements for facilities normally required in residential sections, including parks, playgrounds and playfields, open space, common areas, schools, libraries, churches, and other public buildings; shopping and local business centers; rights-of-way and easements for storm and sanitary sewer facilities in those areas that cannot be immediately joined to the existing storm and sanitary sewer systems of the municipality.
[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
1. 
Land shall be suited for the purpose for which it is to be developed in accordance with the interest and the purpose of the Township and local Comprehensive Plans. Land subject to hazards of life, health and safety shall not be subdivided until such hazards have been reviewed or corrected.
2. 
Land susceptible to flooding, exceptionally high water table, unstable subsurface conditions, steep or unstable slopes, the presence of high voltage or high pressure overhead or underground utilities, etc., shall not be approved for subdivision or development unless the hazards have been eliminated or unless the proposed plan shows adequate safeguards to protect the proposed use of the land. These safeguards include proof of ability to obtain the necessary permit for sewage disposal, proof that an adequate source of water supply exists, proof that any and all structures are sufficiently elevated above the floodplain elevation for the property, and adequate means of ingress and egress exists in the event of flooding.
3. 
All proposed subdivisions, land developments, and mobile home parks which lie within an identified 100-year floodplain or which contain an existing watercourse or identified wetland shall strictly comply with all state and/or federal laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Flood Plain Management Act.[1] Floodplains, wetlands, and watercourses which are located within any proposed development shall be clearly delineated on the plan.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 679.101 et seq.
4. 
Subdivisions and land developments shall be laid out so as to avoid the necessity for excessive cut or fill unless specifically warranted by terrain or location.
5. 
Subdivisions shall be laid out so as to have a sufficient amount of open space or common areas within the development.
6. 
Whenever possible, applicants shall preserve trees, groves, watercourses, scenic points, historic spots and other community assets and landmarks.
7. 
All portions of a tract being subdivided or developed shall be taken up in lots, streets, public lands or other proposed uses so that remnants and landlocked areas shall not be created.
[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
1. 
Adequate easements or dedications for public service utilities shall be provided for sewer, water, electric power and gas lines, and similar services, and no structure or obstruction of any kind shall be placed or allowed to be placed where it will interfere in any way with an easement.
2. 
No development plan shall be approved or construction commenced unless the public service utility involved has had ample time to review and approve the plan. It is the developer's responsibility to contact and provide the plan of the development to the utility. Exact details of service and easement requirements shall be supplied by the utility.
3. 
Electric Utilities.
A. 
The developer shall comply with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) order of July 8, 1970, which requires the electric service to residential developments to be placed underground. All subdivision and land developments in Forward Township shall comply with this order.
B. 
The electric utility easement shall be in accordance with the right-of-way specifications set forth by the electric utility that is to serve the development.
4. 
Natural Gas, Petroleum Products.
A. 
The minimum distance from a natural gas line to a dwelling unit need be only such distance as required by the applicable transmission or distributing company. In general, there shall be a minimum distance of 50 feet, measured in the shortest distance between each proposed dwelling unit and the center line of any petroleum or petroleum products or natural gas transmission line which may traverse the subdivision or development. This requirement may be waived or reduced where topographic conditions decrease the hazards involved.
B. 
The transmission line easement shall be in accordance with the right-of-way specifications set forth by the transmission or distributing company serving the development.
5. 
Drainageway. Where a subdivision or development is traversed by drainageway, watercourse, channel or stream, there shall be provided a drainage easement conforming substantially with the waterline of such drainageway, watercourse, channel or stream, and of such width as will be adequate to preserve the unimpeded flow of natural drainage, or for the purpose of widening, deepening, relocating, improving or protecting such drainage facilities or for the purpose of installing a storm sewer.
[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
The developer may be permitted to have installed, in his subdivision or land development, streetlights as the development is opened. The developer shall be responsible for the payment for the streetlighting installation as determined by the electric utility. The streetlighting installation shall conform to accepted engineering safety standards and the available equipment used by the electric utility.
[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
All restrictions, including private covenants, affecting the uses of the property shall be detailed upon the plan.
[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
1. 
The character and relationship of streets one to the other shall be consistent with the accompanying illustration of "Representative Street Types."
022 Representative Street Types.tif
REPRESENTATIVE STREET TYPES
1
Major street
2
Collector street
3
Local street
4
Marginal access street
5
Cul-de-sac
A. 
