Township of Springfield, PA Design Standards

Land shall be developed in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield and other ordinances, codes and regulations in effect in the Township and with the Official Sewage Facilities Plan and other Township plans and maps.

Land shall be developed in conformance with all pertinent statutes, regulations, rules and codes of federal, state and county agencies concerned with subdivision, land development, construction and improvements or any activity arising out of or elated thereto in any way whatsoever.

The design of subdivisions and land developments shall preserve, insofar as possible, the natural terrain, natural drainage, existing topsoil and existing trees.

Land subject to hazards to life, health or property, such as may arise from fire, floods, disease or other causes, shall not be developed for building purposes unless such hazards have been eliminated or unless the plan shall show adequate safeguards against them.

All portions of a tract being developed shall be encompassed in lots, streets, public lands or other proposed uses so that landlocked areas shall not be created.

Property subject to flooding and lots deemed by the Board of Commissioners to be uninhabitable shall not be considered for residential occupancy, nor for such other uses as may increase danger to health, life or property or aggravate the flood hazard. Such land within a subdivision or land development shall be set aside for such uses that will not be affected by periodic or occasional inundation or conditions which produce unsatisfactory living conditions.

Proposed subdivisions and/or land developments shall be coordinated with existing nearby neighborhoods so that the community as a whole may develop harmoniously.

The name of any subdivision or land development shall not be similar to or conflict with the name of any existing project in the Township, and shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Commissioners.

All planning, design, construction and maintenance of lots and uses and structures thereon shall be in accordance with recognized architectural, engineering and related standards. All work performed in accordance with this chapter shall be accomplished in a professional and workmanlike manner.

§ 123-26 Monuments and markers.

Monument locations must be shown on the final plan to define the exact location of all streets and to enable the reestablishment of all street lines. Monuments shall be placed at the following locations:

At each intersection.

At changes in direction of street lines, excluding curb arcs at intersections.

At each end of every cartway, excluding curb arcs at intersections.

At locations where topographical conditions obstruct sighting between two otherwise required monuments.

At other locations along the lines of streets as may be determined to be necessary by the Township Engineer.

Monument locations defining the perimeter of the tract shall be determined by the Township Engineer.

Markers shall be set at locations shown on the final plan as follows:

At all points where lot lines intersect curves, either front or rear.

At all angles in property lines of lots.

At all other lot corners.

Markers required under Subsection C shall be placed by an engineer or surveyor when final grading has been completed. Such markers shall be placed before any lot is conveyed and shall be visible.

Monuments and markers shall be placed so that the scored and marked point shall coincide exactly with the intersection of lines to be marked, and shall be set so that the top of the monument or marker is level with the surface of the surrounding ground. Monuments and markers shall consist of the following:

Monuments shall be of granite with a minimum of six by six by 18 inches. Granite monuments shall be permanently marked on top with an indented cross or drill hole of 1/4 inch in diameter, which shall coincide exactly with the point of intersection of the lines being monumented.

Markers shall consist of iron pipes or steel bars 30 inches in length and one inch in diameter.

Monuments shall be placed for all areas of land, improvements or public easements to be offered for dedication prior to acceptance thereof by the Township or other entity to which the same are offered. Monuments shall be placed by an engineer or surveyor and shall be inspected by the Township Engineer before they are covered.

All elevations shown on plans must be based on datum from the United States Geological Survey Quadrangle for Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.

§ 123-27 Blocks and lots.

Blocks shall not exceed 1,100 feet in length or be less than 500 feet in length.

Where possible, blocks along arterial and collector streets shall not be less than 1,000 feet long.

Blocks shall be two lot depths in width, and no lot shall front on more than one street except for lots located at street intersections, existing lots with reverse frontage or lots which may front on an arterial or collector street where direct access is inappropriate, in which case a street shall be created.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

Lot lines shall be at right angles to street lines or radial thereto.

No remnants of lots below the minimum size as required in Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield will be permitted.

House numbers shall be assigned to each lot by the Township Engineer.

No flag lots shall be permitted.

[Added 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

§ 123-28 Streets.

Streets shall be designed in accordance with the following general principles and criteria:

The proposed street pattern and layout shall be properly and logically related to existing streets and their functional characteristics.

The proposed street pattern and layout shall be properly and logically related to the topography of the land with regard to grades and conditions of drainage. Grades of streets shall conform as closely as possible to existing grade so as to produce usable lots.

The proposed street pattern shall be designed to enhance views from the road and to create a greater variety of lot appearance through a curvilinear alignment.

The proposed street pattern and layout shall provide suitable access to each lot and permit safe and convenient circulation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Every lot shall abut on a public street, unless approved otherwise by the Board of Commissioners.

Provisions shall be made for the extension and continuation of collector streets and local primary streets into and from adjoining areas, except when topographical or hydrological conditions shall make the same impractical.

All streets shall lie platted to the boundary lines of the subdivision or land development if the subdivision or land development adjoins lands which may be developed in the future, and the same shall be provided with easements for turnarounds, and, if required by the Board of Commissioners, improved to the property boundary, including improved turnaround areas.

If lots resulting from subdivision are large enough to permit resubdivision, or if a portion of the tract is not subdivided, adequate street rights-of-way to permit further subdivision shall be provided as necessary.

Reserve strips controlling access to public ways will not be permitted, except where the control and disposal of the land comprising such strips are placed within the jurisdiction of the Township.

Streets that are extensions of or in alignment with existing named streets shall bear the names of such existing streets; new street names shall not duplicate or be phonetically similar to existing street names; and all street names shall be selected by the Board of Commissioners.

Where streets continue into adjoining municipalities, compatibility of design, particularly with regard to cartway widths, shall be employed to avoid abrupt changes in the cartway width or to other improvements within the right-of-way.

Streets shall be designed so as to avoid edge erosion through the use of curbs and gutters as required in § 123-30.

In the event that any part of a development abuts on a Township or state road that is not fully improved with curbs, paved gutters and sidewalks, curbs and sidewalks shall be installed and the pavement from the curb to the existing pavement shall be completed in accordance with applicable design standard requirements.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

Arterial and major collector streets, under the jurisdiction of PennDOT or the Township, have the primary purpose of carrying through traffic. Local streets have the primary function or providing access to abutting properties. It is recognized that vehicles entering and leaving driveway may disrupt the flow of traffic and cause accidents.

In order to eliminate hazardous traffic conditions and to maintain the highest obtainable traffic carrying capacity of major streets, residential land use should not face directly on arterials or major collector streets. They should instead face a local primary, local secondary, cul-de-sac or loop street.

Any strip of land between the lots and the right-of-way of major streets may be included in the deed of dedication of adjoining interior streets.

Where a subdivision or land development abuts a railroad or trolley line, streets crossing the rail line shall be kept to a minimum and placed to facilitate grade separation.

Streets shall be designed for maximum safety for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, and shall be approved by the Board of Commissioners upon the recommendation of the Fire Marshal.

If a subdivision or land development abuts an existing or future arterial or major collector street, the lots shall be designed as reverse frontage lots or with side lot lines parallel to such thoroughfares. All driveways shall connect to a minor collector or local street. That portion of the lots abutting arterial or major collectors shall include an approved screen planting and/or raised berm, as determined by the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners, contained in a nonaccess easement having a minimum width of 15 feet.

[Added 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

Cul-de-sac streets shall be designed as follows:

All culs-de-sac, whether permanently or temporarily designed as such, shall not exceed 600 feet in length, with a paved turnaround having a minimum radius of 50 feet to the outside curb or pavement line and an additional ten-foot right-of-way outside the pavement or curbline.

When required for future extension, the turnaround right-of-way shall be placed adjacent to the tract boundary with sufficient width along the boundary line to permit extension of the street at full width.

Drainage of culs-de-sac shall, whenever possible, be in the direction of the open end thereof.

No cul-de-sac turnaround shall have a grade which exceeds 4%.

All design standards in Subsection C which are pertinent to culs-de-sac shall apply.

In addition to the aforementioned principles and criteria set forth in Subsections A and B, the following shall apply to all streets:

Streets shall be designed according to their function and laid out to preserve the integrity of their design. Streets shall be classified by functions as follows:

Streets mapped in the Comprehensive Plan as principal arterial, minor arterial and collector shall be considered as such, except that all collector streets shown in Map 7 of the plan shall be treated as major collector streets.

The determination of minor collector, local primary, local secondary loop and cul-de-sac streets shall be made by the Township Engineer in accordance with the definitions of Article II, and the traffic capacities for such streets.

