Source: https://www.ecode360.com/27391102
Timestamp: 2020-06-04 02:15:22
Document Index: 757958362

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', 'art 1', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 260', '§ 680', '§ 693']

Borough of Wilmerding, PA STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
§ 260-1 General provisions.
§ 260-2 Stormwater management performance standards.
§ 260-3 Design criteria for stormwater management controls.
§ 260-4 Erosion and sedimentation controls.
§ 260-5 Maintenance of stormwater management controls.
§ 260-6 Stormwater plan requirements.
§ 260-7 Plan review procedures.
§ 260-8 Status of stormwater plan after final approval.
§ 260-9 Stormwater plan modifications.
§ 260-10 Inspections of stormwater management controls.
§ 260-11 Financial guarantees and dedication of public improvements.
§ 260-12 Fee schedule.
§ 260-13 Enforcement procedures and remedies.
§ 260-14 Definitions.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Wilmerding 4-7-1992 by Ord. No. 919 (Ch. 26, Part 1, of the 1989 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
Erosion, sediment and grading control — See Ch. 160.
Mobile homes and mobile home parks — See Ch. 200.
Purpose. This chapter is adopted and implemented to achieve the following general purposes and objectives:
To encourage natural infiltration of rainfall to preserve and recharge groundwater supplies and stream flows.
To provide for the design, installation and adequate maintenance of all permanent stormwater management structures in the Borough.
Applicability. The following activities are included within the scope of this chapter:
Construction of new or additional impervious or semipervious surfaces (driveways, roadway, parking lot, buildings and additions thereto, etc.) which increases the rate of runoff equal to or more than 0.30 cubic feet per second as calculated using the Rational Formula for a ten-year storm, except that residential construction creating less than 5,000 square feet of impervious surface shall not apply.
Diversion or piping of any natural or man-made drainage channel.
Installation of stormwater systems or appurtenances thereto, except those areas covered by PennDOT or other governmental agencies.
Earthmoving activities involving five or more acres of land.
Neither the granting of any approval under the stormwater management provisions of this chapter, nor the compliance with the provisions of this chapter or with any condition imposed by a Borough official hereunder shall relieve any person from any responsibility for damage to persons or property resulting therefrom, or as otherwise imposed by law, nor impose any liability upon the Borough for damages to persons or property.
The granting of a permit which includes any stormwater management facilities shall not constitute a representation, guarantee or warranty of any kind by the Borough or by an official or employee thereof of the practicability or safety of any structure, use or other plan proposed, and shall create no liability upon or cause of action against such public body, official or employee for any damage that may result pursuant thereto.
Compatibility. Permits and approvals issued pursuant to this chapter do not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to secure required permits or approvals for activities regulated by any other applicable code, rule, act or ordinance. If more stringent requirements concerning regulation of stormwater controls are contained in the other code, rule or ordinance, the more stringent regulation shall apply.
For purposes of stormwater management, the Borough of Wilmerding is divided into the following stormwater management districts:
The location and boundaries of the watershed(s) and subareas are shown on the Borough Stormwater Management District Map, which is hereby adopted as part of this section.[1]
Editor's Note: The Stormwater Management District Map is on file in the Borough's office.
The following provisions shall be considered the overriding performance standards against which all proposed stormwater control measures shall be evaluated and shall apply throughout the Borough of Wilmerding.
Watershed standards; Turtle Creek Stormwater Management District.
The stormwater performance standards contained in this section are intended to implement the standards and criteria contained in the Turtle Creek Stormwater Management Plan, adopted and approved in accordance with the Pennsylvania Storm Water Management Act.[2] If there is any discrepancy between the provisions of this section and the standards and criteria of the plan, or if the watershed plan is subsequently amended, then the standards/criteria of the current watershed plan shall govern.
Storm frequencies. Stormwater management facilities on all development sites shall control the peak stormwater discharge for the two-, ten-, twenty-five- and one-hundred-year storm frequencies. The NRCS[3] twenty-four-hour, Type II rainfall distribution shall be used for analyzing stormwater runoff for both predevelopment and post-development conditions. The twenty-four-hour total rainfall for these storm frequencies in the watershed are:
Storm Frequency (years)
(For additional information or data on other storm return periods, consult the "Rainfall Duration Frequency Tables for Pennsylvania," produced by DEP, Office of Resource Management, Bureau of Dams and Waterways Management, Division of Stormwater, Harrisburg, February 1983).
