While the Chadds Ford area may have rural roots, it’s not opposed to technological advances. The Internet is keeping residents and developers informed about what they can and can’t do.
Birmingham Township has had its ordinances codified since 1995, but they’ve only been on line for about two or three years, according to Township Manager Quina Nelling. She said General Code Publishers updates the site whenever codes are amended.
She said accessing information has become much easier since the code has been on line, even for her.
“I hardly ever use my own book now,” she said.
All people have to do to see the code is to go to the township Web site, click on “ordinances” on the left hand column and then follow the links.
The same basic procedure holds true for looking into the Pennsbury Township ordinances. The code is on line on Pennsbury’s site, but Township Manager Kathy Howley said the site is not automatically updated when an ordinance is amended. She said it’s best to view the ordinance on line and then check with her to make sure there were no changes made since the posted date on the ordinance.
Chadds Ford’s procedure is in a state of limbo at present. While ordinances are codified and there is a township Web site, the site has not been updated since last autumn.
Township Manager Joe Barakat said the site is being redesigned and will include the ordinances, but the project won’t be complete for a few more months. Codebooks can be reviewed at the township building and people can buy a CD with the code for $25.
Barakat said the site should be up and running within two months, though he’s hoping it will be sooner.
General Code Publishers also handles Chadds Ford’s code, and Barakat said there could be a lag time of anywhere from a few days to a month between the time an amendment is passed and the time the change is made on the site.
Even when Web sites are regularly updated, it would still be advisable to check with a township manager or code enforcement officer to ensure the most recent and accurate information is used.
Click township name Pennsbury or Birmingham to see their respective codes.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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