The following minimum right-of-way and cartway widths shall apply:

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

Type of Street	Assumed Requirements for Traffic	Right-of-Way Width (feet)	Cartway Width (feet)
Principal arterial	7 traffic lanes (12-foot minimum lane width)	120	88
Minor arterial	5 traffic lanes (12-foot minimum lane width)	100	64
Major collector	3 traffic lanes (12-foot minimum)	80	40
Minor collector	2 traffic lanes (12-foot minimum lane width)	60	40
Local primary	2 traffic lanes (11 feet); 2 shoulder lanes (8 feet)	60	38
Local secondary	2 traffic lanes (9 feet); 2 shoulder lanes (8 feet)	55	34
Cul-de-sac and loop	2 traffic lanes (9 feet); 2 shoulder lanes (8 feet)	55 (Does not include turnaround)	34

Additional cartway widths may be required by the Board of Commissioners in specific cases for public safety and convenience, and for accessibility to development in the E, R, SU and SC Districts in the form of acceleration and deceleration lanes.

Right-of-way widths in excess of the aforementioned standards shall be required whenever, due to topography, additional width is necessary to provide adequate earth slopes. Such slopes shall not be in excess of 3:1.

There shall be a minimum center-line grade of 1% and a maximum center-line grade of 6% on all streets. Grades exceeding these limits may be permitted if approved by the Board of Commissioners.

Maximum grade within any intersection shall not exceed 1%, and approaches to any intersection shall follow a straight course within 100 feet of the intersection. Where the grade of any street at the approach to an intersection exceeds 6%, a leveling area shall be provided with a maximum grade of 4% within 50 feet of the nearest right-of-way line of the intersecting street.

The slope of the crown on proposed streets shall be more than 1/8 inch per foot and less than 1/2 inch per foot, except on superelevated curves, where the slope shall be not less than 1/4 inch per foot and shall extend from the inside to the outside edge of the paving.

The finished road grade on all streets shall be carried the entire width of the right-of-way. However, grading behind the curbs or beyond the edge of the cartway may be modified, as determined by the Township Engineer, provided that the minimum sight distances are maintained along the vertical and horizontal curvatures of the street, provided that no obstructions exist at intersections within the clear sight triangle and provided that no sidewalks are required.

Maximum slopes of banks measured perpendicular to the center line of the street shall be three feet horizontal to one-foot vertical in fill areas and three feet horizontal to one-foot vertical in cut areas, and shall be planted and vegetated to prevent erosion.

Vertical curves are required for changes in grade greater than 1%. The rate of change of grade on vertical curves shall be no more than 4% per 100 feet of road, provided that clear sight distance specified in these regulations is maintained at all points along the center line.

Changes in street direction shall be made by horizontal curves with a minimum center-line radius of 500 feet for arterial and major collection streets, 300 feet for minor collector and local primary streets and 150 feet for local secondary, cul-de-sac and loop streets. Tangents of at least 100 feet shall be required between reverse curves and shall be measured at the center line. The foregoing minimum radii shall apply in all cases where the street deflects 10° or more. Variations in radii may be permitted when topographic or other conditions so require.

A minimum curb or paving radius of 35 feet and a minimum radius of 25 feet for right-of-way lines shall be provided at all local secondary and loop street intersections; and a minimum radii of 50 feet and 40 feet, respectively, as above shall be provided on all other street intersections.

Proper sight distance shall be provided with respect to both horizontal and vertical alignment. A clear sight distance, as defined in Article II, shall be provided along the center line of streets as follows:

Two hundred feet for local streets, cul-de-sac and loop streets.

Three hundred feet for minor collector streets.

Five hundred feet for principal arterial, minor arterial and major collector streets.

Proper sight lines shall be maintained at all street intersections where there shall be a clear sight triangle of 75 feet, measured along the center lines from the point of intersection. The triangular shaped portion of land forming the clear sight triangle shall not have anything erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to limit or obstruct the sight distance of motorists entering or leaving the intersection, except for utility poles, light standards, street signs and fire hydrants.

Right angle intersections shall be used whenever practical and no intersection angle, measured at the center line, shall be less than 60°.

No more than two streets shall cross at the same point.

(17)

Proposed intersections along one side of an existing street shall coincide with any existing intersections on the opposite side of such street, or offset by at least 200 feet from center line to center line.

(18)

Intersections along principal arterial, minor arterial, major collector and minor collector streets shall be a minimum of 1,100 feet apart.

(19)

Where a subdivision or land development borders an existing street or intersection which is determined to be in need of improvement based on the traffic/transportation analysis conducted as part of the EIA report process as set forth in Article VII, § 123-55C, and according to the traffic control standards of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield, said street or intersection shall be improved to the full extent as required in § 123-28C(2) with the following considerations:

This requirement shall apply only to Township roads and those sides of intersections which pertain to Township roads, unless the state imposes certain requirements along roads which they own and maintain.

Should the tract border an undersized road or intersection on only one side, then the improvements shall take place on the side of the road or intersection which is tangent to the tract.

All improvements to be made to said roads and intersections shall be determined by the Township Engineer.

Land associated with the rights-of-way for undersized roads and intersections shall be delineated, depicted and otherwise noted on all subdivision and/or land development plans for the subject tract and shall be offered for dedication with the improvements associated therewith.

(20)

When a subdivision or land development fronts on an existing street having a right-of-way less than the minimum width required in this chapter, an ultimate right-of-way line shall be established with the following considerations:

The distance of this ultimate right-of-way line from the center line of the existing right-of-way shall be 1/2 the width of the required minimum right-of-way.

The ultimate right-of-way shall be delineated, depicted and otherwise noted on all subdivision and land development plans and shall be offered for dedication with the improvements associated therewith.

(21)

Acceleration and deceleration lanes shall be provided to aid in ingress and egress relative to principal arterial, minor arterial, major collector and minor collector streets, with the following considerations:

Where a subdivision or land development borders a state road, the landowner or developer shall confer with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) regarding specific design standards for such lanes.

Where a subdivision or land development borders a Township road, the landowner or developer shall confer with the Township Engineer regarding specific design standards for such lanes.

(22)

Street signs similar to those which exist in the vicinity of the property shall be provided and erected by the landowner or developer at all intersections, subject to the prior approval of the Board of Commissioners.

Where ornamental streets signs are required to be installed in accordance with a land development or traditional neighborhood development approval, the developer or owner of the property shall provide one additional sign standard to the Township for every five standards approved on the plan. No less than one street sign standard shall be provided to the Township for maintenance.

[Added 9-9-2014 by Ord. No. 1550]

(23)

No dwelling or other principal permitted building which depends upon the improvement of any street for ingress and egress shall be permitted to be occupied until all improvements are fully completed from an existing street to and across the front of the lot on which the building is located and/or to a sufficient depth along the side of the lot to service any driveway and driveways and parking spaces as required by this chapter.

(24)

No road or roads shall be constructed between December 1 and March 15 without written permission of the Board of Commissioners.

(25)

Adequate drainage shall be provided for low points along streets and where required to intercept runoff.

(26)

Street signs and posts approved by the Board of Commissioners shall be set one foot back from a sidewalk.

[Amended 9-9-2014 by Ord. No. 1550]

(27)

Streetlighting shall be in accordance with a plan approved by the Board of Commissioners and installed prior to dedication of streets. A copy of the proposed final plan shall be submitted by the applicant to the electric company for the preparation of said streetlighting plan.

Where ornamental streetlights are required to be installed in accordance with a land development or traditional neighborhood development approval, the developer or owner of the property shall provide one additional streetlight standard to the Township for every five standards approved on the plan. No less than one streetlight standard shall be provided to the Township for maintenance.

[Added 9-9-2014 by Ord. No. 1550]

Construction of streets.

All materials used in the construction of streets, and the methods of construction and drainage thereof, shall be in accordance with the most current requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Form 408, Specifications. This shall include but not be limited to the following sections of the Form 408, Specifications.

Subgrade construction, Section 210.

Crushed aggregate base course, Section 310.

Bituminous pavement construction.

In addition to the above, all streets shall be constructed in accordance with any other standards required by the Township Engineer.

§ 123-29 Curbs and gutters.

Granite curbs shall be constructed for the full length of all new Township streets in any subdivision or land development.

The Board of Commissioners may approve concrete curbs for Township streets in lieu of granite curbs.

At street intersections where the curb radius is 40 feet or less.

At driveways, a depressed curb may be constructed of concrete according to the Township specifications.

In other locations which are deemed to be acceptable.

Concrete curbs constructed along state roads shall be in accordance with PennDOT's, Form 408, Specifications, Section 630.

The dimensions of the curbs, unless specified otherwise by the Township Engineer, shall be as follows:

For granite curbs, the dimensions shall be six inches above grade and 12 inches below grade.

For concrete curbs, the dimensions shall be as shown in PennDOT's Standards for Roadway Construction, Publication No. 72, the most current edition, Standard Drawing No. RC-64, using the detail entitled "Plain Cement Concrete Curb."

§ 123-30 Driveways.

