East Rockhill Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 24
APPEALS AND AMENDMENTS
§ 27-2400 Appeals and Jurisdiction.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2200]
The following types of appeals are set forth in Articles VI, IX and X of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), and each has its own procedures as noted.
Type of Appeal | Agency of Jurisdiction | Reference (MPC) | |
|---|---|---|---|
a. | Validity of Ordinance - Procedural Question | Bucks County Court of Common Pleas | § 1003 |
b. | Validity of Ordinance - Substantive Questions; Landowner Appeals | Zoning Hearing Board or Board of Supervisors | §§ 609.1, 910, 1004. |
c. | Validity of Ordinance - Substantive Questions Persons Aggrieved | Zoning Hearing Board | § 1005 |
d. | Appeal of Decisions or Orders - No Validity Questions Involved; Landowner Appeals | Zoning Hearing Board | §§ 909, 1006 |
e. | Appeal of Decisions or Orders - No Validity Question: Persons Aggrieved | Zoning Hearing Board | § 1007 |
§ 27-2401 Validity of Ordinance; Procedural Questions.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2201]
Questions of an alleged defect in the process of enactment or adoption of any ordinance or map shall be raised by an appeal taken directly from the action of the Board of Supervisors to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas not later than 30 days from the effective date of this chapter or map.
§ 27-2402 Validity of Ordinance; Substantive Questions; Landowner Appeals.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2202; as amended by Ord. 124, 7/18/1989, Art. 7]
A landowner who, on substantive grounds, desires to challenge the validity of an ordinance or map or any provision thereof, which prohibits or restricts the use or development of land in which he has an interest, shall submit the challenge either:
b.
To the Board of Supervisors, together with a request for a curative amendment. The Board of Supervisors shall hold a hearing as provided in this section. The curative amendment shall be referred to the Planning Commission as per § 27-2407. The Board of Supervisors shall review an impact statement pursuant to § 27-2411. This may be supplied by the developer, the Planning Commission, or both.
c.
The submissions referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above shall be governed by the following (references to "the Board" shall mean Zoning Hearing Board or Board of Supervisors, depending on the type of appeal):
(1)
The landowner shall make a written request to the Board that it hold a hearing on his challenge. The request shall contain a short statement reasonably informing the Board of the matters that are in issue and the grounds for the challenge. Such statement shall contain a certification that the landowner did not know at the time of the application that the Township had resolved to consider a particular scheme of rezoning by publication of notice of hearings on a proposed comprehensive plan or proposed zoning ordinance or otherwise or that the scheme of rezoning would be inconsistent with the landowner's proposed use; provided, that this rezoning scheme had reached sufficient particularity to disclose that, if adopted, it would cure the defect in the zoning ordinance attacked by the substantive challenge.
(2)
The request may be submitted at any time after the ordinance or map takes effect; but if an application for a permit or approval is denied thereunder, the request shall be made not later than the time provided for appeal from the denial thereof. In such case, if the landowner elects to make the request to the Board of Supervisors and the request is timely, the time within which he may seek review of the denial of the permit or approval on other issues shall not begin to run until the request to the Board of Supervisors is finally disposed of.
(3)
The request shall be accompanied by plans and other materials describing the use or development proposed by the landowner in lieu of the use or development permitted by the challenged ordinance or map. Such plans and other materials shall not be required to meet the standards prescribed for preliminary, tentative of final approval or for the issuance of a permit so long as they provide reasonable notices of the proposed use of development and a sufficient basis for evaluating the challenged ordinance or map in light thereof. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the landowner from first seeking a final permit or approval before submitting his challenge to the Board.
(4)
If the submission is made to the Board of Supervisors, the request shall be accompanied by an amendment or amendments to the ordinance proposed by the landowner to cure the alleged defects therein.
