For any of the activities regulated by this chapter, the preliminary or final approval of subdivision and/or land development plans, the issuance of any building or occupancy permit, or the commencement of any earth disturbance activity may not proceed until the property owner or applicant or his/her agent has received written approval of a grading and/or drainage plan from the Township, and, if greater than one acre of land disturbance, obtained an NPDES permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities from the local Conservation District and/or DEP.
The drainage plan shall consist of a general description of the project including sequencing items described in § 134-404, calculations, maps, and plans. A note on the maps shall refer to the associated computations and erosion and sediment control plan by title and date. The cover sheet of the computations, erosion and sediment control plan, and Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSWM) Plan shall refer to the associated maps by title and date. All drainage plan materials shall be submitted to the Township in a format that is clear, concise, legible, neat, and well organized; otherwise, the drainage plan shall not be accepted for review and shall be returned to the applicant. The following items shall be included in the drainage plan:
A. 
General.
(1) 
General description of the project including those areas described in § 134-404B.
(2) 
General description of proposed permanent stormwater management techniques, including construction specifications of the materials to be used for stormwater management facilities.
(3) 
Complete hydrologic, hydraulic, and structural computations for all stormwater management facilities.
(4) 
An erosion and sediment control plan, including all reviews and letters of adequacy from the Conservation District and/or PaDEP.
(5) 
A general description of proposed nonpoint source pollution controls.
(6) 
The Drainage Plan Summary (Chapter 134, Appendix C-1[1]) and associated fee (see Township fee schedule).
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix C-1 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(7) 
The Drainage Plan Checklist (Chapter 134, Appendix C-2[2]).
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendix C-2 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B. 
Maps. Map(s) of the project area shall be submitted on twenty-four-inch by thirty-six-inch sheets and/or shall be prepared in a form that meets the requirements for recording at the offices of the Recorder of Deeds of Montgomery County. If the SALDO has more stringent criteria than this chapter, then the more stringent criteria shall apply. The contents of the map(s) shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) 
The location of the project relative to highways, municipal boundaries, or other identifiable landmarks.
(2) 
Existing contours at intervals of two feet. In areas of slopes greater than 15%, five-foot contour intervals may be used.
(3) 
Existing streams, lakes, ponds, or other waters of the commonwealth within the project area.
(4) 
Other physical features, including flood hazard boundaries, stream buffers, existing drainage courses, areas of natural vegetation to be preserved, and the total extent of the upstream area draining through the site.
(5) 
The locations of all existing and proposed utilities, sanitary sewers, and water lines within 50 feet of property lines.
(6) 
An overlay showing soil names, boundaries and limitations (in Tabular Format).
(7) 
Limits of earth disturbance, including the type and amount of impervious area that would be added.
(8) 
Proposed structures, roads, paved areas, and buildings.
(9) 
Final contours at intervals of two feet. In areas of steep slopes (greater than 15%, five-foot contour intervals may be used.
(10) 
The name of the development, the name and address of the owner of the property, and the name of the individual or firm preparing the plan.
(11) 
The date of preparation.
(12) 
A graphic and written scale of one inch equals no more than 50 feet; for tracts of 20 acres or more, the scale shall be one inch equals no more than 100 feet.
(13) 
A north arrow.
(14) 
The total tract boundary and size with distances marked to the nearest foot and bearings to the nearest degree.
(15) 
Existing and proposed land use(s).
(16) 
A key map showing all existing man-made features beyond the property boundary that would be affected by the project.
(17) 
Location of all open channels, as well as indicating where they are draining after they leave the site (storm sewer, defined drainage swale, stream channel, waters of the commonwealth, etc.).
(18) 
Overland drainage patterns and swales.
(19) 
A fifteen-foot wide access easement around all stormwater management facilities that would provide ingress to and egress from a public right-of-way.
(20) 
The location of all erosion and sediment control facilities and all post- construction stormwater management facilities, BMPs, systems, etc.
(21) 
A note on the plan indicating the location and responsibility for maintenance of stormwater management facilities that would be located off site. All off-site facilities shall meet the performance standards and design criteria specified in this chapter.
(22) 
A tabulation of existing and proposed impervious surface areas. Also note any additional square footage of future impervious area accommodated by the design.
(23) 
A statement, signed by the applicant, acknowledging that any revision to the approved Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan must be approved by the Township and the Conservation District and/or DEP (if greater than one acre of land disturbance), and that a revised erosion and sediment control plan must be submitted to the Conservation District for a determination of adequacy.
