Planning Commission backs SALDO changes to update fees, escrows and land-development definitions

On Feb. 5 the Salem Township Planning Commission voted to amend and forward proposed revisions to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) to the Board of Supervisors for public hearing and final action.

The commission focused on three areas: (1) the fee structure (clarifying application vs. review fees and requiring itemized billing from consultants), (2) creating escrow accounts to cover additional professional review charges for land developments, and (3) adopting language from the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) to define "land development" and to limit references to accessory building rules for commercial uses. Commissioners said the revisions are intended to stop the township from effectively subsidizing developer review costs.

Commissioners recorded concerns that existing fees were too low and that professional services invoiced to the township have effectively been paid by taxpayers; the minutes state, "Taxpayers have been subsidizing land developments." The commission voted to amend the proposed SALDO changes and then to recommend the amended draft to the Supervisors, who will schedule a public hearing and receive public testimony before any final vote.

Motion and vote: Commissioners John Durco, Paul Holleran and Chair Connie Mattei voted to amend the SALDO revisions and to recommend them to the Supervisors; motions passed unanimously.