Types of Ordinances

Rezoning Ordinances

As required by Pennsylvania law, Millcreek Township has enacted a zoning map, which establishes land use classifications for all properties in the Township. While the Board of Supervisors has authority to rezone or reclassify uses authorized for certain properties, the Board very rarely does this on its own motion. From time to time, property owners petition the Board, asking that the use classification of the owner's property be revised.  Rezoning petitions are considered by the Planning Commission and then by the Boad of Supervisors.  If the Supervisors approve a rezoning, an ordinance is then adopted to formally change the use classification.

Street Vacation Ordinances

Until the late 1960's, municipalities could not require that developers build streets or provide financial security to ensure their construction prior to a plans' being recorded.  In many cases, developers did not build streets proposed on an approved plan.  In Pennsylvania, any public street is to be constructed and accepted by the municipality within 21 years.

Occasionally, owners of properties abutting a section of a street that appears on a plan but was never constructed will ask that the Board of Supervisors vacate the section as a public street. Vacation simply confirms that Millcreek disclaims any right to build a public street in that right of way. When these requests are approved, an ordinance is then enacted and recorded, to note the vacation on Erie County's public records.

Debt Ordinances

Under Pennsylvania law, Millcreek must follow defined procedures, including enactment of an ordinance, before it incurs "non-electoral" debt in an amount exceeding $100,000. Debt is incurred if the Township borrows funds under a note or by issuing bonds for its own project.  Debt is also incurred when the Township guarantees payment by the Water Authority or Sewer Authority of Authority-issued bonds to fund their projects.

Land Use and Development

Ordinances are enacted to establish laws and regulations governing different aspects of using and developing land.  These ordinances usually must first be considered by the Planning Commission before the Board of Supervisors takes action.  See the Land Use & Development section for details.

Sewer Regulations

Millcreek Township operates and manages the sanitary sewer system.  Regulations governing the sewer system are found in three ordinances - the Sewer Use Ordinance, the Sewer Rental Ordinance and the Industrial Wastes Ordinance (which sets regulations for heavier types of wastes).  See the Sewer Regulations section for more detail.