The following is a list of steps that need to be taken to get a subdivision or land development plan approved in Franklin Township. If this checklist is followed it will save both you and the township a considerable amount of time and problems. The total time from sketch plan to recording is approximately 4 months.

Bring a sketch of the proposed subdivision or land development to the Franklin Township Planning Commission for their comments before starting anything. The Planning Commission meets on the first Wednesday of every month (unless it falls on a holiday) at 7:00 p.m. in the municipal building.

You must contact Gil Picarelli, the Franklin Township Sewage Enforcement Officer, for a perc test application. Gil can be contacted through KPI Technology at 339-0612. The cost of the application/soils test is $150.00 per lot and must be paid at the time of application. The subdivider must have someone with a backhoe to dig the deep pit for the test. The contractor doing the digging must contact Mr. Picarelli to set up an appointment to do the tests. Perc testing fees of $200.00 per perc test must be paid prior to conducting the tests. After conducting the deep pit and the perc holes tests, Mr. Picarelli will send a letter informing you of the results of the test.

You will need to hire a surveyor to draw up a plan for the subdivision or land development and 9 copies of the plan must be submitted to the Township Secretary at least 30 days prior to the Planning Commission meeting. A subdivision/land development deposit must be paid at the time of preliminary plan submission. The deposit is $500.00 for 1 - 4 lots without a road, and $1,000.00 for 5 or more lots.

You must also submit a copy of the preliminary plan to the Adams County Office of Planning and Development (ACOPD) for their review. The Township Secretary will give you a Request for Review form which you must take with you when submitting your plan to the ACOPD. Contact the ACOPD at 337-9824 to inquire about the charge to review your plan.

The County has 30 days to review your plan and submit comments to the township. The Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors (who meet the night after the Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m.) will review the preliminary plan and notify your surveyor about any changes needed on the plan before it can be submitted as a final plan.

If sewage facilities planning modules are required, your surveyor must get the required signatures from the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer and County Planning (if necessary), and submit 4 completed copies to the township, for DEP approval. DEP has 60 days to approve the modules.

Once the surveyor makes the necessary revisions to the plan, the final plan may be submitted to the Township Secretary. The final plan must also be submitted at least 30 days before the Planning Commission meeting.

You must also submit a copy of the final plan to the ACOPD for their review. The Township Secretary will give you a Request for Review form which you must take with you when submitting your plan to the ACOPD. Contact the ACOPD at 337-9824 to inquire about the charge to review your plan. The County has 30 days to review your final plan and submit comments to the township.

Upon receipt of the County’s comments, the Planning Commission will review the final plan and it will be signed by the Chairman and Secretary if the Planning Commission has voted to approve it.

The following night, the Board of Supervisors will review the plan and will approve it if no changes are required, if the Sewage Enforcement Officer has signed all necessary papers, and if any necessary Department of Environmental Protection papers have been approved.

Payment of review and report fees which exceed the initial deposit must also be paid before the Board of Supervisors will grant final approval of the plan (Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Section 406). The Township Secretary will record the final plan at the Adams County Courthouse.

_____SKETCH SUBMITTED TO PLANNING COMMISSION

_____PERC TESTS DONE

_____PRELIMINARY PLAN/PLANNING MODULES (WITH REQUIRED SIGNATURES) SUBMITTED TO TOWNSHIP ALONG WITH   FEES

_____PRELIMINARY PLAN AND REQUEST FOR REVIEW FORM SUBMITTED TO COUNTY PLANNING ALONG WITH FEES

_____CHANGES MADE TO PRELIMINARY PLAN (IF NECESSARY)

_____NOTARIZED FINAL PLAN & MYLAR SUBMITTED TO TOWNSHIP