General.
(1) 
Local or minor streets in a new development shall be designed to discourage through traffic.
(2) 
Streets shall be extended to the boundaries of the development where such extension will connect to an existing or recorded street in an adjacent subdivision or development or represents a logical connection into undeveloped adjacent land because of the topography or shape of the adjacent land.
(3) 
Streets shall be logically related to the topography so as to produce usable lots or areas for development, reasonable grades and preserve the amenities of the site.
(4) 
Where a subdivision or development abuts or contains an existing or proposed major street, the Planning Commission may require marginal access streets, reverse frontage lots or such treatment as will provide protection for abutting properties, reduction in the number of intersections with the major traffic streets, and separation of local and through traffic.
(5) 
If the lots in the development are large enough for resubdivision, or if a portion of the tract is not subdivided, suitable access and street openings for such resubdivision shall be provided.
(6) 
In general, local and minor streets and collector streets shall not adjoin into the same side of a major or arterial street at intervals of less than 800 feet.
(7) 
Half streets or partial streets shall be prohibited, except where a proposed development abuts property along such a street on the abutting property, the proposed development shall complete the street and it shall be recorded in the plan.
(8) 
Developments of more than 10 acres shall have a minimum of two vehicular access points to a public road. The same two access points cannot be over a common waterway or railroad.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-6, 8/9/2022]
B. 
Design criteria.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-2, 10/13/2020]
Street Type
Minimum Right-of-Way
(feet)
Minimum Cartway Width
(feet)
Maximum Grade
(percent)
Minimum Grade
(percent)
Minimum Sight Distance(2)
(feet)
Major arterial
As prescribed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Collector street(1)
50
30
8%
0.75%
300
Local street(1)
50
24
12%
0.75%
250
Marginal access(1)
50
24
12%
0.75%
250
NOTES:
(1)
No parking is permitted on the street.
(2)
Sight distance measured along center line of street at a height as described by PennDOT design manuals.
(1) 
The Township may permit the maximum grade to exceed 12% where it is clear that no traffic hazard will be created.
(2) 
The right-of-way of existing roads shall be shown by dotted lines; the area between the existing and proposed right-of-way lines should be marked "road widening." Where an existing street traverses or abuts the development, the entire right-of-way required by these regulations shall be provided. The right-of-way must be measured from the center line of the existing roadway.
C. 
Cul-de-Sac. Cul-de-sac streets shall be permitted only when it is clear that through traffic at such a street end is not essential to the street system in that area. In general, cul-de-sac streets shall not exceed 1,000 feet in length where public water and hydrants are available and 600 feet in length where no public water system exists. In all cases, a minimum turning radius of 50 feet with a paved turnaround must be provided. A vehicle turnaround must be constructed within 75 feet of the entrance of the cul-de-sac over 600 feet in length.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2022-6, 8/9/2022]
022 Cul-de-sac.tif
D. 
Intersections.
(1) 
Street Intersections. Where two streets intersect a third street from opposite sides, the distance between the center lines of the two streets shall be not less than 200 feet, as depicted on the accompanying illustration. No more than two streets shall intersect at one point.
(2) 
Angle of Street Intersections. Streets shall intersect at ninety-degree angles, except where this may be impractical. Angles less than 90° may be designed, subject to the approval of the Forward Township Planning Commission. However, no streets shall intersect at an angle of less than 60°.
022 Intersecting Local Streets.tif
(3) 
Intersection Curve Radii. The design of curb or edge of pavement must take into account such conditions as types of turning vehicles, likely speeds of traffic, angle of turn, number of lanes, and whether parking is permitted. However, curb or edge of pavement radii must not be less than the following:
Intersections
Minimum Simple Curve Radii
(feet)
Arterial with arterial
50 or more determined after consultation with PennDOT
Arterial with collector
35
Collector with collector
35
Collector with local
25
Local with local
20
(4) 
Clear Sight Triangle. At the intersection of two or more streets, the driver of a vehicle shall have an unobstructed view, to both his right and left, of at least 200 feet at arterial streets and 150 feet on collector and local roads, as measured along the center lines of the intersecting streets.
022 Clear Site Triangle.tif
(5) 
Vertical Curves. All changes in street grade for local streets shall be connected by a vertical curve having a minimum length of not less than 100 feet. Changes of street grade for collector streets shall be connected by a vertical curve having a minimum length of not less than 200 feet, while changes of street grade for major streets shall be connected by a vertical curve having a minimum length of not less than 400 feet.