Individual driveways shall be provided to furnish access on any lot to every dwelling or nonresidential use.

The width of any individual driveway shall be a minimum of nine feet, and no driveway in the A, B or C Residence Districts shall exceed 18 feet in width. Such driveways shall have a radius at the curbline so that the driveway width shall be a minimum of 12 feet for individual driveways where they meet a street and a minimum of 20 feet for shared driveways.

The width of any driveway in a nonresidential district shall be 11 feet for individual drives and 22 feet for shared drives. Such driveways shall have a radius at the curbline so that the driveway width shall be a minimum of 14 feet for individual driveways where they meet a street, and a minimum of 25 feet for shared driveways.

A minimum grade of 1% shall be provided on all driveways. A maximum grade of any driveway within the right-of-way of any street shall be 4%. Within the property line, exclusive of the right-of-way, the maximum grade of a driveway shall be less than 10%, unless no other viable alternative alignment of location is feasible, as acknowledged by the Township Engineer.

Access drives to all nonresidential uses shall not open upon any public right-of-way within 150 feet of the nearest right-of-way line of any intersecting public street or highway.

The edge of all residential driveways shall be located not less than 40 feet from the tangent point of the curb radius of corner lots.

All driveways shall be surfaced with erosion-resistant materials approved by the Township Engineer from the edge of the street cartway to a point in the lot 25 feet from the right-of-way line.

A clear sight triangle of 25 feet shall be provided and maintained at driveway intersections with streets.

§ 123-31 Sidewalks, crosswalks and interior walks.

Sidewalks shall be constructed along all streets as follows:

Sidewalks shall be constructed in accordance with PennDOT's Form 408, Section 676, pertaining to cement concrete sidewalks.

Sidewalks shall be a minimum of four feet in width.

Concrete aprons or ramps between the curb and sidewalk shall be constructed at all driveways.

Handicapped ramps or handicapped curb cuts shall be provided at all sidewalk intersections which lead to the cartway of both streets, and in other locations as required by the Board of Commissioners.

Sidewalks shall be constructed with four inches of Class A concrete, placed on an approved aggregate bed four inches in depth, except at driveway crossings, where the thickness of the sidewalk shall be increased to six inches.

When proposed sidewalks adjoin existing sidewalks which are wider than four feet, a tapered transition shall be constructed.

Sidewalks shall be located within the street right-of-way. A grass planting strip shall be provided between the curb and the sidewalk. The planting strip shall be adequately graded and sodded to provide for proper stormwater runoff.

Sidewalks shall be constructed to provide for positive drainage.

Crosswalks shall be created as follows:

A line-striped crosswalk shall be painted across any street at intersections.

Crosswalks shall be provided within the E-Business, F-Planned Industrial, SU-Special Use or SC-Shopping Center Districts as directed by the Board of Commissioners.

Crosswalks shall be a minimum of eight feet in width.

Interior walks shall be created as follows:

To facilitate pedestrian circulation, interior walks shall be provided within or across a block or on a lot.

Interior walks shall have a minimum right-of-way width of 10 feet and a minimum walkway surface of four feet. Such walks shall be constructed in all planned residential development projects and all open space option subdivisions.

§ 123-32 Parking areas; parking lots.

All parking areas and parking lots shall be in accordance with the requirements of Article XV, Off-Street Parking and Loading, as set forth in Chapter 143, Zoning, and the following;

All parking spaces shall have an area of at least 180 square feet (nine feet by 20 feet) to which there is adequate access from a street, except those spaces designated for handicapped use, which shall comply with the national standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act,[1] which became law on January 26, 1992.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.

All parking areas shall be landscaped in accordance with § 143-105 of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield.

All parking shall be paved in accordance with PennDOT, Section 408, Specifications.

§ 123-33 Sanitary sewers.

In accordance with the Official Sewage Facilities Plan, dwellings and/or lots within a subdivision or land development shall be connected with a public sanitary sewer system where accessible and available. Where such sewer system is not yet accessible and available but is planned for extension to the tract, the landowner or developer shall install sewer lines and other facilities, including lateral connections, force mains, pumping stations and all other appurtenances, to provide adequate service to each lot when connection with said sewer system is made. Sewer lines shall be suitably capped at the limits of the subdivision or land development, and the laterals shall be capped at the street right-of-way. When capped sewers are so provided, on-site sewage disposal facilities shall also be installed, provided that they are so located as to permit the easiest and least expensive connection to the public sanitary sewer system when such connection becomes available.

A sewer shall be considered to be planned for extension to a given area any time after preliminary engineering and related studies have been initiated preparatory to the construction of facilities adequate to serve the area containing a subdivision or land development or when the area is shown to be in a proposed sewer service area in the Official Sewage Facilities Plan.

All sanitary sewer lines, lateral connections and manholes and other facilities shall be constructed and installed, and shall provide service to each lot in conformity with standards of the Township, municipal authority or other authority, at the cost and expense of the landowner or developer.

When such sanitary sewer facilities are installed in accordance with this section, the same shall be inspected by the Township Engineer during such construction, at the cost and expense of the landowner or developer, in accordance with the standards and procedures established for inspection in Article VIII.

When such sanitary sewer facilities are not to be constructed or otherwise installed, on-lot sewage disposal systems shall be constructed in accordance with statutes and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources and the Township, and as approved by a state licensed sewage enforcement officer. When on-lot sewage disposal systems are to be utilized, the landowner or developer shall furnish evidence of the feasibility and satisfactory operation of the system to be utilized in the subdivision or land development as required in Article IV. [NOTE: Any lot with an on-lot sewage disposal system shall conform to § 143-14A(1) of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield. which requires that any such lot be a minimum of 1/2 acre in size.]

A one-hundred-percent replacement area shall be provided for any sand mound system. Such replacement area shall serve as an absorption area as necessary.

Sanitary sewers shall have a minimum inside diameter of eight inches and a minimum grade of 1/2%.

Manholes for sanitary sewers shall be not more than 350 feet apart on straight runs, and there shall be a manhole at every point of change in course or grade and at intersections of all sewer lines.

Sanitary sewer facilities shall not be used to carry stormwater.

In no case shall any sewer be connected to the main sewer until the work has been completed, and the sewer is watertight throughout its entire length and approved by the Township Engineer and accepted by the Board of Commissioners.

The developer shall maintain barricades as are necessary during the course of construction of the improvements so as to give all reasonable protection to the traveling public and to maintain such warning lights or flares as are necessary for this purpose.

Nothing contained in any application relative to the construction of any sewer, and no act of the Township or its employees or agents done pursuant thereto shall be taken or construed as in any way affecting the status of any private road in which such sewer right-of-way shall or may be, or as an acceptance of taking over such road as a public road.

§ 123-34 Water supply.

All mains, laterals and other facilities for connection from the lots to public water supply systems shall be installed by the landowner or developer in accordance with the standards and materials recommended by the water utility company.

The landowner or developer shall install fire hydrants in order that there shall be at least one hydrant within 600 feet of every dwelling or other principal nonresidential building intended for public use.

Fire hydrants shall be located as required by the Board of Commissioners and shall be installed prior to the paving of the streets and shall be energized prior to public dedication.

Wherever a public or community water system is provided, applicants shall present evidence to the Board of Commissioners that the subdivision or land development is to be supplied by a certificated public utility, a bona fide cooperative association of lot owners or by a municipal authority or utility. A copy of a certificate of public convenience from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or an application for such certificate, a cooperative agreement or a commitment or agreement to serve the area in question, whichever is appropriate, shall be acceptable evidence.

[Added 9-12-1989 by Ord. No. 1211]

§ 123-35 Other utilities.

Underground utilities shall be installed before the streets are constructed, as approved by the Township Engineer.

Easements shall be required to facilitate the maintenance and repair of utility lines, sewers and drainage structures. Facilities shall be located within a right-of-way or in the center of an easement not less than 15 feet wide. Where a subdivision or land development is traversed by a watercourse, drainage way, channel or stream within a stabilized structure, there shall be provided a minimum of 15 feet of right-of-way conforming substantially with the lines of such watercourse. Stabilized structures include pipes, concrete culverts, concrete gutters, gabions and the like.

§ 123-36 Stormwater management.

General regulations. All stormwater management practices shall be in accordance with the applicable sections of Chapter 39 of the Code of the Township of Springfield pertaining to excavation and filling of ground, and the following:

All storm drains and drainage facilities such as pipes, gutters, inlets, catch basins, culverts and other proposed structures necessary for the collection, retention and conveyance of stormwater runoff shall be delineated, depicted and otherwise noted at the time of preliminary plan submission as provided in this chapter.

Suitable storm drainage facilities shall be provided in order to maintain or lessen the existing rate of flow from the tract without damage to land or structures within and adjacent to the subdivision or land development.

