[Amended 3-12-2003 by Ord. No. 807-03]
This article is deemed essential and necessary
to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of
Clinton Township and the surrounding communities by accomplishing
the following purposes:
A. Maintain the useful life of reservoirs by preventing
sedimentation.
B. Prevent dangers to life and property from flooding
resulting from excessive water runoff and clogging of drainage structures.
C. Preserve the recreational use of water bodies for
swimming and fishing by preventing stagnation.
D. Enhance the recycling of wastewater by maintaining
sufficient flows in streams and rivers to maintain oxygen levels.
E. Prevent toxic materials, nitrates and pesticides from
entering public water supplies.
F. Reduce public expenditures for repair of public facilities
resulting from soil erosion and sedimentation.
G. Conserve the taxable value of property by enhancing
the environmental character of the Township
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
CUT
The portion of land surface or area from which earth has
been removed or will be removed by excavation; the depth below original
ground surface to excavated surface.
DIVERSION
A channel with or without a supporting ridge on the lower
side, constructed across or at the bottom of a slope.
EMBANKMENT
A man-made deposit of soil, rock or other material.
EROSION
The wearing away of the land surface by the action of wind,
water or gravity.
EXISTING GRADE
The vertical location (i.e. elevation) of the existing ground
surface prior to cutting or filling.
FINISHED GRADE
The final elevation of the ground surface conforming to the
proposed design.
FOUNDATION PLAN/LOCATION SURVEY
A plan developed in accordance with the broad principles
contained within this article which is to be submitted to the Township
Official designated by the Township Administrator for distribution
to the Township Engineer and Zoning Officer for review and approval
once the foundation is complete and prior to proceeding with the framing
of the structure.
GRADING
Any stripping, cutting, filling, stockpiling or any combination
thereof.
GRADING PERMIT
A permit issued to authorize work to be performed under this
article as shown on the approved soil disturbance and grading plan.
GRASSED WATERWAY
A natural or constructed path, usually broad and shallow,
covered with erosion-resistant grasses, used to conduct surface water
from a field, diversion or other site feature.
INDIVIDUAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
One or more underground recharge system(s) designed to contain
the increased surface water associated with the proposed impervious
coverage during a two-year storm.
MULCHING
The application of plant or other suitable materials on the
soil surface to conserve moisture, hold soil in place and aid in establishing
plant cover.
PERMANENT FINAL PLANT COVER
Final grade in compliance with approved plan with established
vegetative cover over 95% of the disturbed area.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, both mineral and organic, being transported
or has been moved from its site of origin by air, water or gravity
as a product of erosion.
SLOPE
The degree of deviation of a surface from the horizontal
plane, usually expressed in percent or degree.
SOIL
All unconsolidated mineral and organic material of whatever
origin that overlies bedrock and which can be readily excavated.
SOIL DISTURBANCE AND GRADING PLAN
A plan developed in accordance with the broad principles
contained in this article and based on the specific standards and
specifications of the Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
in New Jersey, as promulgated by the State Soil Conservation Committee.
Individual stormwater management must be provided if the surface water
runoff associated with the increased impervious coverage is not accounted
for in the overall subdivision approval. The soil disturbance and
grading plan must comply with all applicable conditions of any prior
subdivision approval.
STRIPPING
Any activity, which removes or disturbs the vegetative surface
cover, including clearing and grubbing operations.
TEMPORARY PROTECTION
Shall be in accordance with standards for Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control in New Jersey.
TOPSOIL
Native material stripped from the site (minimum organic content
of not less than 2.75% by weight) containing no stones, lumps, roots
or similar objects larger that two inches in any dimension and not
less that a 5.8 pH value.
UNDERGROUND RECHARGE SYSTEM(S)
Shall consist of infiltration tanks and clean stone, not
recharge trenches. The bottom of the tanks shall be a minimum of three
feet above the seasonal groundwater table or bedrock. The underground
recharge system must be a minimum of 20 feet from any building foundation
and 100 feet from any septic system. The surrounding soils must have
a soil infiltration rate of 0.5 inches per hour or greater. An overflow
system shall be provided that connects to the nearest surface drainage
facility of adequate hydraulic capacity or discharges away from all
structures and septic systems.
