An ordinance establishing rules, regulations, and standards governing the subdivision and development of land within the Township, setting forth the procedures to be followed by the Township Planning Commission and Council in administering these rules, regulations, and standards, and setting forth the penalties for the violation thereof as established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
These regulations shall be known and may be cited as the "Bristol Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance."
These regulations are adopted for the following purposes:
A. 
To regulate and control the division and development of land within Bristol Township in order to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the Township;
B. 
To assist orderly, efficient, and integrated development of land;
C. 
To provide for the coordination of existing streets and public utilities with new facilities;
D. 
To ensure efficient and orderly provision of community services and facilities;
E. 
To ensure conformance of land utilization with good planning criteria and with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, and the Bristol Township Zoning Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.
F. 
To ensure equitable handling of all subdivision and land development plans by providing uniform procedures and standards for observance, by subdividers, developers, and the Township;
G. 
To ensure the proper provision of open lands for recreation and the proper location of sites for community facilities;
H. 
To ensure that proper provision shall be made for stormwater management, water, sewerage and other needed improvements;
I. 
To ensure that land to be subdivided and/or developed shall be of such character that it can be used for building purposes without danger to health or peril from fire, flood or other menace;
J. 
To provide for adequate open space, recreation, light, air and traffic management;
K. 
To encourage and promote flexibility, economy, and ingenuity in the layout and design of subdivisions and land developments, including authority for Council to alter site requirements in order to encourage other practices which are in accordance with modern and evolving principles of site planning and development.
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 statute, other ordinance, or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail. Where the provisions of any statute, other ordinance or regulation impose greater restrictions than those of this chapter, the provisions of such statute, ordinance, or regulation shall prevail.
Section 501 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247[1]), as amended, provides that Bristol Township may regulate subdivision and land development within the Township by enacting a subdivision and land development ordinance.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10501.
The Bucks County Planning Commission is empowered under Section 502 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247[1]) to review and report on each subdivision or land development plan before local approval and recording, as required by law. The submission of plans to the Bucks County Planning Commission for review and report shall be provided in this chapter. After consideration of the county report, the Planning Commission and Council may proceed to preliminary and final action.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10502.
It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that:
A. 
If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provisions of this chapter to be invalid or ineffective, in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to those provisions which are expressly stated in the decision to be invalid or ineffective, and all other provisions of this chapter shall continue to be separately and fully effective.
B. 
If a court of competent jurisdiction finds the application of any provision or provisions of this chapter to any lot, building or other structure, or tract of land, to be invalid or ineffective, in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to the person, property, or situation immediately involved in the controversy, and the application of any such provision to other persons, property, or situations shall not be affected.
The grant of a permit or approval of a plan for any proposed subdivision and/or land development to be located within any identified floodplain area or district shall not constitute a representation, guaranty, or warranty of any kind by Bristol Township or by any official or employee thereof of the practicability or safety of the proposed use, and shall create no liability upon the Township, or upon its officials or employees.