The Purpose of the Planning Department

• To review applications for subdivision of property or altering property lines

• To review applications for rezoning requests

• To propose and/or review modifications to the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land

• Development Ordinance, Storm Water Management Ordinance and Flood Plain Ordinance

• To monitor the Township’s Comprehensive Plan

• To review development plans for a variety of issues including but not limited to:

• Impervious surface coverage and storm water runoff
• Wetlands preservation
• Traffic impact/circulation
• Availability of utilities
• Concerns of other governmental agencies, such as:

• Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
• PA Department of Transportation
• Lehigh County Conservation District
• Department of Environmental Protection
• Zoning issues
• Public Improvements
• Any off-site impact
• Public comment

Definitions

• Minor subdivisions Residential development involving five lots or less
• Major subdivisions Residential development involving more than five lots or any non-residential development
• Land development Non-residential development
• Re-subdivisions Alteration of existing lot lines or recorded land development plans

Elements of the Planning Review Process:

• Submission of completed Subdivision Review application and plans drawn within the requirements of Subdivision And Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) and zoning regulations.
• Review by the Township Staff, Township Engineer, and other governmental reviewing agencies.
• A submission receipt from the Township that indicates the adequacy or inadequacy of the submission, provides a list of deficiencies seen upon first review, and the date for the Planning Commission meeting at which it will be first reviewed for the public.
• Corrections, amendments, clarifications, studies, calculations, etc., and resubmission by the developer.
• Final review by Planning Commission, Staff and Engineer.
• Review/Final Review by the Board of Commissioners.
• Improvements Agreements, insurance and financial security arranged/provided.
• Recordation of approved plan.
• Construction conference.
• Site development, and inspections by the Township Engineer.
• Completion of construction and inspections.
• Administration of Maintenance Agreement for improvements – two years.
• Final disposition of remaining financial security posted by developer.