Source: http://www.vernontwp.com/government/ordinances/n18_15/
Timestamp: 2018-04-23 05:29:21
Document Index: 206625165

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 484', '§ 250']

Vernon Township: Ordinances » No. 18-15
Codes & Documents » Ordinances » Ordinance No. 18-15
Ordinance No. 18-15
Introduced: March 26, 2018
Public Hearing: April 9, 2018
An Ordinance of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, Creating Chapter 484 of the Municipal Code of the Township of Vernon Entitled “Soil Fill Placement” & Amending Chapter 250 of the Code of the Municipal Code of the Township of Vernon to Include Soil Fill Permit Fees and Escrows
WHEREAS, the unregulated and uncontrolled dumping of fill in the Township of Vernon (“Township”) has resulted in conditions detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the Township; and
WHEREAS, there currently is no mechanism for the Township to abate and prohibit the hazards created by dumping of fill; and
WHEREAS, the Township has further not been able to abate such hazards by working with State agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Township Council have determined that it is in the best interests of the Township to regulate the placement of fill within the Township; and
WHEREAS, procedures are needed to allow for submission of applications for the placement of fill within the Township: and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the by the Township Council of the Township of Vernon as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 484: Soil Fill Replacement shall be created and added to the Municipal Code of the Township of Vernon as follows:
CHAPTER 484: SOIL FILL PLACEMENT
ARTICLE I Title; Findings; Definitions; Permit Requirements
§ 484-1. Title
This chapter shall be known as the “Soil Fill Ordinance of the Township of Vernon”
§ 484-2. Purpose and Findings
The Township Council finds that the unregulated and uncontrolled placement and movement of soil and other mineral deposits can result in conditions detrimental to the public safety, health and general welfare. Such conditions substantially hamper and deter the efforts of the Township to effectuate the general purposes of municipal planning. Soil movement operations and filling operations should relate to the overall physical development of the area within which the operation is located. It is essential that all soil movement operations and filling operations be reviewed and approved by the Township Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer. All soil movement operations and filling operations must be conceived and operated in such a way that there will be no appreciable harmful effects to the environment. In order to best ensure that all soil movement operations and filling operations are an asset to the Township of Vernon, rather than a liability, all such operations shall adhere to the conditions, restrictions and provisions outlined in this chapter.
§ 484-3. Definitions
APPROVED PLAN - A plan for the placement of soil fill approved by the Zoning Official and/or Township Engineer (minor permit) or by the Township Land Use Board (major permit) pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
MAJOR SOIL FILL PERMIT - A permit for the fill of more than 500 cubic yards or more of soil.
MINOR SOIL FILL PERMIT - A permit for the fill of more than 100 cubic yards but less than 500 cubic yards or more of soil.
PERMIT - A soil fill permit.
PERSON - Includes an individual, a partnership, a corporation or any other legal entity.
LAND USE BOARD - The Land Use Board of the Township of Vernon.
SOIL - Includes dirt, stone, gravel, sand, humus, clay, loam and mixtures of any of these, but this shall not include quarry process or rock products utilized in the construction of roads, driveways or similar types of construction.
TOPSOIL - The arable soil within eight inches of the surface.
TOWNSHIP - The Township of Vernon.
§ 484-4. Permit Required
No person shall fill or cause the placement of any soil on any premises in the Township of Vernon whether such fill be for sale, gift or otherwise, unless a permit therefore is first secured from the Township Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer or the Township Land Use Board as hereinafter provided. A permit shall not be required for the moving or placement of fill of less than 100 cubic yards of soil.
§ 484-5. Exceptions and Exemptions
A separate soil permit under this chapter shall not be required for subdivisions and/or site plans approved pursuant to Chapter 330, Land Development Subcode of the Township of Vernon.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the storage of sand, soil, stone, topsoil, mulch or other similar materials on lawfully existing landscaping and contractor yards, provided that the outdoor storage of materials on said property has previously been established and does not require site plan approval pursuant to Chapter 330, Land Development Subcode of the Township of Vernon.
This chapter does not regulate the movement and placement of soil fill directly related to agricultural uses on farm properties within the Township of Vernon and does not supersede any rights granted under the Right to Farm Act.
§ 484-6. Application for permit
Application for a minor soil fill permit shall be filed with the Township Zoning officer who shall issue the permit based upon substantial compliance with the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, that the Township Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer shall have the authority to deny a permit if he/she determines that the placement of fill would be detrimental to the health, welfare or safety of the general public. The denial shall be in writing setting forth reasons for same.
Application for a major soil fill permit shall be filed with the Township Land Use Board and shall be accompanied by a fee prescribed in Section 250, Fees and Escrows. Twenty-three (23) copies of the application shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the Township Land Use Board and supplied by the Secretary to the Board.
The description and location of the land in question, including the tax map block and lot numbers.
