West Orange City Zoning Code
§ 25-13.4
Format.
[Ord. No. 2357-12 § 25-13.4]
When an environmental impact statement is required, the following format shall be utilized and the information requested shall be provided.
a.
Project Description. Indicate the purpose and scope of the proposed project. Enumerate the benefits to the public which will result from the proposed project and describe the suitability of the site for the intended use.
A description of the proposed project shall be presented to indicate the extent to which the site must be altered, the kinds of facilities to be constructed, how they are to be considered and the uses intended. The resident population, working population and visitor population shall be estimated. The compatibility or incompatibility of the proposed project shall be described in relation to the following:
1.
Township Master Plan
2.
Master Plan of any adjacent municipality located within 500 feet of the proposed project.
3.
Essex County Master Plan.
b.
Site Description and Inventory. Provide a description of environmental conditions on the site which shall include, but not be limited to the following items:
1.
Types of Soils. List and description of each soil type located on the site. Relative to the type of project proposed, a complete mapping of all soil types on the site shall be required indicating where those moderate and severe limitations exist.
2.
Topography. Description of the topographic conditions within the site and extending 200 feet beyond the property lines. When 15% or more of the proposed area of land disturbance encompasses slopes in excess of 10%, the following slope ranges shall be mapped for the entire site: 10% to 15%; 15% to 20%; 20% and up.
3.
Geology. Description of the geologic formations and features associated with the site as well as depth to bedrock conditions. Delineation of those areas where bedrock is in close proximity to the surface, within two feet of the surface as well as major bedrock outcroppings.
4.
Vegetation. Description of the existing vegetation on the site. When required, sketch the location of major vegetation grouping such as woodland, open field and wetland.
5.
Surface Water. Description of existing watercourses and water bodies that are partially or totally on the site and their relationship to the area of land disturbance. Existing surface runoff from the site shall be calculated using methods approved by the Township Engineer. When the natural drainage pattern will be significantly altered, an analysis shall be conducted which will investigate flow, depth, capacity and water quality of receiving waters. When required, floodplain areas shall be mapped in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Existing drainage structures shall be mapped and the capacity of the drainage network shall be determined.
6.
Subsurface Water. Description of the subsurface water conditions on the site, in terms of depth to ground water shall be provided.
7.
Unique, Scenic and/or Historic Features. Description and a map of those portions of the site that can be considered to have unique, scenic and/or historic qualities.
8.
Existing Development Features. Description of any existing features on the site that are not considered to be part of the natural environment. This may include, but not necessarily be limited to, roads, housing units, accessory structures, and utility lines.
9.
Miscellaneous. When warranted, an analysis shall be conducted of existing air quality and noise levels as prescribed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection or the West Orange Health Department.
c.
Area and Regional Description. A description of the surrounding environs shall be provided as well as the existing land use pattern. When required, the existing infrastructure, with respect to the drainage and transportation network, as well as any central sewerage and water supply facilities shall be described in detail. An appropriate regional analysis relative to the proposed subject shall be included.
d.
Impact. Discuss the negative and the positive on- and-off-site impacts as they affect the items listed in Subsections b and c above. Indicate those negative impacts that are unavoidable. Indicate those resources affected by the proposal which will be irretrievably lost and those resources which are renewable. The specific concerns that shall be considered include, but are not limited to the following:
1.
Soil erosion and sedimentation resulting from surface runoff.
2.
Flooding and floodplain disruption.
3.
Degradation of surface water quality.
4.
Groundwater pollution.
5.
Sewage disposal.
6.
Solid waste disposal.
7.
Destruction of vegetation.
8.
Disruption of wildlife habitats.
9.
Destruction of scenic and historic features.
10.
Air quality degradation.
11.
Noise levels.
12.
Energy utilization.
13.
Neighborhood deterioration.
14.
Effect on public services, such as schools, fire police.
15.
Traffic congestion.
16.
Health, safety and welfare of existing residents.
17.
Regional development policies.
e.
Recommendation to Mitigate Adverse Environmental Impact. Describe in detail what measures will be employed during the planning, construction and operation phases which will minimize or eliminate negative impacts on and off-site that could result from the proposed project. Of specific interest are:
1.
Drainage plans which shall include, but not be limited to, soil erosion and sedimentation controls. Every effort should be made to limit off-site runoff to predevelopment levels.
2.
Sewage disposal techniques.
3.
Water supply and water conservation proposals.
4.
Site design techniques sensitive to the natural environment which should include innovative landscape, building and circulation design.
5.
Energy conservation measures.
6.
Noise reduction techniques.
7.
Construction schedule.
8.
Miscellaneous on-site and off-site public improvements.
f.
Alternatives. Discuss what alternatives were considered both in terms of site design and project location. Indicate why an alternative was rejected if it would have resulted in less of a negative impact than the subject proposal.
g.
Licenses, Permits and Other Approvals Required by Law. The applicant shall list all known licenses, permits and other forms of approval required by law for the construction and operation of the proposed project. This list shall include, but will not be limited to approval required by the Township, as well as agencies of the County, State and Federal governments. Where approvals have been granted, copies of such approvals shall be attached. Where approvals are pending, a note shall be made to that effect.
h.
Documentation. All publications, file reports, manuscripts or other written sources of information related to the project, the project site and the Township which were consulted and employed in compilation of the environmental impact statement shall be listed.
