Source: https://ecode360.com/11537845
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 10:36:11+00:00

Document:
Municipality of Murrysville, PA Approval Procedures for Subdivisions.
Ch 201 Art IV Approval Procedures for Subdivisions.
§ 201-19 Preliminary application submission.
§ 201-20 Simultaneous preliminary and final application.
§ 201-22 Planning Commission recommendation.
§ 201-23 Action by Murrysville Council.
§ 201-26 Expiration of preliminary approval.
§ 201-27 Final application submission requirements.
§ 201-28 Final application submission specifications.
§ 201-30 Planning Commission recommendation.
§ 201-31 Action by Council.
§ 201-35 The mediation option.
§ 201-36 Resolution indicating approval.
§ 201-37 Posting of performance bond.
§ 201-38 Posting of amenities bond.
§ 201-40 Recording of final plat.
§ 201-41 Reinstatement of approval.
§ 201-42 Filing of copies.
Article IV Approval Procedures for Subdivisions.
Chapter 201 Subdivision and Land Development Article IV Approval Procedures for Subdivisions.
This article shall apply to all subdivisions which propose six or more lots and to all subdivisions which propose the construction or improvement of any public improvement or other improvement that will be dedicated to the Municipality, regardless of the number of lots proposed.
No person, firm or corporation proposing to make or having made a subdivision within the area of jurisdiction of these regulations shall proceed with any grading for roads or alleys before obtaining from the Council the approval of the preliminary plat of the proposed subdivision and any necessary application for conditional use approval for such excavation that may be required by ordinance. No deeds shall be recorded for lots in any subdivision before obtaining from the Council the approval of the final plat of the proposed subdivision.
Prior to filing an application for preliminary approval, the applicant or his representative shall meet with the Director of Community Development and other municipal officials to obtain application forms and to discuss application procedures and applicable ordinance requirements.
In addition, the developer may request a preapplication conference with the Planning Commission to discuss the conceptual design for the development of the property and the feasibility and timing of the application. The applicant shall contact the Director of Community Development at least 10 calendar days prior to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission to request a preapplication conference with the Planning Commission.
The preapplication conference with the Planning Commission is voluntary and no formal application or fee is required. This opportunity is afforded to the developer to obtain information and guidance before entering into binding commitments or incurring substantial expenses for plan preparation.
While no formal application is required for a preapplication conference, the applicant should provide one copy of readily available information with the request for a preapplication conference which will show the location of the property and any special features such as streams, floodplains or other conditions that may affect the development of the property. Readily available resources which may be used include: the deed for the property; a property survey; the Tax Maps prepared by the Westmoreland County Assessor's Office; USGS Quadrangle Map showing natural features and topography; the National Flood Insurance Administration (NFIA) Flood Hazard Boundary Maps; Natural Resources Conservation Service Maps of soil types; and the U.S. Bureau of Mines coal mine maps.
A preapplication conference shall not constitute formal filing of any application for approval of a subdivision, shall not bind the Planning Commission to approve any concept presented in the preapplication conference and shall not protect the application from any subsequent changes in ordinance provisions which may affect the proposed development between the preapplication conference and the official date of filing of an application for preliminary approval of a subdivision under the terms of this chapter.
The applicant shall submit 14 copies of an application for preliminary approval required by this chapter to the Director of Community Development at least 28 calendar days prior to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission. If the 28th day falls on a holiday, the application shall be filed by the close of business on the immediately preceding working day.
The preliminary application shall not be considered to be complete and properly filed unless and until all items required by § 201-21 of this chapter, including the application fee, have been received.
The applicant shall submit all materials required under each application's content, including final as opposed to preliminary reports. The Planning Commission and Director of Community Development shall evaluate the completeness of the application based upon the submission of all required items. The acceptance of, rejection, approval, or denial of the application shall be as a whole, wherein neither preliminary or final may be separately accepted or acted upon.
All post-approval requirements, deadlines, and processes shall be governed by that noted under Article IV, Final Application for Approval for a Subdivision.
An applicant may submit for a preliminary and final application simultaneously where phases are proposed and the final application requests approval of the first proposed phase, given the following standards and conditions.
The applications shall be processed separately in accordance with the applicable sections of this chapter.
Approval of the preliminary plan shall be a condition of final plan approval of the phase submitted for such approval.
Written evidence of compliance with all other Municipality of Murrysville, county, state or federal permits required for the plan, if any. For purposes of application acceptance, proof of application for such permits shall be acceptable.
A written statement requesting any waivers or modifications to this chapter in accordance with Article XII, if applicable.
The subdivision name and location.
Major existing thoroughfares related to the subdivision, including the distance therefrom.
