It is the intent of East Hanover Township to provide for properly designed, constructed and maintained planned residential developments when they are provided for in Township regulations. Flexible subdivision design concepts are encouraged to meet the growing demand for a variety of housing types.
Planned residential developments are permitted only within municipalities with individual planned residential development ordinances or separate planned residential development chapters within their zoning ordinances, as per the following:
A. 
When a municipality has an individual planned residential development ordinance or a zoning ordinance with a chapter regulating planned residential developments and they also have a municipal subdivision and land development ordinance, the Planning Department role during review shall be advisory, as identified by Act 247[1] and the applicable municipal ordinance. A combined subdivision and zoning procedure may be possible to allow comprehensive review and approval.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
B. 
When a municipality has an individual planned-residential development ordinance or a zoning ordinance with a chapter regulating planned residential development but does not have a municipal subdivision and land development ordinance, the Planning Department shall review the plan based upon its compliance with this chapter and applicable municipal ordinances. Subdivision plan processing and approval shall be in accordance with Article III of this chapter and such additional procedures, hearings or requirements as the municipal ordinances may mandate.
A. 
Upon receipt of planned residential development plans, East Hanover Township shall begin to review the plan for compliance with all applicable ordinance criteria and general planning concepts. Before taking official action, the Board of Supervisors shall refer the application to East Hanover Township Planning Commission and the LCPD for study and recommendation. Plan review and approval or disapproval shall be subject to plan procedures described within Article III and supplements thereto, as described within § 185-35 of this chapter. Compliance with all applicable municipal and county ordinances is required.
B. 
Furthermore, the following general planning concepts shall be applied during the review and approval process for a planned residential development and may be utilized as criteria in the evaluation of any planned residential development application:
(1) 
Land shall be efficiently used; and
(2) 
The design and layout shall be consistent with the character of the surrounding neighborhood; and
(3) 
Permitted nonresidential buildings shall be a minor portion of the development and shall be so located and grouped as to minimize impact on adjacent residential uses: and
(4) 
Ownership, maintenance and management of the development project shall be fully identified on the plan and within separate recorded documents to ensure construction and continuation of the project; and
(5) 
Open space and recreation areas shall be well located and adequately serve the diverse needs of the proposed residents; and
(6) 
Although a mixture of housing types and design innovation are encouraged, plans shall not contain extensive departure from standard design patterns unless more conventional layout is determined to be impossible or inappropriate; and
(7) 
The plan shall specify that all proposed buildings, community facilities, site improvements and development amenities are to be constructed in accordance with the approved plan and any development schedule approved therewith.