A. 
Minimum improvements. The minimum improvements required for all subdivisions and land developments (including commercial and industrial) shall be provided by the subdivider as set forth in this article.
B. 
Additional improvements. Additional or higher-type improvements may be required in specific cases where, in the opinion of the Board of Supervisors, they are necessary to create conditions essential to the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the Township and to protect the environment of the Township.
C. 
Modifications and exceptions. Where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of this chapter or its accompanying regulations would result in unnecessary hardship, the Board of Supervisors may make reasonable modifications and exceptions. Proof of unnecessary hardship must be presented to the Planning Commission by the developer. The Planning Commission shall review the applicant’s request and submit a written report to the Board of Supervisors. The request for an exception shall be reviewed at a public hearing of the Board of Supervisors who shall make findings of fact consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the intent of this chapter. A written summary of any exception shall be appended to the record plan.
The reminder of this article sets forth the construction standards for several of the required improvements. Other construction standards shall be pursuant to the Township Construction Standards Plan or as approved by the Township Engineer.
A. 
Placement. Monuments and markers shall be placed so that the center of a scored or marked point shall coincide exactly with the intersection of the lines to be marked.
B. 
Monuments.
(1) 
Monuments shall consist of either:
(a) 
Concrete with a minimum size of four inches by four inches by 36 inches and shall be marked on top with one-fourth-inch round steel pin.
(b) 
Such other monuments as the Township Engineer may approve.
(2) 
Placement.
(a) 
Monuments shall be placed flush with the ground.
(b) 
Monuments shall not be placed until road grading has been completed.
(c) 
Monuments shall be set as follows:
[1] 
One at each angle of the perimeter of the property of all major subdivisions and land developments.
[2] 
Two monuments shall be required for each minor subdivision. This monument shall be contiguous to the right-of-way line of a public street, the parcel being subdivided out and the remaining tract of land.
[3] 
One at the beginning and end of all curves along street right-of-way lines along one side of the street.
[4] 
A minimum of one at each street intersection along the street right-of-way line.
C. 
Markers.
(1) 
Markers shall consist of either:
(a) 
Solid steel rods not less than 3/4 inch in diameter nor less than 24 inches in length;
(b) 
Steel pipes not less than 3/4 inch in diameter nor less than 24 inches in length; or
(c) 
Such other markers as the Township Engineer may approve.
(2) 
Placement.
(a) 
Markers normally shall be set two inches above the surrounding grade.
(b) 
Markers shall be set as follows:
[1] 
At all points where lot lines intersect street right-of-way lines, except for monument locations.
[2] 
At all other lot corners.
[3] 
At all points where lot lines intersect curves.
[4] 
At all angles in property lines of lots.
D. 
Any monuments or markers that are removed shall be replaced by a licensed land surveyor at the expense of the person removing it.
A. 
General. Streets shall be graded, improved and surfaced to the grades and dimensions shown on plans, profiles and cross sections submitted by the developer and approved by the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Design and construction standards.
(1) 
Right-of-way grading. The entire right-of-way shall be graded to the approved cross section. All trees, stumps and other material deemed unsuitable by the Township Engineer shall be removed. The excavation shall be backfilled and suitably compacted to 95% compaction with wheel load testing and to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer. The finished road surface, both the tangent and curve, shall be crowned away from the center line. A proper superelevation (banked curves) shall be required on arterials and collectors when the center-line curve radii are less than 1,200 feet and may be required by the Township Engineer on minor local streets when the center-line curve radii are less than 600 feet.
(2) 
Grading beyond right-of-way. Where the approved profile of the center line requires excavation or earthfill to a depth exceeding six inches, the subdivider or developer may be required to grade beyond the right-of-way line in order to provide continuous slope from the right-of-way line to the proposed elevation of the abutting property. Such grading beyond the right-of-way shall maintain the original conditions of slope and contours except where stormwater runoff designs dictate or warrant improvement or alteration of the original slope and contours. Approved plans, either preliminary or final, showing proposed grading, shall be a covenant running with the land, unless altered by written permission from the Board of Supervisors in conjunction with the Northampton County Conservation District. In areas of earth excavation or earthfill, such grading shall be done to a maximum slope of one foot vertical to two feet horizontal or as required by the County Conservation District. In areas of rock excavation, such grading shall be done to a maximum slope of four feet vertical to one foot horizontal.
