[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
Before the final plan is signed and made ready for recording or prior to the issuance of any permits needed for construction or occupancy of any subdivision or land development, all applicants are required to complete to the satisfaction of the Township or ensure the completion of all required public improvements in a manner set forth in this Part.
[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
1. 
The applicant shall comply with the public improvement construction requirements in the following ways:
A. 
Complete all of the improvements required by the Board of Supervisors for final plan approval, in compliance with the requirements of this chapter; or
B. 
Provide proper financial security in a manner acceptable to the Township to ensure the completion of all improvements, as required by this Part, in compliance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
2. 
The work completed or guaranteed shall be in strict accordance with the conditionally approved plans and the requirements of this chapter.
3. 
No lot in a subdivision may be sold, and no permit to erect, alter, or repair any building upon land in a subdivision or land development will be issued, unless and until a subdivision and/or land development plan has been approved, and, where required, recorded, and until the required improvements in connection therewith have either been completed or guaranteed for completion as required herein.
4. 
The applicant shall also guarantee that no lot will be sold or building constructed in any floodplain area except in compliance with the floodplain management requirements of this chapter, the Zoning Ordinance, and the Township Building Code.
5. 
The Board of Supervisors may defer at the time of final plan approval, subject to appropriate conditions, the provision of any or all required improvements as, in its judgment, are not requisite in the interests of public health, safety and welfare, or which are inappropriate due to the inadequacy or nonexistence of connecting facilities. A separate public improvement agreement may be executed by the Board of Supervisors guaranteeing completion of any deferred improvement at some later date.
[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
1. 
In lieu of the completion of improvements required for final plan approval, financial security, in an amount required, shall be guaranteed to the Township in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Such financial security shall assure the complete installation of all the required improvements to be completed on or before the date fixed in the conditional plan approval, subdivision agreement, and/or development agreement for completion of such improvements.
2. 
The amount of such security to be posted for the completion of required improvements shall be equal to 110% of the cost of completion estimated as of 90 days following the date scheduled for completion by the developer. Annually, the Township may adjust the amount of the required financial security by comparing the actual cost of improvements which have been completed and the estimated cost for the completion of the remaining improvements as of the expiration of the 90th day after the original scheduled date for completion or a rescheduled completion date.
3. 
Determination of the cost of the completion of improvements used for setting the amount of financial security shall be based upon an estimate of the cost of completion of required improvements submitted by the applicant or developer and prepared by a professional engineer and certified to be fair and reasonable. The Township, under recommendation of the Township Engineer, may refuse to accept the estimate for good reasons provided to the applicant. If the applicant or developer and the Township are unable to agree upon an estimate, then the estimate shall be recalculated and recertified by another professional engineer which is mutually chosen by the Township and the applicant. The estimate certified by the third engineer shall be presumed to be fair and reasonable and shall be the final estimate.
4. 
When requested by the applicant in order to facilitate financing, the Township shall furnish the applicant with a signed copy of a resolution indicating approval of the final plan contingent upon the applicant obtaining a satisfactory financial security. Final plans will not be signed or recorded until the financial improvements agreement is executed. The resolution of contingent approval shall expire and be deemed to be revoked if the financial security agreement is not executed within 90 days, unless a written extension is granted by Township.
5. 
The Township, at its option, may accept financial security in the form of cash escrow placed with the municipality, irrevocable letter of credit, escrow account, or surety bond with a bonding company or chartered lending institution chosen by the party posting financial security, provided said institution or company is authorized to conduct such business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
The Board of Supervisors may release all or parts of the posted financial security as completion of improvements proceeds, in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
1. 
Partial Release of Security. As the work of the installation of the required public improvements proceeds, the party posting the financial security may request the Township to release or authorize the release, from time to time, of such portions of the financial security necessary for the payment of the contractor or contractors performing the work. Any such request shall be done in writing addressed to the municipality. Upon receipt of the request for release of a portion of the improvement security, the municipality shall, within 45 days, allow the Township Engineer to certify, in writing, that such portion of the public improvements has been completed in accordance with the approved plan, at which time the Township shall authorize the release to the applicant or his designee by the bond company or lending institution of an amount of funds that the Township Engineer feels fairly represents the value of the work completed. If the municipality fails to act upon a request for release of security within 45 days, the Township shall be deemed to have approved the full release of security as requested.
