HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity of Valley Park3/26/2021 City of Valley Park, MO Ecode360
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City of Valley Park, MO
Friday, March 26, 2021
Chapter 521. Grading, Excavation and Fill
Section 521.010. Definitions.
[R.O. 2013 §521.010; Ord. No. 1473 §1, 10-18-1999]
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have
meanings given herein:
EXCAVATION
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is cut into, dug, uncovered,
removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed and shall include conditions resulting therefrom.
FILL
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is deposited, placed,
pushed, pulled or transported to a place other than the place from which it was excavated and
shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
GRADING
Excavation, fill or land disturbance, or any combination thereof, and shall include the conditions
resulting from any excavation, fill or land disturbance.
LAND DISTURBANCE
Any removal or destruction of trees, ground cover or other vegetation by means of heavy
mechanized equipment including all equipment weighing in excess of one thousand eight hundred
(1,800) pounds or by any means affecting an area of five thousand (5,000) square feet or more in
a period of one (1) year or less.
SITE
Any single or contiguous lots, tracts, projects or subdivisions of land owned by a single person or
by several persons acting jointly.
Section 521.020. Permit Required — Procedure.
[R.O. 2013 §521.020; Ord. No. 1473 §2, 10-18-1999]
Except as herein provided, no grading shall hereafter occur on any site without obtaining a permit
from the Community Development Director in accordance with this Chapter.
Grading in preparation for any development requiring a rezoning, conditional use permit, site plan,
or subdivision of land shall not be inconsistent therewith and shall not be approved until such
subdivision preliminary plat has been approved or, where no subdivision is required or
contemplated for the development, upon approval of the rezoning, conditional use permit or site
plan. An application for a grading permit shall be in writing on forms provided by the Community
Development Director. Unless waived by the Community Development Director, the application
shall be accompanied by duplicate copies of the following documents and information:
Contoured development map showing existing contours of the site and adjoining strips of non-
site property and proposed contours after completion of the proposed grading and
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development, based on the U.S.G.S. datum, with established elevations at buildings, walks,
drives, streets and roads; and information on necessary clearing and grubbing, removal of
existing structures, excavating, filling, spreading and compacting; the Community
Development Director, at his/her discretion, may require the development to be prepared and
sealed by a licensed professional engineer or land surveyor;
An accurate plot plan showing the location of the grading site, a description of the type and
feature of the soil, and details of all structures, walls, cribbing and surface protection;
Name and address of owner;
Site address;
Estimated grading quantity;
Details of site drainage system;
Details of site erosion and siltation control, including siltation basins;
Construction access to site;
Location of temporary off-street parking;
The estimated schedule of operations, including the dates of starting and completion of
grading work;
Sources of off-site fill material or spoil sites. All information relative to haul routes, trucks and
equipment; and
A recent aerial photograph, or a detailed topographical map showing tree canopy, in the scale
as the development plan.
Section 521.030. Exceptions.
[R.O. 2013 §521.030; Ord. No. 1473 §3, 10-18-1999]
Except for any grading in anticipation of or in preparation for construction of buildings or any
construction or development that would require rezoning, site plan approval or amendment or
subdivision of the land, a grading permit shall not be required in the following instances:
Minimum necessary grading for the foundation or basement of any buildings or any structure
or swimming pool for which a building permit has been duly issued; provided that any prior
approved grading or tree preservation plan shall continue to be followed.
Excavation or fill of less than fifteen (15) cubic yards for sites of twenty thousand (20,000)
square feet or less, or less than thirty (30) cubic yards for sites in excess of twenty thousand
(20,000) square feet provided such grading is clearly incidental to the improvement of the
property; provided that any prior approved grading or tree preservation plan shall continue to
be followed.
Grading of land for bona fide farming, nurseries, landscaping, or gardening or similar
agricultural or horticultural use whenever there is substantial compliance with
recommendations or standards of the local soil conservation authority or for private road
maintenance, removal of brush (brushhogging), and normal lawn maintenance activities;
provided that such grading does not remove or destroy more than seven thousand five
hundred (7,500) square feet of tree canopy coverage in one (1) year or less.
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Grading activities in public right-of-way covered by an appropriate special use permit.
