[Ord. 2014-02, 6/2/2014]
1.
In accordance with the administrative regulations promulgated by
the Department of Community and Economic Development to implement
the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act,[1] the following activities shall be prohibited within any
identified floodplain area unless a special permit has been issued
by Lower Mount Bethel Township:
B.
The commencement of, or any construction of, a new manufactured home
park or manufactured home subdivision, or substantial improvement
to an existing manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 679.101 et seq.
[Ord. 2014-02, 6/2/2014]
1.
Applicants for special permits shall provide five copies of the following
items:
A.
A written request including a completed permit application form.
B.
A small-scale map showing the vicinity in which the proposed site
is located.
C.
A plan of the entire site, clearly and legibly drawn at a scale of
one inch being equal to 100 feet or less, showing the following:
(1)
North arrow, scale and date;
(2)
Topography based upon the North American Vertical Datum (NAVD)
of 1988, showing existing and proposed contours at intervals of two
feet;
(3)
All property and lot lines including dimensions, and the size
of the site expressed in acres or square feet;
(4)
The location of all existing streets, drives, other access ways,
and parking areas, with information concerning widths, pavement types
and construction, and elevations;
(5)
The location of any existing bodies of water or watercourses,
buildings, structures and other public or private facilities, including
railroad tracks and facilities, and any other natural and man-made
features affecting, or affected by, the proposed activity or development;
(6)
The location of the floodplain boundary line, information and
spot elevations concerning the base flood elevation, and information
concerning the flow of water including direction and velocities;
(7)
The location of all proposed buildings, structures, utilities,
and any other improvements; and
(8)
Any other information which the municipality considers necessary
for adequate review of the application.
D.
Plans of all proposed buildings, structures and other improvements,
clearly and legibly drawn at suitable scale showing the following:
(1)
Sufficiently detailed architectural or engineering drawings,
including floor plans, sections, and exterior building elevations,
as appropriate;
(2)
For any proposed building, the elevation of the lowest floor
(including basement) and, as required, the elevation of any other
floor;
(3)
Complete information concerning flood depths, pressures, velocities,
impact and uplift forces, and other factors associated with the base
flood;
(4)
Detailed information concerning any proposed floodproofing measures;
(5)
Cross-section drawings for all proposed streets, drives, other
accessways, and parking areas, showing all rights-of-way and pavement
widths;
(6)
Profile drawings for all proposed streets, drives, and vehicular
accessways, including existing and proposed grades; and
(7)
Plans and profiles of all proposed sanitary and storm sewer
systems, water supply systems, and any other utilities and facilities.
E.
The following data and documentation:
(1)
Certification from the applicant that the site upon which the
activity or development is proposed is an existing separate and single
parcel, owned by the applicant or the client he represents;
(2)
Certification from a registered professional engineer, architect,
or landscape architect that the proposed construction has been adequately
designed to protect against damage from the base flood;
(3)
A statement, certified by a registered professional engineer,
architect, landscape architect, or other qualified person, which contains
a complete and accurate description of the nature and extent of pollution
that might possibly occur from the development during the course of
a base flood, including a statement concerning the effects such pollution
may have on human life;
(4)
A statement certified by a registered professional engineer,
architect, or landscape architect, which contains a complete and accurate
description of the effects the proposed development will have on base
flood elevation and flows;
(5)
A statement, certified by a registered professional engineer,
architect, or landscape architect, which contains a complete and accurate
description of the kinds and amounts of any loose buoyant materials
or debris that may possibly exist or be located on the site below
the base flood elevation and the effects such materials and debris
may have on base flood elevation and flows;
(6)
The appropriate component of the Department of Environmental
Protection's "Planning Module for Land Development";
(7)
Where any excavation or grading is proposed, a plan meeting
the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection to
implement and maintain erosion and sedimentation control;
(9)
An evacuation plan which fully explains the manner in which
the site will be safely evacuated before or during the course of a
base flood.
[Ord. 2014-02, 6/2/2014]
1.
Upon receipt of an application for a special permit by Lower Mount
Bethel Township, the following procedures shall apply in addition
to those of Part 3:
A.
Within three working days following receipt of the application, a
complete copy of the application and all accompanying documentation
shall be forwarded to the Northampton County Planning Commission by
registered or certified mail for its review and recommendations. Copies
of the application shall also be forwarded to Lower Mount Bethel Township
Planning Commission and Township Engineer for review and comment.
B.
If an application is received that is incomplete, Lower Mount Bethel
Township shall notify the applicant in writing, stating in what respect
the application is deficient.
C.
If Lower Mount Bethel Township decides to disapprove an application,
it shall notify the applicant, in writing, of the reasons for the
disapproval.
D.
If Lower Mount Bethel Township intends to approve an application,
it shall file written notification, together with the application
and all pertinent information, with the Department of Community and
Economic Development, by registered or certified mail, within five
working days after the determination is made that the Township intends
to issue the special permit.
E.
Before issuing the special permit, Lower Mount Bethel Township shall
allow the Department of Community and Economic Development 30 days,
after receipt of the notification by the Department, to review the
application and decision made by Lower Mount Bethel Township.
F.
If Lower Mount Bethel Township does not receive any communication
from the Department of Community and Economic Development during the
thirty-day review period, it may issue a special permit to the applicant.
G.
If the Department of Community and Economic Development should decide
to disapprove an application, it shall notify Lower Mount Bethel Township
and the applicant, in writing, of the reasons for the disapproval,
and Lower Mount Bethel Township shall not issue the special permit.
[Ord. 2014-02, 6/2/2014]
1.
In addition to the requirements of Part 5 of this chapter, the following minimum requirements shall also apply to any proposed development requiring a special permit. If there is any conflict between any of the following requirements and those in Part 5 of this chapter or in any other code, ordinance, or regulation, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
2.
No application for a special permit shall be approved unless it can
be determined that the structure or activity will be located, constructed
and maintained in a manner which will:
A.
Fully protect the health and safety of the general public and any
occupants of the structure. At a minimum, all new structures shall
be designed, located, and constructed so that:
(1)
The structure will survive inundation by waters of the base
flood without any lateral movement or damage to either the structure
itself, or to any of its equipment or contents below the BFE.
(2)
The lowest floor (including basement) will be elevated to at
least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation.
(3)
The occupants of the structure can remain inside for an indefinite
period of time and be safely evacuated at any time during the base
flood.
B.
Prevent any significant possibility of pollution, increased flood
levels or flows, or debris endangering life and property.
3.
All hydrologic and hydraulic analyses shall be undertaken only by
professional engineers or others of demonstrated qualifications, who
shall certify that the technical methods used correctly reflect currently
accepted technical concepts. Studies, analyses, computations, etc.
shall be submitted in sufficient detail to allow a thorough technical
review by Lower Mount Bethel Township and the Department of Community
and Economic Development.