[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 1]
1.
Title. This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Frazer 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 controlling the design, construction, quality
of materials, use, location and maintenance of grading, excavation,
and fill.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 2; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
Wherever used in this Part the following words shall have the
meaning indicated:
A person licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to
practice architecture.
Natural rock layer, hard or soft, in place at ground surface
or beneath unconsolidated surficial deposits.
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 material
is deposited, placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved
to a new location and shall include the condition resulting.
Excavation or fill or any combination thereof and shall include
the conditions resulting from any excavation or fill.
Any permit required under this Part.
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.
Any geologic formation that is especially susceptible to
landslides due to the presence of one or more conditions such as unstable
rock formations, soil types, groundwater seepage or saturated soils,
including without limitation, areas containing soils identified as
landslide prone in the Soil Survey of Allegheny County or other maps
or surveys in the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development,
or its successor.
A person licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to
practice engineering and who is knowledgeable in the branch of civil
engineering.
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 standards set forth in this Part, and which is more than four
feet in height as measured on the exposed vertical surface of the
wall.
The 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.
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, wood, plastic, metal scrap, etc.
A person registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as
a surveyor.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 3; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
1.
A grading permit must be obtained from the Township Code Official/Building
Inspector for new grading, excavations and fills; changes, additions
or alterations made to existing excavation 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.
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 Township
Code Official/Building Inspector.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 4; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
A grading permit will not be required for any of the following
situations:
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 Protection
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 five 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.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 5; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
1.
Whenever the Board of Supervisors, upon the recommendation of its Township Code Official/Building Inspector, determines that any existing excavation, embankment or fill has become a hazard as defined in § 9-102, 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 Township Code Official/Building Inspector, 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 or other person has
not made the necessary repairs within the time requested, then the
Board of Supervisors may make the required repairs and the cost thereof
shall be borne by the property owner by a lien or judgment obtained
as provided by law.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 6; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
1.
Duties of Township Code Official/Building Inspector. Every applicant
for a grading permit shall file a written application therefor with
the Township Code Official/Building Inspector in a form prescribed
by the Township Code Official/Building Inspector. 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 licensed professional engineer or professional land surveyor
giving a reasonable picture of the site and proposed soil erosion
controls, if any. The Township Code Official/Building Inspector may
waive the preparation or approval and signature by the professional
engineer, surveyor 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 shall normally include a description of
the site proposed for grading; accurate location by lot, block, tract,
street address, longitude and latitude, coordinates, 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 and constructing
both cut and/or fill. In addition, a plot plan shall normally show
the location of the grading, boundaries, lot lines, neighboring streets
or ways, buildings, surface and subsurface utilities and waterways.
In addition, plans shall normally 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
Township Code Official/Building Inspector 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.
E.
Be accompanied by a permit fee in an amount as established, from
time to time, by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
2.
The Township Code Official/Building Inspector shall obtain such advice
as he deems necessary for proper review of an application for a grading
permit from governmental agencies, professional engineers, or engineering
geologists. The advice so obtained shall be in sufficient detail to
reasonably 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.
The advice obtained from a professional engineer or engineering geologist
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 changes; and recommendations to minimize soil limitations,
erosion and sediment, and surface water disposal problems.
4.
In no case shall the Township Code Official/Building Inspector 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.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 7; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
Before issuance of a grading permit, the applicant shall post with the Township financial security in a form and amount acceptable to the Township Solicitor and in compliance with the requirements of Part 1 of Chapter 1 of this Code, in the amount of 10% of the estimated cost of the grading work and erosion control facilities proposed for the permit to guarantee completion of said work and facilities in a satisfactory manner, meeting the requirements of this Part. No such financial security shall be required if another approved form of financial security is posted for construction and/or site improvements. When all requirements of this permit have been met and the work has been completed in a satisfactory manner, the full amount of security shall be returned to the person posting said security.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 8; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
Every grading permit shall expire by limitation and become null
and void if the work authorized by such permit has not been commenced
within six months or is not completed within 18 months from the date
of issue, provided that the Board of Supervisors, acting upon the
recommendation of the Township Code Official/Building Inspector, 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 Township
Code Official/Building Inspector in the intervening period between
approval of permit and completion of the project.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 9; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
When the requirements of this Part for obtaining a permit have
been met and the Township Engineer has approved the proposed grading
plans the Township Code Official/Building Inspector shall issue a
grading permit to the applicant. Approved work may then start. However,
when in the opinion of the Township Code Official/Building Inspector,
work proposed by the applicant is likely to endanger any property,
person, street or roadway, or create hazardous conditions, the grading
permit shall be denied. In determining whether the proposed work is
likely to endanger property, streets or roadways, or create hazardous
conditions, the Township Code Official/Building Inspector shall give
due consideration to: possible saturation by rains, earth movements,
run-off surface waters and sub-surface conditions such as the stratification
and faulting of rock, aquifers, springs and the nature and type of
the soil or rock.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989; as added by Ord. 137, 7/5/2005]
1.
