A. 
In order to discharge the duties imposed by law, the Borough has adopted the following procedures which shall be observed by all applicants.
B. 
The review process for the plans shall include no more than 90 days following the date of the regular meeting of the planning commission next following the date the application is filed, provided that should said next regular meeting occur more than 30 days following the filing of the application, the said ninety-day period shall be measured from the thirtieth day following the day the application has been filed. The applicant may agree to waive or extend the time requirement.
C. 
The presentation of a preliminary plan and final plan shall each be a separate submission and the maximum ninety-day review period may be required for each such plan.
D. 
The submission of revised preliminary or final plans shall constitute a new and separate submission subject to the review procedures set forth in this chapter. A revised plan must be accompanied by a completed application, all required information and appropriate fees. With a revised plan, the applicant must submit a written withdrawal of the previously submitted plan.
E. 
The separate stages of approval include the submission of an optional sketch plan, a preliminary plan, and a final plan. These plans differ in their purpose and required level of detail. The table below indicates the recommended and required plans for the different types of submissions.
Plan Approval Stage
Type of Submission
Plan
See Section
Minor
Subdivision
Major
Subdivision
Land Development
Sketch
390-14
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Preliminary
390-15
Not Required
Required
Required
Final
390-16 and 390-17
Required
Required
Required
[Amended 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 863]
A. 
Purpose.
(1) 
The purpose of the sketch plan is to afford the applicant the opportunity to consult early and informally with both the Morrisville Borough and the Bucks County Planning Commissions before preparation of the preliminary plan and formal applications for approval.
(2) 
During the sketch plan procedure, the applicant can advantageously make use of the services of both planning commissions to help him analyze any problems of the development and plan more adequately for its sound coordination with the community. The sketch plan procedure also affords both planning commissions the opportunity to give informal guidance to the applicant at a stage when potential points of difference can be more easily resolved. It can also simplify official actions and save unnecessary expense and delay.
(3) 
The sketch plan is not required but is an option which the applicant may select.
B. 
Fee. The sketch plan step is not a formal application, and therefore, no fee is required by the Borough. The Bucks County Planning Commission may also participate at the sketch plan stage. Review by the Bucks County Planning Commission may require payment of a fee.
C. 
Application procedure.
(1) 
Applicant prepares sketch plan and application.
(2) 
Applicant submits to the Borough Zoning Officer seven copies of the sketch plan, one Borough application form, one county application form, and appropriate fee as may be required by the Bucks County Planning Commission.
(3) 
The Borough Zoning Officer checks the submission for requirements noted under Subsection C(2), above. If the submission is incomplete, the applicant and the Planning Commission should be notified of the incomplete elements. The date of receipt shall be noted as the filing date and copies of the plan are to be distributed as follows:
(a) 
Borough Planning Commission: five copies.
(b) 
Bucks County Planning Commission: two copies.
(4) 
Bucks County Planning Commission reviews sketch plan and prepares analysis for review by Morrisville Borough Planning Commission.
(5) 
At the first regular meeting after the filing of the application, the Morrisville Borough Planning Commission receives and reviews the applicant's submission; and if the applicant is present:
(a) 
Listens to applicant's presentation; and
(b) 
Discusses submission with the applicant.
(6) 
The Morrisville Borough Planning Commission shall, with all due diligence:
(a) 
Evaluate applicant's submission, presentation, discussion with applicant, and the County Planning Commission's report;
(b) 
Determine whether the sketch plan meets the objectives and requirements of this chapter and other ordinances; and,
(c) 
Inform the applicant of the informal discussion which ensued regarding the application.
(7) 
Any plan containing existing trees that are proposed to be protected/saved shall be submitted to and reviewed by the municipal arborist.
D. 
Plan requirements. A sketch plan submission should be accompanied by the information outlined under § 390-58 of these regulations.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the preliminary plan stage is to ensure that the proposed subdivision or land development will be in strict compliance with the requirements of this chapter and other applicable ordinances.
B. 
General.
(1) 
The preliminary plan and all related information and procedures shall in all respects be in compliance with the provisions of these regulations, except where variation may be specifically recommended by the Planning Commission and approved in writing by the Borough Council. If the sketch plan procedure was followed, the preliminary plan should reflect recommendations made at that stage.