(5)
Notice of the hearing required by § 27-2409 shall include notice that the validity of the ordinance or map is in question and shall give the place where and the times when a copy of the landowner's request, including the plans submitted pursuant to § 27-2402(c)(3) and the proposed amendments, if any, submitted under § 27-2402(c)(4), may be examined by the public.
(6)
The Board shall hold a hearing upon the landowner's request, commencing not later than 60 days after the request is filed, unless the landowner requests or consents in writing to an extension of time.
d.
Hearings pursuant to § 27-2402, subsections (a) or (b) shall be held by the Zoning Hearing Board or the Board of Supervisors, as the case may be. The Board shall conduct hearings and make decisions in accordance with the following requirements:
(1)
The parties to the hearing shall be East Rockhill Township, any persons affected by the application who have made timely appearance of record before the Board and any other persons including representatives of civic or community organizations permitted to appear by the Board. The Board may require that all persons who wish to be considered parties enter appearances in writing on forms provided for that purpose at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
(2)
The chairman or acting chairman of the Board shall have the power to administer oaths and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant documents and papers, including witnesses and documents requested by the parties.
(3)
The parties shall have the right to be represented by counsel and shall be afforded the opportunity to respond and present evidence and argument and to cross-examine adverse witnesses on all relevant issues.
(4)
The Board shall keep a stenographic record, and copies of graphic or written material received in evidence shall be made available to any party, at cost. The appearance fee for a stenographer shall be shared equally by the applicant and the Board. The cost of the original transcript shall be paid by the Board if the transcript is ordered by the Board or shall be paid by the person appealing from the decision of the Board, if such appeal is made, and in either event the cost of additional copies shall be paid by the person requesting such copy or copies. In other cases, the party requesting the original transcript shall bear the cost thereof.
(5)
The Board shall not communicate, directly or indirectly, with any party or his representatives in connection with any issue involved, except upon notice and where all parties have to opportunity to participate. The Board shall not take notice of any communication, report, staff memorandum or other materials unless the parties are afforded an opportunity to contest the material so noticed and shall not inspect the site or its surroundings after the commencement of hearings with any party unless all parties are given an opportunity to be present.
(6)
The Board shall render a written decision, or render its findings on the application, within 45 days after the last hearing before the Board or hearing officer. Conclusions based on the provision of any Act of the Commonwealth, or ordinance, rule or regulation shall contain a reference to the provision relied upon and the reasons why the conclusion is deemed appropriate in light of the facts found. Where the Board fails to render its decision within 45 days, the decision shall be deemed to have been rendered in favor of the applicant, unless the applicant has agreed in writing or on the record to an extension of time.
(7)
A copy of the final decision or, where no decision is called for, of the findings shall be delivered to the applicant personally or mailed to him not later than the day following its date. To all other persons who have filed their name and address with the Board prior to the close of the hearings, the Board shall mail a brief notice of the decision or findings and a notice of the place where they may examine the full decision or findings.
e.
After submitting a challenge to the Board or Board of Supervisors as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the landowner may appeal to court by filing same within 30 days after notice of the report of the Zoning Hearing Board is issued or after the Board of Supervisors has denied the landowner's request for a curative amendment. Failure to appeal the denial of a request for a curative amendment shall not preclude the landowner from thereafter presenting the same validity questions by commencing a proceeding as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
f.
For purposes of subsection (d)(6), the landowner's request of a curative amendment is denied when the Board of Supervisors notifies the landowner that it will not adopt the amendment, or the Board of Supervisors adopts another amendment which is unacceptable to the landowner or the Board of Supervisors fails to act on the landowner's request, in which event the denial is deemed to have occurred on day 45 after the close of the last hearing on the request unless time is extended by mutual consent between the landowner and the Township.
§ 27-2403 Validity of Ordinance; Substantive Questions; Appeals by Persons Aggrieved.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2203]
Persons aggrieved by a use or development permitted on the land of another, by an ordinance or map or an provision thereof, who desire to challenge its validity on substantive grounds shall submit their challenge to the Zoning Hearing Board as "Challenge to the Validity of Ordinance or Map," § 27-2307 of this chapter. The submission shall be governed by the following:
a.
