[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 1]
1.
Title. This Part shall be known and may be cited as "The Richland
Township Grading Ordinance."
2.
Purpose. The purpose of this Part is to provide minimum standards
to safeguard persons and property, to protect and to promote the public
welfare, by preventing excess erosion, hazardous rock and soil slippage,
sediment production and other soil and water management problems,
and by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality
of materials, use, location and maintenance of grading, excavation
and fill.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 2: as amended by Ord. 278,
9/18/1991]
Wherever used in this Part the following words shall have the
meaning indicated:
The person qualified and officially appointed by the Board
of Supervisors to manage this Part.
Natural rock layer, hard or soft, in place at ground surface
or beneath unconsolidated surficial deposits.
A person licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to
practice engineering and who is knowledgeable in the branch of civil
engineering.
A person who holds a degree in geology from an accredited
college or university and who has training and experience in the field
of engineering geology.
The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by
water, wind, ice or gravity, including such processes as gravitational
creep.
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar
material is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced,
relocated or bulldozed and shall include the conditions resulting
therefrom.
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other foreign
material is deposited, placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported
or moved to a new location and shall include the condition resulting.
The Board of Supervisors of the Township of Richland.
Excavation or fill or any combination thereof and shall include
the conditions resulting from any excavation or fill.
Any permit required under these regulations.
A danger or potential danger to life, limb, or health, or
an adverse effect, or potential adverse effect, to the safety, use
or stability of property, waterways, public ways, structures, utilities
and storm sewers, including stream pollution.
A natural person but shall also include a partnership, corporation,
trust or association.
A lot, tract or parcel of land, or a series of lots, tracts,
or parcels of land which are adjoining where grading work is continuous
and performed at the same time.
The unpublished and operational soil survey for Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania, and the accompanying text, Soil Survey Interpretations
of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, as prepared by the USDA Soil Conservation
Service, et al. When applicable, "soil survey" shall mean Soil Survey,
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, when this publication is completed.
A person registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as
a professional engineer and who has training and experience in the
branch of soils engineering.
All parts or combinations of ashes, garbage, refuse, radioactive
material, combustible demolition materials and industrial wastes such
as food-processing wastes, woods, plastic, metal scrap, etc.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 3; as amended by Ord. 278,
9/18/1991]
1.
A grading permit must be obtained from the Authorized Township Official
for new grading, excavations and fills and any changes, additions
or alterations made to existing excavations or fills shall conform
to the provisions of these regulations. A separate grading permit
shall be required for each site. One permit may cover the grading,
excavation and any fills made on the same site, when related to each
other.
2.
Only one permit is required for a continuous parcel to be graded
for a proposed major planned development, such as residential planned
unit development or a planned industrial park when adequate standards
or requirements for grading the parcel are approved by the Authorized
Township Official.
3.
Fees for permits shall be determined by the Township Supervisors
by motion at any regular or special meeting.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 4]
A grading permit will not be required for any of the following
situations when:
A.
Grading is limited to mining, quarrying or stockpiling of coal, rock,
sand, aggregate or clay that satisfy requirements of regulations of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B.
Grading is limited to solid waste disposal areas or sanitary landfills
operated in accordance with the requirements, rules and ordinances
adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources
and the Allegheny County Department of Health.
C.
Excavation does not exceed five feet in vertical depth, does not
result in cut and/or fill slope steeper than four horizontal to one
vertical and does not exceed an area of 1,000 square feet for areas
recognized by the soil survey or better source as containing landslide-prone
soils. Better sources recognizing landslide-prone soil areas may be
the Pennsylvania Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, a professional
engineer experienced in geology or an engineering geologist.
D.
Excavation does not exceed 10 feet in vertical depth, does not result
in a cut or fill slope steeper than three horizontal to one vertical
and does not exceed an area of 5,000 square feet in areas of soils
not recognized by the soil survey or better as landslide-prone.
E.
Fill amount does not exceed 500 cubic yards on any one site.
F.
Fill does not exceed 10 feet in vertical depth at its deepest point
measured from the top of such fill to the natural ground surface,
the area of fill does not exceed 5,000 square feet and the slope of
fill is not steeper than three horizontal to one vertical.
G.
Grading does not exceed new construction authorized by a building
permit properly issued by the Board of Supervisors. Grading under
the authorization of a building permit should follow the standards
and requirements of this Part.
H.
Soil excavated under the authorization of a building permit properly
issued by the Board of Supervisors is temporarily stockpiled on the
same site as excavation; provided, however, that if the material from
such excavation is thereafter to be used for fill purposes for which
a grading permit is required, such permit must be obtained prior to
such use in accordance with the requirements of this Part. In addition,
if excavated material is stockpiled on a site for a period of longer
than 120 days, then a permit shall be necessary when disposing of
the fill material.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 5; as amended by Ord. 278,
9/18/1991]
1.
