Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions
in this section shall apply to and govern the construction of this
chapter:
ACTIVITY
Any use, operation, development or action involving a change
in, on or to uplands or bottomlands caused by any person, including,
but not limited to, constructing, operating or maintaining any use
or development; erecting buildings or other structures; depositing
or removing material; dredging; ditching; land balancing; draining
or diverting water; pumping or discharge of surface water; grading;
paving; vegetative clearing or excavation, mining or drilling operations.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, dredging,
filling, grading, paving, bridges, alteration to waterways, excavation
or drilling operations.
ENVIRONMENT
The physical and social conditions which exist within the
area and within the Township of Grosse Ile which will be affected
by a proposed project, including natural features, as defined (natural
environment), land uses, buildings, improvements and infrastructure,
including utilities, roads and public facilities (built environment),
social and economic conditions (socio-economic environment) and cultural/historic
resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
A detailed statement or study setting forth the environmental
analysis and the results thereof required by this chapter. It shall
also include any comments on an environmental assessment which are
obtained or received or required to be obtained pursuant to this chapter.
An environmental assessment is an informational document or study
which, when its preparation is required by this chapter, shall be
finished and considered by the public agency prior to its approval
or disapproval of a project. The purpose of an environmental assessment
is to provide the public agency with detailed information about the
significant effects which a proposed project may or is likely to have
on the environment; to list ways or recommendations by which any adverse
effects of such a project might be minimized; to suggest or recommend
alternatives to such projects; and to insure that if the project is
approved, it will be constructed, completed or developed in a manner
consistent with the report and with the environmental recommendations,
if any, contained therein.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Any alteration of the existing conditions of the environment,
or the creation of a new set of environmental conditions, adverse
or beneficial, caused or induced in whole or in part, directly or
indirectly, by a proposed project.
FLORISTIC QUALITY ASSESSMENT
An assessment that includes a comprehensive list of plant
species that occur on a site, based upon sampling, an identification
of the estimated probability that each plant species is likely to
occur in a pre-settlement landscape (coefficient of conservatism)
and an establishment of a floristic quality index based upon the aggregate
of all plant species on the site. Such assessment shall be prepared
based upon standards and guidelines adopted by the Township or the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
NATURAL FEATURES
Any one or more of the following: soils, topography, geology,
vegetation, woodlands, landmark tree, fish and wildlife habitat, floodplain,
watercourse, rivers, streams, creeks, ponds, wetland, groundwater,
watersheds, aesthetic resources, and microclimate.
PERSON
Includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership,
business, trust, corporation or company.
PROJECT
Any use, operation, development or action involving a change
in, on or to uplands or bottomlands caused by any person, including,
but not limited to, constructing, operating or maintaining any use
or development; erecting buildings or other structures; depositing
or removing material; dredging; ditching; land balancing; draining
or diverting water; pumping or discharge of surface water; grading;
paving; vegetative clearing or excavation, mining or drilling operations.
PUBLIC AGENCY
The Township of Grosse Ile and its respective boards and
commissions, Wayne County, State of Michigan, United States Federal
Government.
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
An adverse impact on the environment that is greater than
the impact of other similar uses within the Township due to the increased
intensity of the proposed development or the presence of sensitive
or valuable environmental features on the site that will be adversely
impacted by development.
STREAMS
As defined in the Protection of Wetlands and Drainageways
Ordinance.
WATERCOURSE
As defined in the Protection of Wetlands and Drainageways
Ordinance.
WETLAND
As defined in the Protection of Wetlands and Drainageways
Ordinance.
WOODLAND
As defined in the Woodland Protection Ordinance.
The following process shall be followed for
the review and approval of an environmental assessment. The process
shall run concurrently with the site plan, subdivision plat, rezoning
or other applicable review process.
A. Natural features determination. The petitioner contemplating
a project requiring Township review is responsible for determining
whether natural features exist on the site. This determination can
be made by outside consultants retained by the petitioner. Township
staff will confirm these determinations during the review process.
B. Plan and environmental assessment submission. The
Zoning Ordinance, Condominium Projects Ordinance and Subdivision Control
Ordinance specify what information must be shown on plans submitted
for Township review. The applicant shall submit the environmental
assessment and checklist along with any site plan, subdivision tentative
preliminary plat, or rezoning application and required fees to the
Community Development Department.
