PLANNING COMMISSION | |||||||||||||
A five (5) member Board whose primary function is to review matters pertaining to subdivision, land development, variance and special exception requests, zoning revisions, amendments to the zoning and land development ordinances, and updates to the Township's Comprehensive Plan. | |||||||||||||
*Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday, as needed, every month at 7:30 P.M. | |||||||||||||
Dave Neeley Chairman, William Zickefoose Vice Charman
Members Jocelyn Grecko Ebert Herb Grubbs Brian Beyerbach
A. LAND DEVELOPMENT
LAND DEVELOPMENT: The improvement of one or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving a group of two or more buildings or a single non-residential building; or the division or allocation of land between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of, or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features; or a subdivision of land.
B. SUBDIVISION
- A SUBDIVISION IS THE DIVISION OR REVISION OF ANY PARCEL
- OF LAND INTO TWO OR MORE LOTS INCLUDING CHANGES IN EXISTING LOT LINES.
C. Subdivision and Land Development Plans - may be available for inspection usually within 24 hours notice. Depending on the condition of the plan, copies can be made on a limited basis as listed above. Plans and documents cannot be removed from the Township Office.
D. PROCESS AND APPROVALS
THE PROCEDURES FOR A LAND DEVELOPMENT AND SUBDIVISION ARE IDENTICAL. A PLAN IS REQUIRED FOR BOTH, AND THE PLAN MUST BE SUBMITTED TO HANOVER TOWNSHIP. THE PLAN IS THEN REVIEWED BY THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE WASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, WITH FINAL APPROVAL OF THE PLAN VESTED IN THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
IF YOUR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION IS A LAND DEVELOPMENT OR SUBDIVISION, YOU SHOULD PURCHASE A COPY OF THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP SUBDIVISION / LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE AND ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS. BOTH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT HANOVER TOWNSHIP AND WASHINGTON COUNTY HAVE SEPARATE REVIEW FEES.
Hanover Township is a member of the Washington County Sewage Council. All on-lot septic issues are handled by the Washingtion County Sewage Council according to DEP regulations.
THE ZONING OFFICER MAY NOT ISSUE ANY PERMITS THAT REQUIRE LAND DEVELOPMENT OR SUBDIVISION APPROVAL UNTIL A PLAN HAS RECEIVED APPROVAL BY THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
What's the Difference between a Zoning Permit and a Building Permit?
Most development is regulated under two different codes: the Zoning Ordinance and the Building Code. Receiving a Zoning Permit is generally the first step in the development process, followed by applying for and receiving a Building Permit issued by the building inspector. A separate Zoning Permit issued by the zoning Officer is required prior to application for a Building Permit.
Zoning Ordinance is oriented toward how a project fits into a community: it regulates setbacks, types of uses, height, parking requirements, design (for some types of projects) and similar concerns. The Township is divided into zoning districts and each zoning district will have its own set of regulations. For example, the regulations that would apply in a single family residential district (R-1) will be different then those for commercial district. When a separate Zoning Permit is required for a new development, the Township will generally require that an application be accompanied by site and building plans . Building Codes is oriented toward ensuring that structures are constructed to an appropriate standard and are safe for the uses intended. Application for most Building Permits must be accompanied by detailed construction drawings.
A Reminder to all Residents of Hanover Township:
HOME IMPROVEMENT CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (ACT 132)
On July 1, 2009, Act 132 of the State of Pennsylvania take effect. This act will require all contractors to register with the Office of the Attorney General prior to contracting their services for home improvement projects. Act 132 offers protection to consumers, requires contracts between consumers and contractors and provides for civil and criminal penalties for violations of Act 132 and fraud.
OCCUPANCY PERMIT FOR ROADS AND HIGHWAY
A ROAD OCCUPANCY PERMIT IS REQUIRED FROM HANOVER TOWNSHIP TO INSTALL A DRIVEWAY OR ACCESS ROAD THAT CONNECTS WITH A TOWNSHIP ROAD. A HIGHWAY OCCUPANCY PERMIT IS REQUIRED FROM PENNDOT TO INSTALL A DRIVEWAY OR ACCESS ROAD THAT CONNECTS TO A STATE ROAD. A BUILDING PERMIT WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL A ROAD OCCUPANCY PERMIT IS OBTAINED FROM THE RESPECTIVE GOVERNING BODY.
Zoning Ordinance Zoning Map BUILDING PERMIT Forms
SIGN PERMIT
A PERMIT MUST BE OBTAINED TO REPLACE, ERECT, REPAIR, ALTER, OR RELOCATE A SIGN. THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE REGULATES THE TYPE, SIZE, HEIGHT, AND LOCATION OF A SIGN. A SIGN MUST ALSO BE ERECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE.
IN ADDITION TO THE TOWNSHIP PERMIT, ANY SIGN ERECTED ALONG A STATE HIGHWAY REQUIRES A PERMIT ISSUED BY THE STATE UNDER THE STATE HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM. THIS IS A SEPARATE REGULATION AND THE APPLICANT MUST CONTACT THE STATE TO SECURE THIS PERMIT.
THE FEE FOR A HANOVER TOWNSHIP SIGN PERMIT IS BASED ON THE COST OF THE SIGN. A PERMIT APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED. THE LAST PAGE OF THE PERMIT APPLICATION IS A SKETCH PLAN REQUIRING TWO DRAWINGS. THE FIRST IS A SKETCH OF THE SIGN FACE. THE SECOND IS AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE SIGNS LOCATION IN COMPARISON TO PROPERTY LINES, ROADS, AND UTILITY LINES.