[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
This chapter shall be known and may be called as the "Canton
Township Stormwater Management Ordinance."
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
1. The Board of Supervisors of Canton Township finds that:
A. Inadequate management of accelerated runoff of stormwater resulting
from development throughout a watershed increases flood flows and
velocities, contributes to erosion and sedimentation, overtaxes the
carrying capacity of streams and storm sewers, greatly increases the
cost of public facilities to carry and control stormwater, undermines
floodplain management and flood-control efforts in downstream communities,
reduces groundwater recharge and threatens public health and safety.
B. A comprehensive program of stormwater management, including reasonable
regulation of development, and activities causing accelerated erosion
is fundamental to the public health, safety and welfare and the protection
of the people of Canton Township and all the people of the commonwealth,
their resources and the environment.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
1. The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and welfare by minimizing the damages described in §
17-102, Subsection
1A, of this chapter by provisions designed to:
A. Control accelerated runoff and erosion and sedimentation problems
at their source by regulating activities which cause such problems.
B. Utilize and preserve the desirable existing natural drainage systems.
C. Encourage recharge of groundwater.
D. Maintain the existing flows and quality of streams and watercourses
in Canton Township and the commonwealth.
E. Preserve and restore the flood-carrying capacity of streams.
F. Provide for proper maintenance of all permanent stormwater management
structures which are constructed in Canton Township.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
The Township of Canton is empowered to regulate these activities
by the authority of the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167),
the "Storm Water Management Act," and the Second Class Township Code.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
1. This chapter shall be applicable to all subdivision or site plan
and land development applications, unless eligible for an exemption
or granted a waiver by the Township of Canton under the applicable
specifications of this chapter. This chapter also applies to land
development activities that are smaller than the minimum applicability
criteria, even though multiple separate and distinct land development
activities may take place at different times on different schedules.
In addition, all plans must be reviewed by Washington County Conservation
District officials to ensure that established water quality standards
will be maintained during and after development of the site and that
post-construction runoff levels are consistent with any local and
regional watershed plans.
2. To prevent the adverse impacts of stormwater runoff, Canton Township
has developed a set of performance standards that must be met at new
development sites. These standards apply to any construction activity
disturbing 5,000 or more square feet of land. The following activities
may be exempt from these stormwater performance criteria:
A. Any logging and agricultural activity which is consistent with an
approved soil conservation plan or a timber management plan prepared
or approved by the Washington County Conservation District, as applicable.
B. Additions or modifications to existing single-family structures less
than 1,000 square feet.
C. Developments that do not disturb more than 5,000 square feet of land
and do not create more than 1,000 square feet of impervious surface,
provided that the same are not part of a larger common development
plan.
D. Repairs to any stormwater treatment practice deemed necessary by
the Township of Canton.
3. When a site development plan is submitted that qualifies as a redevelopment
project, decisions on permitting and on-site stormwater requirements
shall be governed by stormwater sizing criteria found in the current
ordinance. This criteria is dependent on the amount of impervious
area created by the redevelopment and its impact on water quality.
Final authorization of all redevelopment projects will be determined
after a review by the Township of Canton.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
Any ordinance of Canton Township inconsistent with any of the
provisions of this chapter is hereby repealed; reference Canton Township
Code of Ordinances § 22-908 (ordinance signed 5-28-1996)
and any other sections prior to this chapter.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
Should any section or provision of this chapter be declared
invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall
not affect the validity of any of the remaining provisions of this
chapter.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
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 or erosion and sedimentation control are
contained in the other code, rule, act or ordinance, the more-stringent
regulation shall apply.
[Ord. 3-2016, 10/13/2016]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of man's activities and natural processes at a rate greater
than would occur because of the natural processes alone.
BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE)
Activities, facilities, measures or procedures used to manage
stormwater impacts from land development, to protect and maintain
water quality and groundwater recharge and to otherwise meet the purposes
of this chapter, including, but not limited to, infiltration, filter
strips, low-impact design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving,
grassed swales, forested buffers, sand filters and detention basins.
CISTERN
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CULVERT
A pipe, conduit or similar structure, including appurtenant
works, which carries surface water.
DESIGN FORM
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event, measured
in probability of occurrence (e.g., fifty-year storm) and duration
(e.g., 24 hours), and used in computing stormwater management control
systems.
DETENTION BASIN
A basin designed to retard stormwater runoff by temporarily
storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate. A detention
basin can be designed to drain completely after a storm event, or
it can be designed to contain a permanent pool of water.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner or tenant with the
permission of such landowner who makes or causes to be made a subdivision
of land or a land development.
DIVERSION TERRACE
A channel and a ridge constructed to a predetermined grade
across a slope and designed to collect and divert runoff from slopes
which are subject to erosion.
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
EROSION
The removal of said particles by the action of water, wind,
ice or other geological agents.
FOREST MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
All activities connected with growing and harvesting of forest
products, including the site preparation, cultivation and logging
of trees, and the construction and maintenance of roads.
INFILTRATION STRUCTURES
Any structure or device designed to infiltrate retained water
to the subsurface. These facilities may be above grade or below grade.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
A.
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1)
A group of two or more buildings; or
(2)
The division or allocation of land or space between or among
two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of or for the
purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building
groups or other features;
LAND DISTURBANCE
Any activity involving grading, tilling, digging or filling
of ground or stripping of vegetation or any other activity which causes
land to be exposed to the danger of erosion.
MUNICIPALITY
Canton Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
NURSERY
A tract of land on which trees and plants are raised or stored
for transplanting and sale.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of flow of water at a given point and time
resulting from a specified storm event.
RUNOFF
That part of precipitation which flows over the land.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension,
is being transported or has been moved from its site of origin by
water.
SEDIMENT BASIN
A barrier, dam, or retention or detention basin designed
to retain sediment.
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCH
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
material and into which surface water is directed for infiltration
into the ground.
SEMIPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface such as stone, rock, concrete or other materials
which permits some vertical transmission of water.
SOIL-COVER-COMPLEX METHOD
A method of runoff computation developed by SCS and found
in its publication "Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds," Technical
Release No. 55, SCS, January, 1975.
STORMWATER
A system of pipes or other conduits which carry intercepted
surface runoff, street water and other wash waters or drainage but
exclude domestic sewage and industrial wastes.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The plan for managing stormwater runoff adopted by Washington
County as required by the Storm Water Management Act, 32 P.S. § 680.1
et seq.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land
by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions
of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose,
whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for
distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership, or building
or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease
of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres,
not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential
dwelling, shall be exempted.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface
water runoff.