Shade trees shall be provided along both sides of all streets where
there are no existing shade trees. When planted, shade trees shall be located
within the right-of-way line but shall not be located to interfere with the
installation and maintenance of sidewalks and utilities. No less than one
three- to three-and-one-half-inch caliper tree shall be planted for each 40
feet of street length. Such trees shall be planted in alternating rows. However,
such trees may be grouped in certain cases to achieve a particular design
objective when approved by the City Council.
A. A list of recommended street trees for planting in the
City of Coatesville is included in the Appendix according to their botanical
and common names.
B. Naturalistic tree groupings may be proposed in lieu of regularly spaced street tree plantings, subject to the approval of the City Council. Size and quantity requirements shall be in accordance with Subsection
A above.
C. Where existing trees are retained along street rights-of-way,
street trees may not need to be planted other than to replace dead, diseased
or undesirable or weak-wooded varieties.
D. At intersections, trees shall be located no closer than
50 feet from the intersection of the street right-of-way.
E. Street trees shall be of nursery-grown stock. They shall
be of symmetrical growth, free of insects, pests and disease.
F. All street trees shall conform to the American Standard
for Nursery Stock of the American Association of Nurserymen.
All uses, activities and land development shall comply the natural resource protection standards of Chapter
224, Zoning, and the following:
A. Consideration shall be shown for all natural features,
such as notable trees, watercourses, wetlands, wetlands margins, rock outcroppings
and similar community assets which, if preserved, will add attractiveness
and value to the subdivision or land development.
B. Tree masses and notable trees shall be preserved to the
maximum extent possible. All structures should be located within the building
area in such a manner as to minimize damage to vegetation. Areas in which
trees are retained should remain undisturbed out to the canopy dripline and
at the original grade level to the maximum extent possible.
C. The City Council may require the landowner or developer
to plant one tree of not less than two to two and one-half (2 1/2) inches
in caliper for each tree of twelve-inch caliper or more to be destroyed.
D. Landowners or developers shall exercise care to protect trees from damage during construction in accordance with §
197-50. Tree removal shall be limited to the actual construction site necessary to build and to move construction equipment.
E. Streams, watercourses, wetlands and wetlands margins.
(1) Such areas and any other surface water resources shall not be altered, regraded, developed, filled, piped, diverted or built upon except in compliance with Chapter
224, Zoning, and prevailing state and federal programs and policies.
(2) Land subject to flooding.
(a) All regulations of the Floodplain Conservation Overlay District in Chapter
224, Zoning, shall apply.
F. Steep slopes.
(1) The intent of these regulations is as follows:
(a) To conserve and protect steep and very steep slopes from
inappropriate development, such as excessive grading, landform alteration
and extensive vegetation removal.
(b) To avoid potential hazards to property and the disruption
of ecological balance which may be caused by increased runoff, flooding, soil
erosion and sedimentation, blasting and ripping of rock and landslide and
soil failure.
(c) To encourage the use of steep and very steep slopes for
conservation and other uses which are compatible with the preservation of
natural resources and protection of areas of environmental concern.
(2) Interpretation of steep slope areas.
(a) In any application for subdivision and/or land development
where the lot includes areas of steep and very steep slopes, the applicant
shall, using two-foot contours, delineate slopes from 15% to 25% and greater
than or equal to 25%. Further, the applicant shall use an actual field topographic
survey or aerial survey as the source of contour information and the basis
for depicting such slope categories.
(b) This section shall apply only to those steep slopes which exist for three consecutive two-foot contour intervals (six cumulative vertical feet of slope). All steep slope areas shall be shown for the purpose of city review and verification, but only those occurring over three consecutive two-foot contour intervals will invoke the standards of §
197-51F(4).
(c) Once delineated, the mapping provided by the applicant
will be reviewed by the City Engineer. The applicant will be required to follow
all regulations of this section for those areas which reflect steep slope
conditions as determined in accordance with this section through the City
Engineer's review.
