Borough of Franklin Park, PA Article 400 Stormwater Management (SWM) Site Plan Requirements

§ 178-401 Plan requirements.

Appropriate sections from Chapter 184 of the Borough's Code of Ordinances, Subdivision and Land Development, and other applicable local ordinances, shall be followed in preparing the SWM site plans. The Borough shall not approve any SWM site plan that is deficient in meeting the requirements of this chapter. At its sole discretion and in accordance with this Part, when a SWM site plan is found to be deficient, the Borough may either disapprove the submission and require a resubmission, or in the case of minor deficiencies, the Borough may accept submission of modifications. The following items shall be included in the SWM site plan:

A. Provisions for permanent access or maintenance easements for all physical SWM BMPs, such as ponds and infiltration structures, as necessary to implement the operation and maintenance (O&M) plan discussed in Subsection C(9) below.

B. The following signature block for the Borough: "(Designated plan reviewer) on this date (signature date), has reviewed and hereby certifies that the SWM site plan meets all design standards and criteria of the Municipal Ordinance No. 647-2018, except where waivers have been granted as noted on the plan. The review is based on a survey and plan prepared by others and assumes that all information is correct and valid as submitted."

C. The SWM site plan shall provide the following information for all regulated activities not eligible for exemption under § 178-107 of this chapter:

[Amended 12-18-2019 by Ord. No. 655-2019]

(1) The overall stormwater management concept for the project, including any off-site stormwater management controls.

(2) A determination of site conditions in accordance with the BMP Manual. A detailed site evaluation shall be completed for projects proposed in environmentally sensitive areas, such as brownfields.

(3) Stormwater runoff design computations and documentation as specified in this chapter, or as otherwise necessary to demonstrate that the maximum practicable measures have been taken to meet the requirements of this chapter, including the recommendations and general requirements in § 178-301.

(4) Expected project time schedule.

(5) A soil erosion and sediment control plan, where applicable, as prepared for and submitted to the approval authority.

(6) The effect of the project (in terms of runoff volumes, water quality, and peak flows) on surrounding properties and aquatic features and on any existing stormwater conveyance system that may be affected by the project.

(7) Plan and profile drawings of all SWM BMPs, including drainage structures, pipes, open channels, and swales.

(8) SWM site plan shall show the locations of existing and proposed on-lot wastewater facilities and water supply wells, property boundaries, easements, watershed location, existing and proposed topography, point(s) of interest, utilities, and potential utility conflicts.

(9) The SWM site plan shall include an O&M plan for all existing and proposed physical stormwater management facilities. This plan shall address long-term ownership and responsibilities for O&M including type and schedule/frequency of maintenance activities, personnel and equipment requirements, estimated annual maintenance costs, and method of financing continuing O&M.

(10) A justification, acceptable to the designated plan reviewer, must be included in the SWM site plan if BMPs other than green infrastructure methods and LID practices are proposed to achieve the volume, rate and water quality controls under this chapter.

(11) A listing of all permits required for the site providing the status of the permit application(s) and approval(s).

(12) All adjacent property owners shall be notified of the project and its stormwater and BMP installation. Legal proof of this notification must be provided to the municipality.

(13) A suitable map of the watershed for any and all named streams within which the project is proposed (a United States Geological Survey quadrangle map is usually sufficient) with the property boundaries of the proposed development areas presented on the map.

(14) Hydrologic (watershed) and water feature boundaries, including all areas flowing to the proposed project, existing streams (including first order and intermittent streams), springs, lakes, ponds or other bodies of water within the project area.

(15) Sufficient topographical information with elevations to verify the location of all ridges, streams, etc. (two-foot contour intervals within the project's boundaries and for proposed off-site improvements; for slopes greater than 15%, five-foot contours are acceptable). Separate plans shall show the predevelopment and post-development conditions at a scale equal to or greater than one inch equals 50 feet for projects less than or equal to 20 acres and one inch equals 100 feet for projects greater than 20 acres.

(16) Notes pertaining to and locations of existing standing water, areas of heavy seepage, springs, wetlands, streams, and hydrologically sensitive areas. The (25 Pa. Code) Chapter 93 water quality standards use designation must also be provided within the report.

(17) General type of soils with hydrologic soil group noted, estimated permeabilities in inches per hour, and location and results of all soil tests and borings (if needed).

(18) 100-year flood elevations for any special flood hazard areas on or within 100 feet of the property. For redevelopment sites, also show the ten- and twenty-five-year flood elevations for any special flood hazard areas on or within 100 feet of the property. The source of these elevations shall also be shown on the plans.

(19) Description of current and proposed ground cover and land use. The total area and percent impervious cover shall be noted.

(20) A wetland delineation report for the project site with a location map identifying wetland areas if any were found.

(21) A grading plan, including all areas of disturbance of the subject activity. The total area of disturbance shall be noted in square feet and acres. Topographic contours showing the existing and proposed final contours at an interval of two feet; in areas having slope of greater than 15%, a five-foot contour interval may be used.

(22) The name of the development, the name and address of the property owner and applicant, and the name and address of the individual or firm preparing the plan.

(23) A North arrow, submission date, graphic scale and revision dates, as applicable, shall be included on each page of all plans submitted.

(24) Complete delineation of the flow paths used for calculating the time of concentration for the predeveloped and post-developed conditions.