A written request shall be submitted to the Board that it hold a hearing on the challenge. The request shall contain a short statement reasonably informing the Board of the matters in issue and the grounds for the challenge.
b.
No person shall be allowed to file any proceeding with the Board later than 30 days after any application for development, preliminary or final, has been approved by an appropriate Township officer, agency or body, if such proceeding is designed to secure reversal or to limit the approval in any manner.
c.
The Zoning Hearing Board shall hold a hearing in accordance with § 27-2402(d).
d.
After submitting his challenge to the Board as provided in this section, any party aggrieved may take the same to the bucks County Court of Common Pleas by appeal filed no later than 30 days after notices of the report of the Board is issued.
§ 27-2404 Applications, Decisions and Orders Not Involving the Validity of an Ordinance; Landowner Appeals.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2204]
a.
A landowner who desires to file a zoning application or to secure review or correction of a decision or order of the Board or Supervisors or of any officer or agency of the Township which prohibits or restricts the use or development of land in which he has an interest on the grounds that such decision or order is not authorized by or is contrary to the provisions of any ordinance or map shall proceed as follows:
(1)
From a decision of the Board of Supervisors or planning under a subdivision or land development ordinance, the landowner may appeal directly to Court or to the Zoning Hearing Board under § 27-2308, "Unified Appeals," in cases where that section is applicable.
(2)
To the extent that the Board has jurisdiction of the same under § 27-2304, "Interpretation of Zoning Officer's Decisions." All other appeals shall lie exclusively to the Zoning Hearing Board.
(3)
Applications for variances or special exceptions shall be made exclusively to the Zoning Hearing Board.
b.
All appeals to the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to this section shall be filed within 30 days after notice of the decision is issued; or if no decision is made, within 30 days after it is deemed to have been made under the provisions of this chapter and the Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247.
c.
The Zoning Hearing Board shall hold a hearing in accordance with § 27-2402(d).
§ 27-2405 Decisions and Orders Not Involving the Validity of an Ordinance; Appeals by Persons Aggrieved.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2205]
Application shall be made directly to the Zoning Hearing Board under the provisions of § 27-2403 where such action involves a question of the Zoning Officer's decision or an action by the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission or other Township official.
§ 27-2406 Power of Amendment.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2206]
The Board of Supervisors may, from time to time, amend, supplement, change, modify or repeal this chapter, including the Zoning Map. When doing so, the Board of Supervisors shall proceed in the manner prescribed in this Part.
§ 27-2407 Enactment of Zoning Ordinance Amendments.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2207; as amended by Ord. 124, 7/18/1989, Art. 8]
Proposals for amendment, supplement, change, modification or repeal of the Zoning Ordinance may be initiated by the Board of Supervisors, by the Township Planning Commission or by petition of one or more owners of property to be affected by the proposed amendment, subject to the following provisions:
a.
Before voting on the enactment of an amendment, the Board of Supervisors shall hold public hearing thereon, pursuant to public notice. In addition, if the proposed amendment involves a zoning map change, notice of said pubic hearing shall be conspicuously posted by the Township at points deemed sufficient by the Township along the perimeter of the tract to notify potentially interested citizens. The affected tract or area shall be posted at least one week prior to the date of the hearing.
b.
In the case of an amendment other than that prepared by the Township Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors shall submit each such amendment to the Township Planning Commission and the County Planning Commission at least 30 days prior to the hearing on such proposed amendment. All amendments prepared by the Township Planning Commission shall also be submitted to the County Planning Commission at least 30 days prior to the hearing on the proposed amendment.
c.
If, after a public hearing held upon an amendment, the proposed amendment is changed substantially, or is revised, to include land previously not affected by it, the Board of Supervisors shall hold another public hearing, pursuant to public notice, before proceeding to vote on the amendment.
d.
