Upper Saucon Township Department of Community Development

Phone: 610-282-1171 ext. 2
Fax: 610-282-3557

Sharyn E. Yeakel, Director of Community Development

The Department of Community Development is responsible for activities related to subdivision & land development, zoning and land uses, on-lot sewage enforcement and tree cutting, building permits and inspections and miscellaneous code enforcement. The Department consists of a Director and Assistant Director of Community Development, a Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer, a Building Inspector, a Sewage Enforcement Officer and an Planning/Zoning Clerk.

Planning Functions

• Administer the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) which includes receiving land development plans and scheduling Planning Commission meetings
  
  
• Distribute plans to Township consultants for review for consistency with various Township regulations
  
  
• Review plans and supporting documents submitted for approval
  
  
• Maintain Township files for Subdivision & Land Development projects
  
  
• Suggest changes to, and work with the Planning Commission to prepare amendments to the SALDO
  
  
• Maintain the data base for all properties in the Township
  
  
• Respond to inquiries regarding SALDO and other planning issues

Zoning Functions

• Administer the Township Zoning Ordinance which includes receiving & reviewing appeals for variances, special exceptions or interpretations to the Zoning Ordinance
  
  
• Schedule hearings before the Zoning Hearing Board for appeals received
  
  
• Enforce the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, and issue Zoning Enforcement Notices for violations thereto
  
  
• Monitor and enforce all decisions passed by the Zoning Hearing Board
  
  
• Suggest changes to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, and work with the Planning Commission to prepare such amendments
  
  
• Maintain data base for zoning decisions for each property & appeal

  Community Development is responsible to oversee preparation of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and SALDO, and general planning issues regarding land use and development.

Building Permits & Inspections

• Administer the Township Building Code, including review of building plans and issue building permits
  
  
• Inspect construction to ensure conformance with the Building Code
  
  
• Inspect existing structures and issue Certificates of Occupancy
  
  
• Maintain building permit data base for each property
  

Sewage Enforcement & Tree Permits

• On-lot sewage disposal system management in accordance with PA Dept. of Environmental Protection Regulations
  
  
• Receive applications for on-lot systems and oversee soil tests
  
  
• Review and approve sewage system designs
  
  
• Inspect construction to ensure conformance with design
  
  
• Maintain on-lot sewer system data base for each property
  
  
• Oversee septic system abandonment
  
  
• Receive applications for and issue tree cutting permits

Miscellaneous Code Enforcement

• Enforce miscellaneous codes not assignable to the foregoing ordinances or codes, including Weed Ordinance, Unlicensed and Unregistered Motor Vehicles, and Open Burning (Fire Prevention)