022 Vertical Curves.tif
(6) 
Street Names. Streets that are extensions, or obviously in alignment with existing named streets, shall bear the name of the existing streets. All street names shall be subject to the approval of the Township.
(7) 
Additional Right-of-Way Required. Provisions for additional street width (right-of-way) may be required by the Township in specific cases for public safety and convenience, for parking in commercial and industrial areas and in areas of high-density residential development; and for widening existing streets (right-of-way) where the width does not meet with the preceding requirements. This also applies to areas along recreational locations and mailbox clusters.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2022-6, 8/9/2022]
(8) 
Private Lanes and Driveways.
(a) 
Private lanes and driveways shall be permitted only when the subdivider submits sufficient evidence to the Planning Commission that there can be no public interest in such private lane or driveway and when lots have no other feasible access to a public street. The Planning Commission shall require a statement on the final recorded plan that the lanes and driveways are to be opened and maintained at the expense of the subdivider. The minimum right-of-way width shall be 25 feet.
(b) 
Private lanes and driveways shall serve no more than one lot. No more than one private lane or driveway shall be permitted on any property existing at the date of adoption of this Part. Subsequent subdivisions shall not create new opportunities for private lanes and driveways. Private lanes and driveways entering public streets shall be graded to prevent stormwater flowing from the driveway or lane onto the paved portion of the street. The street's gutter line shall be maintained across the driveway or lane, or stormwater may pass under, provided the gutter alignment is not compromised and the pipe under the driveway or lane is of sufficient size to carry the stormwater flow without creating ponding on the upstream end.
[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
1. 
Lot and block requirements for proposed subdivisions and land developments submitted to the Planning Commission shall be in conformance with the following requirements:
A. 
Lot Requirements.
(1) 
Lot Boundary Lines. Lot boundary lines shall be perpendicular to, parallel to, or radial to street lines, as the case may be.
(2) 
Lot Areas. The size of lots shall conform to the following requirements:
(a) 
In all sections of the Township not served by a community sewage system or a community water system, each lot shall have a minimum width of 100 feet at the building line and an area of at least two acres. A second dwelling unit may be permitted. Each dwelling unit shall have its own separate on-lot sewage treatment system, provided they meet the provisions of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 73. Standards for Onlot Sewage Treatment Facilities. No lot shall have more than two dwelling units.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2022-6, 8/9/2022]
(b) 
In all sections of the Township where either a community sanitary sewage system or a community water system, but not both, are provided or officially authorized to be installed, each lot shall have a minimum width of 100 feet at the building line, and an area of at least one acre with one dwelling unless it is an apartment or rental space with a common property owner. A second dwelling unit on the lot shall not be permitted.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2022-6, 8/9/2022]
(c) 
In all sections of the Township served by community sewerage and water systems, either existing or officially authorized to be installed, each lot shall have a minimum width of 100 feet at the building line, and an area of at least 21,780 square feet. A second dwelling unit on the lot shall not be permitted.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2023-2, 9/12/2023]
(d) 
Multifamily Residential and Nonresidential Lots. Lots intended for multifamily residential (two or more dwelling units) or nonresidential use and not served by both a community sewage system, and a community water system shall have a minimum lot size of 32,670 square feet plus 5,000 square feet per dwelling unit after the first unit with a minimum yard width of 100 feet at the building line. Lots intended for multifamily residential (two or more dwelling units) or nonresidential use where either a community sewage system or a community water system, but not both, are provided or are officially authorized to be installed shall have a minimum lot size of 21,750 square feet plus 5,000 square feet per dwelling unit after the first unit with a minimum yard width of 100 feet at the building line. Lots intended for multifamily residential (two or more dwelling units) or nonresidential use and served by a community sewage system and a community water system, shall have a minimum lot size of 14,375 square feet plus 5,000 square feet per dwelling unit after the first unit with a minimum yard width of 100 feet at the building line.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2023-2, 9/12/2023]
(e) 
Minimum Parking Standards.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2023-4, 9/12/2023]
1) 
All multifamily residential and nonresidential commercial and industrial buildings and developments shall provide off-street parking as required in the following table of minimum parking standards. If a specific off-street parking standard is not covered in the table below, then parking must meet the standards set for by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) or other industry recognized and accepted authority. Any variance requested by a developer/builder to the standards below must be accompanied by data from the ITE or similar facilities to validate the variance request.