(3) 
Trench excavation. All trenches excavated within the cartway of a public street or right-of-way shall be backfilled with modified stone and shall be compacted to 95% compaction with wheel load testing.
(4) 
Drainage.
(a) 
Parallel and cross drainage facilities shall be properly located, designed and installed to maintain proper drainage of the completed streets. Drainage facilities shall be designed in accordance with requirements of Chapter 163, Stormwater Management. Proper design and construction in accordance with those requirements may require the use of curb and gutter or paved drainage swales to prevent erosion. The minimum diameter of any cross drainage or culvert pipe shall be 15 inches.
(b) 
HDPE pipe and reinforced concrete pipe are accepted pipe materials.
(c) 
Open pipe ends must be fitted with concrete end walls, wing walls or other approved method. The upstream ends of pipes shall be fitted with a removable bar screen consisting of three-fourths-inch steel rods spaced six inches on center.
(d) 
No open pipes shall be allowed to end within the Township road right-of-way, except in cases where new driveways must cross existing deep roadside swales adjacent to existing Township roads. In the case of these exemptions to the standard, the pipe shall be located as far off the edge of pavement as possible (at least 20 feet from the road center line).
(e) 
Energy dissipaters shall be placed at the outlets of all pipes where flow velocities exceed maximum permitted channel velocities.
(f) 
Bridges and culverts shall be designed to support expected loads, carry expected flows and be constructed to the full width of the right-of-way in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Construction Standards. Separate design plans and specifications shall be required for each bridge and culvert which plans and specifications shall be subject to review and approval of the Township Engineer.
(g) 
Consideration shall be given for subgrade drainage of those soils subject to frost heave. Design of the roadbed in such locations may require parallel drainage facilities and/or underdrains to properly stabilize the subgrade. The Board of Supervisors may require that such drainage facilities be provided. The design of such subgrade drainage facilities shall be subject to the review and approval of the Township Engineer.
(h) 
Basic construction criteria. Construction of stormwater management and erosion control facilities shall be in accordance with the approved plans and accompanying specifications, if any. The construction details and standards of the following publications in their most recent revision shall be acceptable:
[1] 
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Handbook of Northampton County.
[2] 
PennDOT, Form 408, Specifications.
[3] 
PennDOT, RC Series, Roadway Construction Standards.
[4] 
Township Subdivision and Land Development Regulations.
[5] 
Township construction standards.
(i) 
Construction. A set of approved design plans shall be maintained on file at the site during construction as record drawings.
(j) 
Observations of construction shall be the responsibility of the Township or its designated representative and shall be conducted to certify compliance with this chapter. The review and comments of the Northampton County Conservation District shall be followed during completion and implementation of the storm drainage and grading plan.
(5) 
Subgrade.
(a) 
The design and construction of the roadbed shall take cognizance of the supporting capacities of the subgrade, with particular attention to those soils which are subject to frost heave. Unsuitable soils shall be removed and replaced, drained or otherwise stabilized to provide adequate support for the roadbed and anticipated loads.
(b) 
If the subdivider can prove to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer that natural subbase material has adequate bearing capacity and is well drained, the subbase required below may be omitted.
(c) 
The subgrade shall be tested for proper stability, by the developer, by test-driving a dump truck fully loaded with crushed aggregate or gravel over the entire subgrade such that the Township Engineer may witness the reaction of the subgrade, or by any other method chosen by the Township Engineer.
(6) 
Subbase, base and surface course. Road construction requirements shall follow the Township Construction Standards Plan.
(7) 
All materials, construction procedures and other specifications shall be in conformance with the latest edition of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Manual Form 408 and the Forks Township construction standards.
