(a) General requirements. The design and development of all subdivisions and land developments shall preserve, whenever possible, natural features such as site terrain, woodlands, specimen trees, natural watercourses and bodies of water, wetlands, rock outcroppings and scenic views.
(b) Topography. The natural terrain of the proposed subdivision or land development shall be retained whenever possible. Cut and fill shall be kept to a minimum. Cut and fill operations shall be used either to achieve acceptable minimum standards (for street grades, parking areas, building sites) or to enhance the quality of site design (e.g., berms or swales which add visual interest and perform functions such as screening or drainage).
(c) Vegetation and planted screens.
(1) Significant tree masses and specimen trees shall be preserved wherever possible. The buildings should be located within the allowable building area in such a manner as to minimize damage to vegetation. Where possible, existing open areas should be developed instead of wooded areas. Areas in which trees are retained should remain undisturbed out to the canopy drip line and at the original grade level wherever possible.
(2) Effective planted visual screens shall be provided along the rear of reverse frontage lots and along side and/or rear property lines of lots traversed by zoning boundary lines which separate a residential district from a nonresidential district.
(3) Screening and buffering shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 1292 of the Township Zoning Code.
(4) Existing wooded areas shall be protected to prevent unnecessary destruction. Trees with a minimum trunk caliper of six inches, measured 18 inches above ground, shall be maintained or replaced immediately following construction. Replacement trees shall be a minimum trunk caliper of two inches at a height of 18 inches above finished grade.
(5) Trees shall be required in all new subdivisions and land developments and shall be provided in accordance with the following standards.
A. No tree shall be planted within the street right-of-way.
B. At least one tree shall be planted on each lot in a subdivision.
C. Such tree shall be planted in the front yard.
D. All such trees shall be sound, healthy and vigorous and shall be free of insects, insect eggs and larvae.
E. The trunk caliper, measured at the height of 18 inches, shall be a minimum of two inches.
(d) Aquatic features. Aquatic features such as natural watercourses, bodies of water and wetlands shall be protected wherever possible. Where practicable, stream and river frontage shall contain an access point to the water. Maintenance easement areas shall be provided at intervals of no more than one-half mile. These access points shall be not less than 25 feet in width.
(e) Wetlands. See § 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act (1977), being 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq. and Chapter 105 of the Pennsylvania Dam Safety and Encroachment Act (1978), being 32 P.S. §§ 693.1 et seq., as amended December, 1989, for requirements relating to development of wetland areas.
(f) Floodplain protection. See Chapter 1286 of the Township Zoning Code.
(Ord. 668, passed 10-17-1990)