The title, graphic scale, North point and date. The location map need not be a special drawing. The date may be shown by notations on available maps or by a small sketch on the preliminary plan.
Contours at vertical intervals of two feet if the general slope of the site is less than 10% and at intervals of five feet if the general slope is greater than 10% prepared by a registered professional land surveyor or registered professional engineer. The Commission may relieve the applicant of this requirement if, on application by him setting forth his reasons, the Commission is of the opinion that contours are not necessary in order to administer these regulations properly in connection with the subdivision. In making such application, the subdivider shall withhold submission of his preliminary plat until the Commission has taken action on the application.
A land inspection sketch showing terrain features, wooded areas, buildings and other natural or artificial features which would affect the plan of the subdivision.
Tract boundary lines, showing dimensions, bearings and corners prepared by a registered professional land surveyor or registered professional engineer. If the developer intends to develop a tract of land in phases, the preliminary plat shall include the total tract.
Streets and rights-of-way on or adjoining the site, including dedicated widths, roadway widths, approximate gradients, types and widths of pavement, curbs, sidewalks and other pertinent data.
Easements: locations, widths and purposes.
Existing utilities, including sanitary and storm sewers and other drainage facilities, waterlines, gas mains, electric and telephone utilities and other facilities.
Existing plotting of adjacent land within 500 feet of the proposed subdivision and other conditions on the adjacent land, including approximate direction and gradient of ground slope, including embankments or retaining walls; character and location of buildings, railroads, power lines, gas lines, towers and other nearby nonresidential land uses or adverse influences; and owners of adjacent land.
Areas subject to periodic overflow from stormwater and/or areas within floodplain districts. Areas within floodplain districts must fulfill the requirements of Article X of this chapter in addition to any other applicable provisions in this chapter.
Other features or conditions which would affect the subdivision favorably or adversely.
The title, graphic scale, North point and date.
Subsurface conditions of the tract, including information regarding past mining activity and future possibility of mine activity. If there are any seams of minable material within 300 feet of the surface, the subdivider shall be required to show proof that he owns sufficient rights of support.
Soil boundaries and types, as shown on the Westmoreland County Soil Survey.
The proposed name of subdivision.
The names and addresses of the applicant, owner, land planning consultant, name, address, certification and seal of a registered engineer or registered surveyor who prepared the plan, and the deed book and page number and tax parcel identification number of the parcel or parcels to be subdivided.
Street patterns, showing the names (which, when not extensions of existing streets, shall not duplicate other names of streets in the community, and subject to municipal approval in consideration of Westmoreland County 911 standards) and widths of rights-of-way of streets and widths of easements for alleys and approximate grades of streets.
The layout of lots, showing approximate lot sizes and lot numbers.
Parcels of land proposed to be dedicated or reserved for schools, parks, playgrounds or other public, semipublic or community purposes. Parcels shall be lettered A, B, C, etc. and the area of each parcel in acres shall be shown.
A key plan, legend and notes; the same shall be sealed by a registered engineer or surveyor whose name and address shall be clearly shown.
Building setback or front yard lines.
The graphic scale, North point and date.
Date of preparation. All revisions shall be noted and dated.
The names of all adjoining subdivisions.
The delineation of all phases labeled as Phase I, II, and so forth.
Existing watercourses, jurisdictional wetlands, tree masses and other significant natural features.
Location of existing buildings and all other structures, including walls, fences, culverts and bridges, with spot elevations of such buildings and structures. Structures to be removed shall be indicated by dashed lines; structures to remain shall be indicated by solid lines.
Areas subject to periodic flooding, if any, as identified on the current flood maps issued by the Federal Insurance Administration.
A slope map showing the location and the area (in square feet) of land which has a slope of 25% or greater and that having 40% or greater.
Boundaries of poor soils, as defined by the Zoning Ordinance.
Existing streets and rights-of-way on or adjoining the site, including dedicated widths, roadway widths, approximate gradients, types and widths of pavements, curbs, the authority which has jurisdiction; i.e., local, county, or state, sidewalks and other pertinent data.
Tabulation of site data, including total acreage of land to be subdivided, the number of residential lots, typical lot size, the acreage in the subdivision and the acreage in any proposed recreation or other public areas.
The location of all existing sewer lines, culverts, or other underground structures, with pipe sizes and types, together with a preliminary layout of necessary extensions of, or additional sewer and waterlines, or other proposed underground utilities, and indicating easements for public utilities, sewage and storm drainage.
Proposals for disposition of stormwater and sanitary waste that demonstrate the feasibility of the preliminary plat and general site design.
