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Borough of New Britain, PA
Bucks County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A. 
The purpose of this article is to establish and define the public improvements which will be required by New Britain Borough Council to be constructed or caused to be constructed by the applicant. Inspection of improvements will be the responsibility of the New Britain Borough Engineer.
B. 
All improvements will be constructed in accordance with the specifications of New Britain Borough and this chapter.
A. 
The improvements required by this chapter are minimum requirements. New Britain Borough reserves the right in any case to increase the same if conditions so warrant in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of Borough residents.
B. 
Before the Borough Council shall cause its approval to be endorsed on the final plans of any subdivision or land development and as a requirement for the approval thereof, the developer shall enter into a written agreement with the Borough, in the manner and form set forth by the Borough Solicitor to guarantee the construction and installation of all improvements at the developer's expense as required by this chapter. When requested by the developer in order to facilitate financing, the Borough Council shall furnish the developer with a signed copy of a resolution indicating approval of the final plan contingent upon the developer obtaining satisfactory financial security. The final plan or record plan shall not be signed nor recorded until the financial improvements agreement is executed. The resolution or letter of contingent approval shall expire and be deemed to be revoked if the financial security agreement is not executed within 90 days, unless a written extension is granted by the Borough Council.
C. 
No plan shall receive final approval unless the streets shown have been improved to a permanently passable condition, or improved as may be required by this chapter, and any walkways, bikeways, curbs, gutters, streetlights, fire hydrants, shade trees, water mains, sanitary sewers, storm drains and other improvements as may be required by this chapter have been installed. In lieu of the completion of any improvements, the developer shall furnish to the Borough a bond with such surety as the Borough Council shall approve, in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of any improvements which may be required. Such bond, or other security, shall provide for and secure to the public the completion of any improvements which may be required on or before the date fixed in the formal action of approval or accompanying agreement for completion of improvements. The amount of financial security to be posted for completion of the required improvements shall be equal to 110% of the cost of completion estimated as of 90 days following the date of scheduled completion by the developer. Annually, the Borough may adjust the amount of the financial security by comparing the actual cost of the improvements which have been completed and the estimated cost for the completion of the remaining improvements as of the expiration of the 90th day after either the original date scheduled for completion or a rescheduled date of completion. Subsequent to said adjustment, the Borough may require the developer to post additional security in order to assure that the financial security equals said 110%. Any additional security shall be posted by the developer in accordance with this section.
D. 
The amount of financial security required shall be based upon an estimate of the cost of completion of the required improvements submitted by an applicant and prepared by a professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and certified by such engineer to be a fair and reasonable estimate of such cost. The Borough, upon recommendation of the Borough Engineer, may refuse to accept such estimate for good cause shown. If the applicant or developer and the Borough are unable to agree upon an estimate, the procedures set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Article V, Section 509(g) shall be followed. If the developer requires more than one year from the date of posting of the financial security to complete the required improvements, the amount of financial security may be increased by an additional 10% for each one-year period beyond the first anniversary date from posting of financial security or to an amount not exceeding 110% of the cost of completing the required improvements as reestablished on or about the expiration of the preceding one-year period by using the above bidding procedure.
E. 
In the case where development is projected over a period of years, the Borough Council may authorize submission of final plans by section or stages of development, subject to such requirements or guarantees as to improvements in future stages of development as it finds essential for the protection of any finally approved section of the development. As the work of installing the required improvements proceeds, the developer may request the Borough to release, from time to time, portions of the escrow fund necessary for payment to the contractor performing the work. Any such request shall be in writing addressed to the Borough Council, and the Council shall have 45 days from receipt of such request within which to allow the Borough Engineer to certify, in writing, to the Council that the improvements have been completed in accordance with the approved plan. If the Borough Council fails to act within the forty-five-day period, the Council shall be deemed to have approved the release of funds as requested. The Council may, prior to final release at the time of completion and certification by the Borough Engineer, require retention of 10% of the estimated cost of the aforesaid improvements.
F. 
Where the Borough accepts dedication of all or some of the required improvements following completion, the Borough may require the posting of financial security to secure structural integrity of the improvements in accordance with the design and specifications as depicted on the final plan for a term not to exceed 18 months from the date of acceptance of dedication. The amount of this financial security shall not exceed 15% of the actual cost of installation of the improvements.
G. 
If financial security has been provided in lieu of the completion of improvements required as a condition for the final approval of a plan as set forth in this section, the Borough shall not condition the issuance of building, grading or other permits relating to the construction of the improvement, including buildings, upon lots or land as depicted upon the final plan. Moreover, if an escrow fund has been established, occupancy permits for any building or buildings to be erected shall not be withheld following the improvement of the streets providing access to and from existing public roads to such building or buildings to a permanently passable condition as well as the completion of all other improvements as depicted upon the approved plan, either upon the lot or lots or beyond the lot or lots in question, if such improvements are necessary for the reasonable use of or occupancy of the building or buildings.