2. 
Incomplete Improvements. If the required improvements are not completely installed within the period fixed or extended by the Board of Supervisors, the municipal governing body may take one or more of the following actions:
A. 
Declare the financial security in default and require that all improvements be installed regardless of the of the extent of the building development at the time the agreement is declared in default;
B. 
Suspend final plan approval until the development improvements are completed and record a document to that effect for the purpose of public notice;
C. 
Obtain funds under the security and complete improvements;
D. 
Assign the right to receive funds under the security to any third party, including a subsequent owner of the property wherein improvements were not completed in exchange for that subsequent owner's promise to complete improvements;
E. 
Exercise any other available rights under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
3. 
Post-Completion Security. The applicant shall be responsible for maintenance of all improvements for a period of 18 months after final acceptance and certification of project completion.
4. 
Landscaping Security. The applicant shall be responsible for the full replacement of all dead or diseased trees or shrubs for 18 months after final acceptance and certification of project completion. Final inspection of landscaping shall be performed while trees are fully leafed out — typically May 1 through November 1.
[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
1. 
Notice. The Township Engineer shall be notified 48 hours in advance of the commencement of any construction or installation operation, to schedule an inspection by the Township. Construction and installation operations shall also be subject to inspection by the Township during the progress of the work. The applicant, developer, or builder shall pay the reasonable and necessary expenses for inspections in accordance with the fee schedule established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
2. 
Improvement Specifications. All required road improvements should be constructed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the PADOT, Form 408, current edition, including the latest revisions and other applicable regulations. All other required improvements shall be constructed in accordance with approved specifications found in this chapter. If the appropriate standards are not provided in this chapter, the following procedures shall be used:
A. 
Specifications. The specifications will be furnished to the applicant by the Township. If any of the specifications are unavailable at the Township office, the Township Engineer shall provide the applicable specifications.
B. 
Sample of Materials. During or after construction of any required improvement, if the Township requires a sample of materials, said sample shall be furnished by the appropriate contractor, in a form specified by the Township Engineer.
3. 
Delivery Slips. Copies of all delivery slips for materials used in the construction of any storm sewers, sanitary sewers, roads, curbs, sidewalks, or any other facility within a Township right-of-way or easement or in areas proposed for future dedication to the Township shall be supplied to the Township.
[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
Certain improvements beyond the geographical boundaries of a site to be subdivided and/or developed, including, but not limited to, road improvements, may be requested by the Township where it can clearly be demonstrated that such improvements have been made necessary solely through the additional burden imposed by the subdivision and/or development of the site. All such improvements or contributions for future off-site improvements shall be considered voluntary and will not be refunded to the developer. The developer may also be requested to cover certain costs which must be incurred by the Township or other governmental jurisdiction in order to make these improvements feasible. The legal and financial arrangements to cover costs of the off-site improvements shall be the same as those prescribed in this Part.
[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
1. 
Conditions. The Township shall have no obligation to accept dedication of any street or other improvement unless:
A. 
The required improvements, utility mains and laterals, and monuments shown on the approved plan or plans have been constructed to meet all requirements and are free of defects or deterioration.
B. 
It is established to the satisfaction of the Board of Supervisors that there is a need for the dedication of improvements.
2. 
Acceptance. The Township shall have no responsibility with respect to any street or other improvement, notwithstanding the use of the same by the public, unless the street or other improvement is accepted by the Township through the passage of an ordinance (or resolution) adopted by the Board of Supervisors.
3. 
Offer of Dedication.
A. 
The applicant shall submit a written offer of dedication to the Township for the streets or other improvements, including the following:
(1) 
A deed of dedication covering the improvements.
