[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Worcester 4-18-1990 by Ord. No. 114. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
The Planning Commission for Worcester Township, consisting of five members
appointed by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Worcester, is hereby
established.
[Amended 8-21-1996 by Ord. No. 150]
The members of the Planning Commission shall be residents of Worcester
Township and shall serve without compensation. They shall be appointed by
the Supervisors of Worcester Township for a term of four years, except that
the terms of the initial members appointed shall be so fixed that the terms
of not more than two members shall expire in any one year. New appointments
to the Commission shall be appointed for the terms which accomplish this result.
The members of the Planning Commission shall hold no other Township offices
except that of a member of the Worcester Township Board of Supervisors. When
necessary, the Township engineer shall serve the Planning Commission as an
engineering advisor, and the Township solicitor shall serve the Planning Commission
as a legal advisor.
The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the Board
of Supervisors of the municipality concerning vacancies in the Commission,
and such vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. If a vacancy shall
occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment
for the unexpired term according to the terms of this chapter.
Should the Board of Supervisors of Worcester Township determine to increase
the number of members of the existing Planning Commission, the additional
members shall be appointed as provided in this chapter. If the Board of Supervisors
shall determine to reduce the number of members on the existing Planning Commission,
such reduction shall be effectuated by allowing the terms to expire and by
making no new appointments to fill the vacancy. Any reduction or increase
shall be by ordinance.
Any member of the Planning Commission once qualified and appointed may
be removed from office for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office
or for other just cause by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors taken
after the member has received 15 days' advanced notice of the intent to take
such a vote. A hearing shall be held in connection with the vote if the member
shall request it in writing. Any appointment to fill a vacancy created by
removal shall be only for the unexpired term.
A.
The purpose and duty of the Planning Commission hereby
established is to advise the Board of Supervisors of Worcester Township concerning
the most expedient methods of promoting the orderly development of the Township
of Worcester.
B.
The Planning Commission shall not have power to let contracts
or incur any debts on behalf of Worcester Township.
All subdivision, land development and rezoning applications submitted
to the Board of Supervisors of Worcester Township for its approval pursuant
to the Municipalities Planning Code[1] or the subdivision and land development laws of the Township[2] shall be referred to the Planning Commission for its recommendation,
and the Planning Commission shall provide its recommendation on all such matters
to the Board of Supervisors within such time as shall permit the Board of
Supervisors to make its own mandatory deadlines under the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code or any other applicable statute, ordinance, rule or regulation.
The Planning Commission shall elect its own Chairman and vice Chairman
and create and fill such offices as it may determine. Officers shall serve
annual terms and may succeed themselves. The Commission may make and alter
bylaws and rules and regulations to govern its procedures consistent with
the ordinances of Worcester Township 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 Board
of Supervisors of Worcester Township. Interim reports may be made as often
as may be necessary or as requested by the Board of Supervisors.
