[Amended 9-18-1978 by Ord. No. 78-22]
A. 
An environmental impact report or request for waiver shall be prepared for any site plan or major subdivision within this Township undertaken by a developer. The Planning Board shall review and approve the report in accordance with specifications and procedures required by this chapter.
B. 
No application for development shall be approved unless it has been affirmatively determined, after an environmental appraisal, that the proposed project:
(1) 
Will not result in a significant adverse impact on the environment.
(2) 
Has been conceived and designed in such a manner that it will not significantly impair natural processes.
(3) 
Will not place a disproportionate or excessive demand upon the total resources available to the project site and to the impact area.
C. 
To facilitate the environmental appraisal, all applications for development not specifically exempted in § 126-272 must include 10 copies of an environmental impact report (EIR) or a waiver request based upon the environmental assessment (EA).
[Amended 6-25-1981 by Ord. No. 81-19]
[Amended 9-18-1978 by Ord. No. 78-22; 6-25-1981 by Ord. No. 81-19]
The approving authority, upon recommendation of the Technical Coordinating Committee, may waive the requirements for an environmental impact statement, in whole or in part, if sufficient evidence is submitted by the developer to support a conclusion that the proposed project will have a negligible environmental impact or that a complete environmental impact statement need not be prepared in order to adequately evaluate the environmental impact. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, waivers may not be granted for any proposed project located, in whole or in part, in areas designated as floodplains or having slopes exceeding 15%. The contents of the environmental impact report may be determined by the Technical Coordinating Committee.
[Amended 9-18-1978 by Ord. No. 78-22; 6-25-1981 by Ord. No. 81-19; 11-18-1991 by Ord. No. 91-33; 7-7-2005 by Ord. No. 05-46]
A. 
An environmental impact statement shall be prepared and submitted to the Secretary of the Planning Board as part of their submission. Twenty-four copies of a complete EIS will be required for preliminary plat and site plan approval. The Planning Board shall not authorize site plan or subdivision approval without accepting the EIS or request for waiver. A description of the educational background, New Jersey state certifications and experience and involvement in Somerset County in the past five years (resumes) of the principal preparers of the EIS shall form part of the document.
B. 
Applicants shall discuss and analyze, in the environmental impact statement, those factors required for the particular project in § 126-272 and any other factors pertinent to the proposed project. Applicant shall confirm if there is the appearance of wetlands or transition areas on adjacent properties.
[Amended 9-18-1978 by Ord. No. 78-22]
The EIR shall consider, where pertinent to the proposed project, the following items:
A. 
The proposed project. Describe, with suitable sketches and plans, the proposed project. This section shall summarize, rather than duplicate, the site plan and building plan.
B. 
Existing conditions of the site and affected off-site areas.
(1) 
The applicant will survey and describe the environmental features of the property. The applicant may utilize resource information available from the Township. Generally, an inventory will consider the air quality, topography, surface groundwater, vegetation, wildlife, archaeological and historical features and traffic. Forest vegetation is to be classified by type and age class. The distribution of types and classes will be indicated on a map, the scale of which will be one inch equals 100 feet or such other scale as may be required by the Environmental Officer. The location, species and diameter at breast height (dbh) of eight inches and all ornamental trees with a dbh of four inches, or more are to be shown on the same or on a separate map, and other aesthetic features. Current land use of the project property and adjacent properties within 500 feet and its relation to the Master Plan will be indicated on a separate map. If the proposal is for residential or institutional use, background levels of noise throughout the anticipated area affected must be determined.
[Amended 11-18-1991 by Ord. No. 91-33]
(2) 
Any applicant of industrial and commercial enterprises must show that after construction and during normal operation the enterprise must not exceed the State of New Jersey regulations controlling industrial and commercial stationary sources (N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.1 et seq.).
C. 
Wastewater management.
(1) 
Estimate the expected flow of sewage, process water and/or other wastewater expected from the proposed development. If any flow is expected, discuss:
(a) 
If disposal is on site, relation to topography, soils and underlying geology, including water table, aquifer recharge areas and all wells within 500 feet of the disposal area, and note which have been recorded by the Bridgewater Township Health Department to exhibit high coliform readings; indicate distance to the nearest private/public water distribution line; and include results of percolation tests and soil logs required by ordinance.
(b) 
If disposal is to an existing private facility or to a new public facility, identification of owner and location of the plant and location of existing collection point to which the proposed project would be connected, and document evidence that the expected flows from the proposed facility will be accepted and can be treated adequately by the private or public facility.
(2) 
Compliance with all applicable state and municipal health regulations and with all groundwater standards of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
D. 
Water supply.
(1) 
If the water is to be supplied from the site, and a flow of 100,000 gallons per day or less is required, an impact assessment of water supply is required if the anticipated demand exceeds the available safe yield indicated in the resource inventory maintained by the Environmental Commission. In such case, the applicant must substantiate and explain the anticipated demand, present proof that aquifer can yield the desired amount of water, demonstrate that wells proposed for installation will meet acceptable standards and assess the effect of proposed withdrawals on existing and proposed wells and surface water bodies within the predicted measurable cone of depression. If the plan includes 50 or more dwelling units, certification of the adequacy of the proposed water supply and sewage facilities must be obtained from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and included in the EIR.
(2) 
If the water is to be supplied from the site to other new sources, and the total project demand for water supply is in excess of 100,000 gallons per day, the applicant must obtain a diversion permit from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. No preliminary subdivision approval will be made by the Planning Board until such diversion grant(s) has (have) been obtained and evidence thereof has been included with the EIR. The applicant must assess the effect of proposed wells and surface water bodies within the predicted measurable cone of depression in the EIR.