The source of material to be used as fill and certification that the fill can be considered “clean fill” as regulated by local and state regulations.
The location to which the soil is to be placed.
The proposed date of completion of the soil fill.
§ 484-7. Supporting documentation for a major soil fill application
The application for a major soil fill permit shall be accompanied by a topographic map or maps prepared and certified by a professional engineer or land surveyor. The scale of said map shall not be more than 100 feet to the inch and shall include the following:
§ 484-8. Referral
Upon receipt of an application for a major soil fill permit, the Land Use Board Secretary shall forthwith send a copy of same to the Zoning Officer, Construction Official, Township Engineer, and the Environmental Commission who shall review the application, and they shall submit their reports and recommendations, and their reasons, to the Township Land Use Board within 30 days of receipt of the application. Failure to file such a report within the required time period shall be deemed an approval of the application by such department, officials and commissions.
§ 484-9. Action by Land Use Board; notice of hearing on major soil fill applications
The Township Land Use Board shall grant or deny the application within 45 days after receipt of the reports and recommendations of the Zoning Officer, Construction Official, Township Engineer, and Environmental Commission. On an application for a major soil fill permit, the Land Use Board shall schedule a public hearing and shall notify the applicant of the date of such hearing. The applicant shall notify in writing all property owners within 200 feet of the extreme limits of the property, as their names appear on the Township tax records, at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing in the application. The notice shall be given in person or by registered mail and shall state the reason for the hearing; the time and place of the hearing as fixed by the Township Land Use Board; a brief description of the property; and that a copy of the application and map has been filed with the Township Clerk for public inspection. The applicant shall also cause notice of the hearing to be published in the official newspaper of the Township, at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing.
Five (5) days prior to the hearing, the applicant shall present to the Township Land Use Board Secretary the following:
§ 484-10. Factors to be considered in approving permits
In considering and reviewing the application and arriving at a decision, the Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer (minor permit) and the Township Lane Use Board (major permit) be guided by and take into consideration the public health, safety and general welfare and the general purposes of municipal planning, and particular consideration shall be given to the following factors:
§ 484-11. Issuance of permit
A permit shall be issued after the approval of the application by the Zoning Official and/or Township Engineer (minor permit) or by the Township Lane Use Board (major permit). The approval shall specifically list the total number of cubic yards of soil authorized to be filled as calculated by the Township Engineer based upon the contour maps submitted and approved.
ARTICLE II Operating Requirements
§ 484-12. Method of operation
§ 484-13. Regulation of operation
No soil shall be placed nor shall any operation be conducted so as to violate any of the regulations contained in this article after a permit is granted.
§ 484-14. Deposit of soil on adjoining property or public roads
§ 484-15. Compliance with other standards and terms of permit
§ 484-16. Nuisances and unsafe conditions
§ 484-17. Restoration of area
Upon completion of any operation delineated on the approved plan, said area shall be properly leveled off, cleared of debris, and graded to conform to the contours and grades as approved by the Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer. A final map for all major soil fill permits shall be submitted containing and complying with all requirements as set forth in this chapter.
§ 484-18. Storage limitations
§ 484-19. Enforcing officer; inspections
The Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer are hereby designated as the officer whose duty it shall be to enforce the provisions of this chapter. He/she shall, from time to time, upon his/her own initiative, and whenever directed by the Township, inspect the premises for which permits have been granted to ensure compliance with the terms of the permit and of this chapter. The Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer shall have the right to enter upon any lands for the purpose of examination and inspection of the operation without advance notice.
§ 484-20. Use of Streets for soil transportation
ARTICLE III Fees; Bonds; Penalties and Miscellaneous Provisions
§ 484-21. Permit fees; inspection fees
The fees for a minor or major soil placement permits are set forth in Chapter 250, Fees and Escrows.
§ 484-22. Revocation of Permit; Violations and Penalties.
After notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Township Zoning Officer, the permit of any person may be revoked or suspended for such period as the Township Zoning Officer may determine for any violation of the terms hereof or the terms and conditions of any permit granted hereunder. In addition to the revocation provided for herein, any person who violates this chapter or any director or officer of a corporation who participates in a violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a maximum fine of $2,000, or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 90 days, or both. Each and every day that such violation continues or exists shall be considered a separate and specific violation of these provisions and not as a continuing offense.
§ 484-23. Other permits
SECTION 2. Chapter 250: Fees and Escrows of the Municipal Code of the Township of Vernon to amended to include fees and escrows for soil fill permits as follows:
§ 250-16 (O). Soil Fill Placement
SECTION 3. Each section of this ordinance is an independent section, and the holding of any section or part thereof to be unconstitutional, void or ineffective for any cause shall not be deemed to affect the validity of constitutionality of any other sections or parts thereof.
SECTION 4. Any ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed as to their inconsistencies only.
SECTION 5. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final passage, approval, and publication by law.