Table of Required Off-Street Parking Spaces
Use
Parking Spaces Required
Multifamily Dwelling (Townhouse, Duplex, Quad with 3 or more bedrooms)
3.0 spaces per dwelling unit
Multifamily Dwelling (Townshouse, Duplex, Quad with 2 or less bedrooms)
2.0 spaces per dwelling unit
Multifamily dwelling (apartment with 3 or more bedrooms)
3.0 spaces per dwelling unit
Multifamily dwelling (apartment with 2 or less bedrooms)
2.0 spaces per dwelling unit
Retail commercial sales and services
1 space for each 200 square feet of gross floor area
Office and business services providing on-site customer services
1 space for each employee plus 1 space for each 400 square feet of floor area
Office and business services not providing on-site customer services
1 space for each 600 square feet of floor area
Restaurant with eat-in facilities only
0.5 spaces per seat
Restaurant with drive-in facilities for fast food and banking with automatic banking machines and drive-in windows
1 space per employee plus 5 spaces for each drive-in window
Medical, dental, eye, clinic offices
1 space per 200 square feet of gross floor area
Personal services
1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor area
Industrial, including warehousing, freight terminals, manufacturing, research, testing, etc.
0.5 spaces per employee plus 1 space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Institutional
3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Church
1 space per full time employee plus 0.25 spaces per seat in worship area
Hotel, motel, other lodging
1.5 spaces per room
Self-storage warehouses
1 space per 50 storage units plus 1 space per 300 square feet of office space
Indoor places of public assembly
1 space per 4 seats
2) 
Each parking space shall be nine feet by 20 feet in size. In the case of multifamily dwelling unit criteria shown in the table above, parking spaces inside an unit garage do not count as required parking spaces above. If driveway parking spaces do not meet the requirement listed in the table above, then off-street parking spaces must be provided within the development to achieve the required space minimum. Access to off-street parking areas shall be limited to well-defined locations and shall not allow unrestricted access along a street. Off-street parking areas shall be owned, maintained, and regulated by the development homeowners' association or similar to identify and regulate spaces between residents and guests (visitors).
3) 
Additionally, off-street parking areas must be provided to serve parks, green spaces, and open spaces within the development and created to afford residents of the development a safe place to park without parking on the street.
(f) 
Handicapped Parking Standards. The minimum number of required accessible parking spaces shall be as shown in the following table. A minimum of 25% of the required accessible parking spaces shall be van accessible. The minimum number of van accessible parking spaces shall be one.
Total Parking Spaces in Lot
Minimum Accessible Spaces
1 to 25
1
26 to 50
2
51 to 75
3
76 to 100
4
101 to 150
5
151 to 200
6
201 to 300
7
301 to 400
8
401 to 500
9
501 to 1,000
2% of total
Over 1,000
20 plus 1 per 100 spaces over 1,000 spaces
(3) 
Building Lines (Setback). The following standards shall prevail:
[Amended by Ord. No. 2023-2, 9/12/2023]
(a) 
The minimum building line shall be 50 feet, measured from the required right-of-way of all present or proposed streets for all lots identified in Subsection 1A(2)(a), (b), (c), and (d) above.
(4) 
Corner Lots. Corner lots shall, in addition to the preceding building line requirement, provide a side yard building line of not less than 20 feet, except in the rear, where a minimum building line of 25 feet shall be required. Corner lots should be approximately 20% larger in area to accommodate the building lines and provide sufficient yard area.
(5) 
Double Frontage and Reverse Frontage Lots. Double frontage and reverse frontage lots should be avoided, except where essential to provide separation of residential development from traffic arteries or to overcome specific disadvantages of topography and orientation. A planting screen easement of at least 10 feet, and across which there shall be no right of access, shall be provided along the line of lots abutting such a traffic artery or other disadvantageous use.
(6) 
Lots on a Curve or Cul-de-Sac. The arc distance on the street right-of-way shall be not less than 35 feet and the minimum lot width may be measured along the building line.
(7) 
Front on Public Street. All residential lots in subdivisions shall front on a public street or another officially approved way.
(8) 
Minimum side yard shall be 15 feet and minimum rear yard shall be 20 feet.
