The laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
empower local governments to regulate the subdivision of land. The
authority for this function has been established by the General Assembly
under the provisions of Act 247-1968, the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, as amended by Act 170-1988.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance of the Township
of Independence, Beaver County, Pennsylvania."
This chapter has been developed to require basic
minimum standards for the development of land, including the subdivision
thereof, into separate lots; and establishes rules and regulations,
definitions, application procedures and permits by which the standards
may be carried out. These requirements are designed to provide for:
A. The coordinated development of land throughout the
Township.
B. Assurance that new subdivisions will be developed
consistent with the maintenance of the health, safety and general
welfare of the public;
C. Necessary public facilities in an amount and size
commensurate with the needs of the area to be subdivided and the uses
to which the land will be devoted;
D. Assistance in identification of hazards from flooding,
landslides, subsidence or other dangers, by requirements that land
subject to such dangers will be made safe for its proposed use or
be set aside for uses that will not precipitate dangerous conditions;
E. Protection of the soil, water and other natural environmental
resources of the area from the effects of uncontrolled development
practices;
F. Coordination of continuing community growth with respect
to overall development considerations, such as sewage disposal, water
supply, drainage facilities, traffic circulation systems, emergency
accessways, retention of open spaces and related factors; and,
G. Equitable administration of all subdivision and development
proposals throughout the municipality.