[HISTORY: Art. I adopted by the Borough Council (now Municipal
Council) of the Borough of Monroeville (now Municipality of Monroeville)
as indicated in article history. Subsequent articles adopted by the
Municipal Council of the Municipality of Monroeville as indicated
in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 2-14-1956 by Ord. No. 83; amended in its entirety 7-8-1997 by Ord. No. 2042]
The Department of Municipal Planning is hereby created for the
Municipality of Monroeville, effective February 14, 1957.
[Adopted 8-10-1976 by Ord. No. 1037]
It is the intent, purpose and scope of this article to conform
the functions of the Monroeville Planning Commission to the mandates
of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of Assembly
of July 31, 1968, as amended,[1] hereinafter referred to as the "code"; to protect and
promote safety, health and morals; to accomplish coordinated development;
to provide for the general welfare by guiding and protecting amenity,
convenience, future governmental, economic, practical, social and
cultural facilities, development and growth; to guide uses of land
and structures and types and locations of streets, public grounds
and other facilities; and to minimize problems as may presently exist
or which may be foreseen. It is the further intent of this article
that any recommendation made by the Planning Commission to the Municipal
Council shall be advisory only.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
The Planning Commission created by Article I of this chapter shall continue in existence by virtue of this article and shall exercise all the powers and duties and be subject to all the limitations conferred by the code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
The Planning Commission shall continue to have members, all
residents of the Municipality of Monroeville. The members shall serve
without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable
expenses. Elected or appointed officers or employees of the Municipality
may not serve on the Planning Commission and at the same time receive
compensation for the Municipal office held by them. The number of
Planning Commission members and the appointment of members shall be
in accordance with the Home Rule Charter of Monroeville and the Municipalities
Planning Code,[1] as amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
Any members of the Planning Commission once qualified and appointed
may be removed from office in accordance with provisions of the Monroeville
Home Rule Charter.
The Planning Commission shall elect its own Chairman and Vice
Chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine.
Officers shall serve annual terms and may succeed themselves. The
Planning Commission may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations
to govern its procedures consistent with the ordinances of the Municipality
and the laws of the commonwealth. The Planning Commission shall keep
a full record of its business and shall annually make a written report
by March 1 of each year of its activities to the Council.
A.Â
The Monroeville Planning Commission shall have only those powers
and duties as may specifically be referred to it by a majority vote
of the Municipal Council. All matters concerning planning, zoning
or development on which the Municipal Council has the right to vote
shall first be processed administratively by the Department of Community
Development, with respect to the application process, advertising
for public hearing before the Municipal Council where required by
law and review of any applications and submissions therewith. All
such matters may first be reviewed by the Municipal Council at an
executive session or at a meeting of a Planning Committee composed
of members of the Municipal Council. A majority of the Municipal Council
may refer any given matter relative to planning, zoning or development
to the Planning Commission for a review and recommendation relative
to an entire application and/or plan. Any such referral to the Planning
Commission may state a time when Planning Commission input is due
to the Municipal Council. The Planning Commission's review and recommendation
shall be limited to the specific referral or request from the Municipal
Council and shall be advisory only. Whether or not the Planning Commission
reviews any given matter referred to it by the Municipal Council or
such review or recommendation is not submitted to the Municipal Council
within the time requested, the Council may act upon the application
or plan before it for consideration.
B.Â
The Planning Commission shall have no power independent from those
matters which may be referred to it by the Municipal Council, and
the Council may withdraw from the Planning Commission any matters
which had been referred to it.
C.Â
The matters which the Municipal Council may refer to the Planning
Commission shall be limited to the following:
(2)Â
Maintain and keep on file records of its actions, which shall be
in the possession of the Council.
(3)Â
Prepare and present for the consideration of the Council and, after
adoption, maintain for the Council an Official Map and make such recommendations
to the Council on proposed changes in such map as set forth in the
code.
(4)Â
Make recommendations to the Council on proposed amendments to Chapter 359, Zoning, of the Code of the Municipality of Monroeville as set forth in the code.
(5)Â
Prepare and recommend subdivision and land development regulations
as set forth in the code.
(6)Â
Prepare planned residential development regulations as set forth
in the code.
(8)Â
Prepare and present to the Council a Housing Code and make recommendations
on proposed amendments thereto.
(9)Â
Submit to the Council a recommended capital improvement program.
(10)Â
Promote a public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive
Plan and planning.
(11)Â
Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies
and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies.
(12)Â
Hold public hearing and meetings.
(13)Â
Require from other departments and agencies of the Municipality
such available information as relates to the work of the Planning
Commission.
(14)Â
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any lands to
make examination and surveys, either after permission has been obtained
from the owner or after public notices.
(15)Â
Do such other act or make such studies as may be necessary to
fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the code.
The Municipal Engineer shall serve the Planning Commission as
engineering advisor. The Planning Commission shall work in conjunction
with the Municipal Planning Director and Planning Department in exercising
its powers and accomplishing its duties. The Planning Director and
Planning Department shall administer all regulations prepared by the
Planning Commission after the same are approved by the Municipal Council.
The Municipal Council may employ administrative and technical
services to aid in carrying out the provisions of the code,[1] either as consultants on particular matters or as regular
employees of the Municipality. The Municipal Council may enter into
agreements or contracts for planning services with any county or regional
planning agency. The Planning Commission may, with the consent of
the Council, accept and utilize any funds, personnel or other assistance
made available by the county, the commonwealth or the federal government
or any of their agencies or from private sources. The Council may
enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization
of the funds or assistance in accordance with the governmental procedures
of the Municipality.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.