Commission backs SALDO revisions to allow administrative application rules

The Salem Township Planning Commission on March 5 voted unanimously to recommend changes to the township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) so that administrative procedures — such as application completeness criteria and submission deadlines — can be set by resolution rather than by repeated ordinance amendments. The motion to recommend the SALDO revisions, made by John Durco and seconded by Paul Holleran, passed with the three commission members present voting in favor.

Chair Connie Mattei said the aim is to establish an administrative policy so the commission and staff would not need to amend the SALDO each time they want to require, for example, that plans be submitted 20 days before a meeting. "The application and any administrative procedures that we set by resolution will determine if an application is complete. Once it is complete then it will go to a Planning Commission review and the 90-day process begins," Mattei explained. Solicitor Falatovich provided amended language to change Section 302 and add Section 308.F to implement that approach.

The commission recorded no additional substitute language at the meeting; it voted to forward the solicitor's proposed amendments and its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. The panel then voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:40 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2025, if an agenda is posted.