(8) 
Alternative designs. Alternative roadbed designs may be prepared and will be considered. The alternate design must provide load capabilities equivalent to or higher than the capabilities of the required designs set forth. Alternate designs will be reviewed on the basis of design recommendations of the Asphalt Institute or the American Concrete Institute and be subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors and Township Engineer.
(9) 
Cross section. Refer to the Township Construction Standards Plan.
(10) 
Bridges and stream crossings. Bridges and other stream crossing structures which are part of the proposed street system shall be designed and constructed in accordance with current PennDOT standards and specifications. Evidence of compliance with and approval of the Division of Dams and Encroachments and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection shall be provided by the developer, if applicable.
Minimum curb construction standards are as follows:
A. 
Battered curbs of portland cement concrete shall be constructed pursuant to the provisions of the Township Construction Standards Plan.
B. 
Expansion and contraction joints shall be provided pursuant to the provisions of the latest edition of PennDOT Publication 408.
C. 
Gutter requirements shall be in conformance with good engineering practice and subject to the approval of the Engineer.
D. 
Portland cement concrete used in the construction of curbs and gutters shall meet the minimum three-thousand-pounds-per-square-inch twenty-eight-day strength test according to the American Society of State Highway Officials (ASTM) Standards.
A. 
Adequate provisions to maintain uninterrupted parallel drainage along a public street at the point of driveway entry shall be made.
B. 
Prior to final plan approval, the applicant shall submit copies of PennDOT permits for roadways, driveways and any other appurtenances proposed within state rights-of-way if applicable.
C. 
Prior to preliminary plan approval, the applicant shall secure Township road-opening permits (if applicable) for roadways, driveways and any other appurtenances proposed within Township rights-of-way.
D. 
Driveways in single-family-detached developments shall exist only onto interior access streets, except where this can be specifically shown by the developer to be impractical and he/she receives the approval of the Board of Supervisors.
A. 
Location. Sidewalks shall be located within the street right-of-way on both sides of the street and shall be constructed pursuant to the provisions of the Township Construction Standards Plan.
B. 
Width. Sidewalks in single-family residential subdivisions or in multifamily mobile home parks and nonresidential subdivisions or land developments and street crosswalks shall have a minimum width as indicated on the Township Construction Standards Plan.
C. 
Required construction. Sidewalks and crosswalks shall be portland cement concrete of a minimum thickness as indicated on the Township Construction Standards Plan drawing and shall have a base of crushed aggregate.
The developer shall provide the subdivision or land development with adequate street signs at the intersections of all streets and with any other signs required by the Board of Supervisors. Sign style, color and lettering shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors and shall match Township standards. Wooden poles are not acceptable.
Streetlights shall be required to provide safe traffic circulation. Such lights shall meet design standards indicated on the Township Construction Standards Plan. Wooden poles are not acceptable. Streetlights shall be located as follows:
A. 
One streetlight at each intersection of streets.
B. 
One streetlight at each cul-de-sac.
C. 
At intermediate locations such that the spacing of streetlights does not exceed 500 feet.
Traffic signals and signs may be required when the Board of Supervisors, after review and recommendation of the Planning Commission, Township Police Chief, Township Fire Chief and Superintendent of Public Works, deems them necessary to provide safe traffic circulation. Such traffic signals and signs shall meet current design standards as established by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
A. 
Street trees. The developer shall plant shade trees meeting the following specifications within all rights-of-way of streets for land developments and major subdivisions or, if deemed appropriate by the subdivider or developer and approved by the Board of Supervisors, with a ten-foot planting strip adjacent to all street rights-of-way. Where this latter condition exists, a covenant running with the land shall so stipulate and the responsibility for maintenance and replacement shall be borne by the owner of record. (Street trees shall not be required where existing trees meet the following requirements.)
(1) 
Type of trees permitted. Trees shall be of nursery stock quality of a species approved by the Township and grown under the same climatic conditions as the location of the development. Site locations, land use, topography, natural and historical features shall be considered by the subdivider in selecting species. Trees within street rights-of-way shall be a deciduous hardwood type, nonsusceptible to vehicular and other air pollutants.