Land disturbance for residential purposes only on any lot of five (5) acres or less containing a
single-family residence for which occupancy has commenced and is ongoing, provided
appropriate measures arc taken to prevent increased site erosion, water runoff, siltation or
other damage to neighboring property. Where it is determined that such erosion measures are
not being taken, the Community Development Director may revoke application of this
exemption to the subject site.
Section 521.040. Surety.
[R.O. 2013 §521.040; Ord. No. 1473 §4, 10-18-1999]
The applicant shall include with the permit application such escrow, bond, insurance, affidavits,
easements, etc., as described below and as required for particular sites. Said grading permits
shall be issued upon the approval of the Community Development Director in conjunction with the
developer depositing with the City of Valley Park a sum equal to that which is required for the
assurance of the completion of said project. The Community Development Director may adopt
procedures, fees and schedules relating to the payment and release of such bonds. Said escrow
funds shall guarantee the restoration, maintenance and/or rehabilitation of said site if the project
does not proceed in accordance with the plans as approved by the Community Development
Director of Valley Park. Said escrow can be approved by the Community Development Director
and the City Attorney and drawn upon by order of the Community Development Director if the
requirements of the grading plan or of this Chapter are not satisfied. In drawing upon such funds,
the Community Development Director may use such funds to restore the site to a stable or
finished condition or to otherwise remedy any violations, including any costs of inspections and
enforcement.
In lieu of cash escrow, a bond or surety for not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) shall be
provided for each grading site, subject to all the terms and conditions of this Chapter and to the
approval of the City Attorney. The provisions of this Section shall be mandatory in the case of
owners, contractors or builders who have previously violated the subject and provisions of this
Section, and the amount of the bond escrow or indemnity shall in each case be based on such
previous experience; the provisions of this Subsection shall apply in the case of owners,
contractors or builders who have had no previous experience or record in the City.
Any portion of the deposit not expended or retained by the City hereunder shall be refunded when
the grading operation is completed and soil conditions are stabilized to the satisfaction of the City.
Section 521.050. Standards — Safety Precaution.
[R.O. 2013 §521.050; Ord. No. 1473 §5, 10-18-1999]
A permit shall be issued and shall remain in force only upon compliance with the following
requirements:
Surface waters — damage. Adequate provisions shall be made to prevent any surface waters
from damaging the cut face of an excavation or the sloping surface of a hill.
Retaining wall — cribbing. Retaining walls or cribbing shall be required whenever deemed
necessary by the Community Development Director to prevent the surface of any excavation
or fill from exceeding at any point the maximum allowable slopes as set forth herein.
Drainage. All drainage provisions shall be of such design to carry surface water to nearest
practical storm drain or natural watercourse as approved by the Community Development
Director as a suitable place to deposit and receive such waters. Where possible, water shall
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be dispersed by convex surfaces to dissipate water energy and velocity and disperse volume
over a greater surface area before being carried to a storm drain or watercourse.
Protection of streets, property. No excavation shall be made so close to the property line to
endanger any adjoining public or private street without supporting and protecting such public
or private street or property from settling, cracking or other damage.
Fill location. No fill shall be made so as to cause or to allow the same to be deposited upon or
to roll, flow or wash upon or over the premises of another without the express written consent
of the owner of such premises so affected; or upon or over any public street, walk, place or
way; nor so close to the top of a bank of a channel as to create the possibility of bank failure
and sliding.
Materials. Materials for fills shall consist of material obtained from excavation of banks,
borrow pits or other approved source. Material shall be free of vegetable matter and
deleterious material and shall not contain large rocks of lumps. Materials for roadways are not
covered by this Chapter as per exceptions in Section 521.030.
Minimum standards. Minimum standards of excavations and fills shall be as follows:
No excavation shall be made with a cut face steeper in slope than three (3) horizontal to
one (1) vertical.
No fill shall be made which creates an exposed embankment face steeper in slope than
three (3) to one (1) vertical. The embankment end of the fill shall be uniformly compacted
as provided in Subsection (8) hereof and stable under the proposed conditions.
Minimum standards — land disturbance. Unless modified as may be permitted in this
Subsection (8) or by provisions of Subsection (9)(b) hereof, minimum standards for land
disturbance shall be as follows:
No land disturbance shall occur within fifty (50) feet of any creek, stream, water runoff
channels or ravines or in other areas determined by the Community Developer Director
or his/her designees to be highly sensitive or subject to erosion or flooding, except as
necessary for construction pursuant to an approved final site plan, planned zoning
development, or conditional use permit specifically authorizing the modification of this
standard, and necessitating exception to this minimum standard.