(3) Application procedures. Before a permit is issued for
any construction or land disturbance activity on land within or affecting
steep and very steep slope areas, the following material shall be submitted
for review by the City Engineer:
(a) Plans drawn to a scale of at least one inch equals 50
feet, sealed by a registered professional engineer, depicting the following:
[1] The location, dimensions and elevation of the property.
[2] Existing and proposed uses and development.
[3] An earthmoving plan of the property which indicates existing
and proposed grades with contour lines at two-foot intervals within the area
of any proposed activity, disturbance or construction. All areas of steep
and very steep slope shall be graphically highlighted.
[4] A site plan indicating existing and proposed structures,
other impervious surfaces, storm drainage facilities and retaining walls.
The site plan also shall locate and identify existing vegetation, including
woodlands, open areas and their ground-cover type within areas of steep and
very steep slopes, as well as proposed landscaping material to be installed.
[5] Typical cross-sections and elevations of the property
and proposed structures at intervals prescribed by the City Engineer, as well
as architectural plans, elevations and sections.
[6] Photographs showing existing uses, vegetation and topography
within the steep and very steep slope areas.
[7] A statement, signed and sealed by a registered architect
or professional engineer, explaining the building methods to be used in overcoming
foundation and other structural problems created by slope conditions, preserving
the natural drainage and preventing soil erosion and excessive surface water
runoff to neighboring properties and/or streets, and the type of sewage disposal
and water supply.
[8] Plan, profile and typical cross-sections of any proposed
street, emergency access or driveway within areas of steep and very steep
slopes, with the seal of a registered professional engineer thereon.
[9] A statement, signed by the owner or future occupant at
the time of subdivision, land development or building permit application,
that there is a full understanding of any difficulties associated with access
stemming from such slopes. No plan shall be approved by the City Council without
the City Engineer's review of this material and his or her recommendation
thereon.
(4) Standards and criteria for applications. In evaluating
any application for subdivision or land development within steep and very
steep slope areas, the City Council shall determine consistency of the proposal
with the following:
(a) In areas with fifteen-percent to twenty-five-percent
slope, no more than 30% of such areas shall be regraded, cleared, built upon
or otherwise altered.
(b) In areas of twenty-five-percent slope and greater, no
more than 15% of such areas shall be altered, regraded, cleared, built upon
or otherwise altered.
(c) Disturbances shall be minimized where the length or area
of steep and very steep slope is extensive both on the site and on adjacent
lands within 50 feet of the site.
(d) The proposed development, any impervious cover and their
resultant disturbance to the land and existing vegetative cover will not cause
stormwater runoff and/or related environmental problems off the site.
(e) Removal of or disturbance to existing vegetation in steep
slope areas shall be minimized. The proposed impacts on existing vegetation
shall be evaluated in terms of the potentially detrimental effects on slope
stability, conveyance and recharge of stormwater, aesthetic characteristics
of the landscape and existing drainage patterns. Further, it shall be demonstrated
that any and all reasonable mitigation techniques and procedures will be utilized
or have been considered in the preparation of the subdivision and/or land
development plan, such as revegetation measures, control of soil erosion and
sedimentation, stormwater management and the like.
(f) Important visual qualities of the site shall be retained
to the maximum extent possible. In addition to vegetation, these may include
hilltops/ridgelines, rock outcroppings and the natural terrain and contours
of the site.
(g) Road construction shall follow the natural topography
to the maximum extent possible, with cuts, fills and grading minimized.
(h) Innovative, imaginative building techniques that are
well-suited to slope conditions shall be encouraged, consistent with other
applicable codes and regulations.
(i) The stability of the slope, as characterized by the existing
interrelationships among the soil, vegetation, and rock, shall be disturbed
as little as possible.
(j) Proposed buildings and structures shall be of sound engineering
design; and footings shall be designed in response to the site's slope, soil
and bedrock characteristics; and footings shall extend to stable soil and/or
bedrock.
(k) All disturbed areas shall be stabilized and seeded or
planted, and notes to this effect shall appear on all plans.
(l) Finished slopes of all permitted cut and fill shall not
exceed three to one (3:1) or 33% unless the applicant can demonstrate the
method by which steeper slopes can be stabilized and maintained adequately.
G. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) sites.
(1) The Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) is
a comprehensive inventory of Pennsylvania's most significant natural areas.
The database, which is maintained by the Department of Environmental Resources,
contains the status and location of plants, animals, geologic landmarks, natural
communities and other natural features which are considered exemplary, unique,
rare or endangered within the state.
(2) Areas containing endangered species and species believed
to be in danger of population decline have been located within the City of
Coatesville and documented in the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory
and the Chester County Natural Areas Inventory. The applicant shall consult
these inventories to determine whether these species or any other elements
of special concern are located on the site. If a PNDI site is located, the
applicant shall contact the Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania Natural Diversity
Inventory - East for assistance in determining whether or not the proposed
development will conflict with species on the site, as well as measures which
shall be taken to mitigate potential damage to the identified species.
H. Woodlands.
(1) Definitions. As used in this subsection, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
TREE PROTECTION ZONE
An area that is radial to the trunk of a tree in which no construction
activity shall occur. The "tree protection zone" shall be 15 feet from the
trunk of the tree to be retained or the distance from the trunk to the dripline,
whichever is greater. Where there is a group of trees or woodlands, the "tree
protection zone" shall be the aggregate of the protection zones for the individual
trees.
WOODLANDS
Consist of one-fourth (1/4) acre or more of continuous wooded land
where the largest trees measure at least six inches DBH. The "woodland" shall
be measured from the dripline of the outer trees. "Woodlands" are also a grove
of trees forming one canopy where 10 or more trees measure at least six inches
DBH.
(2) Resource protection standards.
(a) Disturbance allowance.
[1] No more than 20% of woodlands which overlap other natural
resource areas, including floodplains, PNDI sites, steep or very steep slopes,
watercourses, wetlands, wetland margins and other water resources shall be
regraded, cleared, built upon or otherwise altered.
[2] No more than 50% of woodlands which do not overlap other
natural resource areas shall be regraded, cleared, built upon or otherwise
altered.
(b) Areas of disturbance.
[1] Each building or structure shall be constructed in such
a manner as to provide the least alteration necessary of the existing woodland.
Where possible, the amount of clear-cutting shall be minimized and trees shall
be selectively removed.
[2] Trees which are retained shall be identified and protected in accordance with the provisions of Subsection
H(3), Tree protection zone, below.
[3] Woodland alterations that would threaten the growth of
remaining trees shall be avoided.
(c) Remaining woodlands. Where possible, woodlands which
remain undisturbed shall interconnect with woodlands or wooded areas of adjacent
properties to preserve continuous woodland corridors and allow for the normal
movement, dispersion and migration of wildlife.
(3) Tree protection zone. A tree protection zone shall be
established where trees or woodlands on the site are to be retained. In this
zone, the following standards shall apply:
(a) Prior to construction, a wooden snow fence shall be installed
around the boundaries of the tree protection zone. The fencing along the zone
shall be maintained until all construction and other work has been completed.
(b) Grade changes and excavations shall not encroach upon
the tree protection zone.
(c) Trees being removed shall not be felled, pushed or pulled
into a tree protection zone or into trees to be retained.
(d) No toxic materials shall be stored within 100 feet of
a tree protection zone, including petroleum-based and -derived products.
(e) The area within the tree protection zone shall not be
built upon, nor shall any materials be stored there either temporarily or
permanently. Vehicles and equipment shall not be parked in the tree protection
zone.
(f) Sediment, retention and detention basins shall not discharge
into the tree protection zone.
(g) Sediment, retention and detention basins shall not be
located within the tree protection zone.
(4) Delineation. The applicant shall delineate woodlands
which are on the site. In addition, where trees or woodlands on the site are
to be preserved, they shall be clearly delineated on the plan as a tree protection
zone.
All soil erosion and sedimentation control practices shall be in accordance
with the standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources
and the Chester County (Soil and Water) Conservation District.
The design and construction of subdivisions and/or land developments shall be in accordance with §
197-77, whereby adverse impacts of development shall be mitigated.