[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022[1]]
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Neshaminy Creek Watershed Stormwater Management Ordinance" (aka Neshaminy/Little Neshaminy Stormwater Management Ordinance).
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Part 1, Stormwater Management, Ord. 2011-04-01, 4/4/2011.
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
1. 
The governing body of the municipality finds that:
A. 
Inadequate management of accelerated stormwater runoff resulting from development and redevelopment 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 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. 
Inadequate planning and management of stormwater runoff resulting from land development and redevelopment throughout a watershed can also harm surface water resources by changing the natural hydrologic patterns, accelerating stream flows (which increase scour and erosion of streambeds and streambanks, thereby elevating sedimentation), destroying aquatic habitat, and elevating aquatic pollutant concentrations and loadings such as sediments, nutrients, heavy metals, and pathogens.
C. 
A comprehensive program of stormwater management (SWM), including reasonable regulation of development and activities causing accelerated runoff, 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.
D. 
Stormwater is an important water resource by providing groundwater recharge for water supplies and base flow of streams, which also protects and maintains surface water quality.
E. 
Public education on the control of pollution from stormwater is an essential component in successfully addressing stormwater.
F. 
Federal and state regulations require certain municipalities to implement a program of stormwater controls. These municipalities are required to obtain a permit for stormwater discharges from their separate storm sewer systems under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
1. 
The purpose of this Part is to promote the public health, safety, and welfare within the Neshaminy Creek watershed by maintaining the natural hydrologic regime and by minimizing the harms and maximizing the benefits described in § 26-102 of this Part, through provisions designed to:
A. 
Meet legal water quality requirements under state law, including regulations at 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93, to protect, maintain, reclaim, and restore the existing and designated uses of the waters of this commonwealth.
B. 
Minimize increases in stormwater volume and control peak flows.
C. 
Minimize impervious surfaces.
D. 
Provide review procedures and performance standards for stormwater planning and management.
E. 
Preserve the natural drainage systems as much as possible.
F. 
Manage stormwater impacts close to the runoff source, requiring a minimum of structures and relying on natural processes.
G. 
Focus on infiltration of stormwater to maintain groundwater recharge, to prevent degradation of surface and groundwater quality, and to otherwise protect water resources.
H. 
Preserve and restore the flood-carrying capacity of streams.
I. 
Prevent scour and erosion of streambanks and stream beds.
J. 
Provide standards to meet National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.
K. 
Address certain requirements of the Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) NPDES Phase II Stormwater Regulations.
L. 
Provide for proper operation and maintenance of all stormwater management facilities and best management practices (BMPs) that are implemented in the municipality.
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
1. 
The municipality is empowered to regulate land use activities that affect runoff, surface, and groundwater quality and quantity by the authority of:
A. 
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
B. 
Cite applicable municipal code, [e.g. Second Class Township Code (Act 69 of 1933, P.L. 103; 53 P.S. § 65101, as amended) and Borough Code (Act 581 of 1965, P.L. 1656; 53 P.S. § 45101, as amended)].
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
1. 
All regulated activities and all activities that may affect stormwater runoff, including land development and earth disturbance activity, are subject to regulation by this Part.
2. 
Regulated activities include, but are not limited to:
A. 
Land development.
B. 
Subdivisions.
C. 
Prohibited or polluted discharges.
D. 
Alteration of the natural hydrologic regime.
E. 
Construction or reconstruction of, or addition of, new impervious or semi-pervious surfaces (i.e., driveways, parking lots, roads, etc.), except for reconstruction of roads where there is no increase in impervious surface.
F. 
Construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings.
G. 
Redevelopment.
H. 
Diversion piping or encroachments in any natural or man-made channel, and nonstructural and structural stormwater management best management practices (BMPs) or appurtenances thereto.
I. 
Any of the above regulated activities which were approved more than five years prior to the effective date of this Part are resubmitted for municipal approval.
3. 
In the event of any conflict between the regulations and requirements set forth in this Part and the Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance,[1] the more restrictive standard or the regulation imposing the higher standard shall be controlling. The standards and requirements set forth in this Part and those similar standards and requirements set forth in the Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance are intended to be read together when determining compliance.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 22, Subdivision and Land Development.
