[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Pine Plains 10-20-1988 by L.L. No. 4-1988. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It is the purpose of this chapter to protect the public health,
safety and welfare in the Town of Pine Plains by regulating site preparation
and construction activities, including excavation, filling, grading
and stripping, so as to prevent problems related to erosion, sediment,
or drainage. In relation to this purpose this chapter is intended
to:
A.
Preserve the quality of the natural environment from such adverse
effects of site preparation and construction as:
(1)
Pollution
of lakes, ponds and watercourses from silt or other materials;
(2)
Unnecessary
destruction of trees and other vegetation;
(3)
Exposure
of soil to erosion;
(4)
Unnecessary
modification of natural topography or unique geological features;
and
(5)
Failure
to restore sites to an attractive natural condition.
B.
Protect people and properties from such adverse effects of site preparation
and construction as:
C.
Protect the Town and other governmental bodies from having to undertake,
at public expense, programs of repairing roads and other public facilities,
of providing flood protection facilities, and of compensating private
property owners for the destruction of properties arising from the
adverse effects of site preparation and construction.
In accordance with Article 9 of the Town Law of the State of
New York, the Town Board of the Town of Pine Plains has the authority
to enact local laws for the purpose of promoting the health, safety
or general welfare of the Town of Pine Plains, including protection
and preservation of the property of its inhabitants. By the same authority,
the Town Board may include in any such local law provision for the
appointment of any municipal officers or employees to effectuate and
administer such local law.
In order that site preparation and construction activities may
be in conformance with the provisions of this chapter, this chapter
is hereby adopted and shall be known and may be cited as the "Erosion
and Sediment Control Local Law of the Town of Pine Plains."
Upon the approval of this chapter by the Town Board, all site
preparation and construction activities requiring a permit under this
chapter shall be in conformance with the provisions set forth herein.
Where this chapter imposes greater restrictions than are imposed
by the provisions of any other law, local law, regulation or private
agreement, this chapter shall control. Where greater restrictions
are imposed by any law, local law, regulation or private agreement
than are imposed by this chapter, such greater restrictions shall
control.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
All activities directly related to the growing or raising
of crops or livestock for the sale of agricultural produce, including
horticultural and fruit operations (excluding logging activities).
The person who is designated by the Town Board to administer,
maintain and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
The gravitational movement of water or other liquids by surface
runoff or subsurface flow.
The wearing away of the land surface by action of wind, water,
gravity or other natural forces.
Any activity which removes or significantly disturbs rock,
gravel, sand, soil or other natural deposits.
Any activity which deposits natural or artificial material
so as to modify the surface or subsurface conditions of land, lakes,
ponds or watercourses.
The alteration of the surface and/or subsurface conditions
of land, lakes, ponds or watercourses.
The application of a layer of plant residue or other material
for the purpose of effectively controlling erosion and encouraging
plant growth.
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension,
is being transported, has been deposited or has been removed from
its site of origin by erosion.
The activities of stripping, excavation, filling and/or grading,
no matter what the purpose of these activities.
All unconsolidated mineral or nonliving organic material
of whatever origin which overlies bedrock.
Any activity which removes or significantly disturbs trees,
brush, grass or any other kind of vegetation.
The natural surface layer of soil, usually darker than subsurface
layers, to a depth of at least six inches within an undisturbed area
of soils.
Any natural or artificial stream, river, creek, ditch, channel,
canal, conduit, culvert, drainageway, gully, ravine, or wash in which
water flows in a definite direction or course, either continuously
or intermittently, and which has a definite channel, bed and banks;
and any area adjacent thereto subject to inundation by reasons of
overflow, flood or stormwater.
Areas of aquatic or semi-aquatic vegetation, or any areas
which have been mapped as such by the Town Planning Board, the Town
Conservation Advisory Council, the County Department of Planning,
the County Soil and Water Conservation District or the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation under the Freshwater Wetlands
Act.[1]
A.