(25) The plan contents shall include, but are not limited to:

(a) Existing water bodies and channels (i.e., ponds, streams, etc.).

(b) Flood boundaries (i.e., FEMA, project, etc.).

(c) Geologic features (i.e., limestone, sinkholes, etc.).

(d) Natural vegetation.

(e) Existing and proposed utilities.

(f) Soil names and boundaries.

(g) Test pit and/or boring locations.

(h) Changes to land and soil cover and indicate the amount of impervious cover.

(i) Proposed structures/features (i.e., roads, buildings, etc.).

(j) Topographic, man-made, and existing features extending 100 feet from the project's boundary.

(k) Wetlands.

(l) Date of submission.

(m) Access easement to all BMPs.

(n) Location, details and cross sections of all proposed BMPs.

(o) Note(s) indicating who is responsible for maintenance of BMPs.

(p) A statement signed by the applicant acknowledging any revision to the approved stormwater management plan and/or calculations must be reviewed and approved by the Borough, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Allegheny County Conservation District; in addition, a revised erosion and sedimentation pollution control plan must be submitted for a determination of adequacy.

(q) A signature block for the design engineer (plan and calculations), "I, (name), on this date (date) hereby certify that the drainage plan meets all the requirements, design standards, and criteria of the Franklin Park Stormwater Management Ordinance." Include space for seal.

§ 178-402 Plan submission.

Up to five copies of the SWM site plan shall be submitted as follows:

A. Two copies to the Borough.

B. One copy to the municipal engineer (when applicable).

C. One copy to the Allegheny County Conservation District (when requested by the District).

D. One copy to the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (in areas with combined sewer systems).

§ 178-403 Plan review.

A. The Borough has designated the Borough Engineer as the designated plan reviewer of SWM site plans for the Borough and shall be understood to be the reviewer where indicated as the Borough within this chapter.

B. SWM site plans shall be reviewed by the Borough for consistency with the provisions of this chapter.

C. The Borough shall notify the applicant in writing within 45 days whether the SWM site plan is approved or disapproved or requires additional documentation. If the SWM site plan involves a subdivision and land development plan, the notification shall occur within the time period allowed by the Municipalities Planning Code[1] (90 days). If a longer notification period is provided by other statute, regulation, or ordinance, the applicant will be so notified by the Borough.

[1] Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.

D. For any SWM site plan that proposes to use any BMPs other than green infrastructure and LID practices to achieve the volume and rate controls required under this chapter, the Borough will not approve the SWM site plan unless it determines that green infrastructure and LID practices are not practicable.

E. No building permits shall be issued for any regulated activity if the stormwater management plan has been found to be inconsistent with this chapter, as determined by the Borough Engineer, or without considering the comments of the Borough Engineer. All required permits from PADEP must be obtained prior to issuance of a building permit.

F. If the Borough disapproves the SWM site plan, the Borough will state the reasons for the disapproval in writing. The Borough also may approve the SWM site plan with conditions and, if so, shall provide the acceptable conditions for approval in writing.

G. The applicable review fee, in accord with Article 600, must accompany a resubmission of a disapproved SWM site plan.

§ 178-404 Modification of plans.

A modification to a submitted SWM site plan that involves a change in SWM BMPs or techniques, or that involves the relocation or redesign of SWM BMPs, or that is necessary because soil or other conditions are not as stated on the SWM site plan, as determined by the designated plan reviewer, shall require a resubmission of the modified SWM site plan in accordance with this article.

§ 178-405 Resubmission of disapproved SWM site plans.

A disapproved SWM site plan may be resubmitted, with the revisions addressing the Borough's concerns, to the Borough in accordance with this Article. The applicable review fee, in accord with Article 600, must accompany a resubmission of a disapproved SWM site plan.

§ 178-406 Authorization to construct and term of validity.

The Borough's approval of an SWM site plan authorizes the regulated activities contained in the SWM site plan for a maximum term of validity of five years following the date of approval. The Borough may specify a term of validity shorter than five years in the approval for any specific SWM site plan. Terms of validity shall commence on the date the Borough signs the approval for an SWM site plan. If an approved SWM site plan is not completed according to § 178-407 within the term of validity, then the Borough may consider the SWM site plan disapproved and may revoke any and all permits. SWM site plans that are considered disapproved by the Borough shall be resubmitted in accordance with § 178-405 of this chapter.

§ 178-407 Record drawings, completion certificate and inspections.

A. The developer shall be responsible for providing record drawings of all SWM BMPs included in the approved SWM site plan. The record drawings and an explanation of any discrepancies with the construction plans shall be submitted to the Borough.

B. The record drawing submission shall include a certification of completion signed by a qualified professional verifying that all permanent SWM BMPs have been constructed according to the approved plans and specifications. The latitude and longitude coordinates for all permanent SWM BMPs must also be submitted, at the central location of the BMPs. If any licensed qualified professionals contributed to the construction plans, then a licensed qualified professional must sign the completion certificate.

C. The Borough may conduct inspections during construction as it deems appropriate. If inspections performed by the Borough reveal deficiencies from the submitted and approved SWM site plan, the Borough may request corrective actions. Any corrective action shall be at the cost of the stormwater facility owner.

D. After receipt of the completion certification by the Borough, the Borough may conduct a final inspection.