Editor's Note: Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture; formerly SCS (Soil Conservation Service).
Development sites. For the purpose of computing peak-flow rates and runoff hydrographs from development sites, calculations shall be performed using one of the following: NRCS publications, Technical Release (TR) 55 or 20, HECI, or Penn State Runoff Model.
Stormwater collection/conveyance facilities. For the purposes of designing storm sewers, open swales and other stormwater runoff collection and conveyance facilities, any of the above-listed calculation methods or the Rational Method may be used. Rainfall intensities for design should be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation rainfall charts.
Predevelopment conditions. Predevelopment conditions shall be assumed to be those which exist on any site at the time of adoption of the Turtle Creek Stormwater Management Plan. Hydrologic conditions for all areas with pervious cover (i.e., fields, woods, lawn areas, pastures, cropland, etc.) shall be assumed to be in "good" condition, and the lowest recommended NRCS runoff curve number (CN) shall be applied for all pervious land uses within the respective range for each land use and hydrologic soil group.
Definition. The release rate percentage defines the percentage of the predevelopment peak rate of runoff that can be discharged from an outfall on the site after development. It applies uniformly to all land development or alterations within a subarea. A listing of the release rate percentage by subarea appears in Appendix A of this chapter; the subareas are delineated on the Borough Stormwater Management District Map (refer to this section).[4]
Editor's Note: Appendix A and the map referenced are on file in the Borough's office.
Identify the specific subarea in which the development site is located from the watershed map and obtain the subarea release rate percentage from Appendix A.[5]
Compute the predevelopment and post-development runoff hydrographs for each stormwater outfall on the development site using an acceptable calculation method for the two-, ten-, twenty-five- and one-hundred-year storms. Apply no on-site detention for stormwater management but include any techniques to minimize impervious surfaces and/or increase the time of concentration for stormwater runoff flowing from the development site. If the post-development peak runoff rate and the runoff volume are less than or equal to the predevelopment peak runoff rate and volume, then additional stormwater control shall not be required at that outfall. If the post-development peak runoff rate and volume are greater than the predevelopment peak runoff rate and volume, then stormwater detention will be required, and the capacity of the detention facility must be calculated in the manner prescribed below.
Multiply the subarea release rate percentage by the predevelopment rate runoff from the development site to determine the maximum allowable release rate from any detention facility for the four prescribed storm events.
Design the outlet control facilities and size the volume of the detention facility using the calculated post-development hydrograph and accepted hydrograph routing procedures in consideration of the maximum allowable release rate.
An applicant may seek to exceed the otherwise applicable subarea release rate percentage by performing the no-harm evaluation. This evaluation requires an independent engineering analysis to demonstrate that other reasonable options exist to prevent the occurrence of increased stormwater runoff discharge rates and/or velocities or that measures can be provided to prevent increased stormwater discharge rates and/or velocities from increasing flood elevations and accelerating erosion at all downstream points in the watershed.
A no-harm evaluation will be considered only in instances where the discharge to a stream channel from the development occurs directly to the Monongahela River or through a properly sized and designed regional stormwater detention facility.
The analysis for the no-harm evaluation shall be submitted to the Borough Engineer and Allegheny Planning Department for review and approval.
Applicants may select runoff control techniques, or a combination of techniques, which are most suitable to control stormwater runoff from the development site. All controls must be subject to approval of the Borough Engineer. The Borough Engineer may request specific information on design and/or operating features of the proposed stormwater controls in order to determine their suitability and adequacy in terms of the standards of this chapter.
The applicant should consider the effect of the proposed stormwater management techniques on any special soil conditions or geological hazards which may exist on the development site. In the event such conditions are identified on the site, the Borough Engineer may require in-depth studies by a competent geotechnical engineer. Not all stormwater control methods may be advisable or allowable at a particular development site.
If detention facilities are utilized for the development site, the facility(ies) shall be designed such that post-development peak runoff rates from the developed site are controlled to those rates defined by the subarea release rate percentage for the two-, ten-, twenty-five- and one-hundred-year storm frequencies.