Storm sewers, culverts, bridges and related drainage installations shall be provided to:

Permit unimpeded flow of natural watercourses. Such flow may be redirected as required, subject to the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.

Ensure adequate drainage of all low points as may be related to streets.

Intercept stormwater runoff along streets at intervals reasonably related to the extent and grade of the area drained, to prevent flow of stormwater across intersections and to prevent the flooding of intersections during the design storm.

Ensure adequate and unimpeded flow of stormwater under driveways in, near or across natural watercourses or drainage swales. Properly sized pipes or other conduits shall be provided as necessary.

Prevent excessive flow on or across streets, sidewalks, drives, parking areas and any other paved surface or accessway.

Lead stormwater away from springs.

The stormwater management plan for each subdivision and/or land development shall take into account and provide for upstream areas within the entire watershed in computing discharge quantities, sizing of pipes, inlets and other structures. The runoff from any proposed development shall be subject to evaluation, which includes the anticipated runoff from other existing or proposed developments within the same watershed and storm sewers shall be designed to carry the anticipated runoff of the watershed if fully developed as permitted under the provisions of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield.

All natural streams, channels, swales, drainage systems and/or areas of concentration of surface water shall be maintained in their existing condition unless alteration is approved by the Township. In any event, all encroachment activities and drainage facilities for drainage areas in excess of 1/2 square mile or 320 acres shall conform to the most current requirements of, and be approved by, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Division of Dams and Encroachments.

Any drainage facility crossing a state road shall conform to all applicable Pennsylvania Department of Transportation design standards.

Man-made structures shall be kept to a minimum and bridges, culverts or riprap shall be constructed to maintain the natural characteristics of the stream and shall meet the approval of the Township.

Retention/detention basins shall be designed to utilize slopes as shallow as possible to blend the structures into the terrain.

Any subdivision and/or land development within a Flood Hazard District shall comply with all of the provisions of the Springfield Township Flood Hazard District as provided in Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield and the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.

All areas containing lakes, ponds, wetlands and watercourses shall be considered to be reserved for permanent open space. Any alteration, development, filling, piping or diverting of such water resources shall be in strict compliance with the provisions of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield, especially those pertaining to the Flood Hazard District, and all prevailing rules and regulations of the state.

The Board of Commissioners may require that a landowner or developer provide reasonable corrective measures to alleviate an existing off-site drainage problem which may be affected by the proposed subdivision and/or land development. It shall be the responsibility of the landowner or developer to obtain all drainage easements on, over or through other properties, and the Township, its agents, workmen and employees shall be indemnified and held harmless from any liability.

Any water originating from nonnatural sources, such as swimming pools, air-conditioning units, sump pumps, roof drains or other similar flow, shall be properly discharged into natural watercourses or storm drains.

For the purpose of this section, "streams" and "intermittent streams" are defined as those watercourses depicted on the Springfield Township Zoning Map, the USGS Maps of the area and/or determined as such pursuant to an on-site survey by the Township of their representative.

Specific design standards.

Design flow rate. The storm sewer system shall be designed to carry a ten-year peak flow rate, with a twenty-five-year peak flow rate at all low points. The peak flow rate into each inlet shall be indicated on the stormwater drainage plan. The design flow rate shall be determined by the rational formula:

Q = CIA
Where:
	Q	=	The peak runoff rate in cubic feet per second (CFS).
	C	=	The runoff coefficient equal to the ratio of the peak runoff rate to the average rate of rainfall over a time period equal to the time of concentration.
	I	=	The average rainfall intensity in inches per hour for a time equal to the time of concentration.
	A	=	The drainage area in acres.

Appropriate values for the runoff coefficient and rainfall intensity shall be taken from the following source: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Design Manual, Part 2, Highway Design, August 1981 (or the latest revisions thereto).

Storm sewer system design.

The storm sewer system shall be designed to the more restrictive of the following: to collect stormwater at any point where three to five cubic feet per second is accumulated during the design storm; and/or inlets/manholes shall not be spaced more than 300 feet apart on pipe sizes up to 24 inches in diameter and not more than 400 feet apart on greater sizes.

Inlets, manholes, grates, covers, frames and the like shall conform to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Roadway Construction Standards (Publication No. 72) and Form 408, Specifications, and all amendments, revisions or updates thereto.

Bridge/culvert/channel/design.

Bridges and culverts shall have ample waterway to carry expected flows, based on a minimum storm frequency of 25 years. Bridge and/or culvert designs shall be in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and/or the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources requirements. All culverts shall be provided with concrete end sections unless approved otherwise by the Township.

All drainage channels shall be designed to carry a flow rate equal to a one-hundred-year, twenty-four-hour storm.

All drainage channels shall be designed to prevent the erosion of the bed and bank areas. The flow velocity in all vegetated drainage channels shall not exceed the maximum permissible velocity to prevent erosion. Suitable bank stabilization shall be provided where required to prevent erosion of the drainage channels. Where storm sewers discharge into existing drainage channels at an angle greater than 30° from parallel with the downstream channel flow, the far side bank shall be stabilized by the use of riprap, masonry and/or concrete walls. The stabilization shall be designed to prevent erosion and frost heave under and behind the stabilizing media.

Any vegetated drainage channel requiring mowing of the vegetation shall have a maximum slope of three horizontal to one vertical on those areas to be mowed.

The design of all channels shall, as a minimum, conform to the design procedures outlined in:

United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Roadside Drainage Channels, Hydraulic Design Series No. 4.

United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Design Charts for Open Channel Flow, Hydraulic Design Series No. 3.

Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in Developing Areas, United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, College Park, Maryland.

Overflow system. An overflow system shall be provided to carry flow to the detention basin when the capacity of the storm drainpipe system is exceeded. The overflow system shall be of sufficient capacity to carry the difference between the one-hundred-year and the ten-year peak flow rates.

Inlet capacity.

All inlets must be designed to accommodate the ten-year peak flow rate except at low points, where they shall accommodate the twenty-five-year peak flow rate. The capacity of Type C, M or S inlets shall be determined from the following source: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Design Manual, Part 2, Highway Design (most recent edition), Chapter 10.

The capacity of each inlet shall be indicated on the stormwater drainage plan. All stormwater management plans shall indicate that inlet grates be installed in such a manner that the roadway stormwater will be directed into the inlet and away from the roadway. At curbed street/driveway intersections, inlets shall be placed on the tangent section and not in the curved portion of the curbing.

Straight pipe sections. Wherever possible, all storm sewers shall be designed to follow straight courses. No angular deflections of storm sewer pipe sections in excess of 5° shall be permitted. No vertical curves shall be permitted in the storm sewer system.

Minimum grade and size. All storm drainpipes shall be designed to maintain a minimum grade of 1%. All storm sewer pipes shall have a minimum inside diameter of 15 inches.

Pipe capacity. The capacity of all pipe culverts shall, as a minimum, provide the required carrying capacity as determined by the following sources:

United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 5, Hydraulic Charts for the Selection of Highway Culverts.

United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Hydraulic Design Series No. 3, Design Charts for Open Channel Flow.

United States Department of Transportation, Bureau of Public Roads, Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 10, Capacity Charts for the Hydraulic Design of Highway Culverts.

Pipe arches. Where headroom is restricted, equivalent pipe arches may be used in lieu of circular pipes.

Pipe material and gage thickness. All storm sewers shall be either reinforced cement concrete, corrugated aluminum or corrugated galvanized steel pipe. Storm sewers shall be of the proper class and thickness to support the above fill material. Pipe class and gage or thickness shall be noted on the plans.

Allowable headwater depth. At all inlets or manholes, the maximum allowable headwater depth shall be one foot below the top of the inlet grate or the manhole cover.

Horizontal pipe deflections. A manhole or inlet shall be provided at all horizontal deflections in the storm pipe system exceeding 5°.

Minimum and maximum cover. A minimum of 18 inches of cover shall be maintained over all storm drainpipes. The top of storm drainpipes shall be at least 0.5 foot below subgrade elevation. The maximum cover over storm drainpipes shall be 10 feet, unless approved otherwise by the Township.

Storm sewer system outlets. Storm sewer system outlet pipes shall extend to proposed stormwater management facilities, natural watercourses and the like. A concrete endwall shall be required on all storm sewer system outlet pipes.

Roof drains. Stormwater roof drains shall not discharge water directly over a sidewalk, into any sanitary sewer line or into a street or paved area without a straight curbed gutter.

(17)

Drainage easements.

All storm sewer easements through undedicated land shall be a minimum of 15 feet in width.

Where a site is traversed by a watercourse, a drainage easement or right-of-way conforming substantially with the line of such watercourse and of such width as will be adequate to preserve natural drainage and provide sufficient width for maintenance shall be created, as determined by the Township.