Whenever the Board of Supervisors, upon the recommendation of its Authorized Township Official, determines that any existing excavation, embankment or fill has become a hazard as defined in § 102, the owner of the property upon which the excavation, embankment or fill is located, or other person or agent in control of said property, upon receipt of notice in writing from the Authorized Township Official, shall within the reasonable period specified therein repair, reconstruct or remove such excavation, embankment, or fill so as to eliminate the hazard.
2.
If, after such notification, the property owner has not made the
necessary repairs within the time adopted, then the Board of Supervisors
may take the necessary action to make the required repairs and the
cost thereof shall be borne by the property owner by a lien filed
as provided by law.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 6; as amended by Ord. 237,
7/15/1987; as amended by Ord. 278, 9/18/1991]
1.
Every applicant for a grading permit shall file a written application
therefor with the Authorized Township Official in a form prescribed
by the Authorized Township Official. Such application shall:
A.
Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by lot,
block, tract or street address, or similar description which will
readily identify and definitely locate the proposed work.
B.
Be accompanied by plans and specifications prepared, signed and sealed
by a professional engineer or architect giving a reasonable picture
of the site and proposed soil erosion controls, if any. The Authorized
Township Official may waive the preparation or approval and signature
by the professional engineer or architect only when it is self-evident
that the proposed work is simple, clearly shown on the plans submitted,
and creates no potential nuisance to adjacent property or hazard,
and does not include the construction of a fill upon which a structure
may be erected. Such plans may include a description of the site proposed
for grading; accurate location by lot, block, tract, street address,
longitude and latitude, co-ordinates, a location map or other similar
information; a contour map showing the present contours of the land
and the proposed contours of the land after completion of the proposed
grading, and a plan showing cross-sections of the proposed cut or
fill which show the method of benching both cut and/or fill. In addition,
a plot plan may show the location of the grading, boundaries, lot
lines, neighboring streets or ways, buildings, surface and subsurface
utilities and waterways. In addition, plans may include a description
of the type and classification of the soil from the soil survey or
better; details and location of any proposed drainage structures and
pipes, walls, and cribbing; seeding locations and schedules, debris
basins, diversion channels; nature of fill material and such other
information as the Authorized Township Official may need to carry
out the purposes of this Part. All plans shall be dated and bear:
C.
State the estimated dates for the starting and completion of grading
work.
D.
State the purpose for which the grading application is filed.
2.
The duty of the Authorized Township Official shall be to obtain information
and reports from governmental agencies, and scientific and/or engineering
journals, if available, and professional engineers and/or engineering
geologists, if necessary. This information and these reports must
be of sufficient detail to insure that proposed grading will not create
a hazard and that there will be a minimum of soil erosion on the site
to be graded.
3.
To be adequate, a geological report may include a detailed description
of the geological conditions of the site; may include conclusions
and recommendations that will demonstrate the relationship of the
geological conditions to the proposed development, including hazardous
conditions, water resources, mineral resources and environmental impact.
A soil conservation report may include existing site description as
to topography, drainage, cover and soils; major resource problems
as to soil limitations, erosion and sediment potential and surface
runoff charges; and recommendations to minimize soil limitations,
erosion and sediment, and surface water disposal problems.
4.
In no case shall the Authorized Township Official require more than
minimum adequate standards, as recommended by governmental agencies,
professional engineers or engineering geologists, and other requirements
specified in this Part for issuing a grading permit.
5.
No permit to grade or excavate land shall be issued until a stormwater management plan meeting the requirements of the Stormwater Ordinance [Chapter 26, Part 1] has been prepared and approved by the Township Engineer, or a certificate signed by the Township Zoning Officer verifying that the proposed operation does not require such a plan has been presented to the Authorized Township Official.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 7]
Before issuance of a grading permit, the applicant shall post
a bond, with a Pennsylvania approved corporate surety, or other approved
security in the amount of 10% of the estimated cost of the grading
work and erosion control facilities proposed for the permit to guarantee
performance of said work and facilities in a satisfactory manner and
meeting the requirements of this Part. No bond shall be required if
another bond or other approved security is posted for construction
and/or site improvements. When all requirements of this permit have
been met, security shall be returned to the person posting said security.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 8; as amended by Ord. 278,
9/18/1991]
Every grading permit shall expire by limitation and become null
and void if the work authorized by such permit has not been commenced
within one year or is not completed within the time indicated on the
permit; provided, the Supervisors, acting upon the recommendation
of the Authorized Township Official, may, if the permit holder presents
satisfactory evidence that unusual difficulties have prevented work
being started or completed within the specified time limits, grant
a reasonable extension of time, and, provided further, that the application
for the extension of time is made before the date of expiration of
the permit. Any physical changes in the site such as surface water
drainage, soil and bedrock dislocations, alteration of groundwater
discharge or any other natural or man-made modification which would
cause a doubt to be cast upon the feasibility of the contents of the
original permit approval, must be reported to the Authorized Township
Official in the intervening period between approval of permit and
completion of the project.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, 59; as amended by Ord. 278, 9/18/1991]
1.