Where detention facilities will be utilized, multiple-use facilities, such as wetlands, lakes, ball fields or similar recreation/open space uses, are encouraged wherever feasible, subject to the approval of the Borough.
Inflow and outflow structures, pumping stations and other structures shall be designed and protected to minimize safety hazardous.
Side slope of storage ponds shall not exceed a ratio of 2.5:1 horizontal to vertical dimension.
Spillway design. The outlets for the retention ponds shall consist of a combination of principal and emergency spillways. The outlets must pass the peak runoff expected from the drainage area for a one-hundred-year storm without damage to the embankment of the pond. Runoff computations shall be based upon the soil cover conditions which are expected to prevail during the life of the basin.
Principal spillway. The principal spillway shall consist of a solid vertical pipe or box of corrugated steel pipe, or reinforced concrete joined by a watertight connection to a horizontal pipe (barrel) extending through the embankment and outletting beyond the downstream toe of the fill. The principal spillway shall have a minimum capacity of 0.2 cubic feet per second per acre of drainage area when the water surface is at the crest of the emergency spillway. The maximum capacity of the barrel will be the twenty-five-year predevelopment flow. The construction materials must be approved by the Borough. Refer to Plate A.[1] The maximum barrel capacity established herein may be reduced in those areas of the Borough which are regulated or controlled by any other duly authorized stormwater management plan.
Editor's Note: Plate A is on file in the Borough's office.
Design elevations. When the principal spillway is used in conjunction with an emergency spillway, the crest of the principal spillway shall be a minimum of 2.0 feet below the crest of the emergency spillway. The crest of the principal spillway shall be a minimum of three feet below the top of the embankment. Refer to Plate A.[2]
Antivortex and trash rack. An antivortex device and trash rack shall be attached to the top of the principal spillway to improve the flow of water into the spillway and prevent floating debris from being carried out of the basin. The antivortex device shall be of the concentric type as shown in Plate B and Plate C, or approved equal.[3]
Editor's Note: Plates B and C are on file in the Borough's office.
Base. The base of the principal spillway must be firmly anchored to prevent floating. If the riser of the spillway is greater than 10 feet in height, computations must be made to determine the anchoring requirements. As a minimum, a factor of safety of 1.25 shall be used (downward forces equal 1.25 times upward forces). For risers of 10 feet or less in height, the anchoring may be done in one of the two following ways:
A concrete base 18 inches thick and twice the width of the riser diameter shall be used and the riser embedded six inches into the concrete. See Plate D for design details.[4]
Editor's Note: Plate D is on file in the Borough's office.
A square steel plate, a minimum of 1/4 inch thick and having a width equal to twice the diameter of the riser, shall be welded to the base of the riser. The plate shall then be covered with 2.5 feet of stone, gravel or compacted soil to prevent flotation. See Plate D for design details.[5]
Barrel. The barrel of the principal spillway which extends through the embankment shall be designed to carry the twenty-five-year predevelopment flow (or any required reduction thereof) provided by the riser of the principal spillway with the water level at the crest of the emergency spillway. The connection between the riser and the barrel must be watertight. The outlet of the barrel must be protected to prevent erosion or scour of downstream area. This will include an end section or end wall with a designed riprap apron.
Antiseep collars shall be used on the barrel of the principal spillway within the normal saturation zone of the embankment to increase the seepage length by at least 10%, if either of the following conditions is met:
The embankment has a low silt-clay content and the barrel is greater than 10 inches in diameter.
The antiseep collars shall be installed within the saturated zone. The maximum spacing between collars shall be 14 times the projection of the collar above the barrel. Collars shall not be closer than two feet to a pipe joint. Collars should be placed sufficiently far apart to allow space for hauling and compacting equipment. Connections between the collars and the barrel shall be watertight. The length of the barrel within the saturation zone can be obtained by entering Plate E with variable "Y." "Y" is the depth of water at the principal spillway crest in feet. This chart will provide saturated length. This number is entered in Plate F to size the antiseep collar. Refer to Plate G for details of the antiseep collar.[6]
Editor's Note: Plates E, F and G are on file in the Borough's office.