(2) 
Street trees shall be chosen from the following list of approved street trees:
(a) 
Medium trees (from 30 feet to 40 feet in height).
Acer platanoides
"Crimson King," crimson king red maple
Tilia cordata
Littleleaf European linden
Fraxinus velutina bra
Modesto ash
Ulmus carpinifolia buisman
Buisman elm
Sorbus aucuparia
Mountain ash
(b) 
Large trees (over 40 feet in height).
Ginkgo biloba fastigiata
Maidenhair tree (male only)
Acer saccharum
Sugar maple
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Green ash
Liquidambar styraciflua
Sweetgum
Quercus phellos
Willow oak
Fraxinus americana
White ash
Quercus palustris
Pin oak
Quercus borealis
Red oak
Quercus coccinea
Scarlet oak
Sophora japonica
Chinese scholar tree
Quercus macrocarpa
Bur oak
Liriodendron tulipifera
Tulip poplar
Gleditsia triacanthos
Thornless locust
Acer rubrum
American red maple
Quercus alba
White oak
NOTES:
Other varieties of trees will be considered if the applicant can demonstrate that they will be hardy in this area and nuisance free.
(3) 
Quality of trees. Trees allowed shall be of symmetrical growth, free of insect pests and disease and durable under the maintenance contemplated. Trees which have died, have become diseased or pest-ridden within 24 months from the time of roadway dedication shall be replaced by the developer.
(4) 
Size of trees permitted. The trunk diameter measured at a height of six inches above the finished grade level shall be a minimum of two to 2 1/2 inches. Depending on good planting practice with reference to the particular species to be planted, the Township, if applicable, may modify the size requirements of trees.
(5) 
Location. In all subdivisions and land developments, trees shall be planted along both sides of the street right-of-way at a maximum interval of 100 feet. The location of shade trees will be subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors. If applicable, trees may be planted between the sidewalk and building line at least three feet from the sidewalk.
(6) 
Planting. Besides conforming to all parts of this section, all planting shall be done in conformance with standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and any additional standards established by the Township.
(7) 
Removal. After the street trees have become Township property, they shall not be removed without approval of the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Ground cover requirements. Exposed ground surface in all parts of the subdivision shall be paved or covered with stone screenings or other solid material, or protected with a vegetative growth that is capable of preventing soil erosion and the emanation of dust during dry weather. The vegetative cover shall not be poisonous in nature.
C. 
Final grading of lots. Lots shall be graded to desirable contours pursuant to recommendations of the County Conservation District publications. Specifically, steep slopes shall be avoided insofar as is practical, such that high stormwater runoff velocities are kept to a minimum.
A. 
Sanitary sewers shall be installed to adequately serve all lots with connections to any public or private central system which might exist and shall be subject to inspection by the Engineer and approval by the Board of Supervisors. See § 175-42G(2) and Appendix B.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B. 
Where the developer provides the subdivision with a centralized water supply system, it shall be subject to inspection by the Engineer and approval by the Board of Supervisors. See § 175-42G(1) and Appendix C.[2]
(1) 
Fire hydrants and/or building connections (five-inch storz) shall be provided pursuant to national code requirements and review by the Forks Township Fire Chief.
[2]
Editor's Note: Said appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
C. 
An adequate storm sewer system consisting of inlets and other underground drainage structures with approved outlets shall be constructed where the runoff of stormwater and the prevention of erosion cannot be accomplished satisfactorily by surface drainage facilities. Outlets shall be approved by the owners of the adjacent properties, by the Township Engineer and by the Board of Supervisors. See Chapter 163, Stormwater Management.
A. 
Installation of these facilities shall follow requirements of the appropriate utility companies and their particular national, state and local code requirements. All utilities shall be installed underground.
B. 
The plans shall include a plan note which provides as follows:
Applicant covenants that Applicant, Applicant's heirs, successors and assigns: 1) shall not enter into an exclusive service arrangement with a cable television and/or cable communications system provider; and 2) shall permit equal access to all Township approved franchisees to lay cable throughout the subdivision or land development at the time of initial utility infrastructure construction.
