Reference: Avondale Borough, Pennsylvania

Summary of Municipal and County
Land Use Plans and Ordinances

Avondale Borough, Pennsylvania

FLOODPLAINS

Qualification
All areas which are subject to the 100-year flood as established by the FIA/FEMA and as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), as well as all alluvial soils, are protected by floodplain ordinances. Two Districts are shown on the FIRM; 'AE' District - 100 year flood elevations determined by Flood Insurance Study and 'A' District - no 100 year flood elevations are determined by study.

Regulations
No new construction is permitted within the areas identified by the above criteria, unless granted by variance by the Zoning Hearing Board and DEP engineers. Applicants for variances are required to comply with all applicable requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program including requirements for elevation, flood proofing, and anchoring.
Existing structures or other built features may be enlarged and expanded if they are approved by a licensed engineer to withstand a 100-year storm and are approved by the Zoning Hearing Board. Improvements cannot exceed 50% of the current value of the existing structure.
 

STEEP SLOPES

Currently there are no ordinances that protect steep slopes within the municipality.

Existing structures or other built features may be enlarged and expanded if they are approved by a licensed engineer to withstand a 100-year storm and are approved by the Zoning Hearing Board. Improvements cannot exceed 50% of the current value of the existing structure.
 

VEGETATIONAL BUFFERS

Currently there are no ordinances that provide for vegetated buffers adjacent to surface waters.

Developers are required by the SLDO to provide dedicated open space for land developments. The Borough Council by resolution can restrict the removal of trees and erection of structures in dedicated open space. The Borough can require maintenance of dedicated open space.
 

WOODLANDS

No restrictions curb woodland disturbance. The only significant woodland left in the borough would be protected by a steep slope ordinance.

LDO, Section 58, 2) states that trees will be preserved wherever possible, also states that consideration should be given to "natural features and large trees.
 

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

The borough does not participate in a regional watershed management plan and there are no stormwater quality management standards.

Neither the SLDO or the ZO provide for groundwater recharge or stormwater detention. There are no provisions for directing roof drainage to recharge the groundwater.

SLDO, Section 58, (4) requires as part of the submission of development plans an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. This section provides detailed guidelines for the preparation of the plan including measures that should be taken before, during and after construction. The ordinance also stipulates that the Erosion and Sedimentation Plan must meet USDA standards and PA DEP standards and specifications.
 

WETLANDS
Wetlands that occur in the National Wetlands Inventory and some of the sub-minor drainage basins have been mapped. There are no required buffers around wetlands.
 

HISTORIC DISTRICTS/STRUCTURES
There are no historic districts recognized by state or local designation.
 

RECREATIONAL AND PARK USES
A borough park incorporates a section of the White Clay Creek in the center of the borough. No county, state, or federal parks are located within the borough.
 

CLUSTERING OR PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
There are no provisions for clustering or planned residential development.
 

SITE PLAN REVIEW
The Borough does have site plan review for subdivisions and land developments as provided for in the SLDO.
 

INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL USES

Table 1
 

RESIDENTIAL ZONING

Table 2
 

PERMITTED USES

Table 3