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
1. 
Regulated activities that create a net increase of impervious surface area smaller than or equal to 1,000 square feet are exempt from the peak rate control requirements and the SWM site plan preparation located in Subpart D of this Part unless the activity is found to be a significant contributor of pollution to the waters of this commonwealth.
2. 
Regulated activities that create a net increase of impervious surfaces area between 1,001 square feet up to and including 5,000 square feet are exempt only from the peak rate control requirements of this Part.
Table § 26-106.1 Impervious Surface Exemption Thresholds for the Neshaminy Creek Watershed
Ordinance Article or Section
Type of Project
Proposed Impervious Surface
0-1,000 square feet
1,001-5,000 square feet
5,000+ square feet
Subpart D, SWM Site Plan Requirements
Development
Exempt
Not exempt
Not exempt
§ 26-123, Volume Control Requirements
Development
Not exempt
Not exempt
Not exempt
§ 26-124, Peak Rate Control Requirements
Development
Exempt
Exempt
Not exempt
Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Requirements
Must comply with Title 25, Chapter 102 of the Pa. Code and any other applicable state, county, and municipal codes.
3. 
Agricultural activity is exempt from the peak rate control requirements and SWM site plan preparation requirements of this Part provided the activities are performed according to the requirements of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
4. 
Forest management and timber operations are exempt from the peak rate control requirements and SWM site plan preparation requirements of this Part provided the activities are performed according to the requirements of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
5. 
Any aspect of BMP maintenance to an existing SWM system made in accordance with plans and specifications previously approved by the Township is exempt.
6. 
The use of land for gardening for home consumption is exempt from the requirements of this Part.
7. 
Exemptions from any provisions of this Part shall not relieve the applicant from the requirements in § 26-121, Subsections 4 through 12.
8. 
Additional Exemption Criteria:
A. 
Exemption Responsibilities. An exemption shall not relieve the applicant from implementing such measures as are necessary to protect public health, safety, and property.
B. 
Drainage Problems. Where drainage problems are documented or known to exist downstream of or are expected from the proposed activity, the municipality may deny exemptions.
C. 
Exemptions are limited to specific portions of this Part.
D. 
HQ and EV Streams. The municipality may deny exemptions in high quality (HQ) or exceptional value (EV) waters and source water protection areas (SWPA).
E. 
Maintenance Exemption. Any maintenance to an existing stormwater management system made in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the Municipal Engineer or Township.
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
Any other ordinance or ordinance provision of the municipality inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Part is hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction declares any section or provision of this Part invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of any of the remaining provisions of this Part.
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
Approvals issued and actions taken under this Part do not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to secure required permits or approvals for activities regulated by any other code, law, regulation or ordinance.
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
Any permit or authorization issued or approved based on false, misleading or erroneous information provided by an applicant is void without the necessity of any proceedings for revocation. Any work undertaken or use established pursuant to such permit or other authorization is unlawful. No action may be taken by a board, agency or employee of the municipality purporting to validate such a violation.
[Ord. No. 2022-09-03, 9/26/2022]
1. 
If the municipality determines that any requirement under this Part cannot be achieved for a particular regulated activity, the municipality may, after an evaluation of alternatives, approve measures other than those in this Part, subject to Subsections 2 and 3.
2. 
Waivers or modifications of the requirements of this Part may be approved by the municipality if enforcement will exact undue hardship because of peculiar conditions pertaining to the land in question, provided that the modifications will not be contrary the public interest and that the purpose of the Ordinance is preserved. Cost or financial burden shall not be considered a hardship. Modification may be considered if an alternative standard or approach will provide equal or better achievement of the purpose of the Ordinance. A request for modifications shall be in writing and accompany the stormwater management site plan submission. The request shall provide the facts on which the request is based, the provision(s) of the ordinance involved and the proposed modification.
3. 
No waiver or modification of any regulated stormwater activity involving earth disturbance greater than or equal to one acre may be granted by the municipality unless that action is approved in advance by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or the delegated county conservation district.