VEGETATIVE PROTECTION
Stabilization of erosive or sediment-producing areas by covering
the soil with:
A.
Permanent seeding, producing long-term vegetative
cover;
B.
Short-term seeding, producing temporary vegetative
cover; or
C.
Sodding, producing areas covered with a turf
of perennial sod-forming grass.
WATERCOURSE
Any natural or artificial waterway, stream, river, creek,
ditch, channel, canal, conduit, culvert, drain waterway, gully, ravine
or wash in which water flows in a definite direction or course, either
continuously or intermittently, and which has a definite channel bed
and banks, and includes any area adjacent thereto subject to inundation
by reason of overflow or floodwater.
In the preparation of a soil disturbance and
grading plan, the following general principles of design shall be
adhered to:
A. The smallest practical area of land shall be exposed
at any one time during development, and when feasible, natural vegetation
shall be retained and protected.
B. Temporary plant cover and/or mulching shall be used
to protect critical erosion areas during construction or other disturbance.
C. Temporary diversions and outlets shall be constructed
and/or installed to accommodate the increased runoff caused by the
changed soil and surface conditions during development.
D. Sediment shall be retained on the site to the maximum
extent feasible.
E. Permanent final plant cover (lawn, ground cover, etc.)
shall be installed as quickly as possible on any site but must be
installed within 90 days.
F. Permanent final plant cover must be established in
grassed swales and on slopes in excess of 5% prior to issuance of
a certificate of occupancy unless weather conditions commonly encountered
during winter months (December to March) prohibit vegetative growth.
All other areas must have signs of vegetative growth from planted
grass seeds on 80% of the disturbed areas prior to issuance of a certificate
of occupancy, unless weather conditions identified above exist.
G. The finished grade around mature trees, which are
to remain, should be the same as the existing grade. Tree wells or
other means may be necessary to assure the health of existing mature
trees upon completion of grading activities.
H. Permanent final plant cover must be fully established
throughout the entire area of disturbance and grading must be per
the approved plan prior to the release of any performance guarantees.
I. The plan shall coordinate with the stormwater management
plan approved by the Planning Board, if part of a major subdivision.
Inlets and drainage patterns of the major subdivision must be considered
in the preparation of the soil disturbance and grading plan.
J. All soil disturbance and grading plans must contain
individual stormwater detention unless otherwise noted in the resolution
of approval for the subdivision. The individual stormwater management
system must be able to contain the increased surface water associated
with development of the vacant lot for a two-year storm. The construction
details of the system must be defined on the plan. The Township Engineer
must be notified of the installation of the system in order to schedule
an inspection.
K. The disturbed area shall have four inches of topsoil
spread to finished grade according to the approved soil disturbance
and grading plan. The seed mixture shall be incorporated into the
top 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of the topsoil at a rate of 200
pounds per acre. Outside the optional seeding periods of March 1 to
May 15 and August 15 to October 1, the rate of seeding shall be increased
by 50%. Seedings shall receive an application of fertilizer such as
10-10-10 or equivalent approximately six months after the first application.
Straw or hay mulch shall be spread uniformly at a rate of 2 to 2 1/2
tons per acre when vegetative cover can not be established due to
the season or other conditions. Jute matting shall be installed in
critical drainage swales.
L. Minimum of 2% slope shall be provided for all overland
areas and swales.
M. No slopes greater than 3:1 shall be created by the
proposed land disturbance.
N. All conditions of the Driveway Ordinance shall be complied with.
O. A minimum rear yard area must be provided extending
25 feet from the rear of the building for the entire width of the
building. The slope must be at least 2% and no greater than 5%.
P. The individual stormwater management systems must
be at least 20 feet from the building foundation and 100 feet from
any septic system.
Q. Landscape retaining walls may be proposed in accordance
with the Design Standards and must meet the zoning requirements of
an accessory structure.
The Township may refer review/approval of the
soil disturbance and grading plan for soil erosion and sedimentation
control measures to the Hunterdon County Soil Conservation District
or such other local, county, state, or federal agency as may be particularly
qualified to review the plan.