(9) 
Flag Lots. Flag lots shall not be created when lots can be designed to provide the full required minimum lot width directly along a public street. When flag lots are intended, they shall adhere to the following:
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-6, 8/9/2022]
(a) 
The subdivision or resubdivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land resulting in the creation of more than six lots is permitted to have one flag lot in the entire subdivided lot, tract or parcel of land.
(b) 
The "pole" segment, or access portion, of the flag lot shall maintain a minimum width of 50 feet and shall not change direction more than once. The area of the pole segment shall not be included with the "flag" segment or the body of the lot in satisfying the minimum area, yard and dimensional requirements. The cartway located within the pole segment shall maintain a six-foot setback from the property line. No portion of the pole segment shall be used for on-site sewage disposal or improvements other than for access.
(c) 
The lot line which is most parallel to the street that provides access shall be designated as the front yard of the flag segment.
B. 
Block Requirements.
(1) 
In general, all blocks in a subdivision shall have a maximum length of 1,600 feet, and shall be not less than 250 feet in length. Blocks subdivided into lots shall be two lot depths in width, except lots along a major arterial which fronts on an interior street.
(2) 
In commercial development or areas, the block layout shall conform, with due consideration to site conditions, to the best possible layout to serve the buying public, to permit good traffic circulation and the parking of cars, to make delivery and pickup efficient, to minimize the number of traffic entrances and exits on the property, and to reinforce the best design of the units in the commercial areas.
(3) 
The block layout in industrial areas shall be governed by the most efficient arrangement of space for present and future expansion, with due regard for worker and customer access parking and site conditions.
[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
1. 
Land proposed for subdivision and land development shall not be developed or changed by grading, by excavating, or by the removal or destruction of the natural topsoil, trees or other vegetative cover until an erosion and sedimentation control plan, as required by Chapter 102 of the Rules and Regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, "Erosion and Sedimentation Control," has been prepared. The erosion and sedimentation control plan shall be submitted to the Forward Township Planning Commission and the Butler County Conservation District for review and approval, unless a determination has been made by the Forward Township Board of Supervisors and the Butler County Conservation District that a plan is not required.
2. 
In addition to preparing an erosion and sedimentation control plan, all persons undertaking an earthmoving activity for a subdivision or land development shall obtain a land disturbance permit before commencing any earthmoving activity, as required by Chapter 102 of the Rules and Regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, "Erosion and Sedimentation Control." Where an earthmoving activity involves 25 acres or more, a land disturbance permit shall be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection after review of the permit application by the Forward Township Planning Commission and the Butler County Conservation District. Where an earthmoving activity involves more than five acres but less than 25 acres, a land disturbance permit shall be obtained from the Butler County Conservation District.
3. 
In order to ensure that all earthmoving activities within Forward Township are conducted in such a way as to prevent accelerated erosion and the resulting sedimentation of waters of the commonwealth, thereby preventing pollution of such waters from sediment, and from fertilizers, pesticides and other polluting substances carried by sediment, the following standards shall apply:
A. 
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan.
(1) 
The erosion and sedimentation control plan shall be designed to prevent accelerated erosion and sedimentation and shall consider all factors which contribute to erosion and sedimentation, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) 
The topographic features of the project area;
(b) 
The types, depth, slope and area extent of the soils;
(c) 
The proposed alteration to the area;
(d) 
The amount of runoff from the project area and the upstream watershed area;
(e) 
The staging or timetable of earthmoving activities;
(f) 
Temporary control measures and facilities for use during earthmoving;
(g) 
Permanent control measures and facilities for long-term protection;
(h) 
A maintenance program for the control facilities, including disposal of materials removed from the control facilities or project area; and
(i) 
Stream relocation or channelization.
(2) 
The erosion and sedimentation control plan shall be prepared by a person trained and experienced in erosion and sedimentation control methods and techniques.
B. 
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Measures and Facilities. Erosion and sedimentation control measures and facilities shall, as a minimum, meet the standards and specifications of the Butler County Conservation District, as contained in the "Handbook for Earthmoving Activities and Erosion and Sedimentation Control in Butler County," and the standards and specifications of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, "Rules and Regulations for Erosion Control." Considerations for erosion and sedimentation control measures and facilities shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
(1) 
Grading shall be completed so as to carry surface waters away from buildings and to the nearest street, storm drain or natural watercourse, and shall prevent the pooling of water on a lot.
(2) 
Where drainage swales are proposed, their grade shall be not less than 1% nor more than 4%. Swales shall be sodded, planted or lined with materials and vegetation proper for such use.