No land disturbance shall occur on terrain that does not satisfy the minimum standards
for excavation or fill, except as necessary for construction pursuant to an approved final
site plan, planned zone development, or conditional use permit specifically authorizing
the modification of this standard and necessitating exception to this minimum standard.
No land disturbance shall occur on any property or lot line or within the area of building
setback required by applicable zoning or subdivision regulations, except as necessary for
construction pursuant to an approved final site plan, planned zoning development, or
conditional use permit, or approved subdivision plat specifically authorizing the
modification of this standard and necessitating exception to this minimum standard.
No land disturbance shall occur which shall cause a nuisance to any adjoining property
owner, or which shall violate any Federal, State, local law or regulation. The Community
Developer Director shall establish regulations for the granting of permits so as to enforce
this Chapter and ensure that any grading is completed with minimum erosion, aesthetic
degradation, or other negative impact on the site or surrounding areas or the community.
The Community Development Director shall establish such other minimum standards as
may be necessary to protect grand trees or specimen vegetation or land features, or to
otherwise effect the purposes of this Chapter.
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Minimum standards — all grading.
All grading shall comply with the restrictions and prohibitions set forth in the Subdivision,
Land Disturbance and Grading Ordinance of the City of Valley Park and other applicable
zoning pertaining to the site or development. No grading permit shall be issued on any
site where there is an existing uncured violation of any provision of the Subdivision, Land
Disturbance and Grading Ordinance of the City of Valley Park or other applicable zoning
or other development regulations of the City of Valley Park.
Modifications. Any party seeking a permit may request a modification of any of the
minimum standards set forth in Subsections (7) or (8) hereof by filing a written request
with the Community Development Director specifically identifying:
Unique or unusual characteristic(s) of the site, or generally applicable, that eliminate
the need for full application of the standard, or
The precise mitigation proposed that would fully rectify the harms addressed by the
minimum standard to be modified.
The Community Development Director may make such modification
upon a determination that such facts exist qualifying for such
modification; provided that no modification shall be permitted that
shall circumvent any other applicable regulation or the intent of
these minimum standards to eliminate the detrimental impact of
grading addressed by each such standard.
Compaction. All fills intended to support buildings or structures, sewers and conduits shall be
compacted to a minimum of ninety percent (90%) compaction as determined by Modified
Proctor, ASTM D-1775. Compaction of fills for these uses must be a registered professional
engineer at the owner's expense. Frequency of compaction tests is to be determined by the
Community Development Director. Compaction of other fills shall be required where
necessary as a safety measure to aid in preventing the saturation, slipping or erosion of the
fill. The requirements of the Community Development Director for the compaction of fills shall
include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
Areas to be graded by cutting or filling shall be rough graded to within two-tenths (2/10)
of a foot of accepted elevation after allowance has been made for thickness of topsoil,
paved areas and other installations.
The natural ground surface shall be prepared by removing topsoil and vegetation and by
compacting the fill upon a series of terraces. Hillside or slope fills shall require plowing or
scarification of original ground.
Grading of slopes will require silt fencing at intermediate levels to slow surface water,
prevent rutting and decrease erosion.
Grading sites will require silting basins to prevent mud from washing onto adjacent
properties.
If fill material moisture content is below the requirement of compacting to maximum
practical density, water in the proper amount shall be added. If moisture content is too
great, fill material shall be aerated by blading or other satisfactory methods to reduce
moisture content.
Frozen materials or soft, mucky, friable, easily compressible materials shall not be
incorporated in fills intended to support buildings, structures, sewers or conduits, or in the
embanked ends of fills. In heavy rain, interrupted work shall not be resumed until
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moisture content is satisfactory. Fill material shall not be placed, spread or rolled while
the ground is frozen or thawing.
The maximum uncompacted thickness of layers of the fill to be compacted shall not
exceed eight (8) inches.
Compaction shall be by tamping, sheeps foot rollers, multiple wheel pneumatic or other
type rollers. Rolling shall be continuous until the desired maximum density is obtained.
Topsoil disturbed by grading or building operations shall be stripped and piled for storage
in an amount necessary to complete finished grading only.