(18)

Diversion of runoff. All storm sewers and/or drainage swales shall be designed to carry the runoff into a detention basin or similar facility utilized to control the rate of runoff, unless approved otherwise by the Township.

(19)

Runoff control measures.

Runoff control. The rate and quantity of stormwater runoff from any proposed subdivision and/or land development shall not exceed the rate and quantity of runoff prior to development (i.e., zero-increase runoff). This standard shall be maintained for all storms (i.e., both high-frequency and low-frequency).

Runoff control devices. The increased runoff which may result from subdivisions and/or land developments shall be controlled by permanent runoff control measures that will provide the required runoff control specified above. All runoff control devices will be evaluated for their effectiveness to maintain the above-mentioned standard for all storms with a return period of up to 100 years.

Detention basin vs. other available methods. Detention basins are an acceptable technique for controlling the rate of runoff from a subdivision and/or land development. However, the use of other available runoff control measures can be employed if no other alternative is available. Runoff control measures other than detention basins may include on-lot berms, on-lot or centralized seepage beds or other techniques when approved by the Township Engineer. All pertinent detention basin design standards shall be applicable to any such approved facilities.

(20)

Detention/retention basins.

Detention basins shall be designed in accordance with the soil cover complex method and the procedures developed by the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, as outlined in the latest edition of Technical Release No. 55, Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds, with specific attention given to antecedent moisture conditions, flood routing and peak discharge; and Hydrology National Engineering Handbook Section 4.

Basins shall be designed to detain the quantity of water resulting from a one-hundred-year, twenty-four-hour storm (7.2 inches of rainfall) under full development conditions. Stormwater management calculations shall ensure that the predeveloped discharge from the site for the following storms is not exceeded after development:

Two-year, twenty-four-hour, 3.3 inches of rainfall.

Ten-year, twenty-four-hour, 5.0 inches of rainfall.

Twenty-five-year, twenty-four-hour, 5.7 inches of rainfall.

Fifty-year, twenty-four-hour, 6.4 inches of rainfall.

[5]

One-hundred-year, twenty-four-hour, 7.2 inches of rainfall.

The following criteria shall apply in the calculation of stormwater runoff values. The time of concentration method shall be utilized in the development of the runoff hydrographs and peak discharges. Storage-discharge curves shall be provided for all basins:

Meadow condition shall be used as the basis for establishing the predeveloped runoff values for all area other than woodland, including areas which are presently covered by impervious surfaces except as stated below.

In the case of an expansion of an existing development, an applicant may request that the Board of Commissioners allow the exclusion of only existing impervious areas from the requirements of Subsection B(20)(a) above, provided that the existing development does not presently contribute to an existing drainage problem downstream.

Average antecedent moisture conditions.

A Type II distribution storm.

Outlet control structures.

All outlet control structures shall be constructed of galvanized steel, aluminum or concrete, properly anchored to prevent flotation, and equipped with childproof, nonclogging trash racks over all design openings 12 inches or greater in diameter, except those openings designed to carry perennial stream flows.

Temporary sedimentation controls shall be provided during construction to prevent the flow of sediment through the basin outlet pipe. Such measures may include temporary riser pipes, rock-filled gabions, plywood standboxes, silt fences and the like.

Emergency spillways. Whenever possible, the emergency spillway for basins shall be constructed on undisturbed ground. Emergency spillways shall be constructed of reinforced concrete, vegetated earth, concrete rubble and the like. All emergency spillways shall be constructed so that the basin berm is protected against erosion. The minimum capacity of all emergency spillways shall be that of the combined capacity of the emergency spillway and the principal from the one-hundred-year design storm after development. Emergency spillways shall extend along the upstream and downstream berm embankment slopes. The emergency spillway shall not discharge stormwater over earthen fill and/or easily erodible material without adequate protection against erosion.

Freeboard. The minimum freeboard shall be two feet. ("Freeboard" is the difference between the design flow elevations in the emergency spillway and the top of the settled basin embankment.)

Anti-seep collars. Anti-seep collars shall be installed around the principal pipe barrel within the normal saturation zone of the basin berms. The anti-seep collars and their connections to the pipe barrel shall be watertight. The anti-seep collars shall extend to a minimum of two feet beyond the outside of the principal pipe barrel. The maximum spacing between collars shall be 14 times the minimum projection of the collar, measured perpendicular to the pipe.

Basin outlets. Energy dissipating devices (riprap, stilling basin, concrete aprons, gabions and the like) shall be placed at all basin outlets. Rock level spreader berms shall be required where basins do not discharge into an existing drainage swale, ditch or channel. Concrete end-walls shall be placed at all basin outlets. All basin outlet pipes 12 inches in diameter or greater, shall be equipped with devices to deter entry by pedestrians or animals.

(i)

Slope of detention basin embankment. The maximum slope of earthen basin embankments shall be three to one. The top or toe of any slope shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from adjacent property lines with the exception of the downstream property line where the toe of the embankment shall be placed a sufficient distance to allow for energy dissipating devices but in no case less than 30 feet unless approved otherwise by the Township. Whenever possible, the side slopes and basin shape shall blend with the natural topography. Straight side slopes and rectangular basins shall be avoided whenever possible.

(j)

Width of berm. The minimum top width of detention basin berms shall be 10 feet.

(k)

Construction specifications. The plans shall indicate the construction specifications and compaction requirements for all detention/retention basins.

(l)

Slope of basin bottom. In order to ensure proper drainage of detention basins, a minimum grade of 2% shall be maintained for all sheet flow. A minimum grade of 1% shall be maintained for all channel flow.

(m)

Cutoff trench. A cutoff trench shall be excavated along the center line of the dam on earth fill embankments. The minimum depth shall be three feet. The minimum bottom width shall be 10 feet, or wide enough to permit operation of compaction equipment. The side slopes shall be no steeper than 1:1. The trench shall be kept free from standing water during the backfilling operations.

(n)

Grading and landscaping of basins.

Cuts and fills. No excavation or fill shall be made with a cut or fill slope steeper than three horizontal to one vertical, except where the excavation or fill is sufficiently stable to prevent sliding or erosion and will not result in property damage or personal injury. A written statement shall be required from an engineer having experience in soils engineering certifying that he has inspected the site and that any proposed deviation from the slope specified above should not endanger any property or result in personal injury. Retaining walls will be required if a stable slope cannot be maintained. Any retaining wall design must be designed by an experienced structural engineer approved by the Township. The toe of any cut or fill slope must be located a minimum of 15 feet from adjacent property lines with the exception stated in Subsection B(20)(i) above.

Landscaping.

[a]

A minimum of six inches of topsoil shall be placed on all areas affected by the basin construction (bottom of basin, side slopes, top of berm and the like).

[b]

All earthen basins shall be stabilized with temporary and permanent grasses or other approved ground covers within 15 days after initial construction.

[c]

A six-foot-high chain-link vinyl fence shall be installed to completely enclose the facility at a location to be determined by the Township Engineer. A pair of double gates six feet in height, complete with a center plunging rod and catch with provisions for padlocking, shall be provided. The width of the gate opening shall be 10 feet.

[d]

A planting strip with a minimum width of 10 feet shall be provided along all property or street lines immediately adjacent to the exterior of the fence to afford an effective screening to neighboring properties. Plantings shall be evergreen trees with a minimum height of five feet in staggered rows placed on ten-foot centers. All landscaping shall be in accordance with § 123-39.

Basins shall be installed prior to any earthmoving or land disturbances which they will serve.

(21)

Subsurface disposal of stormwater.

Subsurface disposal of stormwater shall only be allowed where no other viable alternative is available; where natural, well-drained soils exist; and where such disposal is at least 10 feet from a building.

Subsurface disposal of stormwater shall only be allowed after on-site soil percolation tests are performed and certified by a registered professional engineer experienced in soils engineering; a geologist; or a qualified soils scientist.

Soils testing to determine percolation rates shall be performed at several locations where the subsurface facility is proposed and also at the proposed invert elevation of the subsurface facility.

All percolation tests shall be conducted in accordance with the rules, regulations and procedures of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537)[1] as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.

Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq.

Various methods of subsurface disposal may be employed. The effectiveness and applicability of each should be evaluated at each location. Acceptable methods include, but are not limited to, infiltration basins and/or berms, seepage beds and/or trenches and the like.

The design and construction of all subsurface facilities shall provide proper procedures to prevent silt from clogging the aggregate backfill.

The following procedures and materials shall be required for all subsurface facilities:

Excavation for the infiltration facility shall be performed with equipment which will not compact the bottom of the seepage bed/trench or like facility.

The bottom of the bed and/or trench shall be scarified prior to the placement of aggregate.

Only clean aggregate, free of fines, shall be allowed.

The top and sides of all seepage beds, trenches or like facilities shall be covered with drainage filtration fabric.