Proposed private improvements, if any. Such improvements shall include preliminary architectural elevations or depictions of recreational facilities proposed as per § 201-77 of this chapter.
If applicable, a notation on the plat that access to a state highway shall only be authorized by a highway occupancy permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation under Section 420 of the State Highway Law. (P.L. 1242, No. 428 of June 1, 1945) and that the approvals of the Planning Commission and Council are conditional, subject to action of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation pursuant to application for a highway occupancy permit.
A grading plan showing cuts and fills.
Narratives demonstrating the feasibility of the overall plan design in consideration of steep slopes, poor soils, wetlands, grading, stormwater, and overall compliance with municipal, state, and federal regulations and standards.
Utility feasibility. Reports from all utilities (i.e., gas, water, electric, telephone and cable television) expected to service the proposed subdivision or land development shall be submitted with preliminary plat data. Such reports shall include, as a minimum, a statement as to whether the utility involved has the capability and facilities to serve the proposed subdivision or land development.
The sewerage systems report on the feasibility of connection to any existing or proposed public sewerage system shall be made.
If the subdivision can reasonably be served by the extension of an existing public sanitary sewer, as determined by the Planning Commission and the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority, the developer shall be required to provide a system of sanitary sewer mains and shall provide lateral connections for each lot.
If connection to an existing sewerage system is not deemed to be feasible, the feasibility of constructing a separate sewerage system and treatment works shall be investigated. This investigation shall be documented and a report submitted with the application.
In the event that either option described above is not feasible, consideration may be given to the installation of on-lot sewerage disposal systems for the subdivision, as shall comply with applicable law. The information contained in a registered engineer's or registered surveyor's report shall include a detailed map of the physical conditions of the site, showing contours, finished grades, watercourses, groundwater table elevations, etc., and the results of soil absorption tests for each individual lot, conducted in accordance with the recommended practices of the applicable law.
Preliminary environmental and community impact study. An environmental impact study shall be prepared and submitted with the application. The environmental impact study shall describe, identify and analyze all environmental aspects of the site and of neighboring properties that may be affected by the proposed operations or the ultimate use proposed to be conducted on the site. The limits of the impact area to be studied shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission. The environmental impact study shall include, but not be limited to, all critical impact areas on or off site that may be impacted by the proposed or ultimate use of the facility, including the impact on the critical areas, the protective measures and procedures to protect the critical areas from damage, and the actions to be taken to minimize environmental damage to the critical areas on the site and surrounding areas during and after completion of the operation. Critical impact areas include, but are not limited to, stream corridors, streams, wetlands, slopes in excess of 25%, Class I agricultural lands, highly acidic or erodible soils, carbonate or highly fractured bedrock, aquifer recharge and discharge areas, areas of unique or protected vegetation, wildlife habitat, and areas of historic, cultural and/or archaeological significance. Additionally, the applicant shall submit a preliminary statement concerning the general impact on schools, recreation, transportation, police, and other municipal services in consideration of projected demographics and property assessments.
Traffic impact study (TIS), where applicable.
A draft of the protective covenants or private restrictions is to be incorporated in the subdivision plat as they relate to compliance with the standards of this chapter.
A schedule of completion, wherein phases are denoted which specify the year of final application filing anticipated along with the number of lots in each phase.
Where an application is filed in a timely manner, as specified in § 201-19, the Director of Community Development shall consult with the Planning Commission at the next public meeting of the Commission concerning the status of the application. The Commission shall accept or reject the application based upon the requirements of § 201-21 as complete in content and properly filed. The Director of Community Development shall issue a letter to the applicant within seven days of said meeting detailing the basis for acceptance or rejection and citing applicable sections of this chapter. The date of the Planning Commission meeting at which the preliminary application is accepted as complete and properly filed shall be the official date of filing of the application and shall represent the beginning of the sixty-day period for Planning Commission review and recommendation on the application, unless the applicant agrees, in writing, to an extension of time.
Upon acceptance of the application material as properly filed, the Director of Community Development shall forward one copy to the Municipal Engineer, one copy to the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority, one copy to the Murrysville Municipal Parks and Recreation Commission, one copy to the Environmental Advisory Council and one copy to Westmoreland County Planning Department. The municipal boards and commissions shall submit their recommendations to the Planning Commission within 20 days of receipt of the proposed preliminary plat as accepted by the Planning Commission. During the sixty-day review period, the Municipal Engineer shall provide preliminary review comments to the Planning Commission and the applicant.
Within 60 days of the official date of filing of the preliminary application, the Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing immediately prior to its regular meeting. The Planning Commission shall recommend either approval, approval with conditions or disapproval of the preliminary application at a public meeting. In the case of a recommendation for disapproval, the Planning Commission recommendation shall cite the specific requirements of this chapter which have not been met.