C. Township staff review/analysis of alternative designs.
Community Development Department staff will coordinate the proposal's
review by various Township departments and consultants to provide
written review and recommendation to the Planning Commission.
D. Planning Commission review and findings. Once information and plans submitted to the Township are complete, the formal public review process begins with the Planning Commission. Exact procedures for reviews before the Township Planning Commission and the Township Board are outlined in the Zoning Ordinance, Condominium Projects Ordinance and Subdivision Control Ordinance. The Planning Commission shall review the environmental assessment to determine that the data and analysis of the environmental assessment are complete. Once complete, the Planning Commission shall make one of the two following findings based upon the criteria of §
98-5:
(1) A finding that the proposed project is not a project
which may or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment.
(2) A finding that the proposed project may or is likely
to have a significant impact on the environment.
E. Planning Commission approval for projects with no significant impact. Upon a finding by the Planning Commission that a proposed project is not a project which may or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment or any impacts can be fully mitigated, such finding shall be included in an environmental assessment statement and the environmental assessment shall be approved or denied by the Planning Commission based upon the review criteria of §
98-6. The Planning Commission may thereafter proceed to either approve or disapprove the project; provided, however, that any approval of the proposed project shall take into consideration the information, recommendations and mitigation measures contained within the environmental assessment.
F. Township Board review and approval required for a significant impact. Upon a finding by the Planning Commission that the proposed project may or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment, the Planning Commission shall, prior to approval or disapproval of the project, forward the environmental assessment to the Township Board for approval along with recommended mitigation measures to minimize the environmental impact of the project. Where significant environmental impacts will result from the proposed project, then the environmental assessment shall be approved or denied by the Township Board based upon the review criteria of §
98-6 and a finding that the mitigation measures proposed will minimize the level of impact to the maximum extent practical.
G. Final approvals, permits and inspections. Following
approval of the environmental assessment and other approvals required
under applicable ordinances, permits shall be obtained from the Community
Development Department. All natural feature protection measures specified
in the approved plans must be installed and maintained on the site
throughout construction. Inspections shall be conducted to ensure
sedimentation and erosion controls and protective barrier fencing
are in place and maintained, limits of construction and barrier fencing
are being observed, pavements and streets are clean of soils, debris
is properly contained on the site, and site work is proceeding according
to plan.
The criteria established under §
98-4 shall require a finding of "significant impact on the environment" if any of the following conditions exist:
A. A proposed project will have an adverse impact on
the environment that is greater than the impact of other similar uses
within the Township due to the increased intensity of the proposed
development or the presence of sensitive or valuable environmental
features on the site that will be adversely impacted by development.
B. A proposed project has the potential to degrade the
quality of the environment, curtail the range of the environment,
or the potential to achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of long-term,
environmental goals.
C. The possible effects of a project are individually
limited but cumulatively considerable, including consideration of
any secondary land use changes that may result from the proposed action.
D. The environmental effects of a project will cause
substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly.
In determining whether the proposed disturbance
or removal of natural features is limited to the minimum necessary
to allow a reasonable use of the land, the approving body shall apply
the following criteria:
A. The environmental assessment is complete and contains all of the information and analysis required by §
98-7.
B. The environmental impact of other practical alternative development plans under §
98-8.
C. The importance and overall value of a natural feature,
both on the site and on a Township-wide basis. In general, the importance
of a natural feature increases with its rarity, size, age and condition.
D. The existence of overlapping natural features in one
area. Overlapping natural features increase the importance and overall
value for preservation of the area.
E. The existence of edges between two habitats or natural
features. The edges between two natural feature types, such as the
area between an upland and a wetland or the edge between a woodland
and a prairie play an important role, particularly for animal life.
F. The existence of natural greenway linkages. Natural
linkages across a site that connect habitat areas, follow a riparian
corridor or connect with natural features on adjacent sites should
be preserved.
G. The impact of the proposed disturbance on the integrity
of ecological systems or the continuity between natural features.
Wherever possible, ecological systems and continuity between natural
features should be preserved.
H. The impact on public services, facilities, roads,
utilities, and surrounding land and degree to which such impact shall
be mitigated.
I. Compliance with the protection standards of §
98-10.