None of the following activities shall be commenced until a permit
has been issued under the provisions of this chapter:
(1)
Site preparation within wetlands;
(2)
Site preparation on slopes which exceed one foot of vertical rise
to four feet of horizontal distance or site preparation in soils known
to be subject to severe erosion; soil composition shall be determined
by the Dutchess County Soil Survey maps.
(3)
Site preparation within the one-hundred-year floodplain of any watercourse;
(4)
Excavation which affects more than 100 cubic yards of material within
any parcel or any one subdivision;
(5)
Stripping which affects more than 1/2 acre of ground surface within
any parcel or any one subdivision;
(6)
Grading which affects more than 1/2 acre of ground surface within
any parcel or any one subdivision;
(7)
Filling which exceeds a total of 300 cubic yards of material within
any parcel or any one subdivision; and
(8)
A development or subdivision of five or more units, or any development
or subdivision requiring any new street or the extension of municipal
facilities or private roads serving three or more units.
B.
The following activities are exempt from permit requirements:
A.
Before any site preparation requiring a permit under § 149-7 of this chapter is commenced, seven copies of a permit application shall have been filed with the authorized enforcement official, and this application shall have been approved and a permit shall have been granted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
B.
Upon filing an application for a permit, the applicant(s) shall pay to the Town a fee of $50 for any activity affecting three or fewer acres and $100 for any activity affecting greater than three acres if a permit may be required under § 149-7A(4), (5), (6), (7) or (8) of this chapter; otherwise, the applicant(s) shall pay a fee of $50. Additionally, should it be determined by the authorized enforcement official that the services of an engineer or other consultant are necessary to evaluate the permit, the applicant shall be responsible for payment of such costs and the authorized enforcement official may require an advance deposit to cover such expenses as estimated by him.
C.
The authorized enforcement official, acting, if deemed necessary
by him, with recommendations from the Planning Board, Superintendent
of Highways and the Conservation Advisory Council or an engineer or
other consultant retained by the Town, shall have the authority to
grant or deny all permits pursuant to this chapter.[1]
D.
Copies of the permit application shall be submitted to the authorized
enforcement official, who shall notify the Planning Board, Superintendent
of Highways and the Conservation Advisory Council as needed. Recommendations
on the application shall be made within 30 days of the date of filing
of a complete application.[2]
E.
If the authorized enforcement official requests an advisory recommendation
from the Planning Board, the Planning Board may, upon its discretion,
conduct public hearings on permit applications, which hearings shall
be fixed at a reasonable time by the Planning Board and shall be given
notice by a newspaper of general circulation in the Town at least
five days prior to the date thereof. The applicant must cause such
notice to be published and must provide the Planning Board with an
affidavit of publication. If such public hearing is conducted, the
time within which the Planning Board renders its recommendations shall
be extended by an additional 15 days.
G.
Prior to granting a permit, the authorized enforcement official shall
determine that the request is in harmony with the purpose and standards
set forth in this chapter. Where the proposed activity also requires
a building or other permit, such shall not be issued until an erosion
control permit has been issued.
H.
In granting a permit, the authorized enforcement official shall fix
a reasonable time limit for the termination of the permit and may
attach any conditions which he/she deems necessary to assure compliance
with the provisions of this chapter.
I.
Major modifications (as determined by the authorized enforcement
official) of the terms of approved permit shall follow the same application,
review and approval procedures as those set forth in this section
for the original permit. Minor modifications may be made by the authorized
enforcement official.
J.
Inspections; remedies for violations.
(1)
It shall be the responsibility of the authorized enforcement official,
or an engineer designated by the Town, to inspect the sites as frequently
as necessary to assure compliance with the terms of approved permits
and the provisions of this chapter and to submit written notification
of any violations of these terms or provisions to the Town Planning
Board and the authorized enforcement official. The applicant shall
pay reasonable inspection fees to defray such expense.
(2)
In the event that any of the activities described in § 149-7 are undertaken by any person who has not been issued a permit, or if work undertaken under a permit is not in compliance with the terms of the permit or of this chapter, the authorized enforcement official shall be authorized to issue an order to remedy and to require such further compliance with this chapter as is necessary to effect its purpose and goals. The authorized enforcement official may, with the assistance of the Town Attorney, make application to the New York State Supreme Court for injunctive relief or file an information in the Town Justice Court.