Emergency spillway. The emergency spillway shall consist of an open channel constructed adjacent to the embankment over undisturbed material (not fill). The spillway shall have a control section at least 20 feet in length. The control section is a level portion of the spillway channel at the highest elevation in the channel. The emergency spillway shall be designed to carry the peak rate of runoff expected from a one-hundred-year storm, less any reduction due to the flow through the principal spillway. The spillway channel shall return the flow of water to a defined channel downstream from the embankment. The maximum allowable velocities in the emergency spillway channel will depend on the type of lining used. For vegetated linings, allowable velocities are listed in Table 4.[7] For nonerodible linings, such as concrete, asphalt paving and riprap, design shall return the flow to the natural channel at noneroding velocities. See Plates H and I for design of the emergency spillway.[8]
Editor's Note: Table 4 is on file in the Borough's office.
Editor's Note: Plates H and I are on file in the Borough's office.
Embankment. The material for the embankment shall consist of all excavation on the project except such material as may be determined unsuitable by the Borough's representative, which includes, but is not limited to, frozen material and excessively wet or dry material. Acceptable material shall conform to the current PennDOT Publication 408, Section on Embankment Material, or as approved by the Borough representative.
Rock lining. The rock lining material used in stormwater management facilities should be a minimum of Class R-5 to a nominal thickness of 24 inches according to PennDOT Publication 408, Section on Rock Lining, or as approved by Borough's representative.
Fence. A chain-link fence must be installed around the pond at a height of six feet. A three-foot-wide gate with lock and keys must be provided to allow access for future maintenance. Fence details and specifications shall be submitted to the Borough.
Access road. The subdivider shall provide a ten-foot-wide access road constructed of 2B stone at a depth of four inches. Such access road shall run from the paved Borough street to the retention pond.
Lots located on the high side of streets shall extend roof and french drains to the curbline storm sewer (if applicable). Low side lots shall extend roof and french drains to a storm sewer collection/conveyance/control system or natural watercourse in accordance with the approved stormwater management plan for the development site.
All collection/conveyance facilities shall be designed to convey the twenty-five-year storm peak flow rate from the contributing drain area and to carry it to the nearest suitable outlet such as a stormwater control facility, curbed street, storm sewer or natural watercourse.
Preferably installed after excavating and filling in the area to be traversed is completed, unless the drain is installed in the original ground with a minimum of three feet of cover and/or adequate protection during the fill construction.
With anchors when gradient exceeds 20%; and
All corrugated metal pipe shall be polymer-coated and with asbestos bonding and paved inverts where prone to erode. Pipe within a Borough right-of-way shall be reinforced concrete pipe with a minimum diameter of 15 inches.
Manholes shall be designed so that the top shall be at finished grade and sloped to conform to the slope of the finished grade. Top casings of structures located in roads or parking areas shall be machined or installed to preclude "rattling."
Storm sewer outfalls shall be equipped with energy-dissipation devices to prevent erosion and conform with applicable requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for stream encroachments (Chapter 105 of Pennsylvania DEP Rules and Regulations).
Stormwater inlets. The maximum spacing between stormwater inlets shall be designed according to the ten-year storm flow and the capacity of the inlets, taking into account gradient of roadway, maximum allowable street flooding and drainageway capacity. When a possibility of clogging of grates, side opening, or combination inlets exists, use the capacity-reduction factors shown on Table 1 applied to theoretical capacity of the inlet.[9] The maximum amount of water that should be bypassed on to the next downstream inlet for inlets on continuous grades is 10%.
Editor's Note: Table 1 is on file in the Borough's office.
Pipes. Horizontal and vertical curves with radii of 100 feet or greater are allowed for all pipe sizes. Friction losses to the pipe shall be calculated using the Manning formula: v = (1.49/n) AR2/3 S1/2. Values for "n" are found in Table 2.[10] The minimum value for "v" in pipes shall be three feet per second. The maximum value for "v" in pipes shall be based on engineering judgment and experience. Pressure flow is permitted in storm sewers. The elevation of the hydraulic gradient shall be at least one foot below ground level. Pressure heads up to 25 feet can be used with concrete pipe with rubber-gasketed joints.[11]
Editor's Note: Table 2 is on file in the Borough's office.