A. 
Location. The proposed development shall comply with the Township's conceptual recreation path plan.
B. 
Width. Recreation paths shall have an eight-foot paved width centered within a twenty-foot-wide right-of-way.
C. 
Required construction. Recreation pathways shall be constructed according to the Township construction standards.
D. 
Existing paths. The developer shall incorporate and improve upon any existing paths within the project site. If existing off-site paths abut the project site, the developer must connect his path system to the existing paths.
A. 
All entrances and exits to project sites adjacent to public roads or public or private lands shall be constructed in accordance with requirements of the County Soil Conservation Service. Mud and silt shall not be tracked or deposited on the adjacent public roads or private lands. If the developer deposits mud or silt upon public or private lands and fails to adequately clean the area, the Township may perform the cleanup and charge the developer for said service.
B. 
Work shall be performed between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. No work shall be performed on the following days: New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
A. 
Swales with properties having a cross-sectional area in excess of three square feet. Velocity in excess of four feet per second, or flow in excess of five cubic feet per second shall be lined with riprap consisting of stone of the required size, thickness and gradation. The riprap shall be separated from the soil by a layer of geotextile pursuant to PennDOT Publication 408, Sections 212, 735 and 850, and the geotextile manufacturer's recommendations. Riprap stone size, thickness and gradation shall be determined by use of the Isbash Curve or other approved method.
B. 
Other swales shall be seeded with mixtures pursuant to County Soil Conservation Service requirements. The use of low-maintenance ground covers is encouraged.
A. 
Detention basins shall be designed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 163, Stormwater Management, of the Code of Forks Township.
B. 
Emergency spillways and downstream areas shall be lined as approved in the sole discretion of the Township Engineer.
[Amended 10-19-2017 by Ord. No. 353]
C. 
Side slopes inside and outside of the basin shall be constructed to a slope not to exceed four horizontal to one vertical if the basin is to be dedicated to the Township. If the basin is to be privately owned and operated, the side slopes may be constructed to a slope not to exceed three horizontal to one vertical, provided that basin maintenance does not require frequent mowing and that appropriate stabilization measures are utilized to prevent erosion and ensure the integrity of the embankment.
[Amended 10-19-2017 by Ord. No. 353]
D. 
In embankment areas, a ten-foot-minimum horizontal top width shall be provided, except for basins with a depth of 18 inches or less, in which the top width may be reduced in the sole discretion of the Township Engineer.
[Amended 10-19-2017 by Ord. No. 353]
E. 
If conditions warrant, a low-flow channel should be provided through the basin.
F. 
Basins shall be seeded with mixtures pursuant to County Soil Conservation Service requirements. The use of low-maintenance ground covers is encouraged.
G. 
Basins shall be landscaped with shrubbery and coniferous trees. A planting plan shall be submitted along with the basin design.
H. 
The Township shall require an applicant to surround a detention basin with a fence, including suitable gates to permit access of maintenance vehicles (ten-foot-minimum width), if any of the following conditions are present:
[Amended 10-19-2017 by Ord. No. 353]
(1) 
The maximum depth of water in the basin after a twenty-five-year storm is greater than 30 inches.
(2) 
The basin is intended to hold water in excess of 12 inches for periods longer than 24 hours after the rainfall subsides.
(3) 
The inside slopes of the detention basin will be steeper than four horizontal to one vertical.
(4) 
The detention basin is to be dedicated to the Township.
I. 
For maintenance details refer to § 175-42.
J. 
For basins without direct access to a public or proposed public street, a thirty-foot-wide access easement leading to such a street shall be provided.
K. 
Any owner of an existing detention basin that does not meet the requirements set forth in Subsection H may remove a fence that surrounds the detention basin provided the owner executes a hold harmless and indemnification agreement in favor of the Township related to the removal.
[Added 10-19-2017 by Ord. No. 353]
The developer shall be responsible for locating existing underground utility facilities prior to commencement of construction activities. The Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc., (800/242-1776), will contact member utilities. Nonmember utilities shall be contacted individually.