Any person directly affected by a decision of the Township Code Official/Building Inspector or Township Engineer or a notice or order issued under this Part shall have the right to appeal to the Board of Appeals established under § 5-105 "Board of Appeals," of this Code, provided that a written application for an appeal is filed within 10 days after receipt of said decision, notice or order, along with payment of an appeal hearing fee in an amount set from time to time by resolution of Board of Supervisors. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this Part or the rules legally adopted hereunder has been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this Part do not fully apply, or the requirements of this Part are adequately satisfied by other means.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 10; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
1.
The permit holder or his agent shall notify the Township Code Official/Building
Inspector in writing of the start and completion of each continuous
grading operation. Notice shall be received by the Township Code Official/Building
Inspector or 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 Township Code Official/Building
Inspector to determine that the work is being performed in compliance
with these regulations.
3.
In special cases, when grading occurs in areas of landslide-prone
soil as recognized by the Soil Survey or better, or where a hazardous
condition exists, the Township Code Official/Building Inspector 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 Township Code Official/Building Inspector.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 11; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
1.
Maximum slope steepness of a 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 are greater than 25% shall have
cut slopes no steeper than three horizontal to one vertical.
B.
Landslide-prone soils where slopes are less than 25% shall have cut
slopes no steeper then two horizontal to one vertical.
C.
Soils which are not or have a low probability of being landslide-prone
shall have a slope no steeper than 1 1/2 horizontal to one vertical.
2.
Cut slopes which are steeper than those specified above may be allowed
under a grading permit, provided one 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 proficient in geotechnical engineering,
stating that the steeper slope will have sufficient stability and
that risk of creating a hazard will be slight, must be submitted to
the Township Code Official/Building Inspector.
B.
A retaining wall or other approved support, designed by a professional
engineer proficient in geotechnical engineering and approved by the
Township Code Official/Building Inspector, is provided to support
the face of excavation.
3.
The top or bottom edge of slopes shall be set back a minimum of 10
feet 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. 68, 4/6/1989, § 12; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
1.
No fill shall be placed over trees, stumps or other material which
could create a hazard. If authorized by the Township Code Official/Building
Inspector in writing, 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 shall be compacted to provide stability of fill material
and to prevent undesirable settlement or slippage.
3.
Clean soil or earth shall 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 shall be
so covered at the completion of each lift.
4.
The top or bottom edge of slopes shall be set back a minimum of 10
feet 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. 68, 4/6/1989, § 13; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
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 Township Code Official/Building Inspector 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. 68, 4/6/1989, § 14; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
1.
If a retaining wall is constructed to satisfy a requirement of this Part, a building permit, as provided for by other Township regulations shall not be required unless otherwise provided by the Township Construction Code, Part 1 of Chapter 5. The grading permit will apply to the retaining wall, and the requirements for inspection, etc., as stated herein shall be complied with.
2.
Retaining walls must be constructed in accordance with sound engineering
practice. The plans submitted for approval shall bear the seal of
a professional engineer.
3.
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.
4.
In general, where a wall is replacing an exposed slope, the vertical
face of the wall shall be three feet - zero inches back from the adjoining
property.
A.
A special exception to this requirement may be applied for and granted
by the Township Code Official/Building Inspector 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 requirement of this subsection may also be set aside 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. 68, 4/6/1989, § 15; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
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 Township Code Official/Building Inspector may
approve methods and materials recommended by governmental agencies
and professional engineers when they are more suitable to the site
in preventing damage. Drainage facilities shall be designed to accommodate
the largest size storm that would occur on the average of every five
years, except where the Township Code Official/Building Inspector
deems greater protection necessary.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 16; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
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 Township Code Official/Building Inspector, 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. 68, 4/6/1989, § 17; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
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 Township Code Official/Building Inspector 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 or any person, firm, or agency
engaged to review a permit application for damages to persons or property.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 18; as amended by Ord. 137,
7/5/2005]
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
sent by the Administrator to any person, such violation shall be discontinued
immediately or within a reasonable time limit specified in such notice.
If violation is not discontinued, or extends beyond the specified
time limit, the Administrator shall revoke the grading permit and
the violation is subject to fine.
3.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of
this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a district
justice in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses
under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced
to pay a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $1,000 plus costs
and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues
or each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated
shall constitute a separate offense. Whenever such person shall have
been notified by the Administrator that he is committing such violation
of this Part, each day that he shall continue such a violation after
such notification shall constitute a separate offense punishable by
a like fine or penalty. Such fines or penalties shall be collected
as like fines or penalties are now by law collected.
[Ord. 68, 4/6/1989, § 19]
In case any work is performed by any person in violation 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.
