North Haledon council adopts stronger stormwater control ordinance

The Borough of North Haledon on Dec. 13 unanimously adopted Ordinance #21-2023, a comprehensive revision of Chapter 516 that establishes updated stormwater management requirements for major and minor development.

The ordinance, introduced and read by the municipal clerk and adopted on a motion by Council Member Donna Puglisi and second by Council Member George Pomianek, sets the policy goal of reducing runoff volume, encouraging infiltration and groundwater recharge, and reducing pollutant discharge through green infrastructure best management practices. It incorporates the State’s Stormwater Management Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:8 and references the Residential Site Improvement Standards at N.J.A.C. 5:21 where applicable.

Under the new rules, the ordinance defines thresholds for exempt, minor and major development (for example, major development includes projects disturbing one acre or more or creating one-quarter acre or more of regulated impervious surface). Minor developments must install erosion and sediment controls and provide infiltration devices sized to accept three inches of runoff per square foot of new impervious area; major developments must meet design and performance standards consistent with N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.

The ordinance adds procedural requirements for municipal review: applicants for major development must submit a Site Development Stormwater Plan with topographic maps, environmental analyses, hydrologic and hydraulic calculations, soils reports when required, stormwater facility maps and a maintenance plan. Fee provisions in the text set a $250 review fee for minor developments and an initial escrow deposit of $1,000 for major development reviews; inspection escrow amounts are to be determined by the Borough Engineer.

To limit the flow of trash and floatable materials, the ordinance requires use of bicycle-safe inlets or grates meeting specified clear-space limits, or approved alternative devices. It also adopts safety standards for new stormwater management basins and a maintenance regime that references N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.8, including written notice procedures, a 14-day correction window for responsible parties and the possibility of municipal corrective action and liening where property owners fail to comply.

Penalties are set at up to $1,000 per offense or imprisonment up to 90 days, or community service up to 90 days; each day a violation continues is a separate offense. The ordinance takes effect as provided by law.

The council adopted the ordinance on second and final reading with all members present voting in the affirmative.