1. All site grading activities shall conform to the requirements of this Chapter, the Dover Township Construction Specifications, or other specifications as may be recommended by the Township Engineer and approved by the Board of Township Supervisors.
2. In order to provide more suitable sites for building and other uses, improve surface drainage, and control erosion, the following requirements shall be met:
A. All lots, tracts, or parcels shall be graded to provide proper drainage away from buildings and dispose of the runoff without ponding, and all land within a development shall be graded to drain and dispose of surface water without ponding, except where other arrangements are approved by the Board of Supervisors.
B. All drainage provisions shall be designed to adequately handle the surface runoff and carry it to the nearest suitable outlet such as a curbed street, storm drain, or natural water course. Where drainage swales are used to divert surface waters away from buildings, they shall be paved, sodded or planted and shall be of such slope, shape and size as to conform with the requirements of the Township. Where concentrated runoff traverses property lines stormwater easements shall be established.
C. Concentration of surface water runoff shall only be permitted in swales or watercourses that lead to a natural watercourse or drainage structure.
D. Grading shall be done in such a way so as to not divert water onto the property of another landowner without the expressed consent of the Township and the affected landowner.
E. During grading operations, necessary measures shall be taken to prevent erosion or siltation of natural drainage ways.
F. During grading operations, necessary measures for dust control will be exercised.
G. Top soil shall be preserved and redistributed as cover and shall be expeditiously planted with perennial grasses or ground cover.
H. Tree guards during construction and grading, and limitations as to cuts and fills, both temporary and permanent near trees shall be provided as necessary to give reasonable assurance of their protection for continued healthy growth.
I. Grading equipment will not be allowed to cross live streams unless the crossing is specifically addressed in an approved erosion and sediment pollution control plan. The installation of culverts or bridges must be approved by the York County Conservation District and/or PADEP as required. Emergency crossings may be permitted through permission of PADEP.
J. Excavations and Fills.
(1) Cut slopes shall not be steeper than 2:1 unless stabilized by a retaining wall or cribbing except as approved by the Township Engineer when handled under special conditions. Fill slopes shall not exceed 3:1.
(2) Cut and fill slopes shall not exceed 20% within 20 feet of adjoining properties.
(3) Adequate provisions shall be made to prevent surface water from damaging the cut face of excavations or the sloping surfaces of fills.
(4) Cut and fills shall not endanger adjoining property.
(5) Fill shall be placed and compacted so as to minimize sliding or erosion of the soil. Fills steeper than 5 to 1 (20%) shall be keyed into existing slopes.
(6) Fills shall not encroach on natural watercourses or construction channels.
(7) Fills placed adjacent to natural watercourses or constructed channels shall have suitable protection against erosion during periods of flooding.
K. Slope Controls. The following controls shall apply in all areas where the slope of the land exceeds 25%.
(1) Prior to any alteration of the existing grade, a grading plan shall be reviewed by the Township Engineer and approved by the Township Board of Supervisors.
(2) The applicant shall indicate the methods whereby structural and foundation problems caused by slope conditions will be overcome and the natural watershed will be maintained.
L. Grading Plans. Grading plans required as supporting documentation to preliminary and final plans will act as a guide to individual lot owners for lot plans to be submitted with individual building permit applications.
(Ord. 2011-05, 3/14/2011, § 712)