H. 
Release from improvement bond.
(1) 
When the developer has completed all of the necessary and appropriate improvements, submitted as-built plans, and the as-built plans have been approved by the Borough Engineer, the developer shall notify the Borough by certified or registered mail of the completion of the improvements and shall send a copy to the Borough Engineer. The Borough shall, within 10 days after receipt of such notice, direct and authorize the Borough Engineer to inspect all of the improvements. The Borough Engineer shall file a report with the Borough and shall mail a copy of the report to the developer. The report shall be made within 30 days after receipt by the Borough Engineer of the authorization from the Borough. This report shall indicate approval or rejection of the improvements; and if the improvements or any portion thereof shall not be approved by the Borough Engineer, this report shall contain a statement of reasons for such nonapproval.
[Amended 5-8-2018 by Ord. No. 387]
(2) 
The Borough shall notify the developer, within 15 days of receipt of the Engineer's report, in writing by certified or registered mail, of its actions in response to the Borough Engineer's review of improvements.
(3) 
If the Borough or the Borough Engineer fails to comply within the time limitation provisions, all improvements will be deemed to have been approved, and the developer shall be released from all liability pursuant to its performance guarantee bond or other security agreement.
(4) 
If any portion of the improvements shall not be approved or shall be rejected by the Borough, the developer shall proceed to complete the improvements and, upon completion, the same procedure of notification, as outlined, shall be followed.
(5) 
The applicant shall reimburse the Borough for the reasonable and necessary expense incurred for the inspection of such improvements. Such reimbursement shall be based upon a schedule adopted by resolution and shall be reasonable and in accordance with the ordinary and customary fees charged by the Borough Engineer or consultant for work performed for similar services in the Borough, and in no event shall the fees exceed the rate or cost charged by the Borough Engineer or consultant to the Borough when fees are not reimbursed or otherwise imposed on applicants. In the event that the applicant disputes the amount of such expense in connection with inspection of improvements, the procedure set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247, as amended), Section 510(g), subsections (1) through (5), shall be adhered to.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10510(g)(1) through (5).
I. 
Remedies for completion of improvements. In the event that any improvements which may be required have not been installed as provided in this chapter or in accord with the approved final plan, the Borough shall enforce any corporate bond or other security by appropriate legal and equitable remedies. If proceeds of such bond or other security are insufficient to pay the cost of installing or making repairs to all the improvements covered by the security, the Borough may, at its option, install part of such improvements in all or part of the subdivision or land development and may institute appropriate legal or equitable action to recover the moneys necessary to complete the remainder of the improvements. All of the proceeds, whether resulting from the security or from any legal or equitable action brought against the developer, or both, shall be used solely for the installation of the improvements covered by such security and not for any other Borough purposes.
A. 
The construction of streets, roads, lanes and driveways as shown upon final plans and as contained in contract agreements shall in every respect conform to such requirements as New Britain Borough may by this chapter or other resolution require for the construction of streets.
B. 
Specifications. The performance and material specifications for improvements shall be those contained in Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's specifications, Form 408, as last revised. The design and construction requirements shall be those indicated in the typical street cross section in the Appendix of this chapter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Appendix is an attachment to the chapter.
C. 
All streets shall be graded to:
(1) 
The grades shown on the street profiles and cross-section plan submitted and approved with the final plan.
(2) 
The full width of the right-of-way.
D. 
Along the existing street on which a subdivision or land development abuts (hereinafter called a "boundary street") improvements shall be made to the street. The improvements to the boundary street shall be determined by the width of the required cartway and built to the specifications established by New Britain Borough.
The developer shall erect at every street intersection a street sign or street signs having thereon the names of the intersecting streets and traffic control signs as specified by the Borough Engineer. At intersections where streets cross, there shall be at least two such street signs, and at the intersections where one street ends or joins another street (T-intersections), there shall be at least one such street sign. Street signs shall be of the size, design, materials and colors required by the Borough and shall be installed prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit for the properties which are part of the subdivision or land development.
A. 
Where appropriate, the applicant shall install or cause to be installed, at the applicant's expense, streetlights serviced by underground conduit or solar energy in accordance with a plan to be prepared by the applicant's engineer and approved by the Borough Engineer. Provisions shall be made for energizing said lights prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit for the properties which are part of the subdivision or land development. The owner shall be responsible for all costs involved in lighting the street until such time that the streets are accepted or condemned as public streets by Borough Council.
[Amended 5-8-2018 by Ord. No. 387]
B. 
Streetlights shall be of the size, design, materials and colors required by the Borough.
A. 