When the requirements of this Part for obtaining a permit have been
met, the Authorized Township Official shall approve the proposed plan
and grant a grading permit to the applicant. Approved work may then
start. However, when in the opinion of the Authorized Township Official
work proposed by the applicant is likely to endanger any property,
or person, or any street or alley, or create hazardous conditions,
the grading permit shall be denied. In determining whether the proposed
work is likely to endanger property or streets or alleys, or create
hazardous conditions, the Authorized Township Official shall give
due consideration to possible saturation by rains, earth movements,
runoff surface waters and subsurface conditions such as the stratification
and faulting of rock, aquifers, springs and the nature and type of
the soil or rock.
2.
The Board of Supervisors shall consider within 45 days an appeal
from the provisions of this Part from the denial by the Authorized
Township Official, and the Board of Supervisors within 45 days shall
consider alternate methods, standards or the provisions of these regulations
is unnecessary. Any applicant or permit holder shall have the right
to appeal to any court of competent jurisdiction from any decision
of the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1987, § 10; as amended by Ord.
278, 9/18/1991]
1.
The permittee or his agent shall notify the Authorized Township Official
in writing of the start and completion of each continuous grading
operation. Notice shall be received by the Authorized Township Official
at his office at least two working days before start or completion
of grading operations.
2.
Grading work at these stages or at any other time will be subject
to spot inspections at the discretion of the Authorized Township Official
to determine that the work is being performed in compliance with this
Part.
3.
In special cases, when grading occurs in areas of landslide-prone
soil as recognized by the soil survey or better, the Authorized Township
Official may require special precautions from the grader. The results
of all soil tests and core borings made relating to the site graded
shall be submitted to the Authorized Township Official.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 1; as amended by Ord. 278,
9/18/1991]
1.
Maximum slope steepness of cut should be three horizontal to one
vertical for minimizing erosion and landslide hazard. However, a governmental
review agency, professional engineer or engineering geologist may
recognize the types of soil on the site to be graded from the soil
survey or better. Maximum slopes can then be determined as follows:
A.
Landslide-prone soils where slopes greater than 25% shall have cut
slopes no steeper than three horizontal to one vertical. Soil survey
map symbols are:
|
34-DE-6
|
3-E-2
|
34-F-1
|
65-E-2
|
B.
Landslide-prone soils where slopes are less than 25% shall have cut
slopes no steeper than two horizontal to one vertical. Soil survey
map symbols are:
|
34-DE-6
|
3-E-2
|
34-F-1
|
65-E-2
|
|
32-B-2
|
34-C-2
|
65-C-2
|
67-C-2
|
|
32-C-2
|
34-D-2
|
65-D-2
|
67-D-2
|
|
34-B-2
|
65-B-2
|
67-B-1
|
C.
Soils which are not or have a low probability of being landslide-prone
shall have a slope not steeper than one-and-one-half horizontal to
one vertical. All soil survey map symbols except the symbols listed
above denote soils of low landslide probability.
2.
Cut slopes which are steeper than those specified above may be allowed
under a grading permit, provided one or both of the following is satisfied:
A.
The material in which the excavation is made is sufficiently stable
to sustain a slope steeper than the slope specified above for recognized
soil conditions on the site. A written statement, signed and sealed
by a professional engineer, stating that the steeper slope will have
sufficient stability and that risk of creating a hazard will be slight,
must be submitted to the Authorized Township Secretary.
B.
A retaining wall or other approved support, designed by a professional
engineer and approved by the Authorized Township Secretary, is provided
to support the face of excavation.
3.
The top or bottom edge of slopes shall generally be set back from
adjacent property lines or street right-of-way lines in order to permit
the normal rounding of the edge without encroaching on the abutting
property or street.
4.
Guidelines for cuts in the "Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook
for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania" should be followed. One or a combination
of guidelines should be used to minimize hazard, depending on site
conditions and proposed grading.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 12]
1.
No fill should be placed over trees, stumps or other material which
could create a hazard. Instead, such materials may be buried in natural
ground where no structures will be built or hazard created, limbs
can be chipped and mixed with the topsoil.
2.
All fills should be compacted to provide stability or fill material
and to prevent undesirable settlement or slippage.
3.
Clean soil or earth should be placed over the top and exposed surfaces
of the fill to a depth sufficient to conceal all materials used in
the fill other than clean soil or earth. If the filling operation
is intermittent, the top and exposed surfaces of the fill should be
so covered at the completion of each lift.
4.
