The ultimate goal is to have an approved plan recorded at the Lehigh County Courthouse so the new deeds can be prepared. The applicant is to file the appropriate Subdivision Review Application together with fees and plans drawn in accordance with the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The plans are then distributed to the various reviewing personnel and agencies for their review and comment in time for the Planning Commission’s consideration.

All zoning issues must be resolved before the plan can advance beyond the Planning Commission. Therefore, it is recommended that the applicant meet with the Community Development Staff to identify possible zoning and planning issues prior to submitting the plans. Should the Planning Commission find the plan to be substantially compliant, a favorable recommendation is forwarded to the Board of Commissioners.

The plans are usually revised to address any remaining comments prior to the Board of Commissioners reviewing them. Once the plans are “clean” for final approval by the Board of Commissioners, Staff will prepare a resolution for the Board to consider. Once the plan is approved, the applicant has 90 days to address any conditions of approval and record the plan. The timeframe to go through the process depends on the complexity of the plan. However, minor residential subdivision (5 lots or less) and re-subdivision generally take 3 to 6 months on average. Major subdivisions generally take longer. No building permits can be issued until the plan is recorded.

Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance: Plan Drawing and Submission Requirements Required Public Improvements to be Constructed Required Agreements Construction Standards for Improvements. (?)

Zoning Ordinance: Use, setbacks, driveway separation distance, clear sight triangle, setbacks for parking lots and buildings, property size, screening and buffer, parking lot design and size, signs.

Engineering: Storm water control, wetlands preservation, impervious surface, traffic impact, property survey, right-of-way dedication, erosion and sedimentation controls, availability of water and sewer.

Legal Deeds, Improvements Agreements, Financial Security.

Offsite Impact Comments from the neighboring public.

PPL will install a streetlight only if the Township authorizes them to do so as the Township will incur the cost. Therefore, a completed Streetlight Petition Application must be submitted to the Township Board of Commissioners for their consideration. The applicant may attend the Board meeting to discuss the matter. If the Board finds the request plausible, the Township will authorize PPL to install the fixture.

The estimated time frame is 6 to 9 months after authorization. The Township has no control on when the installation will occur after authorization. A petition is not required for streetlight installation in subdivisions under construction as authorization was pre-approved in the subdivision plan approval process. Usually, streetlights are installed in developing subdivisions when 50% of the houses are built on a given street.

PPL provides the maintenance on all Township street lights. You can report the problem to PPL or we can report it for you. PPL will need to know the pole location and any identification numbers that are tagged on the pole.

Please report all streetlight maintenance requests to the PPL Customer Contact Center at 1-800-342-5775.

The Comprehensive Plan is the long-range plan for the physical development of the Township. For each area of the Township it provides guidelines as to what kind of development (single-family residential, commercial, multi-family residential, industrial, etc.) is considered desirable and appropriate. It also sets forth the Township’s future plans for transportation, community facilities, the environment, housing, historic resources, and economic development. When completed, it will serve as the basis for future amendments to the Township Zoning Ordinance as well as many policy decisions that pertain to the priorities expressed in the budget and capital improvements.