[Ord. 2013-39, 1/10/2013]
These regulations, rules, and standards for planning, subdividing, and developing land within Swatara Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, including procedures for the application and administration, and penalties for the violation thereof, shall be known, cited and referred to as the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for Swatara Township, Lebanon County, Ordinance No. 2013-39, of the Code of Ordinances of the Township of Swatara, Chapter 22.
[Ord. 2013-39, 1/10/2013]
The general purpose of this chapter shall be to guide and regulate
the planning, subdividing, and development of land in order to promote
and protect the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity,
and general welfare of the residents of Swatara Township. Recognizing
the problems associated with inadequate management of accelerated
stormwater runoff from uncontrolled development, this chapter also
intends to provide a comprehensive program of stormwater management,
including reasonable regulation of development and activities causing
accelerated erosion which is deemed fundamental to the public health,
safety, welfare, and the protection of the people of Swatara Township,
as well as their resources and environment.
[Ord. 2013-39, 1/10/2013]
1.
It is intended that the provisions of these regulations shall be
applied to achieve the following objectives:
A.
Orderly development of the land to obtain harmonious and stable neighborhoods;
and
B.
Safe and convenient vehicular and pedestrian circulation; and
C.
Adequate and economical provisions for utilities and public services
to conserve the public funds; and
D.
Ample public open space for schools, recreational and other public
purposes; and
E.
Accurate surveying of land, preparing and recording of plats; and
F.
Discouraging of premature, uneconomical, or scattered subdivision;
and
G.
Maximizing conservation of all forms of energy; and stormwater management,
by managing accelerated runoff and erosion and sedimentation problems
at their source and by regulating activities that cause these problems;
and
H.
Utilizing and preserve the existing natural drainage systems; and
I.
Encouraging recharge of groundwater where appropriate and preventing
degradation of groundwater quality; and
J.
Maintain existing flows and quality of streams and watercourses in
the municipality and the commonwealth; and
K.
Preserving and restoring the flood-carrying capacity of streams;
and providing proper maintenance of all permanent stormwater management
facilities that are constructed in the municipality; and
L.
Providing performance standards and design criteria for watershed-wide
stormwater management and planning; and coordination of land development
in accordance with the Zoning Code[1], Long-range transportation plan, comprehensive plan, watershed
plans, and other plans of the municipality and county.
[Ord. 2013-39, 1/10/2013]
1.
No subdivision or land development of any lot, tract or parcel of
land located within Swatara Township shall be effected; no street,
sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main, stormwater control facilities,
or other facilities in connection therewith shall be laid out, constructed,
opened, or dedicated for travel or public use, until a subdivision
or land development plan has been approved in the manner prescribed
herein, and recorded. Furthermore, no property shall be developed,
no building shall be erected and no site improvements shall be completed
except in strict accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
2.
No lot in a subdivision may be sold or transferred; no permit to
erect or alter any building upon land in a subdivision or land development
may be issued; and no buildings may be erected in a subdivision or
land development unless and until any required final subdivision or
land development plat has been approved and recorded, and until construction
of any required site improvements in connection therewith has been
completed or guaranteed in the manner prescribed herein.
3.
Approvals issued pursuant to this chapter do not relieve the applicant
of the responsibility to secure required permits or approvals for
activities regulated by other agencies or levels of government.