[5]

Perforated distribution pipes connected to centralized catch basins and/or manholes with provisions for the collection of debris shall be provided in all facilities. The perforated pipes shall distribute stormwater throughout the entire seepage bed/trench or like facility.

[6]

A positive outlet pipe placed at or near the bottom of the seepage bed and/or trench or like facility shall be provided.

The landowner or developer shall be responsible for the proper installation, operation and maintenance of all subsurface stormwater management facilities. If, in the opinion of the Township, the underground system is not functioning properly, the landowner or developer shall be required to make the necessary improvements/corrections to the system or provide an alternate stormwater management facility which is functional.

(22)

Maintenance of facilities.

All stormwater management facilities, including retention and detention basins designed and constructed for the purposes specified under this chapter shall be maintained in proper working order in accordance with those design plans filed with the Township and shall be the responsibility of the property owner(s) upon whose property the facilities are located. In the case of a homeowners' association or other entity approved by the Township, the homeowners' association or other entity shall be considered the responsible owner of all stormwater management facilities located in the area of development. In those cases where the Township will accept dedication of the facility, the developer shall pay the Township, as a contribution toward the cost of maintenance of the facility, for every square foot of the area to be dedicated a fee in accordance with the Township fee schedule.

In order to ensure proper maintenance and functioning of stormwater management facilities, the Township or their designee shall perform inspections carried out on a random basis.

If, at any time, the Township, or its designee, discovers any violation or condition not conforming with those designs and plans filed with the Township in regard to the operation of a stormwater management facility, it shall notify the responsible owners of the violation, informing them of the nature of such violation and the manner in which it can be corrected.

Under no conditions shall any person be allowed to remove any previously approved stormwater management facility unless an approved alternate facility is approved by the Township.

Under no conditions shall any person be allowed to modify, alter or change a previously approved stormwater management facility unless approved by the Township.

In the event that the landowner, developer, occupant or homeowners' association, as the case may be, shall refuse or neglect to comply with the provisions of this section as interpreted by the Township, the Township may direct the work to correct any violation or noncompliance with this section, at the expense of the owner.

Maintenance of all drainage facilities and watercourses within any subdivision and/or land development is the responsibility of the landowner or developer until they are accepted by the Township in accordance with Article VI.

It is the responsibility of any landowner or developer doing any act on or across a communal stream, watercourse or swale or upon the floodplain or right-of-way thereof, to maintain, as nearly as possible in its present state, the stream, watercourse, swale, floodplain or right-of-way for the duration of the construction activity and to return it to its original or equal condition after such activity is completed.

(i)

Maintenance of drainage facilities or watercourses originating on private property is the responsibility of the owner to his point of open discharge at the property line or at a communal watercourse within the property.

(j)

Access to stormwater management facilities shall be provided by means of a driveway with a minimum right-of-way of 10 feet, accessible from a street. Such access drive shall not exceed 10% in grade.

§ 123-37 Soil erosion and sedimentation control.

General regulations. All soil erosion and sedimentation control practices shall be in accordance with the applicable sections of Chapter 39 of the Code of the Township of Springfield pertaining to excavation and filling of ground, and the following:

All subdivisions and land developments are required to comply with the Clean Streams Law of Pennsylvania and Chapter 102 of the Rules and Regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, as amended from time to time.

The landowner or developer shall be responsible for the submission and approval of an application to the regional office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources for a permit to allow any earthmoving activity where more than 25 acres are disturbed at one time. All landowners or developers are required to obtain such permit except as otherwise provided in Section 102.41, Permits and Plans, of Chapter 102 of the Rules and Regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (DER), as amended from time to time.

The soil erosion and sedimentation control plan must be available at all times at the construction site. The permit allowing earthmoving activity before any construction on the site shall begin.

The sequence of soils stabilization to control soil erosion and sedimentation shall be planned so as to compensate for seasonal effects such as the inability to establish vegetation during winter months, the influence of freezing and the like.

Measures shall be taken to preclude the tracking of mud, soil and the like from construction vehicles and equipment onto streets which serve the site. Such measures shall include temporary scrub pads with collector sumps and cleaning devices, which construction vehicles shall pass through prior to leaving the site.

Measures used to control erosion and reduce sedimentation shall, as a minimum, meet the latest revised standards, specifications and/or regulations of:

The United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, as adopted by the Delaware County Conservation District in their Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Resources, in their Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual.

Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in Developing Areas by the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, College Park, Maryland. Erosion and sedimentation control measures shall be required on all erosion and sedimentation control and stormwater management plans for all subdivisions and/or land developments within the Township. The Township or their designated representative shall ensure and enforce compliance with the appropriate standards.

All soil erosion and sedimentation control and grading activities shall be performed in such a manner so as not to endanger or damage public or private property or to cause physical damage or personal injury. A landowner or developer shall be responsible for any property damage or personal injury caused by his activities.

Specific design standards.

There shall be no increase in discharge of sediment or other solid materials from the site as a result of stormwater runoff; and, in the event of any increase, the landowner and/or developer shall be responsible.

Soil erosion and sedimentation control devices, such as temporary vegetation and mulch, temporary earthen berms, interceptor dikes, ditches, diversion terraces, rock filter berms, crushed stone tire scrubbers, silt basins, silt fences and the like, appropriate to the scale of operations, shall be installed concurrent with earthmoving activities and whenever any situation is created which would contribute to increased erosion.

Earthmoving operations shall be minimized where possible and practicable to preserve desirable natural features and the topography of the site.

Stripping of vegetation, regrading or other development shall be done in such a way that will minimize erosion.

To the maximum extent possible, mature, healthy trees of 12 inches or greater in caliper and other significant existing vegetation shall be retained and protected. Such trees shall not be removed, except as provided on the approved subdivision and/or land development plan. The filling of soil more than five inches is presumed to extend out from the tree for the distance the branches of the tree extends outward.

Land disturbance shall be limited to the actual construction site and an access strip. The amount of disturbed area and the duration of exposure shall be kept to a practical minimum. Disturbed areas shall be stabilized with vegetation, mulch, erosion control fabric and the like, as soon as possible after earthmoving procedures.

Provisions shall be made to effectively accommodate the increased runoff caused by changed soil and surface conditions during and after development. Water runoff shall be minimized and retained on-site wherever possible to facilitate groundwater recharge.

Temporary vegetation and/or mulching soil shall be used to protect critical areas during development. "Critical areas" shall be construed to mean those portions of site which are extremely vulnerable to soil erosion.

The permanent final vegetation and structural erosion control and drainage measures shall be installed as soon as practical in the development in accordance with the approved plans.

Sediment in the runoff water shall be trapped until the disturbed area is stabilized by the use of debris and sediment basins, silt fences or other approved measures. Sediment deposits in basins, silt fences and the like shall be removed at periodic intervals during the construction period, as directed by the Township.

Procedures shall be established for protecting soils and rock or geologic formations with water supply potential from contamination by surface water or other source or disruption caused by construction activity.

Silt fences shall be utilized in lieu of straw bale silt barriers downhill of all construction areas. In general, straw bale silt barriers will be allowed only on projects with a construction period of less than 60 days and where the uphill drainage area is less than 1/2 acre. In all applications, silt fences and straw bale silt barriers shall be securely anchored in place and embedded into the soil.

Silt fences or silt traps shall be placed at all inlets, head walls, basin outlets and similar drainage structures during the construction period in order to prevent sediment from entering any watercourse, storm drainage system or other areas downstream.

Crushed stone tire scrubbers shall be placed at all entrances to construction areas. Tire scrubbers shall be sufficient width and length to prevent the transportation of sediment off of the construction site.

Temporary and permanent seeding and mulch specifications shall be noted on all plans. The specifications shall include lime and fertilizer rates of application, as well as other provisions regarding procedures and materials. In critical areas, the Township may require hydroseeding and the placement of erosion-control fabric.

During roadway grading, interceptor dikes shall be installed on all roadway subgrades with slopes in excess of 5% to prevent erosion of the subgrade. The interceptor dikes shall divert stormwater runoff silt traps or silt fences.

(17)

The crushed stone base course for driveways, roadways and parking areas shall be applied as soon as possible after grading procedures, in order to prevent erosion of the subgrade.

(18)

Drainage swales and ditches, and all slopes greater than 3:1 shall be protected against erosive velocities with erosion control measures such as erosion-control fabric and other material as approved by the Township.

(19)

Energy dissipaters and/or stilling basins shall be installed at the outlet end of all storm drainage facilities.

Maintenance.

Whenever sedimentation is caused by stripping vegetation, regrading or other development it shall be the responsibility of the person causing such sedimentation to remove the accumulated sediment from all adjoining or downstream properties, surfaces, drainage systems and watercourses and to repair any damage at his expense as quickly as possible.