(2) 
No preliminary plan shall be required in the case of minor subdivisions.
(3) 
The applicant may, with written permission from the Planning Commission and Council, submit preliminary and final plans simultaneously, in which case the plan requirements for both shall be satisfied.
C. 
Deposit and fee.
(1) 
Upon submission of the complete preliminary plan, the applicant shall deposit with the Borough Zoning Officer a sum as stipulated by Borough ordinance to reimburse the Borough for all reasonable engineering, legal and other expenses incurred by the Borough for services rendered. As the above amount is expended, the applicant shall make further deposits upon notice from the Borough Zoning Officer in such manner as to maintain the stipulated amount. Upon approval of the final plan, the Borough Zoning Officer shall refund to the applicant any deposit remaining.
(2) 
In addition to the above deposit, a review fee in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the Borough Council shall accompany the submission of the completed preliminary plan. Review by the Bucks County Planning Commission may also require payment of a fee. No preliminary plan shall be accepted by the Borough unless the required fees are paid at the time of submission.
D. 
Application procedure.
(1) 
Applicant prepares preliminary plan and application.
(2) 
Applicant submits to the Borough Zoning Officer 12 copies of the preliminary plan, one Borough application form, one county application form, and appropriate fees as may be required by the Borough and the Bucks County Planning Commission.
(3) 
The Borough Zoning Officer checks the submission for compliance with regulations noted under Subsection D(2), above. If the submission is incomplete, the applicant and the Planning Commission should be notified of the incomplete elements. The date of acceptance shall be noted as the filing date, and copies of the plan are to be distributed as follows:
(a) 
Borough Council and Borough Planning Commission: eight copies.
(b) 
Bucks County Planning Commission: two copies.
(c) 
Municipal Authority: one copy.
(d) 
Borough files: one copy.
(4) 
Bucks County Planning Commission reviews preliminary plan and prepares analysis for review by Morrisville Borough Planning Commission.
(5) 
The engineering consultant for the Borough shall, if requested:
(a) 
Receive applicant's submission;
(b) 
Review the applicant's submission from an engineering standpoint; and,
(c) 
Prepare a report for the Planning Commission.
(6) 
At the first regular meeting after the filing of the application, the Morrisville Borough Planning Commission:
(a) 
Receives and reviews the applicant's submission;
(b) 
Receives and reviews report by the engineering consultant, if available;
(c) 
Listens to applicant's presentation; and
(d) 
Discusses submission with the applicant.
(7) 
The Morrisville Borough Planning Commission shall, within 60 days following the start of the preliminary plan review period:
(a) 
Evaluate applicant's submission, presentation, discussion with applicant, and the Engineering Consultant's report (if such has been requested);
(b) 
Determine whether the preliminary plan meets the objectives and requirements of this chapter and other ordinances; and,
(c) 
Report to the Borough Council and the applicant, in writing, the recommendation of the Planning Commission, including any stipulations or conditions which may be appropriate.
(8) 
The Morrisville Borough Council shall, within the maximum 90 days review period:
(a) 
Evaluate the applicant's submission, presentation, and the recommendations of the Borough Planning Commission, the Bucks County Planning Commission, and other correspondence;
(b) 
Determine whether the preliminary plan meets the objectives and requirements of this chapter and other ordinances; and
(c) 
Approve or deny the application. The Council's decision shall be in writing and shall be communicated to the applicant personally or mailed to him at his last known address not later than 15 days following the decision. When the application is not approved in terms as filed the decision shall specify the defects found in the application and describe the requirements which have not been met and shall in each case, cite the provisions of the ordinance relied upon.
(9) 
Approval of the preliminary plan shall constitute approval of the subdivision or land development as to the character and intensity, but shall not constitute approval of the final plan or authorize the sale of lots or construction of buildings.
E. 
Plan requirements. A preliminary plan submission should be accompanied by the information outlined under § 390-59 of these regulations.
[Amended 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 863]
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the final plan is to require a final recommendation by the Planning Commission and formal approval by the Borough Council before plans for all subdivisions and land developments are recorded as required by § 390-8 of this chapter.
B. 
