This article summarizes the general procedures for the submission and review of proposed subdivisions and land developments. This article is only a general explanation and is not binding on the Township or an applicant. See the actual provisions of the other articles of this chapter. Two flowcharts are included at the end of this chapter to show the general process for major and minor subdivisions.
A. 
Review and approval stages. Three types of plan submissions are established, sketch, preliminary, and final, as outlined below:
Type of Proposed Subdivision or Land Development1
Stage
Article of This Chapter
Land Development
Major Subdivision
Minor Subdivision or Lot Line Adjustment
Sketch plan
IV
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Preliminary plan
V
Required4
Required
Not Required
Final plan3
VI
Required
Required
Required2
Guarantee of improvements installation
See Article VIII
Recording of final plan
See Article IX
NOTES:
1
See definitions in Article II.
2
See Article VII for minor subdivision final plan submission and review requirements. See § 98-40 for submission requirements for a lot line adjustment.
3
At its option, the Board of Supervisors may grant combined preliminary/final plan approval if the preliminary plan submission meets the requirements of a final plan submission and if the Board of Supervisors determines that there are no outstanding matters.
4
Except where exempted by § 98-28.
B. 
Sketch plan. While a sketch plan is not required, it is strongly recommended that it be filed to allow the applicant to consult early and informally with the Planning Commission before preparing a preliminary plan. This will often avoid expensive redesign and delay to the applicant.
C. 
Preliminary plan. Preliminary plans are required to be submitted for any major subdivision and for certain land developments, as described above.
D. 
Final plan. After approval of the preliminary plan of a major subdivision or certain land developments, and to obtain approval of a minor subdivision, the applicant files a final plan. A final plan must be approved prior to recording of the plans by the county and prior to the sale of any lots or the construction of any buildings (see Article IX).
E. 
Guarantee of improvements installation. Where improvements are required by this chapter, in most cases, the Township will require that the applicant enter into a development agreement including the posting of financial security sufficient to guarantee the costs of any improvements which may be required. See Article VIII.
A. 
Submission. Sketch, preliminary and final plans and all required accompanying information are required to be submitted to the Township staff by delivery by person. In addition to the required number of paper copies, the submission shall include a compact disk with all documents in electronic Portable Document File (PDF) format or other electronic format approved by the Township.
[Amended 5-1-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-02]
B. 
Completeness. The Planning Commission shall have the authority to recommend rejection by the Board of Supervisors or to table an application that the Commission determines is significantly incomplete.
C. 
Attendance. The applicant or his/her duly authorized representative shall attend the Planning Commission meeting and Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss the filed plans. If the applicant or representative fails to appear at a meeting where the plans will be considered, it may result in plan disapproval, if the Township determines that it resulted in insufficient information to render a decision.
[Amended 5-1-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-02]
D. 
Action by the Commission and the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission advises the Board of Supervisors on proposed plans. There are time limits in state law for approval of a subdivision or land development, unless the applicant grants a time extension.
[Added 12-7-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-07]
All subdivisions and land developments shall be subject to the reservations shown and established by the Chestnuthill Township Official Map which has been enacted by ordinance pursuant to Article IV of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Code.[1] All public streets, public grounds and other public elements identified by Chapter 72, Map, Official, which are shown on final, recorded plats which have been approved in accord with this chapter shall be deemed amendments to the Official Map. No public hearing need be held or notice given if the amendment of the Official Map is the result of the addition of a plat which has been approved in accord with this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10401 et seq.