All necessary soil erosion and sediment control measures installed under this chapter shall be adequately maintained by the developer after completion of the approved plan or until such measures are permanently stabilized as determined by the Township in accordance with Article VI.

§ 123-38 Buffer areas.

All buffer areas shall be in accordance with the requirements for the same as set forth in § 143-121 of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield.

All required buffer areas shall be depicted on plans for proposed subdivision and/or land development.

§ 123-39 Landscaping requirements.

All landscaping shall be in accordance with the landscaping standards set forth in Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield related to screening and landscaping in parking lots (in Article XV); landscaping as required in the D Residential Apartment District, E Business District, F Planned Industrial District, SU Special Use District and SC Shopping Center District; and the landscaping requirements in Article XVII.[1] In addition, the following shall apply:

Street trees shall be planted along all new streets in every zoning district; and along any existing street which abuts a subdivision or land development site in every zoning district. In addition to street trees, in all residential districts, at least one tree shall be planted for each dwelling unit.

A list of approved street trees for planting in Springfield Township is included in the Appendix[2] according to their botanical name and common name.

Editor's Note: Said Appendix is on file in the Township offices.

All street trees shall be a minimum of at least 3 1/2 to four inches in caliper.

[Amended 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 1346]

Street trees shall be planted at least three feet on the building side of the sidewalk; but not within the street right-of-way, and prior to installation, the developer shall obtain approval of the Township as to their location, size, type and other characteristics. All proposals for landscaping shall be made through the submission of a landscaping plan.

Requirements and standards for landscaping, in addition to those specified above, shall be made: to reduce glare; to abate other nuisances; to enhance intersections of driveways and streets; to fulfill screening and other related functional purposes; to comply with general standards of § 123-25 and to fulfill the purposes of § 123-2.

Trees of twelve-inch caliper or more shall be preserved to the extent possible and the Board of Commissioners may require the landowner or developer to plant one tree of not less than three inches in caliper for each tree of twelve-inch caliper or more to be destroyed.

The landowner or developer shall protect remaining trees from damage during construction. The following procedures shall be followed in order to so protect remaining trees:

No more than five inches of soil shall be placed around the trunks of trees which are to remain. For those trees which are to remain, where more than five inches of soil are to be placed, tree wells shall be constructed to preserve such trees.

Trees to remain shall be protected by wooden slat snow fencing placed around such trees.

No boards or other material shall be nailed to trees during construction, and no trees shall be sprayed with bright colored paint.

Heavy equipment operators shall avoid damaging existing tree trunks and roots. Feeder roots shall not be cut closer than 25 feet from tree trunks.

Tree trunks and exposed roots damaged during construction shall be protected from further damage by being pruned flush, and if trunks are scarred they shall be traced out for proper healing.

Tree limbs damaged during construction shall be sawed flush to tree trunks and treated with tree paints as necessary.

The operation of heavy equipment over root systems of such trees shall be minimized in order to prevent soil compaction.

Deciduous trees shall be given a heavy application of fertilizer to aid in their recovery from possible damage caused by construction operations.

(i)

Construction debris shall not be disposed of near or around the bases of such trees.

All final landscaping plans shall be accompanied by a cost estimate prepared by the developer. The cost estimate shall be evaluated by the Township and revised by the Township if necessary. The cost estimate shall serve as a basis of establishing an escrow account related to landscaping.

Editor's Note: See § 143-122, Landscaping requirements.

§ 123-40 Recreation and open space areas.

[Amended 3-22-2010 by Ord. No. 1505]

The Board of Commissioners may require the public dedication of land suitable for the use intended and, upon agreement with the applicant or developer, the construction of recreational facilities, the payment of fees in lieu thereof, the private reservation of land, or a combination, for park or recreation purposes as a condition precedent to final plan approval, in accordance with the following provisions:

Each application for subdivision and/or land development shall set aside and clearly identify land to be used for open space and recreational areas in accordance with Articles IV, XII, XIV and XVIII of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield within any planned residential development, multifamily residential project in the A Residence District where the open space option is utilized, and the TND-5 Overlay District.

The applicant or developer shall receive a credit for any land reserved for recreational purposes under this section towards the requirements of any provisions within Chapter 143, Zoning, requiring recreational facilities.

Where the Board of Commissioners agrees with the applicant or developer that the land proposed as designated recreational area is not suitable for the use intended by reason of its size, shape, topography and/or location pursuant to Subsection D herein, the applicant or developer shall make payment of a fee in lieu of a recreational area as a condition of final plan approval. Such determination shall also be made in accordance with the following general provisions:

The calculation of the fee in lieu of a recreational area shall be set forth in detail in a resolution and shall bear a reasonable relationship to the use of the park and recreation facilities by future inhabitants of Springfield Township. Payment shall be due and payable at the time of final plan approval of the application for subdivision and/or land development or, if as a condition of final plan approval, shall be included in the required development agreement in accordance with § 123-14 of this chapter, together with posting of financial security in accordance with Section 509 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1] However, all such payments shall be made by the time of application for building permit for each lot or dwelling unit.

Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10509.

All moneys paid to the Township pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be placed in a neighborhood park and recreation development fund to be established by the Board of Commissioners. Upon payment, such funds shall be deposited in an interest-bearing account, clearly identifying the specific recreational facilities for which the fee was received. Interest earned on such account shall become funds of the account. Said funds shall be used by the Township for the acquisition and/or improvement of park or recreational sites and land in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, recognizing that funds shall be expended only on portions of the cost incurred to acquire land or construct or renovate the specific recreational facilities for which the funds were collected.

Unless a greater requirement is specified in another section of the ordinances of Springfield Township, subdivisions and land developments which provide or are intended to provide housing facilities for more than 20 dwelling units shall provide open areas for recreation. Standards to be used as guides in determining the space needed for recreation shall be as follows:

	Dwelling Units	Acres of Active Recreation Area
	20 to 49	2.0
	50 to 74	3.0
	75 to 99	5.0
	100 to 149	6.0
	150 to 199	8.0
	200 to 249	10.0
	250 or more	12.0

The determination of the suitability of land which is acceptable for dedication or use for recreational areas shall include its overall size, shape, location and natural features and shall also be based on the following criteria:

The area shall comply with Article XVIII of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield, unless otherwise specified in these ordinances of Springfield Township.

The land shall be easily accessible to all inhabitants of the development by virtue of at least one side of each parcel of land abutting an existing or proposed street for a minimum distance of 50 feet.

The land shall be located so that it serves all inhabitants of the subdivision or land development.

Areas set aside for recreational purposes shall be reasonably compact and contiguous parcels that are not excessively irregular in shape or configuration.

The shape of the land shall be suitable to accommodate those park or recreational activities appropriate to the location and needs of the residents or expected users of the development.

Such land shall have an average slope of less than 8%. Active recreational areas shall be graded and constructed to serve as playfields, playgrounds, tot-lots and the like.

Soil and drainage shall be suitable for the intended park or recreational uses.

Provisions shall be made for vehicular parking so that any site can be adequately served and accessed pursuant to § 123-32 of this chapter.

Provisions shall be made for sidewalks, trails, footpaths, bicycle paths, crosswalks and other pedestrian circulation systems and accessways.

Recreational areas shall conform to the applicable provisions of Chapter 89 of the Code of the Township of Springfield pertaining to parks and playgrounds.

§ 123-41 Flood Hazard District.

In addition to all standards set forth in Article XIII of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield pertaining to the Flood Hazard District, and Article XIIIA of Chapter 20[1] of the Code pertaining to permits in the Floodplain District the following shall apply:

The finished elevation of any proposed streets shall be no less than at the regulatory flood level elevation.

All bridges, culverts and other drainage openings shall be so designed and constructed that they are capable of withstanding the pressures of the floodwaters generated by a one-hundred-year flood and are capable of accommodating the natural flow of the floodwaters without creating additional hazards through obstruction.

All sanitary sewer systems located in any Flood Hazard District shall be floodproofed up to the regulatory flood elevation. No part of any on-site sewage disposal system shall be located within any Flood Hazard District.

All water systems located in any Flood Hazard District shall be floodproofed up to the regulatory flood elevation.

All other public and private utilities located in any Flood Hazard District shall be floodproofed up to the regulatory flood elevation.

No proposed development shall alter the existing location or capacity of any channel, floodway, watercourse, drainage ditch or any drainage facility in any Flood Hazard District, unless the applicant satisfies the Board of Commissioners that:

Such alteration has been approved by the Department of Environmental Resources.

[Amended 2-8-1994 by Ord. No. 1300]

Notification of such proposed alteration has been given to adjacent municipalities with a reasonable opportunity to comment.

A copy of such notification has been mailed to the Federal Emergency Management Administration and to the Department of Community Affairs.

Such alteration does not increase potential flood levels or flood hazards in any way.