Removal of timber, rubbish, etc. Timber, logs, trees, brush, vegetable matters and rubbish of
any description shall be removed and disposed of so as to leave the disturbed area with a
neat and finished appearance. Tree stumps, masonry and other obstructions shall be
removed to the following depths:
Paved areas — Two (2) feet below subgrade
Lawn areas — Two (2) feet below finished grade
Solid rock, shale or similar materials shall be removed to a depth of fifteen (15) inches below
subgrade for paved area and two (2) feet below finish grade for lawn area except where it is
impractical because of rock outcropping.
Section 521.060. Inspections.
[R.O. 2013 §521.060; Ord. No. 1473 §6, 10-18-1999]
Inspections shall be made by the Community Development Director during each stage of fill operations
and final approval shall be required upon completion of operations. Applicant shall notify the City upon
commencement of the following when and as completed: rough grading; finished grading before
seeding; and all re-establishment and construction work.
Section 521.070. Use of Streets During Grading.
[R.O. 2013 §521.070; Ord. No. 1473 §7, 10-18-1999]
Notice. At least five (5) working days prior to the use of any street in the City by trucks or hauling
of grading equipment engaged in grading operations in the City which requires the use of the
streets of the City, the contractor in charge shall make a written report to the Community
Development Director of this City specifying the kind and description of trucks or hauling or
grading equipment, and the loaded and unloaded weight of trucks and hauling equipment, and the
number of each and the length of time they will be required to use the streets of this City. The
contractor shall furnish the Community Development Director with all other information required by
him/her to estimate or determine the amount of wear and tear or damage, if any, that may be
caused to streets by such usage. Before construction actually commences or while the work on
the streets is in progress, the Community Development Director may require any contractor or
subcontractor to post surety bond or insurance with the City to guarantee the City for
compensation for any damage to streets, curbs, sidewalks, trees, landscaping or other public
facilities.
Routes. The Community Development Director shall, at least two (2) days before the
commencement of work and usage of the streets of the City, notify the contractor of the route or
routes to be used by such trucks and equipment. The contractor shall be charged with the duty of
seeing that the trucks or equipment use only the route or routes designated by the Community
Development Director. In the event of any emergency requiring a change in route or routes, or if
the Community Development Director finds or determines that any route or routes so designated
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are not safe or that excessive damage is being caused to any street or streets in the City by such
usage, or if he/she finds the welfare of the City so requires, he/she may, upon one (1) day's notice
to the contractor in writing, designate an alternate route or routes, and it shall thereupon be the
duty of the contractor to see that the trucks or equipment use only the alternate route or routes so
designated by the Community Development Director.
Section 521.080. Condition of Streets.
[R.O. 2013 §521.080; Ord. No. 1473 §8, 10-18-1999]
Photographs. It shall be the duty of the Community Development Director, immediately prior to the
time of designating the routes or routes or as provided herein, to examine the condition of the
streets to be used to take photographs of the streets, showing the condition of the pavement,
curbs, sidewalks and other physical features, which shall be dated and a memorandum made of
the condition shown by each photograph. Within five (5) days after termination of the use of the
streets as herein provided, it shall be the duty of the Director to have additional photographs made
and proper descriptive matter included therewith.
Inspections. In addition to the taking of photographs before and after construction, the Community
Development Director shall cause a thorough inspection to be made of the conditions of the
pavement of the streets designated and used under the permit, as well as the curbs and
sidewalks, and shall make written reports of his/her findings, including with his/her report after
termination of the work his/her estimate of the cost of restoring the street to its original condition
as well as any curbs or sidewalks.
Section 521.090. Damage to Streets, Etc.
[R.O. 2013 §521.090; Ord. No. 1473 §9, 10-18-1999]
At the time the Community Development Director designates the routes or routes to be used as
provided in Sections 521.070 and 521.080, he/she shall notify the contractor that the City will hold the
contractor liable for unusual wear and tear or damage to streets, curbs and sidewalks resulting from
such usage, and that acceptance of the route or routes by the contractor shall constitute an agreement
on his/her part to pay the reasonable cost of restoring the streets, curbs and sidewalks in question to
their original condition. Within thirty (30) days after termination of the contractor's usage of the said
route or routes under the grading permit, the contractor shall pay the City an amount sufficient to
reimburse the City for the expense of restoring the streets, sidewalks and curbs to their original
conditions.