(3)
For any and every violation of the provisions of this chapter or
failure to comply with an order to remedy, the owner, general agent
or contractor of the building or premises where such violation has
been committed or shall exist, and the lessee or tenant of an entire
premises where such violations have been committed or shall exist
and the owner, general agent, or contractor, lessee or tenant of any
part of the premises in which part such violations have been committed,
or shall exist, and the general agent, architect, builder or contractor
or any other person who commits, takes part or assists in such violation
or who maintains any premises in which any such violation shall exist
shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $250 or to imprisonment for
not more than six months, or both. Each and every day the violation
continues, after the owner, general agent or contractor of the building
or premises where such violation has occurred has been notified thereof,
shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct violation subject to
separate penalties. In addition thereto, any erosion control permit
and any other permit separately issued for such activity shall be
deemed void until the authorized enforcement official determines that
the permittee has taken such steps as necessary to conform to this
chapter.
K.
If at any time during the effective period of a permit or if upon
its expiration the terms of the permit are violated, the Town Building
Inspector may revoke the permit and may require that any performance
guarantees be forfeited to the Town. If the applicant shall be unable
to complete the project or any phase thereof within the specified
time, he shall, 10 days prior to the specified date of expiration,
present in writing a request for an extension of time, setting forth
therein the reasons for the request. If, in the discretion of the
authorized official, such an extension is warranted, he/she may grant
additional time for the completion of the work.
A.
A property owner(s) or his agent(s) may initiate a request for a
permit or the modification of a permit by filing with the authorized
enforcement official seven copies of an application; the authorized
enforcement official shall promptly forward copies of the application
to the Town Planning Board, Superintendent of Highways and the Conservation
Advisory Council. Maps and plans accompanying the application shall
be prepared by a licensed engineer unless waived by the authorized
enforcement official. The authorized official may require that additional
copies of the application be filed and he/she may modify the requirements
concerning materials to accompany the application by waiving or adding
such requirements as he/she deems appropriate to the nature and scope
of the proposed activities. The authorized official may require the
applicant(s) to resubmit application materials if they are deemed
to be of insufficient scale or quality or do not meet the standards
of this section.[1]
B.
Except for modifications authorized or required by the authorized
enforcement official, each application shall contain the following
material:
(1)
Existing features map(s), at a scale no smaller than one inch equals
100 feet, indicating:
(a)
The boundaries of all parcels on which site preparation activities
are proposed to be undertaken and boundaries of all parcels adjacent
to the subject site;
(b)
All structures and roads adjacent to the parcels on which site
preparation activities are proposed to be undertaken, the structures
identified by their uses and the roads identified by their surface
materials and width or surface;
(c)
All watercourses within a distance of 500 feet of the parcels
on which site preparation activities are proposed to be undertaken;
(d)
Existing topography at contour intervals of two feet on the
parcels on which site preparation activities are proposed to be undertaken;
(e)
All sewer, water, gas and electric lines and all other utilities
within the parcels on which site preparation activities are proposed
to be undertaken;
(f)
All vegetation areas on the site proposed for and subject to
site preparation activities; including areas of grass, areas of brush,
and wooded areas and tree clusters;
(g)
The depth to bedrock on the site proposed for site preparation
activities, if determined during site evaluation;
(h)
The depth to permanent groundwater aquifers on the site proposed
for site preparation activities, if such depth is determined during
site evaluation;
(i)
The boundary of the one-hundred-year floodplain and floodway
must be shown, together with designated wetland boundaries where applicable;
(j)
Drainage computations prior to site preparation and after site
preparation if required; and
(k)
Environmental assessment form (long-form).
(2)
Development standards. All development, plus specifications and timing
schedules, including extensions of previously approved plans, shall
comply with provisions for erosion and sediment control in accordance
with standards and specifications contained in a manual entitled "Soil
Erosion and Sediment Control Guidebook" published by the Dutchess
County Soil and Water Conservation District, as it may be revised.