Spacing of structures. The maximum allowable spacing between structures to be used for inspecting and cleaning storm sewers shall be based on the pipe size and spacing shown in Table 3.[12]
Editor's Note: Table 3 is on file in the Borough's office.
Open channels. Maximum allowable velocities of flow in swales, open channels and ditches, as relating in slope and grass cover, are shown in Table 4.[13] Higher velocities require invert stabilization. If they do not present a hazard, velocity dissipaters may be approved by the Borough or its representative.
Where seepage pits, seepage tanks, seepage trenches and/or french drains are proposed, the developer shall include an analysis of the potential for accelerated sinkhole development in the specific geology of the site due to the concentration of water introduction to the subsurface.
Erosion/sedimentation plan shall be provided in accordance with the Pennsylvania Erosion/Sedimentation Regulations (25 Pa. Code Chapter 102), the standards and guidelines of the County Conservation District.
The stormwater management plan for the development site shall contain an operation and maintenance plan prepared by the developer and approved by the Borough Engineer. The operation and maintenance plan shall outline required routine maintenance actions and schedules necessary to ensure proper operation of the facility(ies).
The Borough Council, upon recommendation of the Borough Engineer, shall make the final determination on the continuing maintenance responsibilities prior to original approval of the stormwater management plan. The Borough Council reserves the right to accept the ownership and operating responsibility for any or all of the stormwater management controls.
Prior to final approval of the site's stormwater management plan, the property owner shall sign and record a maintenance agreement covering all stormwater control facilities which are to be privately owned. The agreement shall stipulate that:
Maintenance by a private entity shall be secured by performance security in an amount equal to 110% of the cost as determined by the Borough to be necessary to adequately maintain said system.
If the owner fails to maintain the stormwater control facilities following due notice by the Borough to correct the problem(s), the Borough may perform the necessary maintenance work or corrective work, and the owner shall reimburse the Borough for all costs.
Maintenance by individual lot owners. When any stormwater management facility is located on an individual lot, and when maintenance thereof is the responsibility of that landowner, a description of the facility or system and the terms of the required maintenance shall be incorporated on a plat of the property. The plat shall be recorded with the County Recorder of Deeds within 90 days following Borough approval. In addition, the Borough may require as a condition of approval that any deed conveying any interest in such lot contain language indicating that the conveyance is subject to an express covenant by the grantee that the grantee will maintain the stormwater management facility.
General requirements. No final subdivision/land development plan shall be approved, no permit authorizing construction issued, or any earthmoving or land disturbance activity initiated until the final stormwater management plan for the development site is approved in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
At the time of application, the Borough shall determine if the subdivision/land development qualifies as a "small development" and, therefore, is eligible for a simplified stormwater plan submission. For the purposes of this chapter, a small development is any subdivision or land development which results in (or will result in when fully constructed) the creation of 5,000 or less square feet of impervious area.
Applications for small developments shall include a plan which describes the type and location of proposed on-site stormwater management techniques or the proposed connection to an existing storm sewer system. The plan should show accurately, the boundaries, five-foot interval contours, locations of watershed and/or subarea boundaries on the site (if applicable) and any watercourses, floodplains or existing drainage facilities or structures located on the site. Contingent upon the approval of the Borough Engineer, alternative methods may be used where applicable. The Borough reserves the right to require that the plan be prepared by a registered professional engineer, surveyor or landscape architect.
The Borough Engineer shall review and approve the proposed provisions for stormwater management in accordance with the standards and requirements of this chapter.
General format. The stormwater plan shall be drawn to a scale of not less than one inch equals 200 feet. All sheets shall contain a title block with name and address of applicant and engineer, scale, North arrow, legend and date of preparation. The plan should show the location of the project relative to highways, Borough boundaries or other identifiable landmarks.
Natural features. Show all bodies of water (natural or artificial) watercourses (permanent and intermittent), swales, wetlands and other natural drainagecourses on the development site or which will be affected by runoff from the development.
Soils. Provide an overlay showing soil types and boundaries within the development site (consult County, NRCS and United States Geological Survey for information).