Section 521.100. Construction Dirt, Debris and Noise.
[R.O. 2013 §521.100; Ord. No. 1473 §10, 10-18-1999]
Barriers At Construction Site. After new excavation or construction is commenced on any lot or
tract of land in the City, and until sodding, planting or concreting, paving or other final surfacing is
in place which will avoid washing or spreading of dirt and mud onto other property, sidewalks,
curbs, gutters, streets and the space between sidewalks and curbs, the owner of the property, or
the contractor or builder in charge of work, shall erect and maintain temporary walls or other
approved barriers to prevent such washing or spreading of mud or dirt. At the end of each day and
as required throughout the day during the course of excavating or construction, dirt and mud on
the sidewalks, curbs, gutters and streets, and the space between sidewalk and street, resulting
from work, must be removed.
Removing Mud From Vehicle Wheels. The owners, contractors, subcontractors and builders,
jointly and severally, shall provide his/her personnel with shovels or other equipment as necessary
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to remove dirt from the wheels of all vehicles leaving any grading site where mud has
accumulated on the wheels before such vehicles enter any private street of the City. It shall be
unlawful for any owner, contractor or subcontractor or builder to permit any vehicles to leave such
place with mud on the wheels which is liable to be dispersed over any public or private street on
the City, and it shall be unlawful for any driver of a vehicle to enter upon the public or private
streets of the City without having removed or had removed from the wheels prior to such entry.
Each occurrence shall be a separate offense.
Spilling Materials On Streets. The owners, contractors, subcontractors and builders, jointly and
severally, who may load dirt, mud or other materials on any vehicle at any grading site in the City,
during construction or otherwise, shall so load the same that no portion thereof shall be spilled or
be liable to be spilled on the streets of the City. It shall be unlawful for any such person to permit
any vehicle to enter upon the streets of the City loaded in violation of this provision, and it shall be
unlawful for any driver to operate a vehicle on the streets of the City which is loaded in such
manner that it spills or is liable to spill mud, dirt, or other materials on the streets.
Boards Over Sidewalks. Boards, tracks or other protection must be laid over sidewalks, curbs and
gutters to avoid dirt and mud accumulating therein as completely as possible and to prevent
breakage or damage to such installations of whatever material constructed. Damage to walks,
curbs and gutters will be repaired by the contractor, or the Community Development Director may
cause to have them repaired at the contractor's expense.
Waste Material. During the course of construction or excavation, owners, contractors and builders
are required to clean up all paper, refuse, sticks, lumber and other building waste, and all other
waste material daily and to prevent the same from blowing or otherwise being scattered over
adjacent public or private property.
Planting Ground. Vacant property and improved property, after grading and construction is
completed, shall be sodded, planted, concreted, paved or otherwise surfaced to avoid washing or
spreading of dirt and mud onto other property, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets and the space
between sidewalks and curbs prior to issuing an occupancy permit.
Grading. Grading, including operation or idling of equipment, shall be accomplished only between
the hours of 6:30 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. on weekdays 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. on Saturdays and
Sundays, unless in the case of emergency or limited extension of hours is specifically granted by
the Community Development Director for cause.
Noise. The permittee shall take appropriate measures to reduce noise to the fullest extent
practical in the performance of the grading work.
Section 521.110. Correction of Deficiencies.
[R.O. 2013 §521.110; Ord. No. 1473 §11, 10-18-1999]
All violations shall be corrected within the time limit specified in the issuance of a written notice to
correct. Action to correct violations which require immediate action shall be taken upon verbal
notification of the contractor by the City. All persons failing to comply with such notice shall be
deemed in violation of this Chapter.
Any usage of the permittee's surety shall be followed by a written explanation by the Community
Development Director or his/her designee describing the condition corrected and the funds
required to complete the corrective action.
Nothing in this Section shall prevent prosecution of violations of this Chapter in the absence of, or
in addition to, the issuance of a notice of violation.
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Section 521.120. Excavations — Depth.
[R.O. 2013 §605.040; CC 1984 §9-4; Ord. No. 194 §1, 6-25-1940]
No person shall dig, dredge, mine, excavate or maintain or permit to be dug, dredged, mined,
excavated or maintained within the corporate limits of the City any hole, gravel or sand pit, mine,
quarry, excavation or opening to a depth below the normal level of the Meramec River as indicated by
the mark "0" on the river gauge of the staff type maintained and operated by the National Weather
Service on the bridge spanning said river at Valley Park.
