A chapter establishing rules and regulations governing the subdivision and development of land within Union Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the authority set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.), setting forth the procedure to be followed by the Union Township Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission in applying these rules, regulations, standards and specifications, and prescribing the manner of enforcement and penalties for the violation thereof.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Union Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance."
These regulations are adopted to protect, promote and create conditions favorable to the health, safety, convenience and general welfare of the citizens of Union Township by:
A. 
Ensuring that sites will be suitable for building purposes, human habitation, commercial and industrial operations, and other uses for which land may be used.
B. 
Providing for the orderly, efficient, integrated, and harmonious development of land within the Township.
C. 
Effectively coordinating the planning, design, and construction of proposed transportation and community facilities with existing facilities in the Township.
D. 
Ensuring the conformance of subdivision and land development plans with the public improvement plans and programs of the Township, county and/or state.
E. 
Providing for the efficient and orderly extension of community facilities and services.
F. 
Ensuring that all subdivision and land development applications are consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan adopted for the Township and in effect at the time of the application and Chapter 200, Zoning.
G. 
Assuring the equitable and just processing of subdivision and land development plans by providing uniform procedures and standards for observance by both the applicant and Township officials.
H. 
Encouraging and promoting flexibility in subdivision and land development design when it results in an improvement to the environment and overall conditions of the site.
I. 
Creating conditions favorable to the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of Union Township.
A. 
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements to meet the stated purposes indicated under § 172-3.
B. 
Where the provisions of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any other Township statute, ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall be complied with. Where the provisions of any other Township statute, ordinance or regulation impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such other Township statute, ordinance or regulation shall be complied with, unless otherwise stated in this chapter.
A. 
After the effective date of this chapter, any subdivision or land development, except that undertaken by the Township with the Township being exempt, shall be in conformity with this chapter, including all standards and specifications adopted as part of this chapter.
B. 
All subdivision and land development applications shall conform with the goals, objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan adopted for the Township and in effect at the time of the application.
C. 
All subdivision and land development applications shall conform with the standards and provisions of Chapter 200, Zoning.
D. 
No subdivision or land development of any lot, tract or parcel of land shall be made, no street sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main or other improvements in connection therewith shall be laid out, constructed, opened or dedicated for public use or travel, or for the common use of occupants of buildings abutting thereon, except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
E. 
Unless and until a subdivision and/or land development plan has been approved and recorded in accordance with all standards and provisions of this chapter, no lots within a proposed subdivision or land development may be sold and no permits shall be issued in order to erect any building upon land within a development.
F. 
Where under special and unique conditions a literal enforcement of these regulations would result in an unnecessary hardship, such reasonable exceptions thereto may be made, provided it will not affect the public health, safety and general welfare of the Township residents.
G. 
After approval or endorsement by the Union Township Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, the subdivision or, land development plan shall be recorded in the Berks County Recorder of Deeds Office located in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Except as otherwise required by law, this chapter is intended as a continuation of, and not a repeal of existing regulations governing the subject matter. To the extent that this chapter restates regulations contained in ordinances previously enacted by the Board of Supervisors of Union Township, this chapter shall be considered a restatement and not a repeal of such regulations. It is the specific intent of the Board that all provisions of this chapter shall be considered in full force and effect as of the date such regulations were initially enacted. All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed. It is especially provided that the provisions of this chapter shall not affect any act done, any contract executed, or liability incurred prior to its effective date, or affect any suit or prosecution pending or to be instituted to enforce any rights, rule, regulation or ordinance, or part thereof, or to punish any violation which occurred under any prior regulation or ordinance. In the event any violation has occurred under any prior regulation or ordinance of Union Township, prosecution may be instituted against the alleged offender pursuant to the provisions of the prior regulation or ordinance, and the provisions and penalties provided in the prior regulation or ordinance shall remain effective as to the violation.