This chapter shall be known, cited and referred
to as the "Lower Saucon Township Subdivision and Land Development
Ordinance" and/or the "Township Subdivision and Land Development Regulations."
This chapter of the Township Council of Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, is ordained under the authority of Article V of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 170 of the 1988 General Assembly (53 P.S. § 10501 et seq.), and Act 209 of 1990 (53 P.S. § 10501-A et seq.), as amended.
The purpose of this chapter shall be to guide
and regulate the planning, subdividing and development of land in
order to promote and protect the public health, safety, convenience,
comfort and general welfare of the citizens of Lower Saucon Township.
This chapter shall apply to all subdivisions
and/or land developments located in or partially in Lower Saucon Township,
Northampton County, Pennsylvania:
A.
When plans for the subdivision and/or land development
are submitted to the Township or the County of Northampton after the
effective date of this chapter;
B.
When plans were approved by the Township or the County
of Northampton in accordance with any previous law or regulation but
when the terms, conditions and requirements of said approval have
not been completed within five years of the date of the preliminary
plan approval, as defined by the Municipalities Planning Code;
C.
Except that subdivisions solely involving the transfer
of land or dedication of land requested for acquisition by Lower Saucon
Township or one of its authorities for municipal purposes shall be
exempt from regulation by this chapter; and
The objectives of this chapter are to:
B.
Provide for coordination of the construction of streets,
sidewalks, walkways and bikeways to provide safe and convenient vehicular
and pedestrian circulation between developments and through the Township;
C.
Provide easements or rights-of-way for transportation,
stormwater, utilities and other public uses;
D.
Provide reservations of public open space of a suitable
size and location for educational facilities, recreational uses and
other public purposes;
E.
Preserve the significant historic, cultural and natural
features of the Township;
F.
Provide accurate surveying of land and the preparing
and recording of plats;
G.
Provide stormwater management and soil erosion control,
as well as to minimize changes in natural stormwater runoff characteristics;
H.
Control subdivision and land development of floodplain
areas, areas with carbonate geology and other environmentally sensitive
areas in order to:
(1)
Promote and protect the general health, safety and
welfare of the community;
(2)
Require that each subdivision lot be provided with
a safe building site with adequate access to existing public roads;
and
(3)
Require that public facilities be designed and installed
to minimize the risk of hazards and future property damage.
I.
Provide design standards for public improvements,
as well as guaranties for their construction and maintenance.
[Amended 2-7-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-02]
The provisions of these regulations, including
Appendixes A, B, C and D,[1] are the minimum requirements to meet the above-stated
purposes and objectives. Where these regulations impose greater restrictions
than those of any other applicable statute, ordinance or regulations,
the provisions of these regulations shall prevail. In addition, where
the provisions of any other applicable statute, ordinance or regulation
impose greater restrictions than those of these regulations, the provisions
of such ordinance, statute or regulation shall prevail. Finally, where
special circumstances warrant, the Township may impose stricter standards.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said appendixes are included
at the end of this chapter.
Within the scope of these regulations:
A.
No subdivision or land development of any lot, tract
or parcel of land located in the municipality shall be made and no
street, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main or other improvement
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 abutting thereon, except in accordance with the provisions
of this chapter and its Appendixes A, B, C and D which are attached
hereto and made a part hereof.[1] No grading, earth work or removal of natural resources
shall be undertaken until approval is granted by the Township in the
manner prescribed herein.
[Amended 2-7-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-02]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said appendixes are included
at the end of this chapter.
B.
No lot in a subdivision shall be sold or transferred
and no permit to erect, alter or repair any building upon land in
a subdivision or land development shall be issued, unless and until
a final subdivision or land development plan has been approved by
the Township and recorded and until construction of the improvements
required in connection therewith have been completed and approved
by the Lower Saucon Township Council or until construction of the
improvements required in connection therewith have been guaranteed
in accordance with these regulations.
C.
No land development shall commence unless and until
a final land development plan has been approved by the Township, except
as specifically allowed by law, subsequent to a preliminary plan approval.
All subdivision and land development shall be
in conformance with the Township Comprehensive Plan,[1] Chapter 180, Zoning, the Township Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan,[2] and any other applicable plans, maps, ordinances or regulations
of Lower Saucon Township, unless otherwise approved by the Township.
