McKean County Planning Commission
Subdivision Procedures

McKEAN COUNTY SUBDIVISION & LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE

McKean County Planning Commission

Any owner or developer who is considering the subdivision of land in areas under the jurisdiction of the County Ordinance should adhere to the following:

General Guidelines for ALL Subdivisions:

1. Fill out a Subdivision Reference Form – available from the County Planning Office.
   
2. Assure adequate sewage disposal for all lots. If disposal is to be via a public system, the Planning Office must receive written verification from the municipality that capacity is available or a permit was issued. If proposed sewage disposal is “on-lot”, have the soils tested by the local Certified Sewage Enforcement Officer and provide the Planning Office with a copy of the appropriate Planning Module or Permit.
   
3. Have the subdivision surveyed and a survey plan prepared by a Professional Pennsylvania Registered Land Surveyor.
   
4. Submit five (5) copies of the survey plan, whether Preliminary or Final, to the Planning Office for review.

MINOR SUBDIVISIONS – a division of land into four (4) or fewer lots, not involving new roads, streets, or easements of access.

1. The Planning Staff will review the survey plan.
   
2. One copy of the survey plan will be sent to the municipality in which the subdivision is located, for review and comment.
   
3. A decision by the Planning Staff shall be rendered not later than ninety (90) days after receipt of the survey plan. The Planning Department Staff can not approve of the minor subdivision until correspondence is received from the PA Department of Environmental Protection that the sewage module is complete and acceptable.
   
4. Once the survey plan has been approved and signed by the Planning Staff, the plan must be recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds within ninety (90) days, prior to the sale of lots.
   

MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS – a division of land into five (5) or more lots, or division of four or fewer lots involving new roads, streets, or easement of access.

1. A consultation session with the Planning Staff is recommended, but is not required, prior to sewage testing or surveying.
   
2. The County Planning Commission shall review the Preliminary Plan at a regular monthly meeting.
   
3. One copy of the survey plan will be sent to the municipality in which the subdivision is located, for review and comment.
   
4. A decision by the Planning Commission shall be rendered not later than ninety (90) days after receipt of a survey plan.
   
5. The developer shall submit the Final Plan, incorporating any changes required to the Preliminary Plan.
   
6. The Planning Commission will approve, approve with conditions, or reject the Final Plan at a regular monthly meeting; not later than ninety (90) days after receipt of the Final Plan. The Planning Commission can not approve of the major subdivision until correspondence is received from the PA Department of Environmental Protection that the sewage module is complete and acceptable.
   
7. Once approved, the Final Plan must be signed by the Planning Staff and recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds within ninety (90) days, prior to the sale of the lots.

NOTE: In general, properly designed and prepared MINOR Subdivision Plans will on the average take only 30 days to be approved after submission. However, the approval process for MAJOR Subdivision Plans is generally longer, often 60-90 days.