Applicants may submit a sketch plan for the review of the Borough Planning Commission. The sketch plan may be used to familiarize the Borough Planning Commission with the concept of the development. The Borough Planning Commission may make informal recommendations with regard to the plans. These recommendations shall not be considered to be binding upon the Borough. While a sketch plan is not required, it is strongly recommended as an initial submission for all subdivisions and land developments. It allows the applicant to consult early and informally with the Planning Commission and Council before preparing a preliminary plan and formal application for approval. The sketch plan can also be used to classify the submission as a minor or major subdivision, lot line adjustment or land development.

Applicants submitting sketch plans shall provide 10 copies of all maps and other material, plus the appropriate application fees as established by the Borough, to the Borough Zoning Officer.

The Borough Secretary shall provide five sets of plans and material to the Borough Planning Commission, one set of plans and material to the Borough Engineer, one set of plans and material to the Borough Park and Recreation Commission, one set of plans and material to the Environmental Advisory Board, and five sets of plans and material to the Borough Council. The Borough Zoning Officer shall retain one set of the plans and one set of the supplemental material.

The applicant shall also submit two reduced copies (8 1/2 inches by 14 inches in size) of the sketch plan to the Borough Secretary. The Borough Secretary shall provide one copy of the reduced plan to the Borough Solicitor and retain one copy for the Borough records.

Applicants submitting sketch plan shall submit one set of plans, material and fees to the following agencies:

The Borough Planning Commission will consider a sketch plan submission at its next regular meeting, or at another meeting held within 60 days of the next scheduled meeting, provided that the submission is received by the Planning Commission at least 21 days prior to said meeting.

The Borough Planning Commission shall review the sketch plan data to determine the development potential of the site, as indicated by the natural features analyses presented. The general development concepts of the sketch plan will be reviewed to determine their compatibility with the development potential of the site and the Stockertown Borough Comprehensive Plan. Also, the sketch plan stage is designed to offer the developer an opportunity to informally discuss his plans for the proposed subdivision or land development with the Borough Planning Commission.

In its review of the sketch plan, the Borough Planning Commission shall consider the reports of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Borough Engineer and Borough Solicitor, where required.

The review comments shall be presented at the meeting to the applicant and/or his representatives. In the event that an applicant and/or his representatives are not in attendance at the meeting, the sketch plan review shall be conducted at the next scheduled Borough Planning Commission meeting.

Upon review by the Planning Commission, the sketch plan may be presented to the Borough Council, if requested by the applicant or recommended by the Planning Commission.

No official action shall be taken on a sketch plan. Neither the Borough nor the applicant shall be bound by comments made or not made as part of a sketch plan review.

Application review fee of a sketch plan submission.

Property boundaries (may be obtained from County Tax Map or similar sources).

General topographic contours from available data (may be obtained from United States Geological Surveys).

A letter of intent and a deed plot of the proposed subdivision or land development tract, including proposed recreation areas, proposed open space areas, and proposed detention basin sites, explaining and illustrating the developer's general development concepts for the tract. Sketch plans shall be at a minimum scale of one inch equals 100 feet.

Site data including:

Magnetic North point.

Appropriate scale.

A location map, with a minimum scale of one inch equals 1,000 feet, showing the general location of the subdivision in relation to adjacent properties, roads and streams.

A map illustrating an analysis of natural drainage patterns and water resources within the proposed subdivision tract, including delineation of all streams, natural drainage swales, ponds and lakes, wetlands, floodplains subject to a one-hundred-year flood frequency, and permanent and seasonal high water table areas. The map may use USGS quad sheets, County Soil Survey Maps, Wetland Inventory Maps, the flood boundary and floodway map from the municipal Flood Insurance Study, the Borough Comprehensive Plan, other sources known to the applicant, as well as field inspection as the basis of the information.

A map illustrating an analysis of types of soils present within the proposed subdivision tract. The map should include delineation of prime agricultural soil areas, soils with shallow depth to bedrock, soils most susceptible to erosion, hydric soils, soils most suitable for urban development, and soils generally suitable for on-lot sewage disposal. The map may be based on the County Soil Survey, among other sources. Sinkholes and closed depressions should be identified on the map.