The chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Union Township
Stormwater Management Ordinance."
The Board of Supervisors of Union 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 Union Township and all the people of the commonwealth,
their resources and the environment.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and welfare by minimizing the damages described in § 225-2A 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 Union 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 Union Township.
The Township of Union 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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq., and 53 P.S.
§ 65101 et seq., respectively.
A.
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 Union under the applicable
specifications of this chapter. The 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 standard 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.
B.
To prevent the adverse impacts of stormwater runoff, the Union 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:
(1)
Any logging and agricultural activity which is consistent with an
approved soil conservation plan or a timber management plan prepared
or approved by Washington County Conservation District, as applicable.
(2)
Additions or modifications to existing single-family structures less
than 1,000 square feet.
(3)
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 is not part of a larger common development
plan.
(4)
Repairs to any stormwater treatment practice deemed necessary by
the Township of Union.
C.
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 Union.
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.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
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.
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.
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
The conservation district serving Washington County, Pennsylvania.
A pipe, conduit or similar structure, including appurtenant
works, which carries surface water.
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.
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.
Any landowner, agent or 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.
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.
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
The removal of said particles by the action of water, wind,
ice or other geological agents.
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.
Replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies.
A surface which prevents the percolation of water into the
ground.
Any structure or device designed to infiltrate retained water
to the subsurface. These facilities may be above grade or below grade.
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.
Union Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
The applicable agency of the United States Department of
Agriculture; formerly the Soil Conservation Service (SCS).[1]
A tract of land on which trees and plants are raised or stored
for transplanting and sale.
The maximum rate of flow of water at a given point and time,
resulting from a specified storm event.
That part of precipitation which flows over the land.
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension,
is being transported or has been moved from its site of origin by
water.
A barrier, dam, retention or detention basin designed to
retain sediment.
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
material and into which surface water is directed for infiltration
into the ground.
A surface such as stone, rock, concrete or other materials
which permits some vertical transmission of water.
A method of runoff computation developed by the Soil Conservation
Service and found in its publication "Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds,"
Technical Release No. 55, January 1975.
A system of pipes or other conduits which carry intercepted
surface runoff, street water and other wash waters or drainage, but
excludes domestic sewage and industrial wastes.
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.
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 or access or any residential
dwelling, shall be exempted.
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface
water runoff.