Monuments shall be placed at each change in direction of boundary; two to be placed at each street intersection and one on one side of each street at angle points and at the beginning and end of curves. Utility easements shall be monumented at their beginning and their end, and areas to be conveyed for public use shall be fully monumented at their external boundaries.
B. 
Monuments shall be placed in the ground after final grading is completed, at a time specified by the Borough Engineer. The monument shall be precast concrete with a reinforced steel rod. The monument shall be at least four inches square at top and six inches at bottom and at least 24 inches in depth, with surface edges beveled.
C. 
All monuments shall be verified by the applicant's engineer, and a certification letter shall be provided to and approved by the Borough Engineer. Accuracy shall be within 3/100 foot.
[Amended 5-8-2018 by Ord. No. 387]
[Amended 5-8-2018 by Ord. No. 387; 6-14-2022 by Ord. No. 421]
A. 
General.
(1) 
The applicant shall construct or install such drainage structures, on site and off site, as necessary to:
(a) 
Prevent erosion damage and to satisfactorily carry off or detain and control the rate of release of surface waters.
(b) 
Encourage all runoff-control measures to percolate the stormwater into the ground to aid in the recharge of groundwater.
(c) 
Carry surface water to the nearest adequate street, storm drain, stormwater BMP, natural watercourse, or drainage facility.
(d) 
Take surface water from the bottom of vertical grades, to lead water away from springs, and to avoid excessive use of cross gutters at street intersections and elsewhere.
(e) 
Handle the anticipated peak discharge from the property being subdivided or developed and the existing runoff being contributed from all land at a higher elevation in the same watershed.
(f) 
Maintain the adequacy of the natural stream channels. Accelerated bank erosion shall be prevented by controlling the rate and velocity of runoff discharge to these watercourses so as to avoid increasing the occurrence of streambank overflow.
(g) 
Preserve the adequacy of existing culverts. Bridges and similar structures shall be preserved by suppressing the new flood peaks created by new alteration or development of land.
(2) 
Drainage area boundary plans shall be submitted, reviewed, and approved for all structures, stormwater BMPs, and collection devices.
(3) 
Additional studies and higher levels of control than the minimum provided in these and other New Britain Borough requirements and criteria may be required by the Borough Council to ensure adequate protection to life and property.
(4) 
If special geological hazards or soil conditions, such as carbonate derived soils, are identified on the site, the applicant's engineer shall consider the effect of proposed stormwater management measures on these conditions. In such cases, the Borough may require an in-depth report by a qualified soils engineer.
B. 
Retention of existing watercourses and natural drainage features.
(1) 
Whenever a watercourse, stream or intermittent stream is located within a development site, it shall remain open in its natural state and location and shall not be piped.
(2) 
The existing points of natural discharge onto adjacent property shall not be altered without the written approval by the affected landowners.
(3) 
No stormwater runoff or natural drainage shall be so diverted as to overload existing drainage systems or create flooding or the need for additional drainage structures on private properties or public lands.
C. 
All subdivisions and land developments are subject, in addition, to the requirements of Chapter 375, Stormwater Management, of the Code of the Borough of New Britain, which is included in these regulations by reference.
D. 
Stormwater runoff which may result from alteration or development of land shall be controlled by permanent stormwater runoff BMPs that will provide the required standards within this section, Chapter 375, and any other requirements of New Britain Borough. The methods of stormwater control or best management practices (BMPs) which may be used to meet the required standards are described in this section and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, dated December 2006, as amended (PA BMP Manual). The choice of BMPs is not limited to those referenced in this section and/or the manual. Any selected BMP must meet or exceed the required standards and shall incorporate sound engineering principles and practices.
E. 
Design criteria for infiltration BMPs. In addition to the design criteria and specifications in the PA BMP manual and any other design criteria in this section, all infiltration BMPs shall meet the minimum requirements:
(1) 
A detailed infiltration testing and soils evaluation of the project site shall be performed to determine the suitability of infiltration BMPs. The evaluation shall be performed by a qualified professional and, at a minimum, address soil permeability, depth to limiting zones, karst/susceptibility to sinkhole formation, and subgrade stability. Infiltration BMPs shall be selected based on the suitability of soils and site conditions and shall be constructed on soils that have the characteristics defined in § 375-303C(5) and (6).
(2) 
All infiltration BMPs shall be provided with an overflow or spillway which safely permits the passing of runoff greater than that occurring during the largest design storm. The overflow or spillway shall be set above the maximum proposed ponding depth.
(3) 
The infiltration BMP shall be positive overflow controls to prevent storage within one foot of the finished surface above the facility.
(4) 
Infiltration BMPs shall have a bottom slope of no greater than 1% but shall preferably have a level bottom.
F. 
