A.
The purpose of this chapter is to generally implement the Comprehensive Plan and protect the public health, safety and general welfare. The provisions of this chapter shall be administered to ensure harmonious development and shall supplement and facilitate the provisions of Chapter 195, Zoning.
[Amended 11-4-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-9]
B.
Further purposes are as follows:
(1)
Ensuring the orderly and efficient integration of
subdivisions into the development of West Hanover Township.
(2)
Ensuring sites suitable for building purposes and
human habitation.
(3)
Ensuring conformance of subdivision plans with public
improvement plans.
(4)
Ensuring coordination of inter- and intramunicipal
public improvement plans and programs.
(5)
Ensuring the safe and efficient movement of traffic.
(6)
Ensuring the conservation, protection and wise use
of the natural resources and features, including but not limited to
water, woodlands, slopes, vegetation, soils, wetlands, natural drainage
systems and geology.
(7)
Ensuring the sound management of stormwater runoff.
(8)
Ensuring equitable handling of all subdivision plans
by providing uniform standards and procedures.
(9)
Ensuring the efficient and orderly extension of community
services and facilities at minimum cost and maximum convenience.
(10)
Regulating the subdivision and development of land
within any floodplain district in order to promote the health, safety
and welfare of the citizens of the Township.
(11)
Requiring that each lot in flood-prone areas includes
a safe building site with adequate access, and that public facilities
which serve such uses be designed and installed to minimize flood
damage.
(12)
Ensuring that any area designated or reserved for
use as public grounds by the developer shall be suitable in size and
location for their designated uses.
(13)
Guiding the future growth and development of West
Hanover Township in accordance with its adopted Comprehensive Plan.
(14)
Ensuring that documents prepared as part of a land
ownership transfer fully and accurately describe the parcel of land
being subdivided and the new parcel(s) thus created.
A.
The West Hanover Township Board of Supervisors (hereinafter
"Board of Supervisors") shall have the authority to approve or disapprove
all preliminary and final subdivision or land development plat applications
as required herein.
B.
The West Hanover Township Planning Commission (hereinafter
"Planning Commission") is hereby designated as the agency which shall
review and make recommendations on all subdivision and land development
plat applications as required herein, prior to action on the same
by the Board of Supervisors.
Applications for subdivision and land development
located within West Hanover Township shall be forwarded upon receipt,
with the appropriate review fee, to the Dauphin County Planning Commission
for review and report. The Township Board of Supervisors shall not
approve such applications until the county review report is received
or until the expiration of 30 days from the date the application was
forwarded to the County Planning Commission. As evidence of their
review and report, officials of the County Planning Commission shall
sign final plats which have been formally approved by the municipality
before such plats are presented for recording.
A.
No subdivision or land development of any lot, tract
or parcel of land located in West Hanover Township shall be effected,
and no street, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main or other facilities
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 thereon, unless and until a final subdivision plat has
been approved by the Board of Supervisors and publicly recorded in
the manner prescribed herein, nor otherwise, except in strict accordance
with the provisions of this chapter.
B.
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 plat has
been approved by the Board of Supervisors and recorded, and until
construction of the improvements required in the manner prescribed
herein.
C.
Unit or condominium land development of real property
is included within the meaning of "land development" as defined herein,
and must comply with these regulations. Such compliance shall include
but not be limited to the filing of preliminary and final plans, payment
of established fees and charges, location of each structure and clear
definition of each unit, public easements, common areas, improvements
and all easements appurtenant to each unit.
D.
Preliminary and final plans shall indicate the location
of existing structure(s), clearly define each unit and shall indicate
public easements, common areas, open spaces, environmentally sensitive
areas, and improvements, all easements appurtenant to each unit and
improvements to public rights-of-way.
E.
All subdivision and land development plans are subject
to zoning regulations as they apply to use and density requirements,
setbacks, height, parking and other such zoning-related features.
A.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this
chapter, they shall be held to be minimum requirements for the promotion
of public health, safety, comfort, convenience and greater welfare.
B.
In any case where a provision of this chapter is found
to conflict with the provision of a zoning, building, fire, safety
or health ordinance or code of this municipality, or law, rule or
regulation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (hereinafter the "commonwealth"),
the provisions which establish the higher standard for the promotion
and protection of the health and safety of the people shall prevail.
C.
In any case where a provision of this chapter is found
to be in conflict with the provisions of another ordinance or code
of this municipality, or law, rule or regulation of the commonwealth,
which establishes a less restrictive standard for the promotion and
protection of the health and safety of the people, the provisions
of this chapter shall be deemed to prevail. In addition, should the
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (hereinafter "MPC")[1] be amended to establish mandatory provisions which would
be inconsistent herewith, those mandatory provisions shall be deemed
to be incorporated herein by reference thereto without further amendment
of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101
et seq.
