The specific intent of the Natural Resource Protection Standards
shall be to protect those areas having steep slopes, woodlands, streams,
watercourses, wetlands, and ponds, from inappropriate development
and excessive grading, while concurrently recognizing the relationship
between existing development and unique topological features present
in Schwenksville Borough. The following specific objectives are intended
to be accomplished by the adoption of these standards:
A. To combine with other zoning requirements certain restrictions for
steep slope areas, woodlands, streams, watercourses, wetlands and
ponds to promote the general health, safety and welfare of the residents
of the Borough of Schwenksville.
B. Improve surface water quality by reducing the amount of nutrients,
sediment, organic matter, pesticides, and other harmful substances
that reach watercourses, wetlands and water bodies by using scientifically-proven
processes including filtration, deposition, absorption, adsorption,
plant update.
C. Accommodate development while protecting the natural character, resources
such as woodlands or wildlife habitat and aesthetic value of the Borough.
D. To protect individuals and adjacent landowners in the Borough and/or
other municipalities from the possible harmful effects of inappropriate
grading and development in natural resource areas.
E. Regulate the land use, siting, and engineering of all development
to be consistent with the intent and objectives of this ordinance
and accepted conservation practices, and to work within the carrying
capacity of existing natural resources.
F. Conserve the natural features important to land or water resources
such as headwater areas, groundwater recharge zones, floodway, floodplain,
springs, streams, wetlands, woodlands, prime wildlife habitats and
other features that provide recreational value or contain natural
amenities that exist on developed and undeveloped land.
G. Comply with floodplain, steep slopes, and other ordinances that regulate
environmentally sensitive areas to minimize hazards to life, property,
and riparian features.
H. Recognize that natural features contribute to the welfare and quality
of life of Borough residents.
I. Conserve natural, scenic, and recreation areas within and adjacent
to riparian areas for the community's benefit.
These Natural Resource Protection Standards, as defined and delineated in this Article, shall apply to all zoning districts of the Borough, and shall apply in addition to and concurrently with all other underlying zoning district and general requirements of this Chapter. Should there be any provision of this Article that conflicts with any underlying zoning district or general requirement of this Chapter, the more restrictive shall apply. When two (2) or more resources regulated by this Article overlap, the provisions of §
176-1605 shall apply.
In the R-1 and R-2 Districts, not more than 20% of such areas
shall be altered, regraded, cleared or built upon. In all other zoning
districts, no more than 50% of such areas shall be altered. Any permitted
clearing or alteration of woodland area shall be undertaken to maintain,
where possible, a continuous canopy of trees where a continuous canopy
and/or hedgerow exists.
In the event that two or more resources identified in § §
176-1602 through
176-1604 overlap:
A. In the area of overlap with two or more resources, the greatest protection
standard of the overlapping resources (the least amount of alteration,
regrading, clearing, cutting, building, etc.) shall apply.