Design criteria for bioretention facilities. Bioretention facilities BMPs, including rain gardens, shall be designed in accordance with the design criteria and specifications in the PA BMP Manual and shall meet the following the minimum requirements:
(1) 
All concentrated discharges directed to a bioretention facility shall be conveyed through a pretreatment filter strip. The filter strip shall be designed to reduce the incoming velocities and to filter out coarser sediment particles. Examples of pretreatment filter strips include sand or gravel diaphragms, grass swales, sand filters, stone check dams, etc.
(2) 
A minimum planting soil bed depth of two feet for herbaceous plants and three feet for trees and shrubs shall be provided. Planting soil shall be a loam soil capable of supporting healthy vegetative cover.
(3) 
All bioretention facilities shall incorporate an organic mulch layer. The organic mulch layer shall be standard landscape style, single or double, shredded hardwood mulch or chips. The mulch layer shall be well-aged, uniform in color, and free of other materials such as weed seed, soil roots, etc. The mulch layer shall be applied to maximum depth of three inches. Grass clippings shall not be used as mulch material.
(4) 
All bioretention facilities shall incorporate native landscaping. Plant species shall be selected based on the ability to tolerate stresses such as pollutants, variable soil moisture, and ponding fluctuations. A mixture of trees, shrubs, and/or herbaceous plant species shall be selected to ensure diversity.
(5) 
The maximum side slopes of bioretention BMPs shall be four horizontal to one vertical.
(6) 
A minimum grade of 2% shall be maintained for areas of sheet flow. For channel flow, a minimum grade of 1% shall be maintained. For bioretention facilities relying on infiltration for drainage, rather than sheet or channel flow, a level bottom is permitted.
(7) 
Bioretention facilities with an aboveground ponding depth of greater than 2.5 feet during any post-development design storm shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of § 385-34G.
G. 
Design criteria for aboveground basins. Aboveground basin BMPs shall be designed in accordance with the design criteria and specifications in the PA BMP manual and shall meet the following the minimum requirements:
(1) 
Unless permitted as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board, basins shall not be located within floodplains nor within areas of floodplain soils, with the exception that areas of alluvial soils may be utilized if proof is provided by the applicant and accepted by the Borough Council that the area is not subject to flooding.
(2) 
Basins shall be designed to facilitate regular maintenance, mowing, and periodic desilting and reseeding.
(3) 
Whenever possible, the side slopes and basin shape shall conform to the natural topography. When such design is impractical, the construction of the basin shall utilize slopes as flat as possible to blend the structure into the terrain. The maximum slope of the earthen basin embankments shall be four horizontal to one vertical.
(4) 
In order to ensure proper drainage to the basin bottom, a minimum grade of 2% shall be maintained for areas of sheet flow. For channel flow, a minimum grade of 1% shall be maintained. For basins relying on infiltration for drainage, rather than sheet or channel flow, a level bottom is permitted.
(5) 
The top or toe of any slope shall be located a minimum of five feet from any property line.
(6) 
The minimum top width of the detention basin berm shall be 10 feet.
(7) 
If permanent ponds are used, the applicant shall demonstrate that such ponds are designed to protect the public health and safety.
(8) 
A cutoff trench shall be provided along the center line of any dam or earth fill embankments. The trench shall have a bottom width of not less than four feet, but adequate to allow use of equipment necessary to obtain proper compaction. Side slopes of cutoff trench shall be no steeper than 1:1 ratio. The trench shall be filled with successive thin layers of relatively impervious material, each layer being thoroughly compacted.
(9) 
All basin embankments shall be placed in lifts not to exceed eight inches in thickness and each lift shall be compacted to a minimum of 95% of modified proctor density as established by ASTM D-1557. Prior to proceeding to the next lift, the compaction shall be checked by a soils engineer employed by the applicant. Compaction tests shall be run on the leading and trailing edge of the berm along with the top of the berm. Verification of required compaction shall be submitted to the Borough prior to utilization of any basin for stormwater management.
(10) 
All aboveground basins shall be provided with a primary spillway/outlet pipe meeting the following the minimum requirements:
(a) 
The sizing of the outlet pipe shall be based on the post-construction 100-year storm without utilizing the emergency spillway.
(b) 
All outlet pipes through the basin berm shall be reinforced concrete pipe with watertight joints.
(c) 
The pipe barrel and riser shall be placed on a firm foundation. The fill material around the primary spillway shall be placed in four-inch lifts and compacted to at least the same density as the adjacent embankment.
(d) 
Anti-seep collars shall be installed around the pipe barrel within the normal saturation zone of the basin berms and shall be poured in place.
[1] 
The anti-seep collars and their connections to the pipe barrel shall be watertight.
[2] 
The anti-seep collars shall extend a minimum of two feet beyond the outside of the principal pipe barrel.
[3] 
The maximum spacing between the collars shall be 14 times the minimum projection of the collar measured perpendicular to the pipe.
[4] 
A minimum of two anti-seep collars shall be installed on each outlet pipe.