The Municipal Engineer shall present a written report to the Council which states whether an application complies with the requirements of this chapter, and that report shall be included in the minutes of the Council meeting.
Within 90 days of the official date of filing of the preliminary application, the Council shall either approve, approve with conditions or disapprove the preliminary application at a public meeting. The Council shall not act until the review has been received from the Westmoreland County Planning Office or until 30 days has passed since the date that the application was submitted to the County for review.
A letter indicating approval, approval with conditions or disapproval shall be mailed to the applicant within 15 days of the date of the decision by the Council. If the preliminary application is not approved, the Council shall specify the defects found in the preliminary application and cite the specific requirements of this chapter which have not been met.
If the Council determines that certain conditions are warranted to be attached to preliminary approval to protect the public interest and guarantee compliance with the requirements of this chapter, the conditions of approval shall be specified, in writing, in the notice of conditional approval required by this chapter. The applicant shall accept or reject the conditions attached to preliminary approval by giving written notice to the Director of Community Development within 30 days of the date of the meeting of Council at which preliminary approval is granted. If the applicant rejects any of the conditions or if the applicant fails to give written notice to the Director of Community Development regarding acceptance or rejection of the conditions attached to preliminary approval within the required 30 days, preliminary approval shall automatically be rescinded without written notice to the applicant.
Failure of the Council to render a decision and communicate it to the applicant within the time and in the manner prescribed by this chapter shall be deemed an approval of the application in the terms as presented, unless the applicant has agreed in writing to an extension of time or change in the prescribed manner of presentation of communication of the decision; in which case, failure to meet the extended time or change in manner of presentation of communication shall have like effect.
Preliminary approval shall expire five years from the date of the grant of preliminary approval by the Council, unless a written extension is submitted by the applicant and approved by the Council. Any request for extension shall be submitted to the Council at least 30 days prior to the prevailing expiration date. Extensions may be granted for one or more six-month periods upon a finding by the Council that such extension is warranted for reasonable cause and not due to the applicant's own negligence or inaction.
In the case of a phased development calling for the installation of improvements beyond the five-year period, a schedule shall be filed by the applicant with the preliminary application delineating all proposed phases, as well as time deadlines by which applications for final plat approval of each phase are intended to be filed. Such schedule shall be updated annually by the applicant on or before the anniversary of preliminary approval until final plat approval of the final phase has been granted. Any modification in the aforesaid schedule shall be subject to approval by the Council in its sole discretion. Phased development shall be subject to the time protection provisions of Section 508(4) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968, as amended).
After a preliminary application for a subdivision has been approved by the Council, the developer may proceed by filing an application for final approval of a subdivision. The final application may be submitted for the entire development granted preliminary approval or may be submitted in phases in accordance with this chapter.
If the subdivision proposes any variances to the Zoning Ordinance, the decision of the Zoning Hearing Board shall be issued prior to submission of the application for final approval. If the zoning variances are denied, the final plat shall be revised to show compliance with the zoning requirements at issue. If the final plat is not revised to show compliance with the zoning requirements which are at issue, a new preliminary application shall be required.
In either case, the applicant shall submit 14 copies of the final application required by § 201-28 to the Director of Community Development at least 28 calendar days prior to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission. If the 28th day falls on a holiday, the application shall be filed by the close of business on the immediately preceding working day.
The final application shall not be considered to be complete and properly filed unless and until all items required by § 201-28 of this chapter, including the application fee, have been received.
The final plat shall meet the following specifications.
Fifteen copies of the final plat, prepared and sealed by a Pennsylvania-registered professional land surveyor, in accurate and final form for recording, drawn to a scale not less than one inch equals 100 feet on sheets not exceeding (34 inches by 44 inches), which clearly delineates the information required in this section.
The plat may include all or only a part of the plat as proposed in the application.
The original drawings of the plat of the subdivision shall be 24 inches by 36 inches or made in multiples of this size and cut along match lines. It shall be drawn at a scale of 50 or 100 feet to the inch. Six black or blue line prints and one reproducible print shall be submitted with the original final plat or in order to conform to modern drafting and reproduction methods. Lettering may be applied to be reproduced by film, litholoid or other suitable photographic process at the designated scale and, in such case, six black or blue line prints and two reproducible prints shall be submitted.
Accurate boundary lines, with dimensions and angles, which provide a survey of the tract.
Accurate distances and the direction to the nearest established street corners or official monuments. Reference corners shall be accurately described on the plan.
Accurate locations of all existing and recorded streets intersecting the boundaries of the tract.
The source of the title to the land as shown by the books of the County Recorder.
Complete curve data for all curves included in the plan.
Street lines, with accurate dimensions in feet and hundredths of feet, with angles to street, alley and lot lines.
Easements for utilities and limitations on such easements.
Accurate dimensions of any property to be dedicated or reserved for public, semipublic or community use.
The location of all monuments and lot markers.
Restrictions of all types which will run with the land and become covenant in the deeds for lots, which shall be recorded concurrently with the plat, where such restrictions or requirements relate to the standards required by municipal ordinances.
The name and address of the owner, developer and applicant.
The North point, graphic scale and date.
Certification by a registered professional engineer or registered land surveyor.
A certificate of dedication of streets and other public property.
Certificates of approval by the Commission and Council.
Building setback lines, the minimum as fixed herein, and other setback or street lines established by these regulations or by public authority, and those specified in the deed restrictions.
If applicable, a notation on the plat that access to a state highway shall only be authorized by a highway occupancy permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation under Section 420 of the State Highway Law (P.L. 1242, No. 428 of June 1, 1945) and that the approvals of the Planning Commission and Council are conditional, subject to action of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation pursuant to application for a highway occupancy permit.
If applicable, a notation on the plat regarding any zoning variances granted by the Zoning Hearing Board, including the date of the decision, the appeal number and the nature of the variance granted.
Approved soil, erosion and sedimentation control plan and NPDES permit, if required.
Where applicable, recommendations from the Westmoreland County Soil Conservation District, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and any other applicable county, state or federal agency.
Spaces for the signatures of the Chairman and Secretary of the Planning Commission; the Chairman and Chief Administrator of Council; the Municipal Engineer; and dates of approval.
Certification clauses required by the Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds Office.
Letter of recommendation or comments from the Environmental Advisory Council, Parks and Recreation Board and Franklin Township Sanitary Authority, or evidence that plans were submitted to the aforementioned boards at least 20 days in advance of the application submission.
Final environmental impact study. An environmental impact study, specific to the phase submitted, shall be prepared and submitted with the application. The environmental impact study shall describe, identify and analyze all environmental aspects of the site and of neighboring properties that may be affected by the proposed operations or the ultimate use proposed to be conducted on the site. The limits of the impact area to be studied shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission. The environmental impact study shall include, but not be limited to, all critical impact areas on or off site that may be impacted by the proposed or ultimate use of the facility, including the impact on the critical areas, the protective measures and procedures to protect the critical areas from damage, and the actions to be taken to minimize environmental damage to the critical areas on the site and surrounding areas during and after completion of the operation. Critical impact areas include, but are not limited to, stream corridors, streams, wetlands, slopes in excess of 25%, Class I agricultural lands, highly acidic or erodible soils, carbonate or highly fractured bedrock, aquifer recharge and discharge areas, areas of unique or protected vegetation, wildlife habitat, and areas of historic, cultural and/or archaeological significance.
Acoustics study. An acoustics study shall be prepared and submitted with the application. The study shall be prepared by an acoustic expert(s) acceptable to the Municipality. The study shall identify the existing background level of noise and the anticipated noise impact from the proposed use. The report shall contain measures of existing ambient measurements, estimates or the noise measurements to be anticipated from the type of operations and equipment that are proposed for the use and if there are any significant increases in those noise levels. The report shall also contain specific proposals that are intended to reduce noise levels emanating off the site. The study shall be based upon actual sound level measurements and estimates of potential noise impact at the property lines of the site of the proposed use; or the applicant/developer shall submit a statement prepared by his engineer warranting that the nature of the use will produce no impact on acoustics in regards to the standards of this chapter, as well as the basis for such statement.
Hydrogeologic study. A hydrogeologic study shall be prepared and submitted with the application. The study shall be prepared by an engineer acceptable to the Municipality. The study shall evaluate the existing surface and subsurface hydrogeology, based upon historical data and on-site investigation and studies where such historical data, in the judgment of the Planning Commission, is inadequate. The study shall identify groundwater discharge and recharge areas that may be affected by the proposed use, map the groundwater table and analyze and delineate the effects of the proposed use on the hydrology, including surface and ground water quantity and quality.
Any potential increased use of the above-listed community assets.
Any potential increased cost to the Municipality to provide additional facilities and services due to the impact of the proposed use.
An estimate of the amount of revenue to the Municipality generated by the proposed use.
Any proposed measures to mitigate impacts upon the above-listed community assets through site design standards.
Acreages and percentages of steep slope (as regulated by the Zoning Ordinance), one-hundred-year floodplains and floodways, and jurisdictional wetlands shall be presented.