J. The adequacy of the mitigation plan meeting the requirements of §
98-9.
K. Applicant obtaining all federal, state and county
permits.
The environmental assessment required under
this chapter shall accompany a development application and specifically
address the anticipated impact of a proposed project on the natural
features, cultural resources, public infrastructure and public services
in the Township. The environmental impact study checklist shall also
be completed and submitted with the assessment. The following information
shall be provided in the environmental assessment. The level of detail
will vary based upon the scope and nature of the proposed project
and the presence of environmental features on the site. It is the
intent of this section that the environmental assessment focuses analysis
on natural features and environmental impacts that are pertinent to
the site and the proposed activity, and not generate large volumes
of extraneous analysis of environmental features that are not present
or are not to be impacted.
A. Name(s) and address(es) of person(s) responsible for
preparation of the impact assessment and a brief statement of their
qualifications shall be provided. The report shall be prepared by
a professional qualified in the areas of ecology, botany, wildlife
biology, geology, or other relevant discipline acceptable to the Planning
Commission.
B. A description of the proposed project, activity or
development shall be provided.
C. Map(s) and a written description/analysis of the project
site shall be provided, including all existing structures, man-made
facilities, and natural features. An aerial photograph or drawing
may be used to delineate these areas.
D. A site inventory shall be prepared that identifies
the location of existing environmental conditions and contains a written
description of their quality, character, and health, including the
following:
(1) Environmental characteristics of the site prior to
development and following development, i.e., topography, soil series
and classification, geology, wildlife, woodlands, mature indigenous
trees with a six-inch caliper or greater, groundwater, wetlands, drainageways,
rivers, streams, creeks, ponds, and surface water quality. Documentation
by a qualified wetland specialist shall be required wherever the Township
determines that there is a potential regulated wetland. Written material
may be accompanied by reduced copies of the Existing Conditions Map(s)
or aerial photograph.
(2) A floristic quality assessment shall be prepared to
evaluate the vegetation found on the site and identify the natural
significance of the habitat;
(3) Map and description of site location in relationship
to the local drainage, including an identification of the drain, stream,
river or other tributary to which the site drains;
(4) Surrounding zoning, land uses, buildings, and aesthetic
character;
(5) Public facilities and services, including schools,
recreation facilities, police protection, fire protection and emergency
services that serve the site; and
(6) Public utilities that serve the site, including water,
sanitary sewer, storm drainage, gas and electricity.
E. The environmental assessment shall describe the impact of the proposed project on the existing site conditions described in Subsection
D above, including the following. Detailed assessments are not required for impacts that are not applicable to a specific development proposal.
(1) Disturbance to natural topography, soils and geology.
(2) Removal of vegetation and woodlands and an outline
of woodland areas to be preserved.
(3) Impact to fish and wildlife habitat.
(4) Alteration to surface drainage and groundwater recharge.
(5) Impact to rivers, channels and streams, including
flow, flood stages, water temperature, stream bank erosion, crossings
and quality for fish.
(6) Impact to wetlands, both in terms of direct impact
of crossings/fill and impacts from developing surrounding uplands
that contribute surface flows to the wetlands.
(7) Description of how the proposed use conforms or conflicts
with existing and potential development patterns or potential negative
impact to adjacent properties. Such assessment shall include compatibility
with current and planned adjacent development, conformance with the
Township Master Plan; lighting impact to adjacent properties; any
increase or reduction in air pollutants; noise levels generated by
the use with a level exceeding 55 decibels at the property line and
the suitability of the site's ambient noise levels for the proposed
use; modification to the aesthetic character of the area, and obstruction
of views or sunlight.
(8) Description of the number of expected residents, employees,
visitors or patrons, and the anticipated impact on public schools,
recreation facilities, police protection, fire protection and emergency
services.
(9) The method to be used to serve the development with
water and sanitary sewer facilities; the method to be used to control
drainage, both temporary and permanent on the site and from the site,
including runoff control during periods of construction. For projects
served by public sanitary sewer or public water systems, calculations
for pre- and post-development flows shall be provided in comparison
with sewer line capacity.
(10) A description of any hazardous substances expected
to be used, stored or disposed of on the site. The information shall
describe the type of materials, location within the site and method
of containment.