In the event of conflict with this chapter, the provisions herein
shall prevail.
(3)
An operations map(s) shall be submitted, at the same scale as the maps prepared in Subsection B(1), which present a complete erosion and sediment control plan and which indicate:
(a)
All excavation, filling, and grading proposed to be undertaken,
identified as to the depth, volume, and nature of the materials involved;
(b)
All stripping, identified as to the nature of vegetation affected;
(c)
All areas where topsoil is removed and stockpiled and where
topsoil is ultimately placed, identified as to the depth of topsoil
in each such area;
(d)
All temporary and permanent vegetation to be placed on the site,
identified as to planting type, size and extent;
(e)
All temporary and permanent drainage, erosion and sediment control
facilities, including such facilities as ponds and sediment basins,
identified as to the type of facility, the materials from which they
are constructed, their dimensions and their capacity in gallons;
(f)
The anticipated pattern of surface drainage during periods of
peak runoff, upon completion of site preparation and construction
activities, identified as to rate and direction of flow at all major
points within the drainage system;
(g)
The location of all roads, driveways, sidewalks, structures,
utilities and other improvements; and
(h)
Both existing and proposed contours of the site in intervals
of two feet.
(4)
There shall be presented a time schedule which is keyed to the operations
map(s), indicating:
(a)
When major phases of the proposed project are to be initiated
and completed;
(b)
When major site preparation activities are to be initiated and
completed;
(c)
When the installation of temporary and permanent vegetation
and drainage, erosion and sediment control facilities is to be completed;
and
(d)
The anticipated duration (in days) of exposure of all major
areas of site preparation before the installation of erosion and sediment
control measures.
(5)
An estimate of the costs of providing temporary and permanent vegetation
and drainage, erosion, and sediment control facilities shall be prepared
by the applicant's engineer and confirmed by a designated representative
of the Town.
In granting a permit under this chapter, the standards and considerations
taken into account shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
A.
Excavation, filling, grading, and stripping shall be permitted to
be undertaken only in such locations and in such a manner as to minimize
the potential of erosion and sediment and the threat to the health,
safety, and welfare of neighboring property owners and the general
public;
B.
Site preparation and construction shall be fitted to the vegetation,
topography, and other natural features of the site and shall preserve
as many of these features as feasible;
C.
The control of erosion and sediment shall be a continuous process
undertaken as necessary prior to, during and after site preparation
and construction;
D.
The smallest practical area of land shall be exposed by site preparation
at any given time;
E.
The exposure of areas by site preparation shall be kept to the shortest
practical period of time prior to the construction of structures or
improvements or the restoration of the exposed areas to an attractive
natural condition;
F.
Mulching or temporary vegetation suitable to the site shall be used
where necessary to protect areas exposed by site preparation, and
permanent vegetation which is well adapted to the site shall be installed
as soon as practicable;
G.
Where slopes are to be revegetated in areas exposed by site preparation,
the slopes shall not be of such steepness that vegetation cannot be
readily established or that problems of erosion or sediment may result;
H.
Site preparation and construction shall not adversely affect the
free flow of water by encroaching on, blocking, or restricting watercourses;
I.
All fill material shall be of a composition suitable for the ultimate
use of the fill, free of rubbish and carefully restricted in its content
of brush, stumps, tree debris, rocks, frozen material and soft or
easily compressible material;
J.
Fill material shall be compacted sufficiently to prevent problems
of erosion; and where the material is to support structures, it shall
be compacted to a minimum of 90% of standard Proctor with proper moisture
control;
K.
All topsoil which is excavated from a site shall be stockpiled and
used for the restoration of the site, and such stockpiles, where necessary,
shall be seeded or otherwise treated to minimize the effects of erosion;
L.
Prior to, during and after site preparation and construction, an
integrated drainage system shall be provided which at all times minimizes
erosion, sediment, hazards of slope instability, and adverse effects
on neighboring property owners;
M.