Section 521.125. Excavations — Creating Reservoir.
[R.O. 2013 §605.050; CC 1984 §9-5; Ord. No. 198 §1, 3-7-1941]
No person shall dig, dredge, mine, excavate or maintain or permit to be dug, dredged, mined,
excavated or maintained within the corporate limits of the City any hole, gravel or sand pit, mine,
quarry, excavation or opening, which operation or operations will create a reservoir or reservoirs of
water, without permission so to do first having been obtained from the Board of Aldermen by a proper
ordinance.
Section 521.130. Work in Streets — Permit.
[R.O. 2013 §521.130; Ord. No. 1473 §13, 10-18-1999]
Permit Required. No person shall make or cause to be made any excavation in any public place,
street, roadway, parkway, walkway, alley, right-of-way or easement ("public area") without first
obtaining a special use permit from the Community Development Director except in case of public
work done by the employees of the City or by any contractor under contract with the City. Each
separate and distinct excavation shall require a separate special use permit. This Section shall
apply to all persons and to all private, public and municipal corporations.
Emergency Work. In cases where public health or safety is in danger or whatever excavations
must be made on an emergency basis to eliminate hazards to persons, or to prevent interruptions
in the utility services or to restore such services after an interruption has developed and the City is
not open, the provisions of this Section relating to issuances of a special use permit prior to
excavation shall not apply. In such case the person making the excavation shall notify the Police
Department of the City that the emergency work is being commenced and the location thereof,
and the work may proceed immediately. Final surfacing or temporary patches by the contractor
shall not be placed until such time as the City has inspected and approved the backfill and issued
a special use permit therefor. Application for a special use permit shall be made on the first (1st)
day the City's Community Development Director office is open after the emergency work is
commenced.
Application And Permit Fee. Application for a special use permit as required in Subsection (A) of
this Section shall be made on a form provided by the City, which application shall contain
information regarding the purpose, location and the size of the proposed excavation and the
approximate time work thereon will be commenced and shall state the length of time applicant
estimates will elapse from the commencement of the work until complete restoration of the
surface. Each excavation shall require a separate special use permit. The fee for each special use
permit shall be twenty dollars ($20.00).
Posting Insurance. Before any special use permit is issued, the applicant shall furnish proof of
adequate insurance and protection to the City against all claims for damages arising from the
prosecution of the work as provided in Subsection (F) of this Section.
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Deposit. The application for a special use permit shall, in lieu of or in conjunction with the surety
required by Section 521.040 of this Chapter, include a cash deposit to insure the applicant will
backfill the excavation, repair the pavement, and restore the site in compliance with the Section.
The approximate cost of granular backfill, repaving operations, and general site restoration to
be performed by applicant desiring to make an excavation will be estimated by the
Community Development Director at the time the application for a special use permit is
submitted, and the cost so estimated shall be deposited with the City. The amount of the
deposit shall be reasonably sufficient to secure the City against any damage or expense
which may result from the applicant's failure to comply with the provisions of this Section. The
amount of such deposit shall be based upon the location, purpose and extent of the work. The
minimum amount of deposit shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00) for any excavations in
street, sidewalks or driveway pavement and then the minimum deposit shall be two hundred
dollars ($200.00). The maximum deposit shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00),
except where unusual circumstances exist.
Utility companies, contractors performing excavations under contract for utility companies, or
other governmental agencies are not required to provide a cash deposit.
Each special use permit shall have a separate cash deposit to guarantee backfilling, paving
and site restoration in accordance with this Section.
The applicant is responsible for maintenance of the excavation for thirty (30) days. Settlement
of the excavation or cracking, breaking or rutting of the surface shall be prima facie evidence
of improper backfill which shall be replaced by the applicant or by the City with the cost paid
out of the deposit.
If the work is completed satisfactorily, the deposit shall be refunded to the applicant within
fifteen (15) days of the final inspection by the Community Development Director or his/her
authorized representative. The contractor is responsible for notifying the Community
Development Director of final completion of the work. The final inspection will not be
performed until the thirty (30) day maintenance period is over.
