East Coventry Township
City Zoning Code

To promote the public health, safety and welfare by protection of steep slope areas.

To permit only those uses of steep slope areas which are compatible with the conservation of natural conditions and which maintain stable soil conditions by minimizing disturbances to vegetative ground covers and restricting the re-grading of steep slope areas.

To limit soil erosion and the resultant destruction of the land, siltation of streams and damage to the property of individuals.

To protect low-lying areas from flooding by limiting the increase in stormwater runoff caused by grading of slope areas, changes of ground cover or the erection of structures.

To maintain the ecological integrity and habitat value of steeply sloped areas, i.e., indigenous vegetation and wildlife, which could be adversely affected by otherwise permitted disturbances.

Parks and outdoor recreational uses, consistent with the goals of watershed protection.

Yard areas within the Steep Slope Conservation District.

Pastures and other agricultural activities such as tree farming that do not expose the soil to erosion on a regular periodic basis.

Logging and woodcutting, where such activity is limited to highly selective removal of trees and does not involve clear-cutting. Maximum precautions shall be taken to avoid destruction of or injury to under-story brush and trees.

The minimum possible grading for a driveway, which grade shall not exceed 15%, accessing a single-family dwelling or other building when it can be demonstrated that no other routing that avoids prohibitive slopes is feasible or economically reasonable.

The minimum possible installation of public or private transmission lines such as power, phone, gas, water, sewer or storm sewer lines when it can be demonstrated that no other routing that avoids prohibitive slopes is practicable or economically reasonable.

All uses permitted in areas of prohibitive slopes.

Tree farming, forestry, and other agricultural uses when conducted in conformity with conservation practices, including minimum tillage methods, approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Chester County Conservation District.

Access roads for the passage of emergency vehicles in the event of fire or accident.

Accessory uses (except swimming pools), necessary for the operation and maintenance of the above permitted uses.

Any structure permitted by right, special exception, or conditional use according to the terms of the underlying base zoning district.

Any road necessary to provide primary access to a use permitted by this chapter, when no practical alternative exists in an area of lesser slope.

Within any lot, areas classified as prohibitive slopes may be permanently disturbed for the installation of site improvements subject to the granting of a variance by the Zoning Hearing Board. On any lot, the total amount of impervious surface that may be installed within areas of prohibitive slope shall not exceed 20% of the total impervious area permitted according to the provisions of the underlying base zoning district.

Within any lot, areas classified as precautionary slopes may be permanently disturbed for the installation of site improvements, subject to the granting of a variance by the Zoning Hearing Board. On any lot, the total amount of impervious surface that may be installed within areas of precautionary slope shall not exceed 40% of the total impervious area permitted according to the provisions of the underlying base zoning district.

Before a permit is issued for any construction or land disturbance activity on land within or affecting the Steep Slope Conservation District, the following material, in full or in pertinent parts, shall be submitted for review by the Zoning Officer or the Zoning Hearing Board. If the disturbed land contains no steep slopes the application may be reviewed by the Zoning Officer. Conversely, if the disturbed land contains steep slopes the application must be reviewed by the Zoning Hearing Board. No zoning permit shall be issued by the Zoning Officer and no special exception shall be granted by the Zoning Hearing Board without the Township Engineer's review of this material and recommendation thereon.

Disturbance to particularly sensitive features of the site shall be minimized. Site planning emphasis should be given to the protection of:

Disturbance of steep slopes shall be minimized on the site and on adjacent lands within 200 feet of the site.

The proposed development, any impervious ground cover, and the resultant disturbance to the land and existing vegetative cover will not cause runoff and/or related environmental problems off the site.

Removal of, or disturbance to, existing vegetation on the site shall be minimized. The proposed impacts on existing vegetation shall be evaluated in terms of the potentially detrimental effects on slope stability, transportation and recharge of stormwater, aesthetic and traditional characteristics of the landscape, and existing drainage patterns. The Board may require mitigation measures as it deems appropriate.

The design and construction procedures and sediment and erosion control measures are such that there is no risk of damage or impairment to adjacent slopes, neighboring properties or down-slope watercourses as a result of the proposed activities.

Important visual qualities of the site shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be retained; in addition to vegetation, these may include hilltops, ridgelines, rock outcroppings and the natural terrain and contours of the site.

Road construction shall follow the natural topography, with cuts, fills and grading minimized.

Innovative, imaginative building techniques that are well suited to slope conditions shall be encouraged, consistent with other applicable codes and regulations.

The equilibrium of the slope, as characterized by the existing interrelationships among soil, water, and vegetation, shall be disturbed as little as possible.

Finished slopes of all cuts and fills shall not exceed 33%, unless the applicant can demonstrate that steeper slopes can be stabilized and maintained adequately to the satisfaction of the Township.

Exposed cut slopes within or below prohibitive slopes shall be minimized so that engineered retaining walls or other structures are utilized to the greatest extent practicable to maintain the stability of the disturbed slopes and reduce the risk of harm by reason of erosion and potential slope failure resulting in mudslides.

In addition to all other applicable provisions of this chapter, all activities within the Steep Slope Conservation District shall conform to the performance standards set forth in § 27-410 and §§ 27-412 through 27-416, herein and § 22-424 of Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22] relating to stormwater management and sediment and erosion control.

Should the existence of wetlands be indicated after a review of the requirements of Subsection 2, above, a wetlands delineation shall be performed by a licensed professional engineer, hydrogeologist, soil scientist, or similarly qualified professional experienced in wetland ecology, with the selection of such party to be at the discretion of the applicant. Plans shall be submitted to the Township for review that show the delineation and indicate any disturbance of wetlands anticipated. The qualifications of the consultant performing the delineation shall be submitted with such plans. Further, unless it is clearly evident in such plans and/or by any field review of the Township Engineer that there are no designated wetlands or, if there are, that no disturbance to the designated wetlands is anticipated, the delineation performed shall be submitted to the appropriate regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for boundary confirmation and/or requisite wetland permits. All potential impact on wetlands shall conform to applicable regulations, as amended.

Should the Township conclude, after reviewing the information to be determined under Subsections 2 and 2A, above, that wetlands exist, or exist to a greater extent on the site, contrary to the applicant's findings, the Township may engage a separate consultant or an independent consultant to review the data and make such examinations in the field as are required to verify or determine the extent of discrepancy from the applicant's wetland determinations. In the event the Township finds the applicant's determination to be incorrect, the applicant shall be required to pay for the cost of the Township's determinations in this regard. In the event that the applicant's wetland determinations are found to be correct, the Township will bear the cost of the verification survey indicated.

Where wetlands exist and disturbance permits and/or mitigation activities are required, final plan approval or granting of applicable permits from the Township shall be contingent upon the applicant receiving all necessary wetlands permits, and/or waivers permit.

Regulated activities permitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (i.e., permitted stream crossing with a maximum 10% disturbance).

Provision for unpaved trail access.

Selective removal of hazardous or invasive vegetative species as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Vegetation management in accordance with an approved landscape plan or open space management plan.

A soil or stream conservation project, including reforestation and stream bank stabilization, approved by the Chester County Conservation District.

Building Construction.

Construction of the following parking areas and loading and storage areas:

Construction of any of the following structures or facilities that exceed 2,000 square feet in ground coverage:

Land disturbance activities, excluding those of an agricultural nature, exceeding one acre.