The natural drainage system shall generally be preserved in preference
to modifications of this system, except where such modifications are
necessary to reduce levels of erosion and sediment and adverse effects
on neighboring property owners;
N.
All drainage systems shall be designed to handle adequately anticipated
flows both within the site and from the entire upstream drainage basin;
O.
Sufficient grades and drainage facilities shall be provided to prevent
the ponding of water, unless such ponding is proposed within site
plans, in which event there shall be sufficient water flow to maintain
proposed water levels and to avoid stagnation;
P.
Where necessary to minimize erosion and sediment, there shall be
provided such measures as benches, berms, terraces, diversions, and
sediment, debris and retention basins; and
Q.
Drainage systems, plantings, and other erosion or sediment control
devices shall be maintained as frequently as necessary to provide
adequate protection against erosion and sediment and to ensure that
the free flow of water is not obstructed by the accumulation of silt,
debris or other material or by structural damage.
A.
After the approval of the application and before the issuance of any permit, the applicant shall file with the Town of Pine Plains a performance guarantee of the estimated cost of the erosion control measures as provided under § 149-9B(5) and confirmed by an individual designated by the Town. The authorized enforcement official shall then set the amount of a performance guarantee, the same to be provided by one of the following:
B.
The authorized enforcement official may grant a wavier of such guarantee
if it deems the proposed activities to be of minor scope and to be
consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
C.
The party or parties filing the performance guarantee shall provide
that upon termination of either the permit or the operation, whichever
may come first, the project shall be in conformity with both the approved
specific requirements of the permit and the provisions of this chapter.
In the event of default of such or violation of any other applicable
laws, such performance guarantee shall be forfeited to the Town. If
such sum is forfeited, the Town shall return to the applicant any
amount that is not needed to cover the costs of restoration, administration
and any other expenses incurred by the Town as a result of the applicant's
default. Such performance guarantee shall continue in full force and
effect until a certificate of compliance shall have been issued by
the authorized enforcement official after such consultation with any
agencies or individuals as he/she deems necessary to insure that all
provisions of this chapter and of the permit have been met.
Where practical difficulties, unnecessary hardships and results
inconsistent with the general purpose of this chapter or certain provisions
thereof are encountered, exceptions may be granted by the Planning
Board.
A.
If there is any damage due to a violation of this chapter or if any
soil, liquid, or other material is caused to be deposited upon or
to roll, flow or wash upon any public property, private property,
or right-of-way in violation of this chapter, the person, firm, partnership,
corporation or other party responsible shall be notified and shall
cause the same to be corrected and removed from such property or way
and remedied within 36 hours of notice. In the event it is not so
remedied, the Town may cause such correction and remedial work to
be undertaken and the cost of such by the Town shall be paid to the
Town by the party who failed to so remedy and shall be a debt owed
to the Town, which, if unpaid for more than 30 days after demand for
payment, shall be a lien on the real property which was the source
of the material, which lien shall be collected by a levy added to
the next real property tax levy otherwise payable to the Town.
B.
Any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other party who or
which violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a
violation for a first offense and subject to a fine of no less than
$100 or more than $250. Should such person be convicted of a second
offense occurring within two years of a previously adjudicated offense,
he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not less
than $200 nor more than $500 or to imprisonment of not more than 30
days, or both such fine and imprisonment for each separate violation
of the same; and in addition, any party who violates any of the provisions
of this chapter or omits or refuses to perform any and every act hereby
required shall respectively forfeit and pay a civil penalty of $100
for each and every such violation and nonperformance. The imposition
of any such penalty for the violation of this chapter shall not excuse
such violation nor permit the continuance thereof. The application
of the above penalty or penalties for a violation of the provisions
of this chapter shall not be held to prevent the removal of conditions
prohibited by this chapter by such legal means as may be proper.
C.
Every day that a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter
continues after written notice shall have been served upon the owner
or his agent, either personally or by registered mail addressed to
such person at his last known address, shall constitute a separate
violation.
To the extent inconsistent therewith, this chapter shall supersede
Town Law § 130.