In the event the applicant fails to complete or correct the work required by this Section, the
City may complete said work; and the cost to the City shall be paid out of the deposit. In the
event that such deposit is insufficient to pay for the City's cost, or if no deposit was retained,
the applicant shall pay the excess cost to the City within thirty (30) days. Failure to pay said
costs shall constitute cause to deny future applications for grading or excavation until any
default is fully cured.
Failure of the applicant to call for the final inspection within one (1) year of the issuance date
of the special permit shall result in the deposit being forfeited by the applicant, and said
deposit shall be paid to the City as general revenue.
Liability Insurance Or Bond. Every applicant for an excavation permit shall register with the City
proof that the applicant is maintaining liability insurance in the sum of one hundred thousand
dollars ($100,000.00) for bodily injury to each person, three hundred thousand dollars
($300,000.00) for bodily injury to all persons in one (1) occurrence arising out of or on account of
excavation work on account on or in consequence of any neglect in safeguarding the work. Such
insuree shall be carried in a firm or corporation which has been licensed or permitted to carry on
such business in the State and shall be kept and maintained continuously in force and effect so
long as the excavation work shall be in process. A verified copy of the insurance policy shall be
filed with the City with the certificate of the insurer that the policy is in full force and that such
insurance will not be altered, amended, terminated or ended without notice having been given to
the City. In lieu of the insurance as herein provided, the applicant may deposit a corporate or other
surety bond in the penal sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) conditioned that
he/she will pay any judgment recovered by any person injured or any property damage incurred
on account of the excavation work or on account of or in consequence of any neglect in
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safeguarding the work. In the event the insurance policy provided for herein lapses and is not
immediately renewed, or any bond terminates in any manner whatsoever and a substitute in lieu
thereof is not deposited, the special use permit for such excavation shall be revoked immediately.
Manner Of Making Excavations.
In the making of excavations in any street or public space, the excavated materials from the
trenches shall be placed where they will cause the least possible inconvenience to the public.
If the excavated material is waste material, it shall be immediately removed from the site.
The width of excavation shall be no greater than is necessary for doing the work. Sheathing
and bracing shall be used as necessary to keep the sides of the trench vertical and to prevent
caving. Excavations shall be made in accordance with City, County, State and Federal
regulations.
Adequate provision for proper drainage of the area surrounding the work shall be maintained
at all times.
At no time shall the maximum length of an open trench be permitted to exceed five hundred
(500) feet.
No trench or pit shall be permitted to remain open without work actually in progress at each
specific location for a period in excess of three (3) full working days, Saturdays, Sundays and
legal holidays excepted.
Excavations shall be covered or fenced when work is not in progress. Excavations in
roadways shall be backfilled or covered with steel plates at the end of the workday to allow
traffic to safely cross over the excavation.
When a roadway is partially blocked by the excavation work, the applicant shall provide a flag
person to direct traffic safely through the excavation site. Roadways shall not be closed
except upon approval of the Community Development Director after an approved detour has
been established and properly signed, and after the Police and appropriate Fire Department
have been notified.
Manner Of Backfilling, Repaving And Site Restoration.
Excavations made in or under the street, walk or driveway pavement shall be backfilled with
granular material thoroughly tamped into place, and the pavement surface restored. In such
locations, excavated materials shall be removed from the site of the work as the excavation is
made, and no such materials shall be allowed to accumulate on the site.
Substitution may be made for granular backfill or pave restoration only with the specific
approval of the Community Development Director in each instance.
Approved granular backfill material shall be composed of one (1) inch minus crushed stone or
gravel and sand, free from clay lumps and trash and conforming to industry standards for
sieve analysis.
The granular backfilling material shall be at the excavation site at the time of the inspection by
the Community Development Director so he/she can determine compliance with aggregate
specifications. Granular backfill shall be placed in horizontal layers not greater than six (6)
inches thick before compaction and shall be densified by mechanical tamping or inundating
and vibration or jetting. Each layer of fill material shall be compacted to ensure the desired
compaction and density which shall be not less than ninety-five percent (95%) standard
compaction. During placement, care shall be taken to avoid undue segregation of coarse and
fine particles.
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Asphaltic concrete pavement, macadam pavement, or bituminous pavement shall be restored
as follows:
Excavation edges shall be cut straight to a minimum depth of two (2) inches and squared with
a concrete saw. The edge shall be primed and an asphaltic concrete, St. Louis County Type
C, shall be placed on the compacted backfill. The depth of asphaltic concrete shall be eight
(8) inches placed in layers not greater than three (3) inches nor less than one (1) inch. Each
layer shall be thoroughly compacted and the surface shall be smooth and free of ruts
matching the existing pavement to support traffic without rutting or settling.