Stormwater management controls. Show any existing stormwater management or drainage controls and/or structures, such as sanitary and storm sewers, swales, culverts, etc., which are located on the development site or which are located off site but will be affected by runoff from the development.
Location of existing and proposed overhead and underground utilities including water and sewer lines.
Runoff calculations. Calculations for determining predevelopment and post-development discharge rates and for designing proposed stormwater control facilities must be submitted with the stormwater management plan. All calculations shall be prepared using the methods and data prescribed by § 260-2 of this chapter.
Stormwater controls. All proposed stormwater runoff control measures must be shown on the plan, including methods for collecting, conveying, storing stormwater runoff on site which are to be used both during and after construction. Erosion and sedimentation controls shall be shown in accordance with applicable Borough and County Conservation District requirements. The plan shall provide information on the exact type, location, sizing, design and construction of all proposed facilities and relationship to the existing watershed drainage system.
If the development is to be constructed in stages, the applicant must demonstrate that stormwater facilities will be installed to manage stormwater runoff during each stage of development.
A schedule for the installation of all temporary and permanent stormwater control measures and devices shall be permitted.
If appropriate, a justification should be submitted as to why any preferred stormwater management techniques, as listed in § 260-3, are not proposed for use.
Other permits/approvals. A list of any approvals/permits relative to stormwater management that will be required from other governmental agencies (e.g., an obstructions permit from Pennsylvania DEP) and anticipated dates of submission/receipt should be included with stormwater plan submission. Copies of permit applications may be required by the Borough where they may be helpful for the plan review.
Financial guarantee. Submit financial guarantees in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Before submitting the stormwater plan, applicants are urged to consult with the Borough, County Planning Department and County Conservation District on the requirements for safely managing the development site in a manner consistent with the Borough ordinances and applicable watershed stormwater management plan. These agencies may also be helpful in providing necessary data for the stormwater management plan.
The preapplication phase is not mandatory; any review comments provided by the Borough or other agencies are advisory only and do not constitute any legally binding action on the part of the Borough or any county agency.
Notification of affected municipalities. The Borough shall notify municipalities upstream and downstream of the development site which may be affected by the stormwater runoff and proposed controls for the site. Copies of the plans will be made available to the municipalities upon request. Comments received from any affected municipality will be considered by the Borough Engineer and county agencies in their review.
A copy of the stormwater plan, along with all runoff calculations, shall be forwarded to the Allegheny County Planning Department. A report of the findings will be returned to the Borough within 30 days.
Borough Engineer's review. The Borough Engineer shall approve or disapprove the stormwater management plan based on the requirements of the Borough ordinances, the standards and criteria of the watershed plan and good engineering practice. The Engineer shall submit a written report, along with supporting documentation, stating his reasons for approval or disapproval.
Status of the Engineer's determination. The approval/disapproval of the site's stormwater management plan by the Borough Engineer shall be considered final. The Borough Council shall not reverse the Engineer's determination by approving or disapproving the site's stormwater management plan or any specified control measure in contradiction to the Engineer's action. The Borough Council may request modifications or alternative approaches to the stormwater management controls, provided these are agreed to by the Borough Engineer and the applicant's engineer.
If site development or building construction does not begin within two years of the date of final approval of the stormwater management plan, then before doing so, the applicant shall resubmit the stormwater management plan to verify that no condition has been changed within the watershed that would affect the feasibility or effectiveness of the previously approved stormwater management controls. Further, if for any reason development activities are suspended for two years or more, then the same requirements for resubmission of the stormwater management plan shall apply.
If the request for a plan modification is initiated before construction begins, the stormwater plan must be resubmitted and reviewed according to the procedures contained in § 260-7 above.
If the request for a plan modification is initiated after construction is underway, the Borough Engineer shall have the authority to approve or disapprove the modification based on field inspection, provided, 1) the requested changes in stormwater controls do not result in any modifications to other approved Borough land use/development requirements (e.g., building setbacks, yards, etc.); and 2) the performance standards in § 260-2 are met. Notification of the Engineer's action shall be sent to the Borough Council, which may issue a stay of the plan modification within five days and require the permittee to resubmit the plan modification for full stormwater plan review in accordance with § 260-7 above.
