This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Washington Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance."
[Amended 7-2-2002 by Ord. No. 4-02]
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to help protect and
promote the safety, health and general welfare of the citizens of
the Township; to assist in accomplishing a coordinated development
of the Township; to guide and protect future growth and development;
to ensure the preservation and protection of resources through a network
of conservation lands to be identified during the development design
process to meet future community needs for stormwater management,
floodwater storage, groundwater recharge, crop production, wildlife
habitat, active and passive recreation, scenic viewshed and rural
character protection, and preservation of historic and cultural resources;
to guide uses of land and structures, type and location of streets
and public utilities; and to permit the Township the opportunity to
minimize such problems as may presently exist or which may be foreseen.
B.
This chapter supports the idea of conservation subdivision
design as a practical tool to help protect an interconnected network
of open space throughout the Township, and to help establish effective
buffers around working farms and along the boundaries of existing
protected lands.
The authority of the Township Council to adopt this chapter is granted by Article V of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act No. 247, as amended.[1] Any subdivision or land development as herein defined
and within the boundaries of Washington Township shall conform to
this chapter. As such, no subdivision or land development of any lot,
tract or parcel of land shall be made, and no streets, sanitary sewer,
storm sewer, water main or other improvements in connection therewith
shall be laid out, opened or dedicated for public use or travel, or
for the common use of occupants of building abutting thereon, except
in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10501
et seq.
The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted
to be the minimum requirements to meet the purposes of the chapter.
Where the provisions of this chapter conflict or are inconsistent
with the provisions of any other regulation or requirement, the more
restrictive provisions in question shall apply.
All applications for subdivision and/or land
development approval within the Township shall be forwarded upon receipt
to the Erie County Planning Department for review and report. Such
action shall occur at the preliminary and final plan stages, and the
Township shall not take action on said plans until the county report
is received or until the expiration of 45 days from the date the plans
were forwarded to the county.
The granting of approval to a subdivision or
land development shall not constitute a representation, guarantee
or warranty of any kind by the Township or by any official or employee
thereof on the practicability or safety of the proposed use and shall
create no liability upon the Township, its officials or employees.
All preliminary plans which were approved under
Township Ordinance No. 1-60 shall be exempt from resubmission under
the provisions and standards of this chapter, provided that the respective
plan is submitted for final approval within five years from the date
of preliminary plan approval. Final approval shall be granted by the
Township Council, provided that it conforms to the formerly approved
preliminary plan and any conditions prescribed by the Township at
the time of preliminary approval.