General. A final plan shall be submitted satisfying all conditions of preliminary plan approval. The final plan submission shall in all respects be in compliance with the provisions of these regulations, except where variation may be specifically recommended by the Planning Commission and approved in writing by the Borough Council. Before acting on any subdivision or land development, Borough Council may arrange for a public hearing thereon, after giving such notice as required by the Municipalities Planning Code.
C. 
Deposit and fee.
(1) 
If no preliminary plan has been filed, a deposit and fees as required in § 390-15C shall be paid upon submission of the complete final plan to the Borough Zoning Officer.
(2) 
If the final plan is submitted more than one year after approval of the preliminary plan, an additional review fee shall be paid in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by Borough Council. An additional deposit is not required, unless the total deposit with the Borough is less than that required by Borough ordinance, in which case an amount must be deposited to equal the stipulated sum.
D. 
Application procedure.
(1) 
Applicant prepares final plan and application.
(2) 
Applicant submits to the Borough Zoning Officer 12 copies of the final plan, one Borough application form, one county application form, and appropriate fees as may be required by the Borough and the Bucks County Planning Commission.
(3) 
The Borough Zoning Officer checks the submission for compliance with regulations noted under Subsection D(2), above. If the submission is incomplete, the applicant and the Planning Commission should be notified of the incomplete elements. The date of acceptance shall be noted as the filing date, and copies of the plan are to be distributed as follows:
(a) 
Borough Council and Borough Planning Commission: eight copies.
(b) 
Bucks County Planning Commission: two copies.
(c) 
Municipal Authority: one copy.
(d) 
Borough files: one copy.
(4) 
Bucks County Planning Commission reviews final plan and prepares analysis for review by the Morrisville Borough Planning Commission.
(5) 
The engineering consultant for the Borough shall, if requested:
(a) 
Receive applicant's submission;
(b) 
Review the applicant's submission from an engineering standpoint; and
(c) 
Prepare a report for the Planning Commission and Borough Council.
(6) 
At the first regular meeting after the filing of the application, the Morrisville Borough Planning Commission:
(a) 
Receives and reviews the applicant's submission;
(b) 
Receives and reviews report by the engineering consultant, if available, and if the applicant is present:
(c) 
Listens to applicant's presentation; and,
(d) 
Discusses submission with the applicant.
(7) 
The Morrisville Borough Planning Commission shall within 60 days following the start of the final plan review period:
(a) 
Evaluate applicant's submission, presentation, discussion with the applicant, and the engineering consultant's report (if such has been requested);
(b) 
Determine whether the final plan meets the objectives and requirements of this chapter and other ordinances; and,
(c) 
Prepare a written report on the project for use by the Borough Council.
[1] 
If the final plan is substantially the same as the preliminary plan and meets the conditions rendered in the preliminary plan approval and continues to meet the objectives and regulations of this chapter, the Planning Commission shall issue a favorable report to the Borough Council.
[2] 
If the final plan does not comply with the conditions in Subsection D(7)(c)[1], the Planning Commission may recommend to the Borough Council that final plan approval be denied and that the application be reconsidered if resubmitted as a preliminary plan under § 390-15.
(8) 
The Morrisville Borough Council shall, within the maximum 90 days review period:
(a) 
Receive and review the applicant's submission;
(b) 
Receive and review the reports of the Borough Planning Commission and of the engineering consultant (if such has been requested), and if the applicant is present;
(c) 
Listen to applicant's presentation; and
(d) 
Discuss project with applicant;
(e) 
Evaluate applicant's submission, presentation, and the recommendations of the Borough Planning Commission, the Bucks County Planning Commission, and other correspondence;
(f) 
Determine whether the final plan meets the objectives and requirements of this chapter and other ordinances; and
(g) 
Approve or deny the application. The Council's decision shall be in writing and shall be communicated to the applicant personally or mailed to him at his last known address not later than 15 days following the decision. When the application is not approved in terms as filed the decision shall specify the defects found in the application and describe the requirements which have not been met and shall in each case, cite the provisions of the ordinance relied upon.
(9) 
If the final plan is approved:
(a) 
Borough Council shall adopt a resolution to that effect.
(b) 
Three exact copies of the approved final plan, with the signatures of the required agencies as specified in § 390-63B(4) shall be submitted to the Borough Council for its signature.
E. 
Plan requirements. A final submission, in the case of major subdivisions and land developments, should be accompanied by the information outlined under § 390-62 of these regulations.