If during construction the contractor or permittee identifies any site condition, such as subsurface soil conditions, alterations in surface or subsurface drainage, which could affect the feasibility of the approved stormwater facilities, he/she shall notify the Borough Engineer within 24 hours of the discovery of such condition and request a field inspection. The Borough Engineer shall determine if the condition requires a stormwater plan modification.
In cases where stormwater facilities are to be installed in areas of landslide-prone soils or other special site conditions exist, the Borough may require special precautions such as soil test and core borings, full-time inspectors and/or similar measures. All costs of any such measures shall be borne by the permittee.
Guarantee of completion. A completion guarantee in the form of a bond, cash deposit, certified check or other negotiable securities acceptable to the Borough shall be filed. The guarantee shall cover all streets, sanitary sewers, stormwater management facilities, water systems, fire hydrants, sidewalks and other required improvements; it shall be in the amount and form prescribed by the Municipalities Planning Code (Section 509).[1]
Release of completion guarantee. The completion guarantee shall be returned or released upon written certification by the Borough Engineer or a designated agent that improvements and facilities have been installed and completed in accordance with the approved plan and specifications. The procedures for requesting and obtaining a release of the completion guarantee shall be in a manner prescribed by the Municipalities Planning Code (Section 510).[2]
Default of completion guarantee. If improvements are not installed in accordance with the approved final plan, the Borough Council may enforce any corporate bond or other security by appropriate legal and equitable remedies. If proceeds of such bond or other security are insufficient to pay the cost of installing or making repairs or corrections to all the improvements covered by said security, the Borough Council may, at its option, install part of such improvements in all or part of the development and may institute appropriate legal or equitable action to recover the improvements. All proceeds, whether resulting from the security or from any legal or equitable action brought against the developer, or both, shall be used solely for the installation of the improvements covered by such security and not for any other Borough purpose.
When streets, sanitary sewers, stormwater management facilities, waterlines or other required improvements in the development have been completed in accordance with the final approved plan, such improvements shall be deemed private until such time as they have been offered for dedication to the Borough and accepted by separate ordinance or resolution or until they have been condemned for use as a public facility.
The owner shall submit as-built plans for all facilities proposed for dedication. Drawings shall bear the seal of a registered engineer indicating the as-built improvements have been constructed in accordance with the approved plans.
Maintenance guarantee. Prior to acceptance of any improvements or facilities, the applicant shall provide a financial security to secure the structural integrity and functioning of the improvements. The security shall: 1) be in the form of a bond, cash, certified check or other negotiable securities acceptable to the Borough; 2) be for a term of 18 months; and 3) be in an amount equal to 15% of the actual cost of the improvements and facilities so dedicated.
The Borough Council may adopt by resolution, from time to time, a reasonable schedule of fees to cover the cost of plan reviews, inspections and other activities necessary to administer the provisions of this chapter. All fees shall be set in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Municipalities Planning Code, and any dispute over the fee amount shall be resolved in the manner prescribed by the Municipalities Planning Code.[1] No approval to begin any work shall be issued until the requisite fees have been paid.
If it is determined that a modification to the existing stormwater management plan is required under § 260-9 of this chapter, a new approval shall not be issued until the additional fees have been paid by the applicant.
Right of entry. Upon presentation of proper credentials, duly authorized representatives of the Borough may enter at reasonable times upon any property to investigate or ascertain the condition of the subject property in regard to any aspect regulated by this chapter.
Notification. In the event that the applicant, developer, owner or his/her agent fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter or fails to conform to the requirements of any permit, a written notice of violation shall be issued. Such notification shall set forth the nature of the violation(s) and establish a time limit for the correction of the violation(s). Upon failure to comply within the time specified, unless otherwise extended by the Borough, the applicant, developer, owner or his/her agent shall be subject to the enforcement remedies of this chapter.
In accordance with the Municipalities Planning Code (Section 515.1),[1] the Borough may refuse to issue any permit or grant approval to further improve or develop any property which has been developed in violation of this chapter.
Any person who has violated or has knowingly permitted the violation of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Borough, pay a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $600 plus court costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the Borough. No judgment shall commence or be imposed, levied or be payable until the date of the determination of a violation by the Magisterial District Judge.
Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation unless the Magisterial District Judge further determines that there was a good faith basis for the person violating this chapter to have believed that there was no such violation. In such case there shall be deemed to have been only one such violation until the fifth day following the date of the Magisterial District Judge's determination of a violation; thereafter, each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.
Additional remedies. In addition to the above remedies, the Borough may also seek remedies and penalties under applicable Pennsylvania statutes or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, including, but not limited to, Storm Water Management Act (32 P.S. §§ 680.1 through 680.17), the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act (32 P.S. §§ 693.1 through 693.27) and the Erosion and Sedimentation Regulations (Chapter 102 of Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code). Any activity conducted in violation of this chapter or any Pennsylvania-approved watershed stormwater management plan may be declared a public nuisance by the Borough and abatable as such.
Additional legal proceedings. In addition to the fines for violations, costs and penalties provided for by this section, the Borough may institute proceedings in courts of law or equity to collect damages to require owners and/or occupants of real estate to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
Municipal lien. The cost of removal, fine and penalties hereinabove mentioned may be entered by the Borough as a lien against such property in accordance with existing provisions of law.
Existing rights and penalties preserved. The collection of any penalty under the provisions of this chapter shall not be construed as stopping the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the County, the Borough or any aggrieved person from proceeding in courts of law or equity to abate a violation of this chapter. Moreover, it is hereby declared to be the purpose of this chapter to provide additional and cumulative remedies to abate nuisances.
Appeals. Any person aggrieved by any action of the designee of the Borough may appeal to the Borough Council within 30 days of that action.
An underground reservoir or tank for storage of rainwater.
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., fifty-year storm) and duration (e.g., twenty-four-hour), and used in computing stormwater management control systems.
Unless otherwise noted, the official designee of the Borough for action on behalf of the Borough under the terms of this chapter shall be the Borough Engineer.
The person, persons or any corporation, partnership, association or other entity or any responsible person therein or agent therefor that undertakes the activities associated with changes in land use. The term "developer" is intended to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the terms "subdivider," "owner" and "builder" even though the individuals involved in successive stages of the project may vary.
A channel and a ridge constructed to a predetermined grade across a slope and designed to collect and/or divert runoff from slopes which are subject to erosion.
The area served by a sewer system receiving stormwater and surface water or by a watercourse.
A line joining points whose vertical distance from the center of the cross section of the fluid flowing in a pipe are proportional to the pressure in the pipe at the point.
The slope of the hydraulic grade line.
The Borough of Wilmerding, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS).[1]
Standard which establishes an end result or outcome which is to be achieved but does not prescribe specific means for achieving it.
A partnership, corporation, homeowners' association, condominium association or any other similar association as distinguished from an individual lot owner.
Q = peak runoff rate in cfs (cubic feet per second)
I = design rainfall intensity (inches/hour) lasting for a critical time, Tc, or longer
SEEPAGE PIT, SEEPAGE TRENCH or FRENCH DRAIN
An area excavated in earth, filled with loose stone or similar material, and into which surface water is directed for infiltration into the ground.
A surface such as stone, rock or other materials which permits some vertical transmission of water.
A method of runoff computation developed by the Coil Conservation Service (now NRCS), and found in its publication "Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds," Technical Release No. 55, January 1975, revised 1986.
Natural or man-made structures that collect and transport stormwater through or from a drainage area to the point of final outlet, including, but not limited to, any of the following: conduits and appurtenant features, canals, channels, ditches, streams, culverts, streets and pumping stations.
The plan for managing stormwater runoff adopted by Allegheny County and Westmoreland County as required by the Storm Water Management Act.
Basins, pipes, swales, terraces, etc., designed and installed to collect, transport, detain and/or retain stormwater.
The time, in hours, surface stormwater runoff takes to travel from the hydraulically most distant point in the drainage basin to the point under design consideration. This time is the combined total of overland flow time and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.
The entire region or area drained by a river or other body of water, whether natural or artificial. A "designated watershed" is an area delineated by the Pennsylvania DEP and approved by the Environmental Quality Board, for which counties are required to develop watershed stormwater management plans.
The plan for managing stormwater runoff throughout a designated watershed adopted by Allegheny County and Westmoreland County as required by the Pennsylvania Storm Water Management Act.