Citizens' petitions by one or more owners of property to be affected by a proposal for amendment, supplement, change or modification shall be signed, and acknowledged and submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Board of Supervisors. On receipt of said petition, the Board of Supervisors shall transmit a copy of the petition to both the Township Planning Commission and the County Planning Commission. The applicant shall submit the information required in § 27-2411, "Impact Statement."
e.
Within 30 days after enactment, a copy of the amendment to this chapter shall be forwarded to the County Planning Commission.
§ 27-2408 Extension of the Development Area.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2208; as amended by Ord. 195, 9/18/2000, Art. IX]
A landowner who wishes his property to be included in the zoning districts of the Development Area (R-1, C-E, C-O, I-1 OR I-2 districts) may make a request to the Board of Supervisors. The following procedures shall be observed.
b.
The applicant must establish that public sewerage is obtainable and that plant capacity is adequate to handle the effluent anticipated to be generated by the proposed development as well as the development which is permitted in the development areas which are serviced by that treatment plant.
c.
The applicant shall be required to provide or to finance a study of the service area of the proposed sewer extension. This study shall be conducted by the township Engineer or other qualified engineer agreed upon by both the Township and the applicant. The study shall determine the feasibility and costs of extending the line and expanding the plant and the amount of development which may be served.
d.
As required by § 27-2411, the applicant shall be required to provide or to finance a traffic study to determine if the existing roads are sufficient to accommodate the anticipated traffic generated by the proposed development as well as others in the vicinity.
e.
Implementation. Prior to hearing and acting on the zoning change request which would extend the development area, the petition and impact statement shall be reviewed by the Township Planning Commission and the Bucks County Planning Commission.
Before voting on the request, the Board of Supervisors shall review the petition, the impact statement and the review comments of the Township Planning Commission, the Bucks County Planning Commission and any consultants hired by the Township.
f.
The petitioner filing the request for an extension of the development area shall at the time of filing, pay to the Zoning Officer, for the use of the Township, a fee and escrow deposit in accordance with the schedules adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors upon enactment of this chapter or as such schedule may be amended from time to time.
§ 27-2409 Notice of Hearings.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2209; as amended by Ord. 124, 7/18/1989, Art. 9]
No amendment, supplement, change, modification or repealer shall become effective until after a public hearing in relation thereto at which parties in interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. Public notice of each hearing to consider amendments (except continued hearings) shall be given not more than 30 days and not less than seven days in advance of any public hearing. Such notice shall be published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the Township. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and shall include either the full text of the proposed amendment, or the title and a brief summary, prepare by the Township Solicitor and setting forth all the provisions in reasonable detail. If the full text is not included (1) a copy shall be supplied to a newspaper of general circulation in the Township at the time the public notice is published and (2) an attested copy of the proposed amendment shall be filed in the County Law Library.
§ 27-2410 Periodic Review.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2210]
This chapter is based on the development district concept, whereby growth for a fifteen-year period is intended to be accommodated within a development district where public services are to be provided. Under this concept, periodic review is necessary to ensure the validity of the plan and ordinances in light of changing needs and circumstances. Therefore, at intervals of no more than five years from the effective date of this chapter, or its latest full revision, the Supervisors shall require the Planning Commission to review this chapter and its planning basis and to recommend such changes as are needed to ensure that this document is in keeping with the current planning concepts. The Planning Commission shall seek authorization for such a study at least six months prior to its due date, and shall report at a public hearing at least one month prior to such date.
§ 27-2411 Impact Statement.
[Ord. 5/26/1987, § 2211; as amended by Ord. 192, 4/18/2000; and by Ord. 194, -/-/2000, Art. I]
When required by this chapter, the applicant shall submit the following impact statements. These impact studies will be reviewed by the Township and must be found to be satisfactory prior to approving the use or zoning change. Any improvements identified by the studies will be required improvements at the time approval is granted.
a.