(e) 
All outlet pipes shall have endwalls and energy-dissipating devices (riprap, end sills, etc.) designed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual No. 363-2134-008, as amended and updated (PA E&S Manual).
(11) 
All aboveground basins shall be provided with an emergency spillway meeting the following the minimum requirements:
(a) 
Whenever possible, the emergency spillway shall be constructed on undisturbed ground.
(b) 
Emergency spillways constructed on undisturbed ground may be constructed of reinforced vegetated earth. All other spillways shall be constructed of riprap, concrete checkerblocks, or similar materials approved by the Borough Engineer.
(c) 
All emergency spillways shall be constructed so that the basin berm is protected against erosion.
(d) 
The emergency spillway shall not discharge over earthen fill and/or easily eroded material.
(e) 
The construction material of the emergency spillways shall extend along the upstream and downstream berm embankment slopes. The upstream edge of the emergency spillway shall be a minimum of three feet below the spillway crest elevation. The downstream slope of the spillway shall, at a minimum, extend to the toe of the berm embankment.
(f) 
The minimum capacity of all emergency spillways shall be the peak flow rate from the post-development 100-year design storm.
(g) 
The minimum freeboard through the emergency spillway shall be one foot. Freeboard is defined as the difference between the design flow elevation through the spillway and the elevation of the top of the settled basin berm. Six inches, minimum, is required between the 100-year water surface elevation and the emergency spillway crest.
(12) 
Sediment basins and sediment traps for sediment control during construction shall be designed in accordance with the PA E&S Manual.
H. 
All other stormwater management BMPs shall be designed in accordance with the design criteria and specifications in the PA BMP Manual and shall incorporate sound engineering principles and practices.
I. 
Design criteria for drainage channels and swales.
(1) 
All drainage channels and swales shall be designed to carry the peak flow from a twenty-five-year storm with a minimum of six inches of freeboard. Provisions shall be made to ensure that larger runoff events do not impair public safety or cause damage to adjacent lands or public property.
(2) 
All drainage channels and swales shall be designed to prevent erosion of the bed and banks and suitable stabilization shall be provided to prevent erosion. The maximum permissible flow velocity shall not exceed those outlined in Table 6.4 Maximum Permissible Velocities (ft/sec) of Channels Lined with Vegetation and its additional notes of the PA E&S Manual.
(3) 
Vegetated drainage channels shall have a maximum grade of three horizontal to one vertical on those areas to be mowed.
(4) 
Swales shall be designed to prevent the passage of water onto the cartway during a twenty-five-year frequency storm of five-minute duration.
J. 
Design criteria for storm drain pipes, inlets, and manholes.
(1) 
Storm sewers, culverts, and related installations shall be provided:
(a) 
To permit the unimpeded flow of natural watercourses in such a manner as to protect the natural character of said watercourses and to provide regulated discharge.
(b) 
To ensure adequate drainage of all low points.
(c) 
To intercept stormwater runoff along streets at intervals reasonably related to the extent and grade of the area of drainage and to prevent substantial flow of water across intersections.
(2) 
The design discharge for use in determining gutter flow, spacing of inlets, and for pipe sizing of storm sewer shall be computed by the rational formula Q = CIA, in which Q equal discharge, cubic feet per second; C equal runoff coefficient; I equal rainfall intensity, inches per hour; A equal area, acres.
(a) 
The storm drainage system shall be designed to carry runoff from the twenty-five-year storm based on rainfall intensities from the latest version of the NOAA Atlas 14 rain data corresponding to the Doylestown rain gage. This data may also be directly retrieved from the NOAA Atlas 14 website: hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/orb/pa_pfds.html.
(b) 
In all cases where storm drainage is picked up by means of a headwall or inlet structure and hydraulic inlet or outlet conditions control, the pipe shall be designed as a culvert for a fifty-year storm.
(c) 
The elevation of the hydraulic gradient at any point in the storm sewer system shall be below of the surface of the ground based on the 100-year storm rainfall intensities from the latest version of the NOAA Atlas 14 rain data corresponding to the Doylestown rain gage.
(d) 
The runoff factors set forth in Table B-7 in Appendix B of the New Britain Borough Stormwater Management Ordinance shall be utilized.
(e) 
A minimum five-minute storm duration shall be used. Where supported by the drainage area and related plans and calculations, longer storm durations shall be utilized, using the time-of-concentration approach to adjust the time of concentration.
(f) 
Design shall be based on gravity (non-pressure) flow.
(3) 
Storm sewer pipes.
(a) 
All storm sewer pipes shall be reinforced concrete pipe, smooth lined high-density polyethylene, or other pipe material as may be approved by the Borough Engineer.
(b) 
The Manning's roughness coefficients ('n') set forth in Table B-8 in Appendix B of the New Britain Borough Stormwater Management Ordinance shall be utilized.
