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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 of Community Development, a Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer, a Building Inspector, a Community Development / Building Permit Clerk.

Planning Functions

  • Administer the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) which includes receiving and evaluating Subdivision and Development Plans, scheduling Planning Commission meetings and setting Planning Commission meeting agendas. 
  • 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
  • Suggest changes to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, and work with the Planning Commission to prepare such amendments
  • Community Development is responsible to oversee preparation of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and SALDO, and general planning issues regarding land use and development.

Zoning Functions

  • Administer the Township Zoning Ordinance which includes receiving & reviewing appeals for variances, special exceptions or interpretations of the Zoning Ordinance
  • Advertise and 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
  • Maintain data base for zoning decisions for each property & appeal
  • Grading Permits
  • Tree Removal Permits

Building Permits & Inspections

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

Sewage Enforcement

  • 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)

Members

Patricia Lang, AICP
Director of Community Development
610-282-1171, ext. 1237

Keycodes Inspection Agency
Building Code Official/Plans Examiner/Building Inspector
610-866-9663

Scott Brown, Christopher Taylor, Gregory Gray, and Jacob Schray
Sewage Enforcement Officer(s)
Hanover Engineering Associates
610-691-5644

Trent J. Sear
Zoning Officer/Codes Enforcement
610-282-1171, ext. 1254

Dawn Latchum
Community Development Clerk
610-282-1171, ext. ext. 1228

Stormwater Runoff Info

Upper Saucon Township urges residents to do their part to reduce the impact that stormwater runoff from home and properties has on the community’s waterways and ecosystems. The Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has a number of publications on the topic, including:

Also, for more in-depth information, you may also visit the EPA’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) website.