East Rockhill Township Comprehensive Plan Impact. The applicant shall submit an analysis which evaluates the consistency between his proposal and the Township Comprehensive Plan. The analysis shall include, but not be limited to, the consistency with community goals and objectives, the Land Use Plan and Map, population and housing projections, sewer facilities, water facilities, roads, other community services and natural resources.
b.
Natural Resource Impact. The applicant shall submit an analysis which evaluates his ability to meet the environmental protection standards of §§ 27-1900, 27-1901 and 27-1902 of this chapter. This analysis shall include an evaluation of the impact of the proposed use of change of zoning on the Township's goal to protect and preserve the Township's agricultural industry and its standards for the protection of prime agricultural soils in the RR Zoning District.
c.
Transportation Impact. The applicant shall submit an analysis which evaluates the transportation impact when the proposed use or development generates 250 or more trips per day. The number of trips per day are determined through the use of Table 4, "Trip Generation Rates." The proposed use or development is identified using the columns "Type of Land Use" and "Type of Development." The space of the proposed use or development (number of dwelling units, gross square footage, number of beds, etc.) is multiplied by the appropriate rate listed in the column "Average Trip Generation Rates" to determine the trips per day.
(1)
Traffic Impact Study. The study will enable the Township to assess the impact of a proposed amendment on the traffic system. Its purpose is to ensure that proposed amendments do not adversely affect the traffic network and to identify any traffic problems associated with access from the site onto the existing roads. The study's purpose is also to delineate solutions to potential problems and to present improvements to be incorporated into the proposed amendment.
(2)
Traffic Facilities Description. The description shall contain a full documentation of the proposed internal and existing highway system. The report shall describe the external roadway system within the area. Major intersections in the study area shall be identified and sketched. All future highway improvements which are part of proposed roadway improvements which are, in turn, part of proposed surrounding developments shall be noted and included in the calculations.
(3)
Major Intersection. Any intersection where traffic generated by the proposal will have a significant impact on the operation of the intersection. Where doubt exists, the transportation engineer shall seek guidance from the Planning Commission prior to the submission of the traffic impact study.
(4)
Study Area. This area will extend approximately 1/2 mile along the adjacent roadway in both directions form all access points or to a major intersection along these roadways. Where doubt exists, the transportation engineer shall seek guidance from the Planning Commission prior to the submission of the traffic impact study.
(5)
Existing Traffic Conditions. Existing traffic conditions shall be measured and documented for all roadways and intersections in the study area. Existing traffic volumes for average daily traffic, peak highway hour(s) traffic and peak development-generated hour(s) traffic shall be recorded. Manual traffic counts at major intersections in the study area shall be conducted, encompassing the peak highway and development-generated hour(s) and documentation shall be included in the report. A volume/capacity and delay analysis based upon existing volumes shall be performed during the peak highway hour(s) and the peak development-generated hour(s) for all roadways and major intersections in the study area. Levels of service shall be determined for each location.
This analysis will determine the adequacy of the existing roadway system to serve the current traffic demand. Roadways and/or intersections experiencing levels of Service D, E or F, as described in "Highway Capacity Manual, Special Report 209," Transportation Research Board, 1985, shall be noted as congested locations.
(6)
Traffic Impact of the Amendment. Calculation of vehicular trips to result from the proposal shall be completed for the average daily peak highway hour(s). Vehicular trip generation rates to be used for this calculation shall be obtained from Table 4, "Trip Generation Rates." These development-generated traffic volumes shall be provided for the inbound and outbound traffic movements. These generated volumes shall be distributed to the area and assigned to the existing roadway and intersections throughout the area. All turning movements shall be calculated. Documentation of all assumptions used in the distribution and assignment phase shall be provided. Traffic volumes shall be assigned to individual access points. Any characteristics of the site that will cause particular trip generation problems shall be noted.
