Source: https://ecode360.com/29131621
Timestamp: 2017-10-23 13:28:07
Document Index: 558316244

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 680', '§ 101', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', 'art 2', '§ 23', '§ 10509']

Borough of Phoenixville, PA GENERAL PROVISIONS
This chapter shall be known as the "Borough of Phoenixville's Stormwater Management Ordinance."
Inadequate planning and management of stormwater runoff resulting from land disturbance and development throughout a watershed can harm surface water resources by changing the natural hydrologic patterns, accelerating stream flows (which increase scour and erosion of stream beds and stream banks, thereby elevating sedimentation), destroying aquatic habitat, and elevating aquatic pollutant concentrations and loadings such as sediments, nutrients, heavy metals, and pathogens. Groundwater resources are also impacted through loss of recharge.
Stormwater is an important water resource that provides infiltration and groundwater recharge for water supplies and base flow of streams, which also protects and maintains surface water quality.
Impacts from stormwater runoff can be minimized by reducing the volume of stormwater generated and by using project designs that maintain the natural hydrologic regime and sustain high water quality, infiltration, stream base flow, and aquatic ecosystems. Cost-effective and environmentally sensitive stormwater management can be achieved through the use of nonstructural site design techniques that minimize impervious surfaces, reduce disturbance of land and natural resources, avoid sensitive areas (i.e., riparian buffers, floodplains, steep slopes, wetlands, etc.), and consider topography and soils to maintain the natural hydrologic regime.
Reduce and minimize the volume of stormwater generated, and manage and release stormwater as close to the source of runoff as possible.
Reduce stormwater pollutant loads to protect and improve the chemical, physical, and biological quality of ground- and surface waters.
Implement the requirements of total maximum daily load (TMDL) where applicable to waters within or impacted by the municipality.
Authorize a comprehensive program of stormwater management designated to preserve and restore the flood-carrying capacity of Commonwealth streams; to preserve to the maximum extent practicable natural stormwater runoff regimes and natural course, current and cross-section of water of the Commonwealth; and to protect and conserve groundwaters and groundwater recharge areas.
Encourage local administration and management of stormwater consistent with the Commonwealth's duty as trustee of natural resources and the people's constitutional right to the preservation of natural, economic, scenic, aesthetic, recreational and historic values of the environment."
Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167), 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq., as amended, the "Stormwater Management Act" (hereinafter referred to as "the Act");
Pennsylvania Borough Code, 8 Pa. C.S.A. § 101 et seq.;
All regulated activities as defined in this chapter, including, but not limited to, new development, redevelopment, and earth disturbance activities, that are located within the municipality shall be subject to regulation by this chapter.
This chapter contains the stormwater management performance standards and design criteria that are necessary from a watershed-based perspective. The municipality's stormwater management conveyance and system design criteria (e.g., inlet spacing, inlet type, collection system design and details, outlet structure design, etc.) shall continue to be regulated by the applicable municipal ordinance(s), as referenced in § 23-311 of this chapter, and applicable state regulations.
The date of adoption of this chapter shall be the starting point from which to consider tracts as parent tracts relative to future subdivisions, and from which impervious surface and earth disturbance computations shall be cumulatively considered, unless such requirements have previously been adopted, then the earliest date of the applicable municipal ordinance adoption shall remain as the starting point.
Where drainage problems are documented or known to exist downstream of or are expected from the proposed activity, the municipality may deny exemptions.
The municipality may deny exemptions in areas designated as high-quality (HQ) or exceptional-value (EV) waters and source water protection areas (SWPA). Note that Pickering Creek is designated as a high-quality water as per Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, under Pa. Code Title 25, Environmental Protection. A map of the Pickering Creek watershed can be found in Appendix E.[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix E is on file in the Borough offices.
General Exemptions. Regulated activities that: involve less than 1,000 square feet of proposed impervious surfaces AND less than 5,000 square feet of earth disturbance; or are listed in § 23-106, Subsection 3, are exempt from those (and only those) requirements of this chapter that are included in the sections and articles listed in Table 106.1. Exemptions are for the items noted in Table 106.1 only and shall not relieve the landowner from other applicable requirements of this chapter. Exemption shall not relieve the applicant from implementing such measures as are necessary to protect health, safety, and welfare, property, and water quality.
Thresholds for Regulated Activities that are Exempt from the Provisions of This Chapter as Listed Below (see Notes below)
Ordinance Part/Section
<1,000 Square Feet of Proposed Impervious Surfaces
<5,000 Square Feet of Proposed Earth Disturbance
> 1,000 Square Feet of Proposed Impervious Surfaces
> 5,000 Square Feet of Proposed Earth Disturbance
§§ 23-302, 23-303, and 23-311
§§ 23-301, 23-304, 23-305, 23-306, 23-307, 23-308, 23-309 and 23-310
Must comply with Title 25, Chapter 102, of the Pa. Code and other applicable state and municipal codes, including the Clean Streams Law[2]
"Proposed impervious surface" – as defined in this chapter.
"Exempt" – Regulated activities are exempt from the requirements of the listed section(s) only; all other provisions of this chapter apply.
Emergency Exemption: emergency maintenance work performed for the protection of public health, safety and welfare. This exemption is limited to repair of the existing facility; upgrades, additions or other improvements are not exempt. A written description of the scope and extent of any emergency work performed shall be submitted to the municipality within two calendar days of the commencement of the activity. A detailed plan shall be submitted no later than 30 days following commencement of the activity. If the municipality finds that the work is not an emergency, then the work shall cease immediately, and the requirements of this chapter shall be addressed as applicable.
Agricultural-Related Activities.
Agricultural activities (as defined in Part 2) when performed in accordance with the requirements of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
Forest Management: forest management operations, which are consistent with a sound forest management plan as filed with the municipality and which comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's management practices contained in its publication "Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Guidelines for Forestry" (as amended or replaced by subsequent guidance). Such operations are required to have an erosion and sedimentation control plan which meets the requirements of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 and meets the erosion and sediment control standards of § 23-303 of this chapter.
Be equal to or greater than the full construction cost of the required facilities except to the extent that financial security for the cost of any of such improvements is required to be and is posted with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in connection with a highway occupancy permit application;
Be determined, collected, applied and enforced in accordance with Sections 509-511 of the MPC[1] and the provisions of the municipality's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO).[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10509 through 10511.