1. In making determinations concerning special exceptions for quarrying operations, the Zoning Hearing Board must make findings as to the specific following factors:
A. Application.
(1) Prior to granting approval of the special exception, the applicant shall submit for review by the Planning Commission and approval of the Zoning Hearing Board a development or mining plan, operational requirements, and restoration/reclamation requirements.
(2) Prior to granting approval of the special exception, the applicant shall submit for review by the Planning Commission and the Zoning Hearing Board, a copy of all applications, plans, maps, and related information filed with any regulatory agency or body having jurisdiction and all permits issued with respect thereto.
B. Development or Mining Plan. A development plan or mining plan shall consist of a topographic plan with a contour interval of not greater than 5 feet showing all natural and man-made features, rights-of-way, easements, property lines, flood information, any other pertinent data, and a plan and cross-sections of the proposed surface mining including ground-water information. More specifically the plan shall include:
(1) Location of quarrying pit, buildings, stockpiles, waste piles in relation to other existing or planned uses in the area.
(2) Physical Factors.
(a) Soil, nature and characteristics, including possible erosion by water and wind.
(b) Drainage.
(c) Prevailing wind.
(3) Abutting land and streets, lateral support slopes and grades.
(4) A rehabilitation plan shall be filed with the Zoning Hearing Board stating the guarantee implementation plan for the best possible reuse.
C. Operational Requirements.
(1) Machinery, Equipment and Operations. All machinery, equipment and materials used in quarrying; all processing and manufacturing operations; and all hauling of quarrying products must be maintained, operated, or conducted in such a manner that in a residential zone:
(a) Flying objects and debris are not thrown.
(b) Noxious gases are not disseminated.
(c) There is no appreciable noise, vibration, dust, or mist.
(2) Barriers.
(a) Fencing. A six-foot substantial fence or other suitable barrier six feet high must surround the area of actual quarrying, unless such requirement is waived by the special exception issued by the Zoning Hearing Board. If guarded at all times, the entrance of the pit where adjacent to the quarry office, may be left unfenced.
(b) Screens. Where the quarry operations will substantially impair the beauty and character of the surrounding countryside, trees or shrubs must be planted, or attractive earth barriers erected, to screen the operation as far as practical from normal view.
(3) Washing. The washing of any earth material is permitted except:
(a) Where the quantity of water required will seriously affect the supply for residential uses in the area.
(b) Where the written opinion of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, disposal of water will result in contamination, pollution, or excessive silting.
(4) Setbacks from Residential Zones. Where the lot or parcel land which is the focus of quarrying operations is adjacent to a residential zone:
(a) No stockpiles, waste piles, processing or manufacturing equipment, may be closer than 1,000 feet to the residential zone.
(b) No part of the quarrying pit, private access road, truck parking area, scales, or operational equipment, may be closer than 500 feet to the residential zone.
(5) Street Setbacks. From the right-of-way line of a public street or highway, no part of the quarrying pit, stockpiles, waste piles, processing or manufacturing equipment, scales, or operational equipment, may be closer than 100 feet.
(6) Property Line Setbacks. From a property line, except for those following:
(a) No part of the quarrying pit stockpiles, waste piles, processing or manufacturing equipment, may be closer than 200 feet.
(b) No private access road, truck parking area, scales, or operational equipment, may be closer than 100 feet.
(c) Where a quarry property abuts another quarry property, an operating railroad's right-of-way property or a property in an agricultural zone, no part of the quarrying operation except an access road may be closer than 50 feet.
(7) Access Drive. The access drive to the facility shall be paved within 200 feet from the street line.
D. Restoration or Reclamation Requirements.
(1) Restoration Required. Within two years after the termination of quarrying operations, the area of actual quarrying operations must be rehabilitated to a condition of reasonable physical attractiveness and, as practical, restored.
(2) Restoration Standards. In rehabilitating the area of actual quarrying operations, the owner or operator must comply with the following standards:
(a) Slope. The slope of earth material in any excavated pit must not exceed the angle of slippage.
(b) Topsoil and Ground Cover. Where filling of the pit is desirable and economically feasible, the fill must be of a kind and depth to sustain grass, plants or trees and such must be planted.
(c) Drainage. To prevent any silt, erosion debris, or other loose material from filling any existing drainage course, or encroachment on State or Township roads or private property, all surface drainage existing or developing by or through the topsoil site must be controlled by dikes, barriers, or drainage structures. All measures to control natural drainage or flood water must meet with the approval of the Board of Supervisors.
(d) Removal of Plant and Equipment. Within two years after termination of operations, all plant and equipment must be removed, except where the plant and equipment is still used for processing earth material from other properties. If substantially covered, foundations and piers maybe left in the ground.
(3) Reporting of Operational and Restoration Information. In order to keep the Zoning Officer abreast of impending termination of quarrying operations and plans for restoration as well as operational activities which he/she has a duty to check, each quarry owner or operator must submit to the Zoning Officer, annually in the month of October, the information following:
(a) Operational Data.
1) Ownership and acreage of the land which is the site of quarrying operations, including all land held under contract or lease.
2) Type of earth resources quarried.
3) Present depth of quarrying operations.
(b) Location map, at a scale of one inch equals 100 feet, or such other scale acceptable to the Township, showing:
1) All land owned or under option, contract or lease.
2) Lot or land quarried.
3) As practical, contours at 20 foot intervals extending beyond the site to the nearest public street or highway.
4) Private access roads and abutting streets and highways.
5) Existing structures.
6) Existing stockpiles and waste piles.
7) Title, scale, north point, and date.
8) Fencing and screen planting. If fencing vegetation, give details of size and type.
(Ord. 2015-06, 9/28/2015)