[Ord. 3/16/1991, 3/16/1991, § 3.1]
This Part provides an overview of the general procedure for the Township review of proposed subdivisions and land developments (§ 22-302) and of the general procedures for submitting plans to the Township (§ 22-302). This Part is intended to be instructional and exemplary only and does not set forth mandatory requirements which are binding on the Township or an applicant.
[Ord. 3/6/1991, § 3.2; as amended by Ord. 313, 11/8/2006, § 9; and by Ord. 328, 9/12/2007, § 1]
1. 
Review and Approval Stages.
A. 
Three types of plan submission are included in the procedure for approval of subdivision and land development plans: sketch, preliminary, and final.
B. 
These plans enable the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to have an adequate opportunity to review the submission and to insure that their formal recommendations are reflected in the final plan which is recorded.
C. 
The table below outlines the stages for the different types of proposed subdivision or land development.
Type of Proposed Sub or Land Develop*
Stage
Sub Ord. Part
Land Develop
Major Sub
Minor Sub and Resub
Sketch Plan
4
Not required
Not required
Not required
Preliminary Plan
5
Required
Required
Not required
Final Plan
6
Required
Required
Required**
Guarantee of Improvements
7
Required
Required
Required (minor sub only)
Recording of Plan
8
Required
Required
Required
*
See Part 2 for precise definitions.
**
See Part 7 for minor subdivision final plan submission and review requirements.
2. 
Sketch Plans.
[Amended by Ord. No. 387, 3/14/2018]
A. 
Before the formal submission of a preliminary, final, or preliminary/final plan for a minor subdivision, major subdivision, resubdivision, or land development for review and approval, the applicant may submit a sketch plan for discussion with the Plainfield Township Planning Commission as to the suitability of a parcel of land for a specific subdivision (either minor, major, or resubdivision) or land development use and for direction or advice from the Plainfield Township Planning Commission.
B. 
The Plainfield Township Planning Commission may review the sketch plan data to determine the development potential of the site. The general development concepts may be reviewed to determine their compatibility with the development potential of the site and with relevant plans and ordinances. Also, the sketch plan stage is designed to offer the applicant an opportunity to informally discuss, prior to preliminary plan submission, his or her plans for the proposed subdivision or land development with the Plainfield Township Planning Commission.
C. 
Sketch plan submissions are not required, but if they are provided, they are considered informal. Plainfield Township is not required to respond to such a submission. All opinions and advice given to the prospective applicant during a sketch plan review will be unofficial and not binding on either Plainfield Township or the applicant. No official action shall be taken on a sketch plan. Plainfield Township shall not be bound by comments made or not made as part of a sketch plan review.
3. 
Preliminary Plan.
A. 
Except for any sketch plan which is submitted, the initial plan submitted to the Commission for formal review of a major subdivision or land development shall be considered the official preliminary plan.
B. 
Minor subdivisions and resubdivisions are not required to submit a preliminary plan.
C. 
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.
4. 
Final Plan.
A. 
Major subdivisions and land developments.
(1) 
After approval of the preliminary plan of a major subdivision or land development, the applicant submits a final plan to the Planning Commission.
(2) 
The purpose of the final plan is to obtain formal approval by the Board of Supervisors before plans for all subdivisions and land developments are recorded.
B. 
Minor Subdivisions and Resubdivisions.
(1) 
The applicant submits a "preliminary/final minor subdivisions plan" or a "preliminary/final resubdivision plan" to the Planning Commission.
(2) 
The purpose of the preliminary/final plan is to secure formal approval by the Planning Commission, as the sole reviewing and approving body, before plans for minor subdivisions or resubdivisions are recorded.
5. 
Guarantee of Improvements Installation. Before approving any subdivision or land development plan for recording, the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission, as the case may be, shall require that the Township be assured (by means of a proper development agreement and performance guarantee) that the improvements required by this Chapter will subsequently be installed in strict compliance with the standards and specifications of this Chapter.
6. 
Recording of Final Plan. The applicant shall record the final plan approved by the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission, as the case may be, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Northampton County within 90 days of the release of the plan to the applicant by the Township and the applicant shall submit evidence of the filing by way of the Recorder's receipt to the Township.