Development projects in Upper Allen Township are reviewed through a public process involving Township staff, advisory boards, and in some cases the Board of Commissioners or Zoning Hearing Board. Upper Allen Township maintains a dedicated Development Projects page for proposed and active residential and non-residential subdivision and land development projects, and the Township states has that this page is continuously updated this page as new information becomes available.

This page is intended to help residents understand the process in factual terms. It does not support or oppose any project. Its purpose is to explain how development review works, where public information is posted, and what role different Township bodies play.  

Upper Allen Township describes development projects as proposed and active residential and non-residential subdivision and/or land development projects. These projects are publicly listed by the Township’s Community Development Department on the Development Projects page. 

In practical terms, this means a development project may involve:

• subdivision of land

• residential development

• commercial or non-residential development

• land development plans requiring Township review

This public listing helps residents identify what is currently under review or being tracked by the Township.

One reason development projects can be confusing is that not every issue goes to the same Township body.

A project may involve:

• Planning Commission review for subdivision or land development and provide a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners for approval or denial of a proposed project
  
  

• Board of Commissioners action for certain public decisions, ordinances, or formal approvals
  
  

• Zoning Hearing Board review if an applicant needs a variance, special exception, or wishes to appeal a zoning decision
  
  

That means a single project may be discussed in different places depending on the type of relief or approval being requested. The Township’s public pages separate these functions across different boards and meeting records.

Upper Allen Township provides several official ways for residents to follow development review.

1. Development Projects page

The Township’s Development Projects page is the most direct starting point for proposed and active projects. The Township states that this page is continuously updated and provides a Community Development contact for project-specific questions. 

2. Agendas and minutes

Upper Allen Township maintains a centralized Agendas & Minutes page for multiple Township bodies, including the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Zoning Hearing Board. 

3. eCode public documents

Upper Allen Township states that board minutes and agendas are now available in eCode’s public documents section for easier searchability, including keyword searching across agendas, minutes, and the municipal code. This is specifically noted on the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Zoning Hearing Board agenda/minutes pages. 

4. Public meetings

The Township’s website publishes meeting schedules and meeting pages for key boards. For example, the Board of Commissioners page lists regular meeting times, and the Planning Commission page lists its normal meeting schedule.

Upper Allen Township’s Development Projects page states that the public may submit comments regarding development projects and that comments become part of the public record when the Township can verify the commenter’s name, address, or contact information. This is an important part of the public review process because it gives residents an official way to submit feedback tied directly to projects under review. 

A factual way to explain this is: public comment is part of the review record, but different boards have different roles in how a project is evaluated. The Planning Commission provides recommendations, the Board of Commissioners handles governing decisions within its authority, and the Zoning Hearing Board handles zoning relief and appeals.

Residents often hear these terms used together, but they do not mean the same thing.

Zoning

Zoning determines how land may be used and what standards apply in different zoning districts. Zoning issues may involve ordinance interpretation, special exceptions, or variances. 

Subdivision and land development

Subdivision and land development review focuses on the layout and design of projects, and the Township states that these applications are reviewed by the Planning Commission. 

Hearings and appeals

If an applicant needs zoning relief or wants to challenge a zoning decision, that issue may go before the Zoning Hearing Board rather than being handled only through the Planning Commission or Board of Commissioners. 

This distinction is important because it helps residents understand which public meeting they should follow for which issue. 

A factual, educational understanding of development review helps answer common community questions such as:

• How do I know a project is under review?

• Where can I see official project information?

• Which board is discussing it?

• When can the public comment?

• What is the difference between a development plan and a zoning request?
  
  

Upper Allen Township’s public website already provides much of this information through its Development Projects page, board pages, and agendas/minutes system. Organizing that information clearly helps residents follow proposals in a more informed and professional way.

• Upper Allen Township maintains a Development Projects page for proposed and active residential and non-residential subdivision and land development projects.
  
  

• The Township states that the Development Projects page is  updated based on materials provided by an applicant, staff, township engineering and the like.
  
  

• The Planning Commission is an advisory board that reviews subdivision and land development applications and provides recommendations on community growth and development matters.
  
  

• The Board of Commissioners meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and links residents to agendas, minutes, ordinance amendments, and development projects.
  
  

• The Zoning Hearing Board hears appeals involving the zoning ordinance, zoning map, or decisions of the Zoning Officer, and may grant variances and special exceptions.
  
  

• Upper Allen Township provides a centralized Agendas & Minutes page and also makes many documents searchable through eCode public documents. 
  
  

This page is intended to explain how development projects are reviewed in Upper Allen Township using official Township information. It does not advocate for or against any proposal. Its purpose is to help residents understand the process, identify where records are posted, and follow public review through the appropriate Township channels.