(A) Suitability. Land shall be suitable for the purpose for which it is to be subdivided or developed.
(B) Hazardous conditions. Subdivisions or land developments subject to hazardous conditions (such as open quarries, hazardous or toxic site pollution, limestone solution channels, unconsolidated fill, floods, excessive erosion or unsafe water supply) shall not be approved until the developer has provided or has legally committed to provide adequate measures to overcome or eliminate the hazards, in the determination of the Board of Supervisors, to the best of their knowledge. See also the township’s floodplain requirements in Chapter 151 of this code of ordinances.
(C) Zoning. All aspects of a proposed subdivision or land development shall conform to the township zoning ordinance and all other township ordinances and specifications.
(D) Nearby development. A subdivision or land development and its street pattern shall be coordinated with existing or approved nearby developments or neighborhoods to help develop the area harmoniously and to help prevent conflicts between neighboring development.
(E) Open burning. Open burning during construction is controlled by a separate township ordinance.
(F) Preservation of existing trees. The provisions in the zoning ordinance shall apply.
(G) Erosion control and soil protection.
(1) Ground cover and top soil: after completion of construction on a lot, all exposed ground surfaces that are not paved and that are not covered by approved gravel areas or decorative stones or similar material shall be covered by a minimum of six inches of topsoil and a vegetative ground cover that will prevent soil erosion and the raising of dust.
(2) Erosion control: any earth disturbance should be controlled by proper measures to prevent soil erosion and sedimentation, following DEP regulations and standards of the County Conservation District.
(a) A soil erosion and sedimentation control plan is required to be submitted to the County Conservation District and found to be acceptable for most types of earth disturbance under the state regulations.
(b) Compliance with such plan shall be an automatic condition of any approval or permit under this chapter.
(c) Township permits may be suspended if earth disturbance does not comply with such approved plan.
(3) Both the owner of the property at the time of any earth disturbance and the person(s)/company accomplishing the work shall be responsible to ensure that adequate erosion control measures are used, and that the grading is in compliance with the township-approved plan.
(4) All lots, tracts or parcels shall be graded in accordance with the township stormwater management ordinance to provide proper drainage away from buildings, prevent any surface runoff from ponding, and all other stated purposes of such ordinance.
(5) Grading shall be done in such a way so as to not divert water (other than runoff that previously occurred) onto the property of another landowner without the express consent of the township and the written permission from the landowner.
(6) During grading operations, necessary measures for off-premises dust and mud control shall be exercised at all times in accordance with approved erosion and sedimentation control plans.
(7) Grading equipment shall not be permitted to cross through streams. Provisions shall be made for the installation of temporary culverts and/or bridges as necessary and such crossings shall be permitted in accordance with requirements of DEP.
(8) Excavations and fills.
(a) Cut and fill slopes shall be no steeper than two to one (2:1) unless stabilized by a retaining wall or cribbing except as approved by the Township Engineer under special conditions. Slopes exceeding three to one (3:1) must have suitable protection against erosion until stabilization is achieved.
(b) Fills shall be placed and compacted so as to minimize sliding or erosion of soil.
(c) Fill shall not encroach on watercourses.
(d) Fill places adjacent to natural watercourses or constructed channels shall have suitable protection against erosion during periods of flooding.
(Ord. 127, passed 3-18-2010)