(3) 
If the water is to be supplied from an existing private or public facility, identification, owner and location of the facility and location of existing distribution point to which the proposed project would be connected shall be provided. The applicant will submit documentary proof that the facility has the available excess capacity in terms of its allowable diversion and equipment to supply the proposed project and is willing to do so.
E. 
Surface drainage. Estimate the average rate and quality of stormwater runoff and identify the receiving body or bodies for such runoff from the site under original natural conditions and from the site during and after construction if the proposed project were implemented. Discuss the reasons for any increase or decrease in the anticipated velocity of runoff if the project were implemented and any plans for on-site retention or other techniques that are proposed for use to minimize peak storm flows and resultant downstream flooding. The boundaries of the floodplain, as shown to exist by the floodplain map which is filed in the Township office, shall be shown on one map which illustrates the existing condition of the site where the proposed project is to be implemented.
F. 
Stream encroachments.
(1) 
Any applicant shall avoid the placement of fill in, or the diversion of, any water channel or any other alteration to a stream channel or floodway area. Consultation with the Technical Coordinating Committee and the Environmental Commission in early planning stages is recommended if such actions are contemplated.
(2) 
A certified copy of the encroachment permit from the Division of Water Resources, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, must accompany the EIR for any plan for which such permit is required by state law. The applicant shall supply copies of all resource information provided to the Division of Water Resources in support of his application for an encroachment permit.
G. 
Solid waste recycling and disposal. Estimate the volume of solid wastes, by type, expected to be generated from the proposed project during construction and operation and describe plans for recycling, collection, transportation and disposal of these materials. Discuss the recycling plan for the proposed project and its implementation. Identify the location(s), type(s) and owner(s) of the facility (facilities) which will receive such solid wastes. If the facility is a landfill, submit proof that it is registered with the Division of Environmental Protection and is operated in compliance with the New Jersey Sanitation Code.
[Amended 4-4-1988 by Ord. No. 88-4]
H. 
Air quality. Describe each source, its location, the quantity band nature of materials to be emitted from any furnace or other device in which coal, fuel, oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, wood or other combustible material will be burned or if any other source of air pollutants, including automobiles attracted by the facility, will be present on the site during or after construction. If a state or federal emission permit is required, a copy of the permit and all resource data submitted with the application for the permit shall accompany the EIR.
I. 
Traffic. Describe the number of cars to be expected and the traffic pattern, including peak traffic, and how it relates to existing traffic patterns on adjacent roadways.
J. 
Freshwater wetlands. An applicant shall provide a statement specifying the total area of the freshwater wetlands to be affected and detailing any potential adverse environmental effects of the proposed site plan or subdivision and what measures may be necessary to mitigate those effects.
[Added 9-19-1985 by Ord. No. 85-27[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of former Subsection J through M as Subsections K through N, respectively.
K. 
Adverse impacts which cannot be avoided. The EIR shall contain a summary list, with discussion of the potential adverse environmental impacts which cannot be avoided should the proposed project be implemented. Short-term impacts should be distinguished from long-term impacts. Reversible impacts should be distinguished from irreversible impacts. Any impacts on critical areas, which include but are not limited to streams, floodways, wetlands, slopes of 20% or greater, highly acid or highly erodible soils, areas of high-water table, aquifer recharge areas and mature stands of native vegetation, wildlife, water quality, air quality, noise, displacement of viable farms and increased traffic, should specify the type of criteria involved and the extent of similar areas which will not be affected.
L. 
Environmentally protective measures. The EIR shall contain a listing of all environmentally protective measures which will be used should the proposed project be implemented. These are measures which will avoid or minimize adverse effects on the natural and man-made environment of the site and region during the construction and operation of the facility.
M. 
Alternatives. The EIR shall discuss and evaluate alternative solutions to the development proposal, including the no-build alternative.
[Added 6-25-1981 by Ord. No. 81-19]
N. 
Summary environmental appraisal. The EIR shall contain a concise summary of the environmental impact assessment for the proposed project. This summary will evaluate the adverse and positive environmental effects of the project should it be implemented and the public benefits expected to derive from the project, if any.
[Amended 9-18-1978 by Ord. No. 78-22]
The environmental impact statement shall include the following items for the proposed project as indicated:
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS
EIS Item
Single Unit and 2 Units
3-9 Units
10 or More Units
"Small" Additional, Ancillary Buildings in Primary Employment
Shopping and Service
Primary Employment
The proposed project
X
X
X
Existing conditions of the site and affected off-site areas (includes groundwater, surface geology, subsurface geology, soils, ground cover, flora, fauna, drainage, land use, vegetation, wildlife and archaeological and historical features)
X1
X
(1)
X
X
Wastewater management
X
X
X
Water supply
X
X
X
X
Surface drainage
X
X
X
X
Stream encroachment
X
X
X
X
Solid waste recycling and disposal
X
X
X
Energy conservation
X
X
X
Air quality
X
X
Sound quality
X
X
X
X
Traffic
X
X
X
Environmental protective measures
X2
X
X
X
Adverse impacts which cannot be avoided
X
X
X
X
Summary environmental assessment
X
X
X
X
X
Alternatives2
X
X
X
X
NOTES:
1 All or specific items may be exempted by Technical Coordinating Committee.
2
[Added 6-25-1981 by Ord. No. 81-19]
3
[Amended 4-4-1988 by Ord. No. 88-4]