F. 
Appeal. Any person aggrieved by the decision of Borough Council may, within 30 days, appeal to the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, in accordance with Article X-A of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
[Amended 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 863]
A. 
Purpose. In the case of minor subdivisions (as defined under § 390-7), it is the purpose of this section to provide a simplified procedure by which said minor subdivisions may be submitted and approved.
B. 
General. In the event that the proposed subdivision shall involve a change in streets, sanitary or storm sewers, water mains, culverts, or other municipal improvements, then the provisions of this section on minor subdivisions shall not be applicable and the owner shall be required to comply with the requirements of § 390-15.
C. 
Fees. Upon the submission of the complete minor subdivision plan, the applicant shall pay a review fee in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by Borough Council. Review by the Bucks County Planning Commission may also require payment of a fee. No minor subdivision plan shall be accepted by the Borough unless the required fees are paid at the time of submission. No deposit shall be required for minor subdivision plans.
D. 
Application procedures.
(1) 
Application prepares minor subdivision plan and application.
(2) 
Applicant submits to the Borough Zoning Officer eight copies of the minor subdivision plan, one Borough application form, one county application form, and appropriate fees as may be required by the Borough and the Bucks County Planning Commission.
(3) 
The Borough Zoning Officer checks the submission for compliance with regulations noted under Subsection D(2), above. If the submission is incomplete, the applicant and the Planning Commission should be notified of the incomplete elements. The date of acceptance shall be noted as the filing date, and copies of the plan are to be distributed as follows:
(a) 
Borough Planning Commission: five copies.
(b) 
Bucks County Planning Commission: two copies.
(c) 
Borough files: one copy.
(4) 
Bucks County Planning Commission reviews minor subdivision plan and prepares analysis for review by the Morrisville Borough Planning Commission.
(5) 
At the first regular meeting after the filing of the application, the Morrisville Borough Planning Commission:
(a) 
Receives and reviews the applicant's submission, and if the applicant is present;
(b) 
Listens to the applicant's presentation; and
(c) 
Discusses submission with the applicant.
(6) 
The Morrisville Borough Planning Commission shall, within the maximum ninety-day review period:
(a) 
Evaluate the applicant's submission, presentation, discussion with the applicant, and the County Planning Commission's report.
(b) 
Determine whether the final plan meets the objectives and requirements of this chapter and other ordinances; and
(c) 
Approve or deny the application. The Borough Planning Commission's decision shall be in writing and shall be communicated to the applicant personally or mailed to him at his last known address not later than 15 days following the decision. When the application is not approved in terms as filed, the decision shall specify the defects found in the application and describe the requirements which have not been met and shall in each case, cite the provisions of the ordinance relied upon.
E. 
Plan requirements. A final plan submission, in the case of minor subdivisions, should be accompanied by the information outlined under § 390-60 of these regulations.
F. 
Appeal. Any person aggrieved by the decision of Borough Planning Commission may, within 30 days, appeal to the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, in accordance with Article X-A of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
[Amended 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 863]
A. 
Recording.
(1) 
Upon the approval of a final plat, the developer shall within 90 days of such final approval record such plat in the office of the recorder of deeds of the county in which the Borough is located. The recorder of deeds shall not accept any plat for recording unless such plat officially notes the approval of the Borough Council, and review by the county planning agency.
(2) 
The recording of the plat shall not constitute grounds for assessment increases until such time as lots are sold or improvements are installed on the land included within the subject plat.
B. 
Record plan. The requirements of the record plan are outlined under § 390-63 of these regulations.
C. 
Effect of recording.
(1) 
After a plat has been approved and recorded as provided in this chapter, all streets and public grounds on such plat shall be, and become a part of the official map of the Borough without public hearing.
(2) 
Streets, parks, and other public improvements shown on a subdivision or land development plan to be recorded may be offered for dedication to the Borough by formal notation thereof on the plan, or the owner may note on the plan that such improvements have not been offered for dedication to the Borough.
(3) 
Every street, park, or other improvement shown on a subdivision or land development plan that is recorded, as provided herein, shall be deemed to be a private street, park, or improvement until such time as the same has been offered for dedication to the Borough and accepted, by resolution, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Courts of Bucks County, or until it has been condemned for use as a public street, park, or other improvement.