Under the updated Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), four types of comprehensive plans are defined: municipal, multi-municipal, county and specific plans. A municipal plan covers a single municipality. A multi-municipal plan is developed and adopted by any number of contiguous municipalities and includes any joint municipal plan previously authorized by the MPC. A specific plan is a detailed plan for nonresidential development covered by a municipal or multi-municipal comprehensive plan.
The MPC defines a “County Comprehensive Plan” as “a land use and growth management plan prepared by the county planning commission and adopted by the county commissioners which establishes broad goals and criteria for municipalities to use in preparation of their comprehensive plan and land use regulation.” A multi-municipal plan is defined as “a plan developed by any number of contiguous municipalities, including a joint municipal plan as authorized by this act.” A “Specific Plan” is a means to expedite development approval by giving municipalities the authority to adopt a plan for the systematic implementation of a generally consistent comprehensive plan for any nonresidential area.
All comprehensive plans are subject to the following four common criteria: 1) contain basic plan elements set forth in Section 301(a); 2) contain a plan for the reliable supply of water, considering current and future water resources availability; 3) be reviewed every 10 years, and 4) “…identify those areas where growth and development will occur so that a full range of public infrastructure, including sewer, water, highways, police and fire protection, public schools, parks open space and other services can be adequately planned and provided as
needed to accommodate growth.”
The MPC encourages municipalities to adopt municipal or multi-municipal comprehensive plans that are generally consistent with the respective county comprehensive plan. In fact, municipal plans adopted after February 21, 1989, are to be generally consistent with the adopted county comprehensive plan. To achieve general consistency, two or more contiguous municipalities can request a county to amend its plan. The county must accept the requested amendment unless good cause is given to refuse the request.