F. A natural features mitigation, protection, and management plan shall identify any mitigation, meeting the requirements of §
98-9, natural features proposed to be preserved and the management practices required by §
98-10 to be implemented during and following completion of construction.
When environmental conditions are to be significantly
impacted, or natural features are proposed to be removed, or disturbed,
an examination and consideration of ways in which the proposed project
can be modified to eliminate or minimize any adverse environmental
impacts and to enhance environmental quality shall be provided. The
analysis shall include consideration of no project and consideration
of positive and negative effects of any such modification in relation
to the design, use, location, cost and timing of the proposed project
and its implementation. The alternative analysis report shall contain
the following:
A. Alternative development plans that were considered
which would limit the disturbance or removal of environmental conditions
and natural features on and adjacent to the site.
B. Justification for selecting the proposed plan, including
a written explanation as to why the proposed disturbance or removal
is the minimum necessary to reasonably accomplish the permitted use.
C. A mitigation plan, consisting of a written and graphic
description of the proposed measures to mitigate the removal or disturbance
of environmental conditions or natural features.
Natural features shown on a site plan or plat
that are to be preserved shall be protected during construction. The
following protection measures shall be shown on a drawing provided
as part of the site plan or plat and followed during construction:
A. Protection measures for wetlands shall be provided
as required by the Wetlands and Drainageways Ordinance.
B. Any woodland or historic/landmark/specimen trees shall
be protected as required by the Woodlands Ordinance.
C. Prior to any development, clearing or other activity
for which a permit is required, barrier fencing shall be installed
to restrict access to protected natural features.
(1) Barrier fencing, such as snow fencing or similarly
sturdy fencing, shall be provided at the limits of soil disturbance
adjacent to natural features and at the edge of any open space identified
on the site plan or plat to remain natural.
(2) Wood rail fencing shall be provided around the perimeter
of the critical root zone of historic/landmark/specimen trees which
are located within a disturbance area.
(3) No filling, excavating or storage of materials, debris
or equipment shall take place within the fenced areas.
(4) Barrier fencing shall be a minimum of four feet in
height and shall remain in place in good condition until it is authorized
to be removed by the Community Development Department.
Any use which involves the use of large quantities
of hazardous materials shall be required to include a materials management
plan as an appendix of the environmental assessment for the safe use,
recycling and disposal of such substances. Any use that involves fuel
services and use or storage of large quantities of hazardous materials
shall comply with the following requirements:
A. Materials management plan. A materials management
plan shall be submitted that provides documentation for the following,
with appropriate correspondence from the Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality, Michigan State Police Fire Marshal, Grosse Ile Township Fire
Department and Wayne County:
(1) Description of storage of any potentially hazardous
materials, including common name, name of chemical components, material
safety data sheets, location, maximum quantity expected on hand at
any time, type of storage containers or base material, and anticipated
procedure for use and handling;
(2) Description of any transportation, on-site treatment,
storage or disposal of hazardous waste generated in quantities of
250 gallons or 2,200 pounds per month;
(3) Description of any secondary containment measures
proposed, including design, construction materials and specifications,
volume and security measures;
(4) Description of any discharge of any type of wastewater
to a storm sewer, drain, river, stream, wetland, other surface water
body or into the groundwater; and
(5) Name and phone number(s) of person(s) responsible
for materials and available 24 hours, in case of detected spill or
other incident.
B. Secondary containment. Establishments using, storing
or handling hazardous material have provided secondary containment
facilities and provide documentation of compliance with state and
federal regulations, as required. Underground storage tanks shall
be provided with noncorrosive double linings and leak detection systems.
C. Permits. Any necessary state permits for discharge
of wastewater, storage of flammable or combustible liquids in above-
or below-ground containers or storage of other hazardous materials
shall be included as an appendix to the environmental assessment.
The Planning Commission shall charge a reasonable
fee to any person proposing a project subject to the provisions of
this chapter which shall recover the estimated and actual costs to
be incurred by the public agency in preparing any environmental assessment
statement and any environmental assessment required for such project,
and to recover the costs to be incurred for consultation with any
person who has special expertise with respect to any environmental
impact involved in the project. Such fees shall be established and
paid prior to the Commission undertaking any environmental evaluation
or any portion thereof with respect to the project.