(24) 
The following signature block for the design professional:
"I, (Design Professional), on this date (date of signature), hereby certify that the drainage plan meets all design standards and criteria of Chapter 134, Stormwater, of the Lower Frederick Township Code."
C. 
Supplemental information to be submitted to the Township:
(1) 
A written description of the following information shall be submitted by the applicant and shall include:
(a) 
The overall stormwater management concept for the project designed in accordance with § 134-404.
(b) 
Stormwater runoff computations as specified in this chapter.
(c) 
Stormwater management techniques to be applied both during and after development.
(d) 
Expected project time schedule.
(e) 
Development stages or project phases, if so proposed.
(f) 
An operations and maintenance plan in accordance with § 134-702 of this chapter.
(2) 
An erosion and sediment control plan.
(3) 
A description of the effect of the project (in terms of runoff volumes and peak flows) on adjacent properties and on any existing municipal stormwater collection system that may receive runoff from the project site.
(4) 
A declaration of adequacy and highway occupancy permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District office when utilization of a PennDOT storm drainage system is proposed.
(5) 
A justification must be included in the 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.
(6) 
An electronic copy of all plans and documents listed above shall also be provided.
D. 
Stormwater management facilities.
(1) 
All PCSWM BMP facilities must be located on a plan and described in detail. The PCSWM Plan Package should include at a minimum Pre- and Post-Drainage Area Plans, an Overall PCSWM Plan, PCSWM Details Sheets, Landscaping or Conservation Plans, etc.
(2) 
When infiltration measures such as seepage pits, beds, or trenches are used, the locations of existing and proposed septic tank, infiltration areas and wells must be shown. Minimum setback distances should be identified from water supply wells, septic areas, and any adjacent or downgradient buildings and/or structures with below grade floors or inhabitable space.
(3) 
All calculations, assumptions, and criteria used in the design of the stormwater management facilities must be shown.
The Township shall require receipt of a complete drainage plan, as specified in this chapter.
A. 
Proof of application or documentation of required permit(s) or approvals for the programs listed below shall be part of the plan:
(1) 
NPDES Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities.
(2) 
DEP Joint Permit Application.
(3) 
PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit.
(4) 
Chapter 105 (Dam Safety and Waterway Management).
(5) 
Chapter 106 (Floodplain Management).
(6) 
Any other permit under applicable state or federal regulations.
B. 
The plan shall be coordinated with the state and federal permit process and the Township's SALDO review process.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 145, Subdivision and Land Development.
C. 
For projects that require SALDO approval, the drainage plan shall be submitted by the applicant as part of the preliminary plan submission where applicable for the regulated activity.
D. 
For regulated activities that do not require SALDO approval, see § 134-301, General requirements.
E. 
Six copies of the drainage plan shall be submitted and distributed as follows:
(1) 
Two copies to the Township accompanied by the requisite fee(s) and/or escrow(s), as specified in this chapter and the Township Fee Schedule.
(2) 
Two copies to the County Conservation District when more than one acre disturbance is proposed (submitted directly by applicant).
(3) 
One copy to the Township Engineer.
(4) 
One copy to the Montgomery County Planning Commission.
(5) 
An electronic copy of all plans and documents listed above shall also be provided to the Township.
F. 
Any submissions to the agencies listed above that are found to be incomplete shall not be accepted for review and shall be returned to the applicant with a notification, in writing, of the specific manner in which the submission is incomplete.
A. 
The Township Engineer shall review the drainage plan for consistency with this chapter and the respective Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan. Any found incomplete shall not be accepted for review and shall be returned to the applicant.
B. 
The Township Engineer shall review the drainage plan for any subdivision or land development against the provisions of Chapter 145, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Township Code not otherwise superseded by this chapter.
C. 
The Conservation District, in accordance with established criteria and procedures, shall review the drainage plan for consistency with stormwater management and erosion and sediment pollution control requirements and provide comments to the Township. Such comments shall be considered by the Township prior to final approval of the drainage plan. For plans with less than one acre disturbance, the Township Engineer may perform the review for stormwater management and erosion and sediment pollution control requirements.
D. 
For activities regulated by this chapter, the Township Engineer shall notify the applicant and the Township in writing, within 45 calendar days, whether the drainage plan is consistent with the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan.
