It is the purpose of this article to further
promote public health, safety and general welfare of Township residents
and to minimize environmental disturbance. The special purposes of
this article are as follows:
A. Conserve and protect those areas of the Township which
contain steep slopes from overdevelopment.
B. Prevent development which would cause accelerated
soil erosion and promote increased flooding conditions.
C. Protect the quality of surface water resources which
would be threatened by indiscriminate ground disturbance and development
on hillsides in Steep Slope Districts.
D. Conserve the natural vegetative cover in Steep Slope
Districts in order to reduce runoff volumes and velocities and flooding
potential.
The Steep Slope District, based on the delineations cited in §
200-69, shall be deemed an overlay to the otherwise applicable zoning district, as defined by the West Brandywine Township Zoning Map. Should the Steep Slope District be determined as inapplicable
to any tract by reason of amendment by the Board of Supervisors, variance
by the Zoning Hearing Board, or the decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction, the underlying zoning provisions applicable to such
tract shall be deemed the governing provisions and shall be enforced
independent of this article.
The following uses shall be prohibited in the
Steep Slope District:
A. Cut and fill operations other than specifically associated
with a permitted use or special exception.
B. Soil, rock or mineral extraction.
C. Structures other than those specified as a permitted
use or special exception.
D. Sanitary sewers using on-site subsurface disposal
fields on slopes of 25% or greater.
E. Streets, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces
on slopes of 25% or greater, excluding private driveways associated
with an approved single-family residence.
In addition to the provisions established in Article
XIX for special exception or variance, the following criteria shall be considered by the Zoning Hearing Board for applications which involve the Steep Slope District:
A. The applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed
use shall not substantially alter the existing grade nor remove more
than 5% of the existing vegetation.
B. The applicant shall demonstrate the importance of
steep slope with respect to the proposed use.
C. The applicant shall demonstrate how emergency vehicles
can safely reach the site.
D. The applicant shall submit the following information
to assist the Board in its evaluation:
(1) A site plan of the property indicating existing grades
with contour lines at two-foot intervals, including proposed final
grades.
(2) A cross-section of the property indicating the location
of buildings, structures, and grading operations, including proposed,
final grades.
(3) A landscaping plan which identifies all trees with
a diameter exceeding eight inches, measures three feet high, and locates
trees and shrubs to be removed and to be planted.
(4) Architectural plans, where applicable, including materials
and type of foundation to be used to overcome structural problems
associated with the slope conditions. The plan shall also include
how sewage disposal and water supply will be accommodated.