Concrete pavement shall be restored as follows:
Excavation edges shall be straight, cut full depth and squared with a concrete saw or
replaced to a joint. A six (6) sack Portland cement concrete shall be placed on the compacted
backfill. The concrete thickness shall be seven (7) inches minimum. The concrete surface
shall be finished to match the surrounding finishes. The concrete shall be protected from
traffic for seven (7) days.
Curbs shall be restored as follows:
The existing remaining curb shall be cut straight with a concrete saw or removed to a joint.
The new curb shall match (asphaltic concrete or Portland cement concrete) shape and style
of the existing curbs. Concrete curbs shall be reconstructed with six (6) pack Portland cement
concrete.
Excavations in parkways outside of the paved area may be backfilled with earth and all
grassed areas returned to their original condition by sodding or seeding as directed by the
City. Earth backfill is to be placed and compacted in the same manner as described in this
Section for granular fills or thoroughly jetted to obtain maximum settlement and shall be
maintained by the applicant until the areas has been stabilized in the original condition. As
soon as the excavation has been backfilled, all excess excavated materials shall be removed
from the area and disposed of.
All work shall be guaranteed from defects for a period of one (1) year after the inspection.
Inspection Of Backfill Material And Pavement Replacement. Backfill material must be approved by
the Community Development Director. In the event backfill material is not approved by the City, all
such backfill must be removed and replaced under the Community Development Director's
supervision. Pavement shall be replaced only upon inspection by the City.
Interference With Traffic And Driveways — Restoration Of Surfaces. All excavations regulated by
this Section shall be made in such manner as not to inconvenience or interfere with the public use
or travel upon the streets, sidewalks, or other public places when possible. When such use is
unavoidably obstructed, the person making such excavation shall exercise all reasonable dispatch
in prosecuting the work so that the public use will not be obstructed beyond a reasonable time. All
sidewalks, crosswalks, curbs, gutters, streets or public places disturbed, interfered with or injured
in making such excavation shall be restored, replaced and repaired to as good condition as they
were before such excavation was made.
Barricades, Signs, Lights And Warning Signals. Every person who shall make or cause to be
made any excavation in or adjoining on a public street, highway or public place shall provide, erect
and maintain at all times along the line of work all such barricades, signs, lights and warning
signals as may be necessary to advise, warn and protect the public from the hazards arising from
the operation. All traffic control devices shall be in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices as published by the Federal Highway Administration.
Protection Of Public As To Excavations Near Public Ways. No person shall make, cause or permit
any opening near any public street, highway, alley or other public place to be left open and
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unguarded so as to be dangerous to persons passing along said street, highway, alley or other
public place.
Inspections. Inspection fees for each inspection performed shall be forty dollars ($40.00). A
minimum of one (1) inspection shall be required for each permit.
Section 521.140. Location and Excavation for Public Fire
Hydrants.
[R.O. 2013 §521.140; Ord. No. 1473 §14, 10-18-1999]
Unless action is taken by the City to the contrary, the City shall defer to the decisions of the fire
districts having jurisdiction within the City of Valley Park regarding the location and number of
public fire hydrants in each applicable fire district, except in cases as the Community Development
Director determines that the City has different requirements with regard to specific locations or
sites. The fire district authorizing or requiring any public hydrant shall forward such resolution to
the Community Development Director for the City, and unless the Community Development
Director shall indicate objection to the resolution in writing to the fire district within twenty (20) days
after such delivery, the City shall defer to the decision of the fire district for purposes as may be
required by law for the authorization of such fire hydrants. No excavation shall occur within any
public right-of-way or easement for installation of such fire hydrants until a special use permit or
other required permit shall be obtained from the City of Valley Park.
Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to impose upon any fire district or any other party any
requirement not already existing in law regarding the location or number of any fire hydrants, nor
shall it be deemed to create any liability upon the City relating to any decision by the applicable
fire district or any other party regarding such public fire hydrants. The City retains all authority and
power under law to require, authorize or regulate public fire hydrants and nothing in this Section
shall be deemed to modify or waive any applicable ordinances or regulations of the City.