The top or bottom edge of slopes should generally be set back from
adjacent property lines or street right-of-way lines in order to permit
the normal rounding of the edge without encroaching on the abutting
property or street.
5.
Guidelines for fills in the "Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook
for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania," should be followed. One or a
combination of guidelines should be used to minimize hazard, depending
on site conditions and proposed grading.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 13; as amended by Ord.
278, 9/18/1991]
Guidelines for minimizing erosion and sediment in the "Erosion
and Sediment Control Handbook for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania,"
should be followed. One or a combination of guidelines should be used
to minimize hazard, depending on site conditions and proposed grading.
However, the Authorized Township Official may approve grading plans
not meeting guidelines of the handbook if proposed grading will not
constitute a hazard. Governmental and/or engineering reports should
be used as evidence that proposed grading will not constitute a hazard.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 14; as amended by Ord.
278, 9/18/1991]
1.
Definition of "retaining wall" - a structure composed of concrete,
steel or other approved building material constructed for the purpose
of supporting a cut or filled embankment which would otherwise not
comply with the requirements of the standard set forth in this Part
and which is more than four feet in height as measured on the exposed
vertical surface of the wall.
2.
If a retaining wall is constructed to satisfy a requirement of this
Part a building permit, as provided for by other municipal regulations,
shall not be required. The grading permit will apply to the retaining
wall, and the requirements for inspection, etc., as stated herein
will be complied with.
3.
Retaining walls must be constructed in accordance with sound engineering
practice. The plans submitted for approval shall bear the seal of
a professional engineer.
4.
The backfilling of retaining walls and the insertion of subterranean
drainage facilities shall be done strictly in accordance with the
provisions of this Part and the appropriate municipal specifications.
5.
In general, where a wall is replacing an exposed slope, the vertical
face of the wall shall be 3' - 0" back from the adjoining property.
A.
A modification to this requirement may be applied for and granted
by the Authorized Township Official if it can be satisfactorily demonstrated
that such a variance is necessary to insure normal use of the property,
i.e., for a sideline driveway.
B.
The requirements of this § 114 may also be modified when
the proposed retaining wall is a joint venture between adjacent property
owners, and appropriate documents so stating are filed with the application
for the permit.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 15; as amended by Ord.
278, 9/18/1991]
2.
To prevent damage, grading plans should follow Vegetative Control
Methods and Ditch and Conduit Control Methods in the "Erosion and
Sediment Control Handbook for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania," when
they fit the site. The Authorized Township Official may approve methods
and materials more suitable to the site in preventing damage when
recommended by governmental agencies and professional engineers. Drainage
facilities shall be designed to accommodate the maximum rainfall of
any ten-year period.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 16; as amended by Ord.
278, 9/18/1991]
1.
The owner of any property on which an excavation or fill has been
made shall maintain in good condition and repair the excavation or
fill permitted, and also all retaining walls, cribbing, drainage structures,
fences, ground cover, and any other protective devices as may be a
part of the permit requirements.
2.
If, at any time subsequent to the completion of the grading work,
the cut face or fill slope shall evidence signs of deterioration,
erosion, or other evidence which might be detrimental to the properties
above and below the grading site, the Board of Supervisors, upon the
recommendation of its Authorized Township Official, may direct the
property owner to take necessary remedial steps in accordance with
sound engineering practice to restore the grading to a safe condition,
and to do so in a reasonable period of time.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 17]
Neither the issuance of a permit under the provisions of this
Part, nor the compliance with the provisions hereto or with any condition
imposed by the building official hereunder, shall relieve any person
from any responsibility for damage to persons or property resulting
therefrom, or as otherwise imposed by law, nor impose any liability
upon the Township for damages to persons or property.
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 18; as amended by Ord.
135, 11/21/1978; by Ord. 278, 9/18/1991; by Ord. 325, 7/3/1996; and
by Ord. 336, 2/5/1997]
1.
No person shall construct, enlarge, alter, repair or maintain any
grading, excavation or fill, or cause the same to be done contrary
to or in violation of any provision of this Part.
2.
When written notice of any of the provisions of this Part has been
served by the Authorized Township Official on any person, such violation
shall be discontinued immediately or within a reasonable time limit
specified in such notice. If the violation is not discontinued, or
extends beyond the specified time limit, the Authorized Township Official
shall revoke the grading permit and the violator is subject to fine.
3.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this Part shall,
upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial
District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of
not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment
thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation
continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate
offense, and each section of this Part that is violated shall also
constitute a separate offense.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
[Ord. 76, 11/21/1972, § 19]
In case any work is performed by any person in violation of
any of the provisions of this Part, the proper officer of the Township,
in addition to other remedies, may institute in the name of the Township,
any appropriate action or proceeding, whether by legal process or
otherwise, to prevent such unlawful work and to restrain or abate
such violation.
