A. Storm sewers, culverts and related installations shall be provided as necessary to:
(1) Permit unimpeded flow of natural watercourses.
(2) Ensure adequate drainage of all low points along the line of streets.
(3) Intercept stormwater runoff along streets at intervals related to the extent and grade of the area drained.
(4) Provide positive drainage away from on-site sewage disposal facilities.
(5) Take surface water from the bottom of vertical grades, to lead water from springs, and to avoid excessive use of cross gutters at street intersections and elsewhere.
B. All streets shall be so designed as to provide for the discharge of surface water from their rights-of-way.
C. The slope of the crown on proposed streets shall be not less than 1/8 of an inch per foot and not more than 1/3 an inch per foot.
D. Storm sewers and related installations shall be required only when the runoff of stormwater cannot be satisfactorily handled within the street cartway.
E. Where existing storm sewers are reasonably accessible, proposed subdivisions shall be required, if necessary, to connect therewith.
F. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed not only to handle the anticipated peak discharge from the property being subdivided, but also the anticipated increase in runoff that will occur when all the property at a higher elevation in the same watershed is fully developed. Storm sewers shall be designed to meet the City standards for capacity and type of structures.
(1) In the design of storm drainage facilities, special consideration shall be given to avoidance of problems which may arise from the concentration of stormwater runoff onto adjacent developed or undeveloped properties.
G. Where a subdivision is traversed by a watercourse, drainageway, channel or stream, there shall be provided a drainage easement conforming substantially with the line of such watercourse, drainageway, channel or stream and of such width as will be adequate to preserve the unimpeded flow of natural drainage or for the purpose of widening, deepening, relocating, improving or protecting such drainage facilities as deemed necessary by the Planning Commission. Any changes in the existing drainageway shall be subject to the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. [Amended 5-29-2001 by Ord. No. 14-2001]
H. As part of all subdivision and land development plan applications, the applicant shall prepare and submit a stormwater management plan considering the following criteria:
(1) The stormwater management plan shall be prepared considering all pertinent provisions relating to drainage, runoff, infiltration, erosion and discharge, as adopted by the City of Reading.
(2) The stormwater management plan shall be prepared to comply with Chapter 505, Watershed Stormwater Management, and the Stormwater Management Plan for the Schuylkill River, as adopted by the City of Reading.
(3) The stormwater management plan shall be prepared to consider the recommendations pertaining to natural resources, floodpiains, wetlands, stormwater management and hydrological resource planning, as contained within the Comprehensive Plan or other prevailing plan adopted by the City of Reading.
(4) The stormwater management plan shall comply with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permitting Regulations.
(5) The stormwater management plan shall comply with the provisions established by the City of Reading MS4 Program.
(6) The stormwater management plan shall consider the implementation of “best management practices", as endorsed by the City of Reading, the Comprehensive Plan and/or as recommended by the City of Reading.
(7) The stormwater management plan shall be prepared to consider all pertinent local, regional, state and federal permitting requirements.
(8) The City of Reading reserves the right, but not the duty, to inspect all stormwater management facilities that are required for the development.
I. The stormwater management plan shall contain the following:
(1) Mapping of the watershed area or areas in which the proposed subdivision or land development is located.
(2) A study shall be performed of the watershed in which the subdivision or land development is located to assess the impact the proposal will have on downstream conditions. The stormwater management plan shall address all identified impacts to the satisfaction of the City of Reading.
(3) Computations of the stormwater runoff for all points of runoff concentration before and after development, including all supporting data.
(4) Complete drainage systems for the subdivision or land development. All existing drainage features, which are to be incorporated as part of the design, shall be identified with a detailed explanation of the operations of the facilities.
(5) Plans showing all existing and proposed drainage facilities affecting the subject property, including plan views, profile views and/or detail sheets.
(6) Computations for all existing and proposed drainage structures that is associated with the development.
(7) Plans showing proposed grading, including typical structure footprint(s) with first floor elevation(s).
(8) Construction details for all proposed facilities.
(9) As part of the review process of the stormwater management plan, the City of Reading may determine that off-site improvements are necessary to satisfactorily control the stormwater from the proposed development. The applicant or developer shall be responsible for the design, permitting and construction of the off-site improvements, which may also include obtaining any required easements or rights-of-way.
(10) A detailed plan of all required off-site drainage improvements.
(11) All other documentation that may be required to satisfy provisions specified under this Chapter.
J. All stormwater management basins, ponds, pipes, structures and related site improvements shall be located, designed, constructed and installed in accordance with all requirements specified by the City of Reading.
K. All permits that are required to satisfy the provisions of this Chapter shall be obtained prior to municipal approval of the subdivision or land development plan.
L. Where certain stormwater management improvements are inadvertently omitted from the approved plan, or if any inconsistencies arise during construction phase of the site improvements, the applicant shall be responsible for the design, construction and installation of those site improvements as directed by the City of Reading.
M. The City of Reading Engineer or other authorized consultant designated by the City of Reading may advise the applicant to include special notes or design criteria that should be added to the plan.
N. Unless otherwise specified by the City of Reading, the stormwater management improvements shall be inspected and approved by the authorized representative of the City of Reading prior to the release of funds held in escrow and/or the issuance of permits.
[Amended 3-22-2021 by Ord. No. 22-2021]