(2) 
A copy of a title insurance policy establishing the applicant's clear title to the property.
B. 
The items required in Subsection 3A above shall be submitted to the Township Engineer and Solicitor for their review and recommendations.
C. 
The Board of Supervisors may accept dedication of the streets or other improvements by passing an ordinance (or resolution) to that effect.
[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
When the Board of Supervisors accepts dedication of required improvements following their completion or certifies project completion, the Board of Supervisors may require posting of financial security by the applicant to secure the structural integrity and functioning of these improvements in accordance with the design and specifications as depicted on the approved final plan.
1. 
Said financial security shall be of the same type as otherwise required herein.
2. 
The amount of financial security shall be 15% of the actual cost of installation of the improvements.
3. 
The term of the guarantee shall be 18 months from the date of acceptance of dedication or certification of project completion.
[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
Where the maintenance of improvements is to be the responsibility of individual lot owners, a homeowners' association or similar entity, or an organization capable of carrying out maintenance responsibilities, the Board of Supervisors shall require that maintenance responsibilities be set forth in perpetual covenants or deed restrictions binding on the landowners' successors in interest and may further require that an initial maintenance fund be established in a reasonable manner. Further, prior to transferring any ownership interest in an improvement, the applicant must provide proof of notices of termination for permits that have been issued by state or county agencies for the improvement.
[Ord. No. 3/29/1990B, as amended by Ord. No. 21-07, 8/5/2021]
Before the Board of Supervisors shall cause its approval to be endorsed upon the final plans of any subdivision or land development (except in the case of minor subdivisions, wherein the Board of Supervisors may impose no condition or conditions for the approval of the plan), and as a requirement for the approval thereof, the owners shall enter into a written agreement with the Township in the manner and form set forth by the Township Solicitor, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. 
To construct or cause to be constructed or installed, at the owners' expense, all streets, curbs, sidewalks, fire hydrants, streetlights, stormwater facilities, water and sewer facilities, street signs, monuments, capped sewers, parks, landscaping, line painting, and other improvements shown the final plan when required to do so by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the standards and specifications of the Township.
2. 
To maintain at the owners' expense all streets, curbs, sidewalks, stormwater facilities, water and sewer facilities, street signs, parks, monuments, fire hydrants, streetlights, capped sewers, line painting, landscaping, and other improvements, until the same are accepted or condemned by the Township for public use, and for a period of 18 months thereafter to repair and reconstruct the same or any part of one of them when such repair or reconstruction shall be specified by the Board of Supervisors as necessary by reason of faulty construction, workmanship, or materials, or the structural integrity or functionality of the improvements are not satisfactory as determined by the Township or Municipal Engineer.
3. 
To pay all costs, charges, or rates of the utility furnishing electric service for the lighting of the streets on or abutting said subdivision, from the lights installed by the owner, until such time as the streets shown on the subdivision plans shall be accepted as public streets of the Township by ordinance (or resolution), and to indemnify and hold harmless the Township from and against all suit, actions, claims, and demands for electric service to the streets shown on said plans, or any part thereof, to the time that said streets shall be accepted as public streets of the Township in the manner hereinabove set forth.
4. 
To pay the inspection fees required by the Township.
5. 
To obtain the easements and releases required when any street, drainage facility or other improvement in a subdivision abuts or traverses land of persons other than the person holding legal title to the lands of the subdivision, at his own cost, and obtain from the owner of the lands so abutted or traversed full releases from all damages which may result from change in grade, construction, or otherwise, of the street, drainage facility or other improvements, and such releases shall insure to the benefit not only of the owner of the subdivision but to the Township as well.
6. 
To promptly remove or cause to be removed snow from the streets as may be required for safe traverse of the streets prior to dedication.
7. 
To promptly reimburse to the Township reasonable Solicitor's and Engineers' fees.
8. 
To provide, in a timely manner, all construction and shop drawings and plans, including a full set of as-built plans in paper and in appropriate electronic format as specified by the Township Engineer.
9. 
Such other provision(s) as deemed necessary or desired by the Township.