This article provides an overview of the general procedure for the Township review of proposed subdivisions and land developments (§ 230-24) and of the general procedures for submitting plans to the Township (§ 230-25). Two generalized exemplary flowcharts are included at the end of this chapter to show the general subdivision process for major and minor subdivisions.
A. 
Review and approval stages.
(1) 
Three types of plan submission are included in the procedure for filing and approval of subdivision and land development plans: sketch, preliminary, and final.
(2) 
The table below outlines the stages for the different types of proposed subdivision or land development.
Type of Proposed Subdivision or Land Development*
Stage
Article of this Chapter
Land Development
Major Subdivision
Minor Subdivision or Boundary Line Adjustment
Sketch plan
IV
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Preliminary plan
V
Required
Required
Not required
Final plan
VI
Required
Required
Not required**
Guarantee of installation
VIII
Required
Required
Required
Recording of final plan
IX
Required
Required
Required
NOTES:
*
See definitions in Article II.
**
See Article VII for minor subdivision final plan filing and review requirements. See § 230-41 for submission requirements for a boundary line adjustment.
B. 
Sketch plan.
(1) 
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 Planning Commission before preparing a preliminary plan. This will often avoid expensive redesign and delay to the applicant.
(2) 
Comments made by the Township on the sketch plan are not by themselves binding upon the Township.
C. 
Preliminary plan.
(1) 
The initial plan required to be filed to the Commission for formal review of a major subdivision or land development shall be the official preliminary plan.
(2) 
Minor subdivisions and boundary line adjustments are not required to file a preliminary plan.
(3) 
The purpose of the preliminary plan is to achieve formal approval of the overall development scheme proposed in order to minimize the need for any revisions of final plans.
D. 
Final plan.
(1) 
After approval of the preliminary plan of a major subdivision or land development, the applicant files a final plan.
(2) 
The purpose of the final plan is to obtain formal approval from the Board of Commissioners before plans for all subdivisions and land developments are recorded.
E. 
Guarantee of improvements installation. Where improvements are required by this chapter, the Township and applicant shall enter into a development agreement and the applicant shall post financial security acceptable to the Township in an amount sufficient to cover the costs which may be required. See Article VIII.
F. 
Recording of final plan (see Article IX). All final plans shall be officially recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Deeds prior to the sale of any lots within a subdivision or the construction of any building.
A. 
Submission. Applicants shall submit any sketch plan that is submitted and all required preliminary and final plans and all required accompanying information to the Township Administrator by delivery in person. Said plans shall be filed at least 21 days prior to the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting at which the plan may be reviewed.
B. 
Completeness. The Administrator shall review the submission items filed against a checklist for completeness and shall reject any submission and seek to return the submission and filing fees of an application that the Administrator determines is significantly incomplete.
C. 
Meeting attendance. The applicant and or his representatives shall endeavor to attend meetings involving the discussion of the applicant's application.
D. 
Action by the Commission and the Board of Commissioners. Within 90 days following the date of the regular meeting of the Commission, next following the date the application is filed, the Commission shall make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners, and the Board of Commissioners shall act to approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the plan.
[1]
Editor's Note: Two generalized exemplary flowcharts are included at the end of this chapter to show the general subdivision process for major and minor subdivisions.