Editor's Note: Former Ch. 20, Building Code, Part 1, General Regulations, adopted 12-17-1931 by Ord. No. 70, as amended, was repealed 10-13-1998 by Ord. No. 1345, and Part 2, BOCA National Building Code, adopted 8-14-1979 by Ord. No. 1012, as amended, was repealed 6-8-2004 by Ord. No. 1418. See now Ch. 134, Uniform Construction Code.

Where any subdivision or land development lies partially or completely within a Flood Hazard District, all preliminary and final plans shall show the following:

The elevation of the one-hundred-year flood in relation to the elevation of proposed streets, sidewalks, utilities, buildings, building sites, parking lots, bridges, culverts and other required or proposed improvements and structures.

The elevation of the regulatory flood level in relation to the proposed streets, sidewalks, utilities, buildings, building sites, parking lots, bridges, culverts and other required or proposed improvements and structures.

§ 123-41.1 Steep Slope Conservation District.

[Added 1-11-1994 by Ord. No. 1294]

Purposes. The purpose of this section is to expand upon the community development objectives associated with environmental protection and the preservation of natural resources expressed in Article I, § 143-3, of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield and to complement the provisions in Article XVIII of Chapter 143, Zoning, relating to open space. Further, the provisions of this section are designed to encourage the sensitive treatment of hillsides and their related soil and vegetation resources in an effort to minimize adverse environmental impacts. The following objectives serve to complement these specific purposes and the overall purposes of this district:

To conserve and protect steep and very steep slopes from inappropriate development, such as excessive grading, land form alteration and extensive vegetation removal.

To avoid potential hazards to property and the disruption of ecological balance which may be caused by increased runoff, flooding, soil erosion and sedimentation, blasting and ripping of rock and landslide and soil failure.

To encourage the use of steep and very steep slopes for open space and other uses which are compatible with the preservation of natural resources and protection of areas of environmental concern.

General provisions.

Compliance. No area within the Steep Slope Conservation District shall hereafter be used without full compliance with the terms of this section and other applicable regulations.

Preservation of other restrictions. It is not intended by this section to repeal, abrogate or impair any regulations set forth in any other regulations of this chapter or any easements, covenants or deed restrictions, except that where this section imposes greater restrictions, its provisions shall prevail. Further, nothing contained in this section shall diminish in any way the provisions of the Clean Streams Law[1] and/or Chapter 102 of the Department of Environmental Resources Rules and Regulations or any other applicable state, federal, county or Township regulations, codes, ordinances and the like.

Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.

Boundary definition and mapping.

The Steep Slope Conservation District is comprised of areas of steep and very steep slopes, as shown on the Springfield Township Steep Slope Conservation District Map dated June 25, 1985, which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.[2] The map constitutes only a general representation of steep and very steep slopes, based on the analysis of the contours displayed on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Quadrangle for Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. As such, refined mapping will be required to more accurately define the district, as specified in Subsection B(3)(e) below.

Editor's Note: The Steep Slope Conservation District Map is on file in the Township offices.

Areas of steep slope are characterized by a change in elevation from 15% to 25% over a specified distance or contour interval.

Areas of very steep slope are characterized by a change in elevation greater than 25% over a specified distance or contour interval.

The Steep Slope Conservation District Map shall be considered as an overlay to the Springfield Township Zoning Map,[3] subject to the following:

The district shall have no effect on the permitted uses in the underlying zoning district, except where said uses, intended to be located within the boundaries of the district, are in conflict with the permitted uses set forth in Subsection C.

In those areas of the Township where the district applies, the requirements of the district shall supersede the requirements of the underlying zoning district(s).

Should the district boundaries be revised as a result of judicial decision, the zoning requirements applicable to the area in question shall revert to the requirements of the underlying zoning district(s) without consideration of this section.

Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is on file in the Township offices.

Interpretation of district boundaries.

The applicant shall use an actual field topographic survey as the source of contour information and the basis for depicting steep and very steep slopes as described below.

The Steep Slope Conservation District Map, based on the ten-foot contour interval from the United States Geological Survey, shall be used as a general guide for determining the boundaries of the district. In any application for subdivision and/or land development, the applicant shall, using two-foot contours as required in Chapter 123, Subdivision and Land Development, delineate slopes from 15% to 25% and greater than 25%. However, for the purposes of this section, such slopes shall be delineated on the basis of three consecutive contour intervals or a six-foot cumulative vertical change in grade.

Once delineated, the mapping of the applicant will be reviewed by the Township Engineer. The applicant will be required to follow all regulations of this section for those areas which reflect steep slope and very steep slope conditions as determined through the Township Engineer's review.

Use regulations. The following uses shall be permitted in the Steep Slope Conservation District:

Areas of very steep slope (greater than 25%).

Permitted principal uses.

Agricultural uses that do not require cultivation or structures.

Conservation and recreation uses not requiring structures.

Structures existing prior to the effective date of this chapter.

Front, rear and side yards of any lot or tract.

Uses permitted if a waiver and/or modification is granted pursuant to § 123-54.

Conservation and recreation uses requiring structures.

Agricultural structures and cultivation.

Proposed utilities, easements and rights-of-way.

Accessory uses customarily incidental to any of the foregoing.

[5]

Roads and driveways only when no viable alternative alignment or location is feasible, provided that such roads and driveways are aligned predominantly parallel to the contours.

[6]

Uses permitted in the underlying zoning district.

Prohibited uses and activities.

Cut and fill, other than in association with any uses related to Subsections C(1)(a) and/or C(1)(b) above.

Soil, rock or mineral extraction and/or removal, other than in association with any uses related to Subsections C(1)(a) and/or C(1)(b) above.

Removal of topsoil, other than in association with any uses related to Subsections C(1)(a) and/or C(1)(b) above.

Stormwater management facilities.

Areas of steep slope (15% to 25%).

Permitted principal uses.

Any principal use permitted in Subsection C(1)(a).

Uses permitted if a waiver and/or modification is granted pursuant to § 123-54.

Any uses identified in Subsection C(1)(b) and the following:

[a]

Stormwater management facilities.

[b]

Sanitary sewers and sewage pumping stations.

[c]

Accessory uses and structures customarily incidental to the foregoing.

Prohibited uses and activities.

Cut and fill, other than in association with any uses related to Subsections C(2)(a) and/or C(2)(b) above.

Soil, rock or mineral extraction and/or removal, other than in association with any uses related to Subsections C(2)(a) and/or C(2)(b) above.

Application procedure. All applications for any use of land within the Steep Slope Conservation District shall include the submission of the following materials and information:

Plans drawn to a scale of at least one inch equals 50 feet, sealed by a registered professional engineer and depicting the following:

The location, dimensions and elevation of the property.

Existing and proposed uses and development.

Existing and proposed contours at two-foot intervals.

The location and boundaries of steep slopes and very steep slopes.

Typical cross sections and elevations of the property and proposed structures at intervals prescribed by the Township Engineer.

Existing land cover characteristics of that portion of the property within the Steep Slope Conservation District indicating wooded areas, open areas and their ground cover type and any areas with impervious surfaces. The modifications proposed to the existing land cover shall also be indicated.

Photographs showing existing uses, vegetation and topography of areas within the Steep Slope Conservation District.

A report describing the slope, soil and vegetation characteristics of that portion of the property within the subject district. Such report shall also describe the proposed type and methods of proposed building construction, the type of foundation system(s) to be employed and proposals for landscaping, sewage disposal and water supply. Further, the report shall describe all sediment and erosion control measures to be used as required by Springfield Township, the Department of Environmental Resources and/or the Delaware County Conservation District, all measures to be undertaken to comply with Chapter 39, Excavation and Filling of Ground, and any and all additional engineering and conservation techniques designed to alleviate environmental impacts which may be created by proposed development activities.

Information required to accompany a request for a waiver and/or modification under § 123-54.

In addition to the information described in § 123-54 pertaining to waivers and/or modifications, the Board of Commissioners shall require a written report addressing the following:

The degree of modification proposed within the district to the topographic, soil and vegetation resources and the techniques proposed to mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.

The effect the development of the subject district would have on adjacent properties.

The relationship of the proposed uses to the objectives described in Subsection A.

Any application for a waiver under § 123-54 shall also provide evidence that:

The Steep Slope Conservation District is being proposed for development since no other alternative location is feasible or practical.

Earthmoving activities and vegetation removal will be conducted only to the extent necessary to accommodate proposed uses and structures and in a manner that will not cause excessive surface water runoff, erosion, sedimentation and unstable soil conditions.

Mitigation techniques will be utilized, including but not limited to retaining walls, tree wells, the establishment of ground covers and/or low spreading shrubs, the use of erosion control fabric and the like. Such techniques shall be evidenced through the submission of plans and construction details which depict, delineate and otherwise describe the land development proposal.