Millersville signs MOU with Lancaster County for expedited 15‑day review of qualifying small plans

Millersville Borough Council voted Aug. 26 to execute an optional 2025 memorandum of understanding with the Lancaster County Planning Department that allows expedited county reviews of qualifying small subdivision and land‑development plans.

Manager Rebecca told council the MOU implements an option in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) that permits municipalities to forward certain de minimis plans — such as clerical survey amendments, lot consolidations that create no additional lots, and building additions with a total building area of 1,500 square feet or less — to the county for a staff review on a 15‑day timetable instead of the standard 45‑day process that triggers a full planning commission review.

Rebecca said about 75% of Lancaster County municipalities already use the county’s expedited review MOU, and that the county’s new e‑submission portal made this an appropriate time to update the borough’s participation. She emphasized the MOU is optional; the borough will still perform its regular review and would certify when a plan meets the qualifying categories before sending it to the county. The county may return plans that appear to need a fuller review.

A council member asked who decides whether a submission qualifies; Rebecca replied the borough certifies a plan as qualifying when submitted and the county will return plans if staff find them unsuitable for expedited review. Council approved executing the MOU by voice vote. The county requested municipalities respond to the current MOU version by Oct. 31.