Steep sites, sites with creeks or swales, and/or sites impacted by a flood hazard often require grading during the development process. This may be done to provide level building pads, develop roads, reduce flood hazard, or simply to facilitate efficient development. Grading can impact surrounding sites, on and off-site drainage, floodplain characteristics, and the aesthetic of the site. Minimizing those impacts is a primary an important part of the development approval process.
Development projects that have substantial topographic relief or involve grading may require the following information as a part of the Planning application:
- A map showing the existing site topography with 2-foot contour intervals (1-foot intervals if the project is within the 100-year floodplain). The map should also show the existing features of the site, such as roads, structures, drainage swales, etc.
- If any on site grading is proposed, provide a "preliminary grading plan" that indicates areas and magnitudes of cuts and fills. The area of fill should be clearly depicted on the grading plan (i.e. with cross hatch marks or shading) using the following increments of fill depth (0-1 feet, 1-2 feet, 2-3 feet, 3 feet). Indicate the finished floor elevation of all proposed structures on the grading plan.
The Department of Water Resources provides information regarding the 100-year floodplain and local flood hazards.