(c) 
The minimum diameter of all storm drainage pipe shall be 15 inches or an equivalent thereto. Where pipe cover is restricted, equivalent pipe arches may be used in lieu of circular pipe.
(d) 
The minimum slope of any pipe shall be 0.5%.
(e) 
The top of storm drainage pipes beneath cartways shall be at least six inches below subgrade elevation. Outside of paved areas, all pipes shall have a minimum cover of two feet.
(f) 
Storm sewers shall be placed within a street right-of-way, parallel to the cartway. When located outside of a right-of-way, storm sewers shall be placed and centered within an easement having a width of not less than 20 feet.
(4) 
Inlets and manholes.
(a) 
Abrupt changes in direction or slope of storm drainage pipe shall be avoided. Where there is a such a deflection in the storm pipe system, an inlet or manhole shall be placed at the point of change.
(b) 
An inlet or manhole shall be provided at all changes of grade, at all locations where a transition in storm sewer pipe size is required, and at all points of convergence of two or more influent storm sewer pipes.
(c) 
The spacing on inlets and manholes shall not exceed a maximum distance of 450 feet along any one continuous line.
(d) 
Inlets, manholes, and related tops, covers, and frames shall conform to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation specifications.
(e) 
All inlets must be designed to accommodate the twenty-five-year peak flow rate. The capacity of all C-, M-, or S-type inlets shall be determined from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Design Manual, Part 2, and any amendments.
(f) 
Spread of runoff in gutters shall not exceed eight feet in width or 1/2 of the travel lane, whichever is lesser, during a ten-year storm event.
(g) 
At street intersections, inlets shall be placed in the tangent portion rather than the curved portion of the curbing.
(5) 
Shoulders in cut areas (without swales).
(a) 
Water flowing in the shoulder shall not encroach more than 2/3 the shoulder width during a twenty-five-year frequency storm of five-minute duration.
(b) 
The maximum velocity, as determined by Manning's Equation, shall not exceed the allowable velocities in outlined in Table 6.4 Maximum Permissible Velocities (ft/sec) of Channels Lined with Vegetation and its additional notes of the PA E&S Manual for the specific type of shoulder material.
(c) 
Inlets shall be provided to control the shoulder encroachment and water velocity.
(6) 
Curbed sections.
(a) 
The maximum encroachment of water on the cartway shall not exceed two inches in depth at the curb during a twenty-five-year frequency storm of five-minute duration.
(b) 
Inlets shall be provided to control the encroachment of water on the cartway.
[Amended 9-13-2016 by Ord. No. 377]
A. 
These regulations are promulgated in an effort to insure that each dwelling unit or commercial, industrial, educational, institutional or office building, hereafter constructed within the Borough, will have an adequate supply of potable water. A hydrogeological study for all potential public water systems shall be submitted with all applications for subdivision or land development.
B. 
Connection to the public water system shall be required for the following uses:
(1) 
Five or more single-family detached dwellings.
(2) 
All multifamily developments.
(3) 
Mobile or manufactured home parks.
(4) 
Industrial uses.
(5) 
Commercial uses.
(6) 
Office uses.
(7) 
Educational/institutional uses, including hospitals, schools, and nursing home or personal care facilities.
C. 
The developer shall construct water mains in such a manner as to make adequate water service available to each lot or dwelling unit within the subdivision or land development and shall extend the water mains to the perimeter of the property at a public street and shall terminate the water main in an accessible gate valve. The water supply must comply with the regulations and standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, with the construction standards of the authority managing or maintaining the public water system, and with the regulations of the Borough.
D. 
The public water system shall be designed with adequate capacity, storage facility, and appropriately spaced fire hydrants, for firefighting purposes. All public water systems shall be approved by the Borough Engineer, applicable water authority, and the Borough Fire Marshal.
E. 
All public water systems shall be offered for dedication to the applicable water authority. The water authority shall be under no obligation to accept dedication.
F. 
Applicants for subdivision and land development shall present evidence to Borough Council that the subdivision or land development is to be supplied by a certified public utility, or a municipal corporation, authority or utility. A copy of a certificate of public convenience from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or an application for such certification, or a commitment or agreement to serve the property in question, whichever is appropriate, shall be acceptable evidence.
A. 
The applicant shall enter into an agreement with the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority or the authority with jurisdiction for the installation of the sanitary sewer facilities within the subdivision or land development or shall otherwise provide evidence that sanitary wastewater disposal will be provided.
B. 
All public sanitary sewers shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the standard specifications of the Authority and in accordance with such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the agreement mentioned in Subsection A above.
C. 
No public sanitary sewer line or connection shall be constructed until plans and specifications have been submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Bucks County Department of Health, the Bucks County Planning Commission, and any other agency having jurisdiction.