(7)
Analysis of Traffic Impact. The total future traffic demand shall be calculated. This demand shall consist of the combination of the existing traffic expanded to the completion year which is estimated to be 2% per year, the proposed use or development-generated traffic, and the traffic generated by other proposed developments in the study area. A second volume/capacity and delay analysis shall be conducted using the total future demand and the future roadway capacity. If staging of the proposed development is anticipated, calculation for each state of completion shall be made. This analysis shall be performed during the peak highway hour(s) and peak development-generated hour(s) for all roadways and major intersections in the study area. Volume/capacity and delay calculations shall be completed for all major intersections. The procedures described in the "Highway Capacity Manual, Special Report 209," Highway Research Board 1985, as outlined in the "PennDOT Design Manual," Volume 2, shall be followed.
(8)
Conclusions and Recommendations. Levels of service for all roadways and intersections shall be listed. All roadways and/or intersections showing a level of service D, E, or F shall be considered deficient and specific recommendations for the elimination of these problems shall be listed. This listing of recommended improvements shall include, but not be limited to, the following elements: internal circulation design, site access location and design, external roadway and intersection design and improvements, traffic signal installation and operation including timing and transit design improvements. All physical roadway improvements shall be shown in sketches.
d.
Sewage Facilities Impact. The applicant shall submit an analysis which evaluates the consistency between his proposal and the sewage facilities guidelines included in the Township's sewage facilities plan.
e.
Water Impact Study. The applicant shall submit a water impact study when the proposed use or development will use 10,000 or more gallons of water per day. A water impact study will enable the Township to evaluate the impact of the proposed development on the groundwater supply and on existing wells. The purpose of the study will be to determine if there is an adequate supply of water for the proposed use and to estimate the impact on the new use on existing wells in the vicinity. The Township Engineer shall be involved in the impact study as the Township feels is appropriate and necessary. A water system which does not provide an adequate supply of water for the proposed use, considering both quantity and quality, or does not provide for adequate groundwater recharge considering the water withdrawn by the proposed use or adversely affects existing wells in the vicinity of the proposed development shall not be approved by the Township. The adequacy of the water supply for residential developments shall be judged upon the assumption that there are 3 1/2 persons per dwelling unit with 75 gallons used per person per day. The applicant shall submit an analysis which evaluates the consistency between the proposed use and the groundwater preservation guidelines included in the Township's Sewage Facilities Plan/210 Facilities Plan.
(1)
A water impact study shall be signed by the person(s) preparing the study and shall include the following information:
(a)
Calculations of the projected water needs using the criteria set forth in the following references:
(i)
"Public Water Supply Manual," Bureau of Water Quality Management Publication No. 15 by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
(ii)
"Guide for Determination of Required Fire Flow" by the Insurance Services Office (ISL) as modified.
(iii)
"American Water Works Association" Standards and Manuals by the American Water Works Association, Denver, Colorado.
(b)
A geologic map of the area with a radius of at least one mile from the site.
(c)
The location of all existing and proposed wells within 1,000 feet of the site with a notation of the capacity of all high yield wells.
(d)
The location of all existing onlot sewage disposal systems within 1,000 feet of the site.
(e)
The location of all streams within 1,000 feet of the site and all known point sources of pollution.
(f)
The location of all known faults and lineations within 1,000 feet of the site.
(g)
Based on the geologic formation(s) underlying the site, the long term safe yield shall be determined.
(h)
A determination of the effects of the proposed water supply system on the quantity and quality of water in nearby wells, streams and the groundwater table.
(i)
A statement of the qualifications of the person(s) preparing the study.
(2)
The following procedures shall apply:
(a)
At least one test well shall be constructed.
(i)
During construction, the well driller shall keep an accurate record of the elevation to which the water level stabilizes as each aquifer is encountered and the top of each stratum penetrated.