(3) 
No final grade, cut or fill shall be permitted with a cut face steeper in slope than two horizontal to one vertical, except under one or more of the following conditions:
(4) 
The materials into which the excavation is made are sufficiently stable to sustain a slope of steeper than two horizontal to one vertical, and there shall be a written statement to that effect from a Pennsylvania licensed civil engineer with experience in erosion control, which shall be submitted to the County Engineer or designated representative and approved by same. This written statement shall state that the site has been inspected and that the deviation from the slope specified hereinbefore shall not result in injury to persons or damage to property.
(5) 
A concrete or stone masonry wall with an upslope drainage system shall be constructed according to sound, accepted engineering standards for which a plan shall be submitted to the County Engineer or his or her designated representative for review, and for which written approval is provided to the Butler County Planning Commission.
(6) 
The top and/or bottom edges of slopes shall be a minimum of three feet from any property or right-of-way lines, streets or alleys in order to permit the normal rounding of the edge without encroachment on the abutting property, street or alley.
(7) 
All property lines or right-of-way lines, where walls or slopes are steeper than one horizontal to one vertical and the change in elevation is five feet or more, shall have a protective fence no less than three feet in height installed in stable ground, at least two feet beyond the top of the slope, and shall be approved by the County Engineer or his or her designated representative.
C. 
Restoration. Upon completion of the earthmoving project, all areas which were disturbed by the project, including off-site borrow areas, shall be stabilized so that accelerated erosion will be prevented. Any erosion and sedimentation control facility required or necessary to protect areas from erosion during the stabilization period shall be maintained until stabilization is completed. Upon completion of stabilization, all unnecessary or unusable control facilities shall be removed, the areas shall be graded and the soils shall be stabilized.
D. 
Responsibility of the Developer. It shall be the responsibility of the developer to submit the application for a land disturbance permit, accompanied by an erosion and sedimentation control plan and such other documents as may be required, and, in addition:
(1) 
Whenever sedimentation is caused by stripping vegetation, regrading or other development, it shall be the responsibility of the developer causing such sedimentation to remove it from all adjoining surfaces, drainage systems and watercourses and to repair any damage at his expense as quickly as possible;
(2) 
Maintenance of all drainage facilities and watercourses within any subdivision or land development is the responsibility of the developer until they are accepted by the municipality or some other official agency, after which they become the responsibility of the accepting agency;
(3) 
It is the responsibility of the developer doing any act on or across a stream, watercourse or swale, or upon the floodplain or right-of-way thereof, to maintain as nearly as possible in its present state the stream, watercourse, swale, floodplain or right-of-way during the pendency of the activity and to return it to its original or equal condition after such activity is completed;
(4) 
No developer shall block, impede the flow of, alter, construct any structure, or deposit any material or thing, or commit any act which will affect normal or flood flow in any stream or watercourse without having obtained prior approval from the Department of Environmental Protection and/or the Pennsylvania Fish Commission;
(5) 
Where a subdivision or land development is traversed by a watercourse, there shall be provided a drainage easement or right-of-way conforming substantially with the line of such watercourse and of such width as will be adequate to preserve natural drainage; and
(6) 
Each developer which makes any surface changes shall be required to:
(a) 
Collect on-site surface runoff and dispose of it at a stabilized point of discharge into the common natural watercourse of the drainage area.
(b) 
Handle existing and potential off-site runoff through his development by designing to adequately handle stormwater runoff from a fully developed area upstream.
(c) 
Provide and install at his expense, in accordance with the approved erosion and sedimentation control plan, all erosion and sedimentation control measures and facilities.
[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
The Forward Township Supervisors may authorize and approve departures from any of the provisions and requirements set forth in this section when, in the opinion of the Board, such departure is necessary and desirable.
[Ord. No. 82-1, 8/15/1982; as amended by Ord. No. 1988-2, 12/13/1988; Ord. No. 2006-1, 6/20/2006]
1. 
General.
A. 
All construction, materials and workmanship shall be in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Form 408, latest edition, and with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended,[1] and shall be subject to review and approval by the Township and Township Engineer.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
B. 
All work, including grading, drainage, and paving, shall be under the direct supervision of the Township Engineer or his authorized representative, and all costs for supervision shall be paid by the owner/developer prior to final acceptance by the Township.
C. 