(1) 
If the Township Engineer determines that the drainage plan is consistent with the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan, the Township Engineer shall forward a letter of consistency to the Township Manager who will then forward a copy to the applicant.
(2) 
If the Township Engineer determines that the drainage plan is inconsistent or noncompliant with the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan, the Township Engineer shall forward a letter to the Township Manager with a copy to the applicant citing the reason(s) and specific chapter sections for the inconsistency or noncompliance. Inconsistency or noncompliance may be due to inadequate information to make a reasonable judgment as to compliance with the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan. Any drainage plans that are inconsistent or noncompliant may be revised by the applicant and resubmitted when consistent with this chapter. Any inconsistent or noncompliant drainage plans may be revised by the applicant and resubmitted consistent with this chapter.
E. 
For regulated activities specified in § 134-105 of this chapter that require a building permit, the Township Engineer shall notify the Township Building Code Official, in writing, and copy the applicant, within a time frame consistent with Chapter 61, Uniform Construction Codes, and/or Chapter 145, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Township Code, whether the drainage plan is consistent with the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan. Any drainage plan deemed inconsistent may be revised by the applicant and resubmitted consistent with this chapter.
F. 
For regulated activities under this chapter that require an NPDES permit application, the applicant shall forward a copy of the Township Engineer's letter stating that the drainage plan is consistent with the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan to the Conservation District and/or DEP. In addition, a short summary of the proposed post-construction stormwater management design and proposed BMPs should also be forwarded to the Conservation District and/or DEP. DEP and the Conservation District may consider the Township Engineer's review comments in determining whether to issue a permit.
G. 
The Township shall not grant preliminary or final approval to any subdivision or land development for regulated activities specified in § 134-105 of this chapter if the drainage plan has been found by the Township Engineer to be inconsistent with the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan. All required permits from DEP must be obtained prior to approval of any subdivision or land development.
H. 
No building permits for any regulated activity specified in § 134-105 of this chapter shall be approved by the Township if the drainage plan has been found to be inconsistent with the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan, as determined by the Township Engineer or Conservation District, or without considering the comments of the Township Engineer and Conservation District. All required permits from DEP must be obtained prior to issuance of a building permit.
I. 
The applicant shall be responsible for completing record drawings of all stormwater management facilities included in the approved drainage plan. The record drawings and an explanation of any discrepancies with the design plans shall be submitted to the Township Engineer for final approval. In no case shall the Township approve the record drawings until the Township receives a copy of an approved declaration of adequacy and/or highway occupancy permit from the PennDOT District office, NPDES permit, and any other applicable permits or approvals from DEP or the Conservation District. The above permits and approvals must be based on the record drawings.
J. 
The Township's approval of a drainage plan shall be valid for a period not to exceed five years commencing on the date that the Township signs the approved drainage plan. If stormwater management facilities included in the approved drainage plan have not been constructed, or if constructed, record drawings of these facilities have not been approved within this five-year time period, then the Township may consider the drainage plan inconsistent or noncompliant and may revoke any and all permits. Drainage plans that are determined to be inconsistent or noncompliant by the Township shall be resubmitted in accordance with § 134-306 of this chapter.
K. 
For any 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 Township will not approve the plan unless it determines that green infrastructure and LID practices are not practicable.
A. 
A modification to a submitted drainage plan under review by the Township for a development site that involves the following shall require a resubmission to the Township of a modified drainage plan consistent with § 134-303 of this chapter and be subject to review as specified in § 134-304 of this chapter:
(1) 
Change in stormwater management facilities or techniques;
(2) 
Relocation or redesign of stormwater management facilities; or
(3) 
Is necessary because soil or other conditions are not as stated on the drainage plan as determined by the Township Engineer.
B. 
A modification to an already approved or inconsistent or noncompliant drainage plan shall be submitted to the Township, accompanied by the applicable fee(s) and escrow(s). A modification to a drainage plan for which a formal action has not been taken by the Township shall be submitted to the Township accompanied by the applicable fee(s) and escrow(s).
An inconsistent or noncompliant drainage plan may be resubmitted with the revisions addressing the Township Engineer's concerns documented in writing. It must be addressed to the Township Manager in accordance with § 134-303 of this chapter, distributed accordingly, and be subject to review as specified in § 134-304 of this chapter. The applicable fee(s) and escrow(s) must accompany a resubmission of an inconsistent or noncompliant drainage plan.