[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Blairstown as Ch. XIV (Ord. No. 163) of the 1977 Revised General Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land development — See Ch. 19, § 19-510B.
The Township Committee finds and determines that the unregulated and uncontrolled relocation, filling, excavation and removal of earth on a large scale has resulted in conditions detrimental to the public safety, health and general welfare substantially hampering and deterring the efforts of the municipal planning.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
EARTH
Topsoil, muck, humus, rock, gravel, and all types of earth similar thereto.
No person shall excavate or otherwise remove earth for sale or use other than on the premises from which the earth shall be taken except in connection with the construction or alteration of a building on such premises, and excavation on normal grading incidental thereto, without first having procured permission therefor from the Township Committee.
The Township Committee shall not consider any application for the removal of earth from the premises for sale or otherwise unless and until the owner of the premises shall first file with the Township Committee an application requesting such permission, together with a map of the premises showing the contour lines and proposed contour grades resulting from such intended removal of earth in relation of the topography of the premises and the proposed contour lines and proposed grades shall be subject to the inspection and approval of the Township Committee. No such permission for earth removal shall be issued until such map has been filed and until the proposed contour lines and grades have been approved by the Township Committee.
A. 
Factors listed. The Township Committee in considering and reviewing the application and arriving at its decision shall be guided and take into consideration the public health, safety and general welfare and particular consideration shall be given to the following factors:
(1) 
Earth erosion by water or wind.
(2) 
Drainage.
(3) 
Earth fertility.
(4) 
Lateral support slopes and grade of abutting streets and lands.
(5) 
Land values and uses.
(6) 
Any other factors as may bear upon or relate to the coordinated, adjusted and harmonious physical development of the Township.
B. 
Refusal of permission; hearing. In the event permission is not granted, the applicant upon written request for a hearing made to the Township Committee shall be given an opportunity to be heard within 30 days after the refusal of the application.
C. 
Approval granted. If after examining the application and map, provided for in § 99-4, or after the hearing, in the event a hearing is requested by the applicant, the Township Committee shall be of the opinion that the proposed earth removal will not create conditions inimical to the public health, safety and welfare, and will not result in the creation of any sharp declivities, pits or depressions, earth erosion or fertility problems, depressed land values or create any drainage sewage problems or other conditions of danger, permission to remove the earth shall be granted. Such permission shall be effective for a period of time to be determined by the Township Committee.
If permission to remove the earth shall be granted, the owner or person in charge shall so conduct the operation that there shall be no sharp declivities, pits or depressions and in such a manner that the area shall be properly leveled off, cleared of debris and graded to conform with the contour lines and grades as approved by the Township.
The owner of the premises or person in charge of the removal of the earth, when permission has been duly granted, shall not take away the top layer of arable earth for a depth of six inches, but such top layer of arable earth to a depth of six inches shall be set aside for retention on the premises, and shall be respread over the premises when the rest of the earth has been removed, pursuant to levels and contour lines approved by the Township Committee.
Before any permit or permission for the removal of earth shall be granted or issued, the owner or applicant shall file with the Township Committee a bond in form and with acceptable surety, if required, in such amount as shall be deemed sufficient to insure the faithful performance of the work to be undertaken.
No excavation shall be made and no earth shall be removed under the provisions of this chapter, unless a permit therefor shall have been first obtained as provided herewith, and no excavation shall be made and no earth shall be removed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
Any person who shall violate any of the terms or provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalty as stated in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article III, General Penalty.