The acreage and percentage of the total site to be utilized for public improvements, including stormwater, open space, streets, and parking.
General demographics expected in the proposed plan and the basis for the projection, where residential units are proposed.
For residential subdivisions, a calculation of net residential density.
Cost estimates of public or private improvements in the plan as they relate to the performance or amenities bond to guarantee proper installation of the said improvements in the plan, as required by §§ 201-37 and 201-38 of this chapter.
Street plan and profile of each street in the plan, including the terminus of all streets in the plan and any area beyond the limits of the plan where grading is proposed to construct the street. Street plan and profile drawings shall include all drainage easements over property, location of catch basins, inlets, manholes, headwalls and endwalls of the stormwater system. Top and invert elevations shall be shown along with the pipe size. Profile of storm sewer pipes shall show any crossing sanitary sewer lines, waterlines or other utility lines. Lot lines and lot numbers shall be included in the street plan view.
Sanitary sewer plan and profile drawing which shall include lot lines and lot numbers on the plan view. The location of the sanitary sewers, manholes and location of each "Y" proposed for installation shall be shown. The grade line, distance and pipe size of each line shall be indicated on the plan and profile. The top and invert elevation of each manhole plus pipe invert grades at fifty-foot intervals shall be provided.
Final grading plan which demonstrates compliance with the Murrysville Grading and Excavating Regulations.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 124, Grading, Excavations and Filling.
Plans showing compliance with recommendations of the soils report or wetlands delineation report, if applicable.
Final design of stormwater management facilities and final calculations.
Where required by § 201-77 of this chapter, a draft of a deed of dedication of land as recreation or common open space and certificate of title in a form acceptable to the Municipal Solicitor, or a letter of intent for payment of the recreation fee in lieu of the dedication, or an agreement for the reservation of private land, or agreement to construct a recreational facility.
Where recreational facilities, proposed to meet § 201-77 of this chapter, are provided, the applicant shall submit detailed construction drawings and architectural depictions of said facility which reflect Parks and Recreation Commission recommendations.
All applications for approval, other than those governed by the planned residential development provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, shall be acted upon by the Planning Commission and the Council within no more than 90 days or such other maximum period as may be provided by law after the application is filed.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 220, Zoning, and Ch. 172, Planned Residential Development.
At the first regular meeting of the Planning Commission after submission of a final application, the Planning Commission shall either accept or reject the application as complete and properly filed. The date of the Planning Commission meeting at which the final application is accepted as complete and properly filed shall be the official date of filing for the application and shall represent the beginning of the sixty-day period for Planning Commission review and recommendation on the application, unless the applicant agrees, in writing, to an extension of time. During the sixty-day review period, the Municipal Engineer shall provide review comments to the Planning Commission and the applicant.
Upon acceptance of the application material as properly filed, the Director of Community Development shall forward copies, one to the Municipal Engineer, one copy to the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority, one copy to the Murrysville Municipal Parks and Recreation Commission. During the sixty-day review period, the Municipal Engineer shall provide preliminary review comments to the Planning Commission and the applicant.
Within 60 days of the official date of filing of the application, the Planning Commission shall make a recommendation, in writing, to the Council for approval, approval with conditions or disapproval of the final application. In the case of a recommendation for disapproval, the Planning Commission recommendation shall cite the specific requirements of this chapter which have not been met.
Within 90 days of the official date of filing of the application, the Council shall either approve, approve with conditions or disapprove the final application at a public meeting. The Planning Commission's written recommendation shall be made a part of the record at that meeting.
A letter indicating approval, approval with conditions or disapproval shall be mailed to the applicant within 15 days of the date of the decision by the Council. If the final application is not approved, the Council shall specify the defects found in the final application and cite the requirements of this chapter which have not been met.
If the Council determines that certain conditions are warranted to be attached to final approval to protect the public interest and guarantee compliance with the requirements of this chapter, the conditions of approval shall be specified, in writing, in the notice of conditional approval required by this chapter. The applicant shall accept or reject the conditions attached to final approval either by giving written notice to the Director of Community Development within 30 days of the date of the meeting of the Council at which final approval is granted. If the applicant rejects any of the conditions or if the applicant fails to give written notice to the Director of Community Development regarding acceptance or rejection of the conditions attached to final approval within the required 30 days, final approval shall automatically be rescinded without written notice to the applicant.
Failure of the Council to render a decision and communicate it to the applicant within the time and in the manner prescribed by this chapter shall be deemed an approval of the application in the terms as presented, unless the applicant has agreed in writing to an extension of time or change in the prescribed manner of presentation of communication of the decision, in which case, failure to meet the extended time or change in manner of presentation of communication shall have like effect.