D. 
No final plan shall be approved without certification that the sewage to be generated by the proposed subdivision or land development can be conveyed and treated.
E. 
Temporary holding tanks.
[Added 9-13-2005 by Ord. No. 302]
(1) 
Under the circumstances set forth below, New Britain Borough will permit the installation and maintenance of sanitary sewer holding tanks on a temporary basis, until public conveyance and treatment of wastewater is available to an applicant for a specific parcel of land, where the PADEP and Bucks County Department of Health (BCDH) permits holding tanks.
(2) 
An applicant for a holding tank permit shall file an application on a form approved by the Borough for a holding tank permit along with the fee established pursuant to the Borough fee schedule in effect at the time of application. The application shall include complete plans specifying all design criteria, including but not limited to design drawings and calculations, pump specifications, wet well and alarm specifications, and any other data required by the Borough Engineer, and shall include as well any other permits required by PADEP, BCDH and current New Britain Borough ordinances (at the time of application). The application shall also include a written statement from the future downstream sanitary sewer service conveyance and treatment providers, indicating when public sanitary sewer capacity will be available.
(3) 
Holding tank designs shall be permitted when no other feasible method to obtain sanitary sewage disposal is immediately available due to lack of downstream conveyance and/or treatment capacity. On-lot septic disposal shall be considered and utilized first, if possible (see Subsection F of this section). If on-lot septic disposal is not possible, all documentation proving such shall be submitted for review prior to consideration of a holding tank. Holding tanks shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from property lines and shall be provided with suitable access. Holding tank design and construction shall be consistent with PADEP rules and regulations of 25 Pa. Code § 73.62, "Standards for holding tanks."
(4) 
A holding tank is a watertight, sealed vessel to be utilized for temporary storage of sanitary sewage waste. Temporary use is defined to require that the vessel shall be emptied by pumping on a regular basis (weekly, monthly or other approved interval) and also requires that the tank shall only be permitted to be utilized for a period of up to one year from the date of connection. An applicant may apply to extend the life of the permit beyond the one-year period by filing an application for extension, filed prior to the expiration of the then current permit. The Borough shall approve any such permit extension application, provided that the extension is necessitated by the continued inadequacy of downstream conveyance and treatment capacity. To the extent that any extension is sought based upon the failure of or inability of the applicant to timely connect to available public sewer, then that application shall be denied. The application for extension shall be accompanied by the agencies listed in Subsection E(2) above. Upon expiration of any permit, the holding tank facility shall not be used, and the facility shall be abandoned and removed. Any permit issued hereunder authorizing the maintenance of a sanitary sewer holding tank shall expire 90 days after a determination by the Borough that public sanitary facilities are available to the affected parcel of land. Upon a determination by the Borough that sanitary sewer facilities are available to a parcel utilizing permitted holding tank facilities, the applicant shall be required to obtain all necessary permits and to pay all fees for connection to the public sanitary sewer system prior to expiration of the ninety-day time period after public sanitary sewer facilities have been determined to be available by the Borough. All holding tank facilities shall be abandoned and removed completely prior to the expiration of the said ninety-day period.
(5) 
No permit shall issue for the installation and maintenance of a holding tank facility unless the applicant shall have executed an agreement with the Borough establishing maintenance standards, sewage (septage) disposal facility location [per requirements of 25 Pa. Code § 73.62(d)], and a future connection and a pumping schedule. The agreement shall require that the applicant shall provide the Borough with an executed copy of a maintenance and pumping contract for the facility and shall require that the applicant provide maintenance and pumping records to the Borough on a monthly basis (or other appropriate time interval agreed to by the Borough) and be accompanied by an approved bond or cash escrow with the Borough to guarantee the pumping and maintenance schedule as well as for permit review and periodic inspections. In addition, the applicant shall provide an approved bond or escrow deposit to guarantee the operation, abandonment and removal of the holding tank facility, as well as a cash permit fee to pay Borough expenses for administrative costs. All escrows and fee amounts shall be in accordance with the current New Britain Borough Schedule of Fees. In the event of any facility malfunction or notice to correct from the Borough Inspector or Engineer, the applicant shall immediately effect any necessary repairs or corrections and, in default thereof, the Borough may apply applicant's bond or escrowed funds to address any malfunction or make any needed corrections to the facility. Should any of the required bonds or escrow amounts be depleted by as much as 50%, the applicant shall post an additional amount sufficient to restore the full amount of the escrow or bond required pursuant to this paragraph. The agreement shall require that any applicant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Borough and any other agencies having jurisdiction over the facilities from any and all costs, losses, expenses or other liability arising from the design, installation or maintenance of any holding tank facility; and, further, the applicant shall release the Borough and any agencies having jurisdiction over the facilities of any liability for losses or projected losses resulting from any order to abandon the facilities before conventional sewerage facilities are available to the applicant.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection E(6), providing penalties, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 4-14-2015 by Ord. No. 361.
