This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the "Lancaster Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance."
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the safe, harmonious, orderly, and efficient development of the Township by:
A. 
In general, protecting and promoting the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of the citizens of the Township;
B. 
Ensuring development plans conform to the Township's Comprehensive Plan and other municipal regulations;
C. 
Ensuring the provision of adequate public facilities, including roadways, walkways, water supply and sanitary sewage facilities, open spaces, and other public improvements;
D. 
Securing the protection of water resources, drainageways, and other environmental resources;
E. 
Facilitating the safe and efficient movement of traffic; and
F. 
Securing the equitable handling of all development plans by providing uniform standards and procedures.
The Township of Lancaster is vested by law with jurisdiction and control of the subdivision land and development of land (including mobile home parks and recreational vehicle parks) located within the Township limits, pursuant to Article V of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10501 et seq.
A. 
This chapter shall apply to all subdivision and land development plans submitted after the effective date of this chapter.
B. 
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.
C. 
No lot in a subdivision may be sold, no permit to erect or alter any building upon land in a subdivision or land development may be issued, and no building may be erected or altered in a subdivision or land development, unless and until a final subdivision or land development plan has been approved by the Board of Supervisors and recorded in the office of the Butler County Recorder of Deeds, and until all the improvements required in connection therewith have been constructed or guaranteed in a manner prescribed herein.
D. 
Land subject to hazards of life, health, and safety shall not be developed until such hazards have been removed. These hazards shall be interpreted to mean land subject to flooding, slides due to excessive slope or excavation, land of excessive or improper fill material, or land improperly drained.
E. 
Any change or revision to a recorded plan, any combination of lots or adjustment of lot lines within a previously approved and/or recorded plan, and any rearrangement of structures, parking areas, access points, graded land surfaces or other elements within a development plan shall be considered a new subdivision or land development and shall comply with the provisions of this chapter.
F. 
The Board of Supervisors may reject subsequent development applications on the basis of the developer's acceptance of conditions imposed on the approval of a prior development.
G. 
No subdivision or land development plan proposed in Lancaster Township shall be recorded in any public office unless such plan officially notes the approval of the Board of Supervisors and review by the County Planning Commission and Township Planning Commission.
H. 
This chapter shall not affect any suit or prosecution pending or to be instituted, to enforce any provision of previous subdivision and land development ordinances of the Township, on an act done, contract executed, or liability incurred prior to the effective date of this chapter, nor shall any provision of this chapter be construed to waive the obligations imposed upon an applicant/developer to complete a previously approved preliminary or final plan, including the installation of all required improvements, in strict compliance with the requirements of the applicable subdivision and land development ordinance.
A. 
The Board of Supervisors reserves to itself approval authority on all subdivision and land development plans and requests for modifications. Generally, the Board will not act on a subdivision or land development plan until the plan has been reviewed by the Township Planning Commission and the Butler County Planning Commission and will not act on a modification request until it has been reviewed by the Township Planning Commission.
B. 
Before acting on proposed amendments to this chapter, the Board of Supervisors shall submit the proposed amendments to the County and Township Planning Commissions for review and shall convene a public hearing for the purpose of receiving public comment on the amendments.
C. 
The Board of Supervisors shall direct the activities of the duly authorized Township representatives in the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
D. 
The Township Planning Commission shall timely review all complete subdivision and land development plans submitted to the Township, and shall make timely recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding approval or rejection or approval with certain specific conditions of the plan in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
E. 
The Township Planning Commission shall propose amendments and make timely recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on the adoption, modification, or rejection of proposed amendments to this chapter.
F. 
The Township Planning Commission shall make timely recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on requests for modifications to the requirements of this chapter.
G. 
The approval of any subdivision or land development plan shall not constitute a representation, guarantee or warranty of any kind by the Township or by any its officials or employees of the practicality or safety of the arrangement of lots and improvements or other elements within the development covered by the approval and shall create no liability upon the Township, its officials or employees.