Effects of amendments. From the time an application for approval of a plat, whether preliminary or final, is duly filed as provided in this chapter, and while such application is pending approval or disapproval, no change or amendment of the zoning, subdivision or other governing ordinance or plan shall affect the decision on such application which is adverse to the applicant. The applicant shall be entitled to a decision in accordance with the provisions of the governing ordinances and plans as they stood at the time the application was duly filed. In addition, when a preliminary application has been duly approved, the applicant shall be entitled to final approval in accordance with the terms of the approved preliminary application as hereinafter provided. However, if an application is properly and finally denied, any subsequent application shall be subject to the intervening change in governing regulations.
Five-year rule. When an application for approval of a plat, whether preliminary or final, has been approved or approved subject to conditions acceptable to the applicant, no subsequent change or amendment in the zoning, subdivision or other governing ordinance or plan shall be applied to affect adversely the right of the applicant to commence and to complete any aspect of the approved development in accordance with the terms of such approval within five years from such approval. Where final approval is preceded by preliminary approval, the five-year period shall be counted from the date of the preliminary approval. In the case of any doubt as to the terms of a preliminary approval, the terms shall be construed in the light of the provisions of the governing chapters or plans as they stood at the time when the application for such approval was duly filed.
Substantial completion rule. Where the landowner has substantially completed the required improvements as depicted upon the final plat within the aforesaid five-year limit, or any extension thereof as may be granted by the governing body, no change of municipal ordinances or plan enacted subsequent to the date of filing of the preliminary plat shall modify or revoke any aspect of the approved final plat pertaining to zoning classification or density, lot, building, street or utility location.
Schedule of work. In the case of a preliminary plat calling for the installation of improvements beyond the five-year period, a schedule shall be filed by the landowner with the preliminary plat delineating all proposed sections as well as deadlines within which applications for final plat approval of each section are intended to be filed. Such schedule shall be updated annually by the applicant or before the anniversary of the preliminary plat approval until final plat approval of the final section has been granted, and any modification in the aforesaid schedule shall be subject to approval of the governing body, in its discretion.
Twenty-five-percent requirement. Each section in any residential subdivision or land development, except for the last section, shall contain a minimum of 25% of the total number of dwelling units as depicted on the preliminary plan. Provided that the landowner has not defaulted with regard to or violated any of the conditions of the preliminary plat approval, including compliance with the landowner's aforesaid schedule of submission of final plats for the various sections, then the aforesaid protections afforded by substantially completing the improvements depicted upon the final plat within five years of the preliminary plat approval or the aforesaid schedule shall apply. For any section or sections beyond the initial section in which the required improvements have not been substantially completed within said five-year period, the aforesaid protections shall apply for an additional term or terms of three years from the date of final plat approval for each section.
Failure to adhere to schedule. Failure of the landowner to adhere to the aforesaid schedule of submission of final plats for the various sections shall subject any such section to any and all changes in zoning, subdivision and other governing ordinances enacted by the Municipality subsequent to the date of the initial preliminary plan submission.
The Municipality may offer the mediation option as an aid in completing the proceedings authorized by this article. Mediation shall supplement, not replace, those procedures in this article once they have been formally initiated. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as expanding or limiting the Municipality's police powers or as modifying any principles of substantive law.
Selecting a mediator who, at a minimum, shall have a working knowledge of municipal zoning and subdivision procedures and demonstrated skills in mediation.
Completing mediation, including time limits for such completion.
Suspending time limits otherwise authorized in this chapter or in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968, as amended), provided there is written consent by the mediating parties, and by the applicant or Council, if either is not a party to the mediation.
Identifying all parties and affording them the opportunity to participate.
Subject to legal restraints, determining whether some or all of the mediation sessions shall be open or closed to the public.
Assuring that mediated solutions are in writing and signed by the parties and become subject to review and approval by the Council pursuant to the procedures for approval set forth in this article.
When requested by the developer, in order to facilitate financing, the Council shall furnish the developer with a signed copy of a resolution indicating approval of the final plat contingent upon the developer executing the development agreement and posting any required performance bond. The final plat shall not be signed nor recorded until the performance bond is posted and the development agreement is executed. The resolution shall expire and be deemed to be revoked if the performance bond is not posted and the development agreement is not executed within 90 days, unless a written extension is granted by the Council. Such extension shall not be unreasonably withheld and shall be placed in writing at the request of the developer.
In lieu of the completion of any improvement required prior to and as a condition for final approval of a plat, the applicant shall deposit a performance bond, as defined by this chapter, in favor of the Municipality, in an amount equal to 110% of the cost of completion of the improvements estimated as of 90 days following the date scheduled for completion by the developer. The surety company or lending institution holding the performance bond shall notify the Director of Community Development by certified mail at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the performance bond.
