This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Borough of West Conshohocken Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance."
This chapter is adopted for the following purposes:
A. 
To assist orderly, efficient, integrated and harmonious development of the Borough.
B. 
To assure the development of sites suitable for building purposes and human habitation.
C. 
To coordinate proposed streets with existing streets or other proposed streets or other features of the Borough.
D. 
To provide adequate open spaces for traffic, recreation, light and air and for the proper distribution of population.
E. 
To ensure conformance of subdivision and land development plans with the development of public improvements in the Borough.
F. 
To ensure that the layout and arrangement of the subdivision or land development plan is in conformance with the West Conshohocken Borough Comprehensive Plan and to any regulations or maps adopted in furtherance thereof.
G. 
To protect and promote the safety, health and morals of the community.
H. 
To provide for the general welfare by guiding and protecting the amenity and convenience and the future governmental and economic practices and social and cultural facilities, development and growth, as well as the improvement of governmental processes and functions.
I. 
To guide uses of land and structures and type and location of streets, public grounds and other facilities.
J. 
It is the further purpose of this chapter that any recommendations made by any planning agency to any governing body shall be advisory only.
K. 
To preserve natural amenities of the Borough, including but not limited to: stream valleys, floodplains, woodlands, steep slopes and individual specimen trees.
[Added 8-8-1995 by Ord. No. 95-434, approved 8-8-1995]
L. 
To ensure that all new development protects existing vegetation to the maximum extent possible in order to retard soil erosion, protect significant natural areas and wildlife habitat, soften the visual impact of new development, promote groundwater recharge and improve air quality.
[Added 8-8-1995 by Ord. No. 95-434, approved 8-8-1995]
M. 
To provide buffers between land uses to act as sound barriers and windbreaks, to visually soften the impacts of adjacent land uses and to integrate new development with its surroundings.
[Added 8-8-1995 by Ord. No. 95-434, approved 8-8-1995]
N. 
To enhance the aesthetic appearance of the community and provide privacy and beauty.
[Added 8-8-1995 by Ord. No. 95-434, approved 8-8-1995]
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements to meet the above-stated purposes. Where the provisions of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any other statute, ordinance or regulations, then the provisions of this chapter shall prevail. Where the provisions of any other statute, ordinance or regulations impose greater restrictions than those of this chapter, the provisions of such statute, ordinance or regulations shall take precedence.
A. 
Subdivision of a lot or construction, opening or dedication of a street. No subdivision or land development of any lot, tract or parcel of land shall be made and no street, alley, sanitary sewer, storm drain, water main, gas, oil or electric transmission line, or other improvements in connection therewith, shall be laid out, constructed or dedicated for public use or travel or for the common use of occupants of a building abutting thereon, except in strict accordance with this chapter.
B. 
Sale of lots, issuance of building permits or erection of buildings. No lot in a subdivision or land development may be sold and no permit to erect, alter or repair any building upon land in a subdivision or land development may be let, unless and until a plan has been approved and, where required, recorded and until the required improvements in connection therewith from the lot or building to an existing improved street have either been constructed or the Borough has been assured that the improvements will subsequently be installed by means of a properly completed guaranty in the form of a bond sufficient to cover the cost of the required improvements, as estimated by the Borough Engineer. No lot in a subdivision or land development may be sold or building constructed in any flood-prone area prior to completion of all floodproofing measures planned for such lot and necessary access facilities.
C. 
Condominiums. The sale of dwelling or commercial units as condominiums under the Pennsylvania Unit Property Act[1] shall be permitted in accordance with Article VI of this chapter, and no regulations within this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the condominium form of ownership.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Unit Property Act was repealed by 1980, July 2, P.L. 286, No. 82, § 2. See now the Uniform Condominium Act, 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq.