[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Bellmawr 4-24-1986 by Ord. No. 3:5-86. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Floodplain control — See Ch. 228.
Land use and development — See Ch. 260.
Stormwater control — See Ch. 393.
In order to assure the harmonious development of all areas of the Borough of Bellmawr in accordance with the intended appearance of the Borough as established by the Borough Master Plan, to assure that maximum care is exercised to preserve and enhance existing natural features and environmental conditions, to preclude the creation of adverse conditions of traffic flow or traffic safety problems and to maximize efforts to assure each property owner the right to safe and comfortable use of his property and environmental design for new construction proposed within the Borough, all site plans shall be reviewed by the Environmental Commission of the Borough of Bellmawr and the Bellmawr Planning Board and, where applicable, by the Bellmawr Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of the State of New Jersey, prior to the issuance of a zoning or building or special use permit.
The submission of an environmental impact statement to the Bellmawr Planning Board shall be required for any subdivision or site plan application that is determined by the Borough Engineer to:
A. 
Be located in a critical impact area. A critical impact area includes but is not limited to stream corridors, streams, wetlands, estuaries, slopes greater than 15°, highly acid or highly erodible soils, areas of high water table and mature stands of native vegetation and aquifer recharge and discharge areas; or
B. 
Have been previously subject to environmental contamination.
The environmental impact statement shall include a response to the following items pertaining to a proposed development or proposal:
A. 
Soil types.
(1) 
United States Department of Agriculture soil types (shown on map).
(2) 
Permeability of soil on site.
(3) 
Rate of percolation of water through the soil with one test for each five acres or less.
B. 
Surface water drainage.
(1) 
Considerations.
(a) 
Key map showing location and distance from site to nearest stream.
(b) 
Rate of runoff from the site before and after development.
(c) 
Destination of runoff water and method of controlling downstream effects.
(d) 
Submission of an erosion and sediment control plan.
(2) 
Special attention shall be given to proper site surface drainage so that removal of surface water will not adversely affect neighboring properties or the public storm drainage system. Stormwater shall be removed from all paved areas and carried away in an efficient and approved manner so that it will not obstruct the flow of vehicles or pedestrian traffic and will not create puddles in paved areas.
C. 
Ground cover, including trees.
(1) 
Considerations.
(a) 
Extent of existing impervious ground cover on the site.
(b) 
Extent of proposed impervious ground cover on the site.
(c) 
Extent of existing vegetative cover on the site.
(d) 
Extent of proposed vegetative cover on the site.
(2) 
The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practicable, by minimizing tree and soil removal.
D. 
Topography. The statement shall furnish a plan showing existing and proposed contours of the entire site and adjacent sites which may affect the project site. Any grade changes shall be in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring developed areas.
E. 
Groundwater.
(1) 
Average depth to seasonal high-water table.
(2) 
Minimum depth to water table on site.
(3) 
Maximum depth to water table on site.
F. 
Water supply.
(1) 
The source and adequacy of the potable water system to be provided to the site.
(2) 
The expected daily water requirements for the site.
G. 
Sewerage system.
(1) 
Sanitary sewer system (description and location of system on the site).
(2) 
Expected contents of the sewage effluent (human waste, pesticides, detergents, oils, heavy metals, other chemicals, etc.).
(3) 
Expected daily volume of sewage.
(4) 
Effect on sewage treatment plant's present capacity and authorized capacity.
H. 
Solid waste.
(1) 
Estimated quantity of solid waste to be developed on the site during and after construction.
(2) 
Method of disposal of solid waste during and after construction.
(3) 
Plans for recycling of solid waste during and after construction.
I. 
Air quality.
(1) 
Expected changes in air quality due to activities at the site during and after construction.
(2) 
Plans for control of emissions affecting air quality.
J. 
Noise.
(1) 
Noise levels, above existing levels, expected to be generated at the site (source and magnitude in decibels) during and after construction.
(2) 
Proposed method for control of possible additional noise on site during and after construction.
K. 
Impact of proposed action applied for.
(1) 
Effects on drainage and runoff.
(2) 
Effects on groundwater quality.
(3) 
Effects on situation of surface waters.
(4) 
Effects on surface water quality.
L. 
A statement of impact upon critical areas and of adverse impacts which cannot be avoided.
M. 
Environmental protective measures, procedures and schedules to minimize damage to critical impact areas during and after development and/or construction.
N. 
A list of all licenses, permits and other approvals required by municipal, county or state law and the status of each.
O. 
A listing of steps proposed to minimize environmental damage to the site and region during construction and/or development and operation.
A. 
If an environmental impact statement is required in accordance with the first above-mentioned stipulation(s) herein, it shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Planning Board 60 days prior to filing for final approval of the site plan.
B. 
Upon receipt of the application, the Secretary of the Planning Board shall forward the environmental impact statement to the Environmental Commission and to any other Borough agency which the Planning Board may desire for consultation.
C. 
Such aforementioned Borough agency or agencies shall review the applicant's environmental impact statement and shall report their findings and comments within 30 days of the date of submission to the Planning Board.
D. 
The Planning Board and/or the Environmental Commission may require the opinion of experts in its review of the environmental impact statement and, if deemed essential, may hire an expert consultant to assist it in the evaluation of submitted information by the applicant.
E. 
Fees for the costs of such consultant as described in Subsection D above shall be paid by the applicant.
F. 
Copies of the environmental impact statement shall be on file and available for inspection in the office of the Construction Official of the Borough of Bellmawr.