A.
Retaining walls. All retaining walls shall be designed and approved in accordance with the following:
(1)
Retaining walls to support the face of excavation shall not exceed a maximum height of five feet or a stepped level or terraced retaining wall system with a combined maximum height of 10 feet.
(2)
Retaining walls greater than four feet in height shall have a protective pedestrian guard fence meeting the specification of the Township Building Code.
(3)
Retaining walls greater than four feet in height shall be designed by a Pennsylvania registered professional engineer whose signature and seal shall appear on the final plan. In lieu of a seal on the final plan, final plans may contain a note deferring the professional design to a later shop drawing submittal to be reviewed and considered for approval by the Municipal Engineer.
(4)
Developers or applicants shall be required to retain the services of a professional geotechnical engineer to inspect construction of all retaining walls greater than four feet in height for compliance with the Township-approved design drawings. This geotechnical engineer shall provide a written certification to the Municipality that all retaining walls were constructed in accordance with the design plans prior to final Municipality approval of the improvements.
B.
No excavation or fill shall be made with an exposed face steeper in slope than three horizontals to one vertical, except under one or more of the following conditions:
(1)
The material in which the excavation or fill is to be made is sufficiently stable to sustain a slope of steeper than three horizontals to one vertical, and a written statement to that effect by a licensed professional engineer experienced in erosion control is submitted and approved by the Township Engineer. The statement shall certify that the site has been inspected and that the deviation from the slope specified will not result in injury to persons or damage to property or increased erosion and resulting sedimentation.
(2)
The Municipal Engineer may require a flatter slope when it is found that the material in which the excavating is to be made is unusually subject to erosion or if other conditions exist which make such a shallower slope necessary for stability and safety.
C.
The top or bottom edge of slopes shall be located at least five feet from property lines or from any ultimate right-of-way, whichever is more restrictive, in order to permit a gradual rounding of the edge without encroaching onto the abutting property.
D.
Excavation shall not exceed below the angle of repose or natural slope of the soil under the nearest point of any footing or foundation or any existing building or structure unless such footing or foundation is first properly underpinned or protected against settlement.
E.
Grading shall not redirect or concentrate surface water onto an adjacent property without written approval of the property owner.
F.
During grading operations, necessary measures for dust control to prevent particulate matter from becoming airborne shall be followed. These measures shall include, but not be limited to the following:
(1)
A tire cleaning area shall be provided at each point of egress from the development areas;
(2)
Use, where possible, of water or other method approved by the Township Engineer for control of dust during any land disturbance activity; and
(3)
Prompt removal of earth or other material from paved streets.
G.
Grading equipment shall not be allowed to cross permanent or intermittent streams without first obtaining appropriate permits or approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
H.
No applicant shall engage in land disturbance activities that endanger any adjoining property, public street, sidewalk, alley or other property from settling, cracking or other damage which might result from such land disturbance. If, in the opinion of the Township Engineer, the land disturbance would create a hazard to life or property unless adequately safeguarded, the applicant shall construct walls, fences, guard rails, or other structures to safeguard the adjoining property, public street, sidewalk, alley, or other property and persons.
I.
Excavations or fills shall not encroach on natural watercourses, floodplain areas, constructed channels, or wetlands without the necessary state and federal permits. Excavations or fills located adjacent to natural watercourses or constructed channels shall have suitable protection against erosion. Excavation and fill shall comply with the maximum disturbance standards contained in the Zoning Ordinance.
J.
All fill shall be compacted to provide stability of material and to prevent undesirable settlements. The fill shall be spread in a series of layers, not exceeding 12 inches in thickness, and be compacted by a sheepsfoot roller or other approved method after each layer is spread. The Municipal Engineer may require compaction tests and reports.
K.
Adequate provisions shall be made to prevent surface waters from damaging the cut face of an excavation or the sloping surface or a fill within the area of a proposed subdivision or land development. Slopes of more than 10 feet in vertical height shall be separated by level berms of at least four feet in width within which ditches shall be constructed where necessary to prevent erosion and as a safe place to deposit and receive such water. The Municipal Engineer may require such drainage structures or pipes to be constructed or installed which are perceived necessary to prevent erosion damage and to satisfactorily carry off surface waters.
L.
When excavation or fill is proposed, all retaining walls, cribbing, drainage structures, fences or other protective devices shall be maintained in good condition and repair.
M.
All lots, tracts or parcels shall be graded to provide property drainage away from buildings, and to dispose of water without ponding. All land within a development shall be graded to drain and dispose of surface water without ponding, except where ponding, as in the case of detention basins, is part of the stormwater management system for the proposed subdivision or land development.
N.
All drainage provisions shall be of such design to adequately handle the surface runoff and carry it to the nearest suitable outlet. Where drainage swales are used to direct surface waters away from buildings, they shall be sodded or planted as required.