This article summarizes the general procedures for the submission and review of proposed subdivisions and land developments. This article is only a general explanation and is not binding on the Township or an applicant. See the actual provisions of the other articles of this chapter.
A. 
Review and approval stages. Three types of plan submissions are established: sketch, preliminary and final, as outlined below.
Type of Proposed Subdivision or Land Development1
Stage
Article of This Chapter
Land Development
Major Subdivision
Minor Subdivision or Lot Line Adjustment
Sketch plan
IV
Recommended
Recommended5
Recommended
Preliminary plan3
V
Required4
Required3
Not required
Final plan
VI
Required
Required
Required2
Guarantee of improvements installation
See Article VIII
Recording of final plan
See Article IX
NOTES:
1
See definitions in Article II.
2
See Article VII for minor subdivision final plan submission and review requirements. See § 192-41 for submission requirements for a lot line adjustment.
3
At their option, the Board of Commissioners may grant a waiver of the preliminary plan requirement if the plan submission meets the requirements of a final plan submission.
4
Except where exempted by § 192-30.
5
If applicant chooses to use the conservation subdivision option, a sketch plan is required.
B. 
Sketch plan. While a sketch plan is not required, it is strongly recommended that it be filed to allow the applicant to consult early and informally with the Township staff and Planning Commission before preparing a preliminary plan. This will often avoid expensive redesign and delay to the applicant.
C. 
Preliminary plan. Preliminary plans are required to be submitted for any major subdivision and for certain land developments, as described above.
D. 
Final plan. After approval of the preliminary plan of a major subdivision or certain land developments, and to obtain approval of a minor subdivision, the applicant must file a final plan. A final plan must be approved prior to recording of the plans at the County Recorder of Deeds Office and prior to the sale of any lots or the construction of any buildings. (See Article IX.)
E. 
Guarantee of improvements installation. Where improvements are required by this chapter, the Township will require that the applicant enter into a development agreement, including the posting of financial security sufficient to guarantee the costs of any improvements which may be required. See Article VIII.
A. 
Submission. Sketch, preliminary and final plans and all required accompanying information are required to be submitted to the Township staff.
B. 
Completeness. The Planning Commission shall have the authority to recommend rejection by the Board of Commissioners or to table an application that the Commission determines is significantly incomplete.
C. 
Attendance. The applicant or his/her duly authorized representative should attend the Commission meeting to discuss the filed plans. The Commission may request such attendance. If the applicant fails to appear when so requested at a meeting where the plans will be considered, it may result in plan disapproval, if the Township determines that it resulted in insufficient information to render a decision.
D. 
Action by the Commission and the Board of Commissioners. The Planning Commission advises the Board of Commissioners on proposed plans. There are time limits in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[1] for approval of a subdivision or land development, unless the applicant grants a time extension.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.