(ii)
Samples shall be taken from each 20 feet of drilling and at every change in formation. Each sample shall be placed in a nonbreakable container. The containers, in a sturdy box, shall be made available to the Township. Upon completion of a pump house, they shall be stored in the pump house.
(b)
At least two monitoring wells per test well shall be constructed to monitor the impact of the test well. Monitoring wells at least 200 feet apart shall be a minimum distance of 100 feet and a maximum distance of 200 feet from the test well.
(c)
Existing wells, within a radius as determined by the chart below, shall be shown on a plan.
Quantity of Cumulative Proposed Withdrawal | Radius from the Proposed Withdrawal to be Considered | |
|---|---|---|
10,000 to 50,000 GPD | 0.5 mile | |
50,000 to 100,000 GPD | 0.75 mile | |
in excess of 100,000 GPD | 1.00 mile |
(i)
All property owners with an identified well shall be notified in writing that a well text will be conducted, the date of the test, the reason for the test and what it will consist of.
(ii)
In order to determine the impact of the test well on existing wells a representative sample, evenly distributed throughout the area, of existing wells shall be monitored. The number and location of wells to be monitored shall be approved by the Township.
(d)
A yield test of 72 hours duration shall be performed on the test well at a rate not less than 125% of that calculated for projected water needs, except for wells that are located in Brunswick formations which shall be tested at not less than 200% of the projected water needs. Well yields in Brunswick formations have a tendency to decrease from the original yield after the wells have been in production for several years.[1]
(i)
Prior to pumping, the static water level shall be recorded in all wells.
(ii)
The test well shall be pumped at the test flow rate until the water level has stabilized. When the water level has stabilized, the 72 hour test period may begin. A falling pumping level at discharge rates at or below the required test flow rate shall not be considered acceptable for purposes of yield testing.
(iii)
Test pumping equipment shall be capable of operating at a flow range of between 50 and 150% of the test flow rate.
(iv)
A means of accurately measuring the flow of water shall be provided subject to approval by the Township.
(v)
Piping shall be installed as required to direct pumpage to a discharge point suitable to the Township.
(vi)
The method of determining the depth of the water surface at all wells shall be subject to approval by the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: Groundwater Resources of Bucks County, PA, by David W. Greenman, Topographic and Geologic Survey, Bulletin W11, 1955.
(e)
Test pumping shall be continuous for the duration of the test period. An interruption will require extension of the text period subject to approval by the Township.
(f)
During the test period the pump rate and corresponding depth to the water surface in the test well, monitoring wells and existing wells shall be logged at an interval no exceeding one hour.
(g)
Upon completion of yield testing, the depth to the water surface in the test and monitor wells shall be recorded at the following minimum time intervals:
Interval Not Exceeding Test Well Monitor Wells | Minimum Time Period from Pump Shutdown | |
|---|---|---|
1 minute 5 minutes | from 0 minute to 15 minutes | |
5 minutes 5 minutes | from 15 minutes to 2 hours | |
1 hour 1 hour | from 2 hours to 8 hours | |
24 hours 24 hours | from 0 hour to 7 days | |
1 month 1 month | monthly until the wells have been integrated into the public water system |
(h)
Records shall be compiled in typewritten from to include the following information:
(i)
Name of driller and personnel conducting tests.
(ii)
Description of test well to include horizontal and vertical dimensions and casing installed.
(iii)
List of formation samples.
(iv)
Static water level immediately prior to yield testing.
(v)
Log of depth to water surface during test pumping and recovery period at the test well showing corresponding pump discharge rate in gallons per minute and time readings taken.
(vi)
Log of depth to water surface at existing and monitoring wells during test pumping period showing time readings taken.
(i)
A report shall accompany the test well data which analyzes and interprets all of the data as the impacts of the ground water supply and existing wells. Conclusions shall be drawn from the analysis. The credentials of the individual(s) preparing the report shall be included.
(j)
The submission to the Township shall include any and all applications, reports or supplemental information submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and/or the Delaware River Basin Commission.