A performance bond in the amount of 110% of the construction cost shall be delivered to the Township prior to the beginning of construction.
D. 
The owner/developer shall provide the Township with an eighteen-month maintenance bond for 15% of the construction costs of the project as surety against defective materials or workmanship which may develop during the one-year period after completion and acceptance of the work performed.
E. 
Contractor must submit to subdivider and/or developer weight slips for all materials, which will in turn be transferred to the Township Supervisors.
F. 
The owner shall furnish record plans of all streets as actually constructed for the files of the Forward Township Supervisors, the cost of this to be paid by the owner/subdivider/developer.
2. 
Design.
A. 
Paving of cartway shall be a minimum of 24 feet in width, including eighteen-inch-wide by six-inch-high asphalt wedge curbs. Other curbing may be approved at the option of the Township Engineer. Township Supervisors reserve the right to grant a variance on curbing requirements upon visual inspection and recommendation by the Township Engineer.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-2, 10/13/2020]
B. 
Road grades shall be designed to provide adequate drainage. The minimum grade shall be 0.75% (0.75 feet/100 feet) on any street. Maximum grades shall not exceed 12% (12 feet/100 feet), except for short lengths which shall have prior approval of the Township and Township Engineer. All roads shall have a minimum crown of three inches.
3. 
Grading and Backfilling.
A. 
All fills within the roadway section shall be thoroughly compacted in eight-inch layers (uncompacted thickness). Rock utilized as fill material shall be broken prior to placement. Fills shall be rolled with a ten-ton (minimum) roller prior to placement of the succeeding layer of fill; slopes shall be a maximum of two horizontal to one vertical unless a variance is approved by the Township. All areas within the fifty-foot-minimum right-of-way shall be graded to the satisfaction of the Township.
B. 
Shoulders of berms shall be constructed so that they will be five inches higher than the subbase.
C. 
Subgrade shall be properly compacted prior to placement of base course. Unsuitable subgrade material shall be excavated and replaced with approved material and thoroughly compacted in accordance with these specifications.
D. 
Backfills for sewers, water lines and all other utilities shall be placed in four-inch layers and thoroughly compacted throughout the roadway section.
4. 
Paving.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-2, 10/13/2020]
A. 
The subgrade/subbase shall consist of eight inches of AASHTO #3 choked with two inches of 2A limestone.
B. 
A base course shall be constructed of four inches of 25 mm Superpave asphalt mixture design.
C. 
A binder course shall be constructed of two inches of 19 mm Superpave asphalt mixture design.
D. 
A wearing course shall be constructed of 1 1/2 inches of 9.5 mm Superpave asphalt mixture design.
5. 
Storm Sewer Systems.
A. 
On the design of storm sewer installations, special consideration shall be given to avoidance of problems which may arise from concentration of stormwater runoff discharging to adjacent properties.
B. 
Storm sewers shall be 15 inches (minimum) reinforced cement concrete pipe with a minimum slope of 1%. Inlets, endwalls and related structures shall be provided.
C. 
Design of sewers shall be such:
(1) 
To permit unimpeded flow of natural watercourses.
(2) 
To ensure adequate drainage of streets.
(3) 
Drainage calculations based upon Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Design Manual, Part 2, shall be prepared and submitted to the Township. This requirement may be waived by the Township on smaller projects.
D. 
Storm inlets shall be spaced a maximum of 300 feet. Inlets at intersections shall not be placed on radii of curbs, but on tangent sections only. Inlets shall be Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Type M. Type C or Type S inlets may be required when conditions warrant.
E. 
Storm manholes shall be of reinforced precast concrete construction and spaced a maximum of 300 feet. Manhole covers shall be stamped "storm."
F. 
Bridges and culverts shall be designed to support anticipated loads and carry expected flows unimpeded. Design of these structures shall conform to current PennDOT specifications, and where necessary, permits shall be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for stream encroachment.
6. 
Sidewalks. Sidewalks may be required on one or both sides of the street in all land developments if the Township feels it is desirable to continue sidewalks that are existing in adjacent subdivision, or to provide access to community facilities, such as schools, shopping areas, and recreation areas.
7. 
Sidewalks and curbs shall be constructed in full compliance with the PennDOT specifications and with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
8. 
Snow chutes. Snow chutes shall be provided at the ends of culs-de-sac and other locations deemed necessary by the Township for storing snow. These snow chutes shall be located within a public easement.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-6, 8/9/2022]