F. 
Temporary on-lot septic systems.
[Added 9-13-2005 by Ord. No. 302]
(1) 
Under the circumstances set forth below, New Britain Borough will permit the installation and maintenance of sanitary sewer on-lot septic systems on a temporary basis, until public conveyance and treatment of wastewater is available to an applicant for a specific parcel of land, where the PADEP and BCDH permits holding tanks.
(2) 
An applicant for an on-lot septic system shall file an application on a form approved by the Borough for a septic system permit along with the fee established pursuant to the Borough Fee Schedule in effect at the time of application. The application shall include complete plans specifying all design criteria, including but not limited to design drawings and calculations, pump specifications, wet well and alarm specifications and any other applicable data required by the Borough Engineer, and shall include as well any other permits required by PADEP, BCDH and current New Britain Borough ordinances (at the time of application). The application shall also include a written statement from the future downstream sanitary sewer service conveyance and treatment providers, indicating when public sanitary sewer capacity will be available.
(3) 
On-lot septic systems shall be permitted when there is no sanitary sewage disposal method immediately available due to lack of downstream conveyance and/or treatment capacity. On-lot septic system location, design, and construction shall be consistent with PADEP rules and regulations at 25 Pa. Code Chapter 73, Standards for On-lot Sewage Treatment Facilities.
(4) 
An on-site septic system may be a conventional, elevated sand mound, A-B, or drip system to be utilized for temporary disposal of sanitary sewage waste. Temporary use is defined to require that the system shall only be permitted to be utilized for a period of up to one year from the date of connection. An applicant may apply to extend the life of the permit beyond the one-year period by filing an application for extension, filed prior to the expiration of the then current permit. The Borough shall approve any such permit extension application, provided that the extension is necessitated by the continued inadequacy of downstream conveyance and treatment capacity. To the extent that any extension is sought based upon the failure of or inability of the applicant to timely connect to available public sewer, then that application shall be denied. The application for extension shall be accompanied by the agencies listed in Subsection F(2) above. Upon expiration of any permit, the septic system shall not be used, and the facility shall be abandoned and removed. Any permit issued hereunder authorizing the maintenance of an on-lot septic system shall expire 90 days after a determination by the Borough that public sanitary facilities are available to the affected parcel of land. Upon a determination by the Borough that sanitary sewer facilities are available to a parcel utilizing a permitted septic system, the applicant shall be required to obtain all necessary permits and to pay all fees for connection to the public sanitary sewer system prior to expiration of the ninety-day time period after public sanitary sewer facilities have been determined to be available by the Borough. All holding tank facilities shall be abandoned and removed completely prior to the expiration of the said ninety-day period.
(5) 
No permit shall issue for the installation of an on-lot septic system unless the applicant shall have executed an agreement with the Borough establishing maintenance standards and a future connection schedule. The agreement shall require that the applicant shall provide the Borough with an executed copy of a maintenance contract for the system and be accompanied by an approved bond or cash escrow with the Borough to guarantee the maintenance standards as well as for permit review and periodic inspections. In addition, the applicant shall provide an approved bond or escrow deposit to guarantee the operation, abandonment and removal of the system, as well as a cash permit fee to pay Borough expenses for administrative costs. All escrows and fee amounts shall be in accordance with the current New Britain Borough Schedule of Fees. In the event of any system malfunction or notice to correct from the Borough Inspector or Engineer, the applicant shall immediately effect any necessary repairs or corrections and, in default thereof, the Borough may apply the applicant's bond or escrowed funds to address any malfunction or make any needed corrections to the facility. Should any of the required bonds or escrow amounts be depleted by as much as 50%, the applicant shall post an additional amount sufficient to restore the full amount of the escrow or bond required pursuant to this paragraph. The agreement shall require that any applicant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Borough and any other agencies having jurisdiction over the facilities from any and all costs, losses, expenses or other liability arising from the design, installation or maintenance of any holding tank facility; and, further, the applicant shall release the Borough and any agencies having jurisdiction over the facilities of any liability for losses or projected losses resulting from any order to abandon the facilities before conventional public sewerage facilities are available to the applicant.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection F(6), providing penalties, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 4-14-2015 by Ord. No. 361.
A. 
All electric, telephone and communication service facilities, both main and service lines, shall be provided by underground cables, installed in accordance with the prevailing standards and practices of the utility and other companies providing such services, except where it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Borough Council that the underground installation required is not feasible because of existing conditions.
B. 
Where possible, all utilities shall be located within the street right-of-way; otherwise, easements or rights-of-way of sufficient width for installation and maintenance shall be provided.
C. 
Final plans shall show locations of all utilities and shall be coordinated with required street tree planting.