Annually, the Municipality may adjust the amount of the performance bond by comparing the actual cost of the improvements which have been completed and the estimated cost for the completion of the remaining improvements as of the expiration of the 90th day after either the original date scheduled for completion or a rescheduled date of completion. Subsequent to said adjustment, the Municipality may require the developer to post additional security in order to assure that the performance bond equals said 110%. Any additional security shall be posted by the developer in accordance with this section.
The amount of the performance bond required shall be based upon a written estimate of the cost of completion of the required improvements, submitted by an applicant or developer and prepared by an engineer and certified by such engineer to be a fair and reasonable estimate of such cost. The Municipality, upon the recommendation of the Municipal Engineer, may refuse to accept such estimate for good cause shown. If the applicant or developer and the Municipality are unable to agree upon an estimate, then the estimate shall be recalculated and recertified by another engineer chosen mutually by the Municipality and the applicant or developer. The estimate certified by the third engineer shall be presumed fair and reasonable and shall be the final estimate. In the event that a third engineer is so chosen, fees for the services of said engineer shall be paid equally by the Municipality and the applicant or developer.
If the party posting the performance bond requires more than one year from the date of posting of the performance bond to complete the required improvements, the Municipality may increase the amount of the performance bond an additional 10% for each one-year period beyond the first anniversary date from posting of the performance bond or to an amount not exceeding 110% of the cost of completing the required improvements as reestablished on or about the expiration of the preceding one-year period by using the above procedure.
In all subdivisions or land developments where private improvements are required by this chapter or are voluntarily provided by the developer, an amenities bond shall be required. The procedure for posting the amenities bond shall be the same as that required by § 201-37 of this chapter for posting a performance bond, except that the estimate of the cost of completion of the required private improvements shall be prepared by the applicant's or developer's engineer and shall be certified by such engineer to be a fair and reasonable estimate of such costs. The Municipality, upon the recommendation of the Municipal Engineer, may refuse to accept such estimate for good cause shown. Disputes shall be resolved in accordance with the procedure specified in § 201-60.
As a condition of granting final approval of a subdivision or land development that requires the posting of a performance bond or an amenities bond or to which conditions are attached to the grant of final approval, Council shall require that the developer execute a development agreement with the Municipality, in a form acceptable to the Municipal Solicitor, containing any conditions attached to the approval of the plan and provisions that are reasonably required to guarantee the proper installation of public and private improvements related to the subdivision and/or land development and provisions necessary to indemnify the Municipality in connection therewith.
Said agreement shall be executed, the required performance bond or amenities bond shall be posted, and all required fees shall be paid before the Director of Community Development shall affix his or her signature and the Municipal Seal to the final plat for recording purposes.
General timeline of public improvement construction, including construction of recreational facilities. The timeline of public improvement construction shall be in accordance with the schedule of final plat submissions if said schedule was previously submitted and approved as part of an associated preliminary plan, unless modified by Council.
Execution of a maintenance agreement concerning private stormwater facilities, when required by Chapter 198, Stormwater Management.
All performance conditions applied by Council and accepted by the developer.
The developer shall present the plat, as approved, to the Recorder of Deeds of the county. Approval of the final plat shall be void unless the plan has been duly recorded within a period of 90 days from the date of approval or 90 days after the date of delivery of an approved plat signed by the governing body following completion of conditions imposed for such approval, whichever is later. Notwithstanding any obligation imposed by this chapter for the recording of a subdivision plan, such plat which is a lot development plan not otherwise meeting the definition of "subdivision" need not be recorded in whole, but there shall be recorded an abbreviated tract drawing and dedication of easements where the same are applicable.
In the event that the plan has not been recorded within the time required, the Director of Community Development is authorized to reinstate the signatures of the proper officers of the Municipality indicating approval, provided there are no changes in the subdivision previously granted approval and all the requirements of this chapter regarding posting of a performance bond or amenities bond and execution of a development agreement have been met and, further, provided the plan is submitted for reinstatement of approval within 180 days following the date of the original final approval by Council.
Any request for reinstatement of final approval which is submitted after 180 days from the date of the original granting of final approval by Council shall be required to resubmit an application for final approval in conformance with the requirements of this article.
Within 30 days of the date of recording of the final plat in the Office of the Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds, the applicant shall deliver to the Director of Community Development, one Mylar print and one electronic copy on state plane coordinates in AutoCAD or similar format on CD of the final plat, as recorded, containing all required signatures and dates of approval.

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