The procedures set forth in this article shall be followed by
all applicants.
[Amended 10-2-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04]
A. Preapplication meeting. A preapplication meeting is recommended for
all subdivisions and land developments proposed within Schuylkill
Township. This meeting may occur at the regularly scheduled Planning
Commission meeting, or with the Township Engineer and/or staff, and
is used to discuss the applicant's objectives, and to schedule site
visits, meetings and plan submissions as described below. Applicants
are encouraged to present the existing features inventory, based on
existing published data, at this meeting. A preapplication meeting
shall not constitute a formal submission, but provides an opportunity
to the applicant and the Township to discuss key issues before the
formal process begins. Applicants who request the Township Engineer's
time during the preapplication meeting, site visit and/or sketch plan
shall complete an escrow form and payment to cover the cost. The escrow
form is available at the Township building. Applicants wishing to
appear before the Planning Commission must notify the Township seven
days prior to the meeting to request that they be placed on the agenda.
B. Site visit. A site visit is required for all preliminary subdivision
and land development application submissions and recommended during
the optional sketch plan phase. A site visit completed during the
optional sketch plan phase shall fulfill the site visit requirement
for the preliminary plan. The applicant arranges a site visit with
Planning Commission representatives and, as applicable, representatives
of the Environmental Advisory Council, Historical Commission and Open
Space Commission. The applicant is advised to provide the existing
features inventory to all attending the site visit. When arranged
during the voluntary sketch plan process, the site visit shall not
constitute a formal submission. The purpose of the site visit is to
familiarize local officials with the property's existing conditions
and special features, to identify potential site design issues and
to provide an informal opportunity to discuss the site design concepts,
including the general layout of conservation land, if applicable,
and potential locations for proposed buildings and street alignments.
C. Plan submissions.
(1) Sketch plans. If an applicant chooses to prepare a sketch plan, the
plan should be submitted to Schuylkill Township no fewer than seven
days prior to the next Planning Commission meeting in order for the
plan to be placed on the agenda. However, applicants who request a
review by the Township Engineer shall submit plans no fewer than 29
days prior to the next Planning Commission meeting in order for the
plan to be placed on the agenda.
(2) Preliminary plans. Preliminary plans must be submitted to Schuylkill
Township, accompanied by a completed application for subdivision and
land development, no fewer than 29 days prior to the next Planning
Commission meeting in order for the submission to be placed on the
agenda.
D. A sketch plan. A sketch plan is recommended for all subdivisions
and land developments proposed within Schuylkill Township and its
preparation is at the discretion of the applicant. A sketch plan may
be submitted for either a subdivision or land development and is particularly
critical for conservation subdivisions that designate conservation
land. The sketch plan shall not constitute a formal submission but
provides an opportunity for the applicant and the Township Supervisors
or Planning Commission to discuss key issues and possible solutions
to anticipated problems before the formal process begins.
E. Preliminary plan.
(1) A preliminary plan is required for all subdivisions and land developments
proposed within Schuylkill Township, except that the following subdivision
and land development plans are exempt from the preliminary plan process
and may be submitted directly as final plans:
(a)
Land developments which involve a single, nonresidential structure
of less than 2,000 square feet of floor area on a previously approved
and recorded lot;
(b)
The provision of a second principal building of less than 2,000
square feet of floor area on a parcel which currently contains a single
principal building;
(c)
The addition to an existing nonresidential structure having
an area which is the equivalent of not more than 10% of the existing
gross floor area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less;
(d)
The development of a single parcel which involves a single structure
containing not more than two units of occupancy;
(e)
A subdivision of three lots or less, provided that none of the
resulting lots would be of a size that could be further subdivided;
and
(f)
A plan which proposes to alter the location of lot lines between
existing residential lots, provided that the number of residential
units that could be constructed on either lot would not be increased
by the alteration.
(2) The Township Supervisors may require a preliminary plan for the subdivisions
or land developments otherwise exempted above if they determine that
the plans could result in a significant change in traffic volumes
or patterns or if, due to unusual physical conditions, the proposal
could cause significant harm to the physical environment and the health,
safety, and welfare of the citizens of Schuylkill Township.
F. Final plan. A final plan is required for all subdivisions and land developments proposed within Schuylkill Township. The final plan may represent a subdivision or a land development. A plan showing all information required for a final plan, which has been submitted as a preliminary plan pursuant to §
320-18, and for which either no changes have been required by the Township Supervisors or for which required changes have been incorporated, may be approved as a final plan.
G. Submission of a land development plan in lieu of a subdivision plan.
A land development plan may be submitted in lieu of a subdivision
plan when review of a plan on a lot-by-lot basis would not be applicable.
The Township Supervisors may grant waivers or modifications
to one or more of the minimum requirements of this chapter when the
literal enforcement and compliance with mandatory provisions is shown
to the satisfaction of the Township Supervisors to be unreasonable,
to cause undue hardship because of peculiar conditions pertaining
to the land in question, or when an alternative can be demonstrated
to provide equal or better results, provided that such modification
is not contrary to the public interest and that the purpose and intent
of this chapter is observed.
A. Requests for waivers. All requests for waivers or modifications shall
be in writing and shall accompany and be a part of the application.
The request shall fully state the grounds and facts of unreasonableness
or hardship on which the request is based, the provision or provisions
of this chapter involved, and the minimum modification necessary.
B. Waiver requests submitted to Planning Commission. The request for
modification shall be referred to the Schuylkill Township Planning
Commission and Township Engineer for advisory comments.
C. Written records of waivers. The Township Supervisors shall maintain
a written record of all actions on all requests for modifications.
The applicant shall be required to furnish a bond or escrow
fund and to pay fees and costs in accordance with Schuylkill Township
Fee Schedule.
[Added 11-1-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-11]
A. Where construction of improvements is deferred until after plot plan
recording, the following procedures are required:
(1) No occupancy permit for a lot shall be issued until the Township
has received, reviewed and approved professionally certified evidence
of:
(a)
Compliant improvement of streets, utilities and stormwater management
to afford access to such lot on mud free or otherwise permanently
passable streets to existing public roads;
(b)
Compliant improvement of all other improvements as depicted
on the plan both upon the lot and such other areas as are necessary
for the reasonable use or occupancy of the proposed buildings;
(c)
Compliance of the grading and/or building plan and/or building,
as the case may be with the plan and all applicable codes;
B. In all cases, no permit shall be issued where the subdivision property
has been developed in violation of any ordinance of Schuylkill Township.
C. Violation of any federal, state, county or local permit or approval
in the development of any subdivision is prohibited by this chapter.
D. Deviation from any approved plan, including any agreement which is
part of such approval in a development, is prohibited by this chapter.
E. At builder's or owner's (applicant) request, the Township will review
status of improvements at the building permit stage and issue a status
report as to the requirements set forth in this section. Failure to
make such a request will constitute assumption by the builder of the
risk of not receiving occupancy permits because of failure to satisfy
this section. Township's failure to identify areas of compliance shall
not bind Township unless all relevant facts were disclosed to Township
and applicant had no knowledge of such noncompliance.