[Added 5-8-2008 by Ord. No. 1961]
A tentative sketch plan, as described in § 146-8.2 herein, may be submitted by an applicant to the Township Code Department for informal review by the Township Planning Commission. Said tentative sketch plan is optional and shall not be considered a formal application subject to the plan review procedures applicable to preliminary and final applications set forth in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
A. 
Tentative sketch plans should be drawn legibly and to a reasonably accurate scale, but they need not be precisely surveyed or engineered plans. Tentative sketch plans should show the following information:
(1) 
The tract boundary and location by deed plotting.
(2) 
A North point and approximate scale.
(3) 
A location plan showing the relationship of the subject tract to the surrounding street network.
(4) 
The existing and proposed roads and lots layouts, and existing or proposed building layouts.
(5) 
Significant topographical and physical features, such as floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes (over 15%), woodlands and existing structures.
(6) 
Proposals for control of drainage and runoff and community facilities.
(7) 
Approximate building envelope.
(8) 
List of proposed uses.
B. 
It is to the applicant's advantage to show as much of the requested information as possible. Although the Township Planning Commission will discuss any plan presented, a lack of significant information may result in less useful guidance to the applicant.
A. 
Any person, persons or entity intending to submit a formal application for subdivision and/or land development approval may submit a tentative sketch plan to the Township Code Enforcement Department for review by the Township Planning Commission.
B. 
The Township Code Enforcement Department or Ward Commissioner shall encourage the submission of a tentative sketch plan in connection with all major subdivision and/or land development projects.
C. 
In the case of any subdivision and/or land development application that will entail acquiring zoning relief, the Township Code Enforcement Department or Ward Commissioner shall encourage the submission of a tentative sketch plan and completion of the tentative sketch plan review process prior to the submission of an application for zoning relief.
D. 
Those applicants wishing to avail themselves of the tentative sketch plan review process shall submit nine copies of the sketch plan, accompanied by the following:
(1) 
A nonrefundable tentative sketch plan review fee in the amount of $250. A separate fee shall be required for each tentative sketch plan submitted.
(2) 
A written waiver of any applicable limitations of time in which the Township may be required to review any land use submission, including all such provisions contained within the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1] The written waiver shall include a provision clearly stating that the submission of a tentative sketch plan does not constitute an application for approval under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and is not subject to any deemed approval provisions, including those contained in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Said written waiver is to be submitted on a form to be provided by the Township Code Enforcement Department at the time of sketch plan submission.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
E. 
After submitting a tentative sketch plan for review, an applicant may opt out of the tentative sketch plan review process at any time by providing written notice of his or her intention to do so to the Township Code Enforcement Department.
F. 
If, after submitting a tentative sketch plan for review, an applicant submits an application for preliminary or final approval in connection with the same subdivision and/or land development, or to any degree involving the same property as that covered by the tentative sketch plan, the tentative sketch plan process shall be deemed closed, and no further review of the tentative sketch plan shall take place.
Tentative sketch plan submissions shall be reviewed by the Township Planning Commission. The Township Planning Commission shall take under consideration, and shall discuss with the applicant, the following:
A. 
Conformity with the Township's Comprehensive Plan.
B. 
Concerns of residents affected by the project proposed in the tentative sketch plan.
C. 
The impacts of projects similar to the project proposed in the tentative sketch plan, and how any negative impacts might be avoided.
D. 
The compatibility of the project proposed in the tentative sketch plan with the Old York Road Corridor Study, the Easton Road Business District, the McKinley Business District, Keswick Village, and any other similar study or economic development initiative as may be undertaken in the future.
E. 
The compatibility of the project proposed in the tentative sketch plan with the Township Zoning Ordinance and any planned amendments thereto.[1] Such review by the Township Planning Commission shall not address the merits of any zoning relief that may be required but shall serve only to bring such necessity to the attention of the applicant and to determine, if the necessary relief is obtained from the Zoning Hearing Board, how the plan might be modified to meet the expectations of the Township and affected residents.
[1]
Editor's Note: The current Zoning Ordinance is on file in the Township offices.