1. Purpose. The primary purpose of the Environmentally Sensitive Area Overlay District (ESA) is to protect resources and functional values that have been identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and the Dover Borough/Dover Township Joint Comprehensive Plan as providing benefits to the sustainability of the natural resource communities. This section is intended to protect and rehabilitate areas within Dover Township that contain native vegetation and natural features and/or natural resources that contribute to the health, welfare, and quality of life of the people in Dover Township. The Township reserves the right and responsibility to protect and conserve environmentally sensitive areas for the following reasons:
A. Natural communities and the wildlife habitat they provide;
B. Contribution to the community's health and safety (i.e. flood control, purification of stormwater runoff, clean and healthy groundwater supplies necessary for the health, safety, and enjoyment of the Township residents and neighboring communities);
C. Recreational purposes;
D. Aesthetic and quality of life contributions;
E. Protection and conservation of natural resources within and adjacent to the natural areas for the community's long-term environmental and economic benefits; and
F. Contribution to the community's historic and symbolic needs.
G. Control natural environment areas of ecological value to preserve and/or restore ecological functions to the maximum extent possible;
H. Regulate the use and subdivision of the land within as it relates to the criteria necessary to provide for the long-term sustainability of environmental features within the ESA Overlay District;
I. Promote innovative development techniques that conserve and reduce the amount of impervious coverage;
J. Aid developers in the creation of subdivision and land development plans;
K. Aid Township staff, the Planning Commission, and Township Board of Supervisors in their assessment of development plans in areas of “natural environmental significance”; and
L. Encourage cost effective site development through innovative development practices that efficiently use land and resources by: reducing infrastructure engineering and construction costs because of improved lot configurations, shortened and/or narrower streets, reduced utility runs, and potentially reduced public maintenance costs.
2. ESA District Overlay Map. Natural resources and environmentally sensitive lands are generally located on the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Overlay Map as part of § 27-413 and 621.
3. Applicability. Exceptions may be granted in accordance with the exemptions set forth in § 27-621.0 ESA - Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
(Ord. 2015-06, 9/28/2015)