[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of York County: Art. I, 9-21-1994 as Ord. No. 94-6. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 9-21-1994 as Ord. No. 94-6]
The York County Planning Commission hereby is created and reestablished under the authority of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act of July 31, 1968, as reenacted and amended)[1] as successor to the York County Planning Commission operating by ordinance of the County Commissioners of York County passed on December 31, 1974.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
Each of the members of the York County Planning Commission shall be appointed by the County Commissioners of York County. The composition of the York County Planning Commission, and the qualifications and manner of appointment of its members, shall be as follows:
A. 
The Planning Commission shall consist of nine members.
B. 
Term of office. The term of office shall be four years and until a successor is appointed and qualified.
C. 
All of the members shall be residents of York County, Pennsylvania.
D. 
At least six members, to be known as "citizen members," shall not be officers or employees of the County of York.
E. 
As many as three of the members may be, but need not be, officers or employees of the County of York. If appointed a member, such officer or employee shall not, by reason of such membership, forfeit the right to exercise the powers, perform the duties or receive the compensation of the York County office held by him or her during such membership.
F. 
Each of the following regions shall be represented by a member who is a resident of that region. Each such member may be a local official, elected to serve in some office in the region to be represented, but need not be an elected official. Two members shall be designated to be members at large.
(1) 
Region 1: Glen Rock Borough, Hopewell Township, Jacobus Borough, Loganville Borough, New Freedom Borough, North Hopewell Township, Railroad Borough, Seven Valleys Borough, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, Springfield Township, Stewartstown Borough and Winterstown Borough.
(2) 
Region 2: Dallastown Borough, East Prospect Borough, Hallam Borough, Hallam Township, Lower Windsor Township, North York Borough, Red Lion Borough, Spring Garden Township, Springettsbury Township, Windsor Borough, Windsor Township, Wrightsville Borough, Yoe Borough, York Township and Yorkanna Borough.
(3) 
Region 3: Dover Borough, Dover Township, Conewago Township, East Manchester Township, Jackson Township, Manchester Borough, Manchester Township, Mount Wolf Borough, New Salem Borough, North Codorus Township, Paradise Township, Spring Grove Borough, West Manchester Township and West York Borough.
(4) 
Region 4: Carroll Township, Dillsburg Borough, Fairview Township, Franklin Township, Franklintown Borough, Goldsboro Borough, Lewisberry Borough, Monaghan Township, Newberry Township, Warrington Township, Washington Township, Wellsville Borough and York Haven Borough.
(5) 
Region 5: Codorus Township, Hanover Borough, Heidelberg Township, Jefferson Borough, Manheim Township, Penn Township and West Manheim Township.
(6) 
Region 6: York City.
(7) 
Region 7: Chanceford Township, Felton Borough, Cross Roads Borough, East Hopewell Township, Fawn Township, Fawn Grove Borough, Peach Bottom Township, Delta Borough and Lower Chanceford Township.
A. 
When a vacancy occurs, the Chairman of the Planning Commission promptly shall notify the County Commissioners of the vacancy.
B. 
On the occasion of a vacancy, either by resignation or by end of term, the Planning Commission shall make a public request for potential members from each region for which a current appointment is to be made or from the county at large, should the position be what is termed an "at-large" position.
C. 
When filling a regional appointment, any interested resident of said region shall submit a written application to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission, upon review of all applications, shall submit, with recommendations, all names to the County Commissioners for appointment.
D. 
When filling an at-large appointment, any interested resident of the county may submit a written application to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission, upon review of all applications, shall submit, with recommendations, all names to the County Commissioners for appointment.
E. 
If a vacancy of an incumbent member of the existing York County Planning Commission shall occur other than by expiration of his or her term, it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Article.
F. 
Otherwise, current members shall continue in office until their terms expire.
G. 
Termination of qualifying residence shall terminate membership.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Section 3G, which immediately followed this subsection and listed the current members and expiration of their terms, was deleted at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Information regarding the current membership is on file in the Office of the County Commissioners, where it is available for inspection.
H. 
All members of the York County Planning Commission shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses.
A. 
The York County Planning Commission, at the request of the County Commissioners of York County, under the authority of Municipalities Planning Code Section 209.1 (53 P.S. § 10209.1), shall have the power and shall be required to:
(1) 
Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of York County, as set forth in this Act,[1] and present it for the consideration of the County Commissioners of York County.
[1]
Editor's Note: "This Act" refers to the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
(2) 
Maintain and keep on file records of its actions. All records and files of the York County Planning Commission shall be in the possession of the York County Commissioners.
B. 
The York County Planning Commission, at the request of the governing body, may:
(1) 
Make recommendations to the County Commissioners of York County concerning the adoption or amendment of an official map.
(2) 
Prepare and present to the County Commissioners of York County a zoning ordinance and make recommendations to them on proposed amendments to it, as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(3) 
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development[2] and planned residential development regulations, as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Art. II of this chapter, Subdivision Regulations.
(4) 
Prepare and present to the County Commissioners of York County a building code and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments thereto.
(5) 
Do such other acts, or make such studies, as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(6) 
Prepare and present to the County Commissioners of York County an environmental study.
(7) 
Submit to the County Commissioners of York County a recommended capital improvements program.
(8) 
Prepare and present to the County Commissioners of York County a water survey, which shall be consistent with the State Water Plan and any applicable water resources plan adopted by a river basin commission. The water survey shall be conducted in consultation with any public water supplier in the area to be surveyed.
(9) 
Promote public interest in, and understanding of, the Comprehensive Plan and planning.
(10) 
Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals.
(11) 
Hold public hearings and meetings.
(12) 
Present testimony before any board.
(13) 
Require from other departments and agencies of York County government such available information as relates to the work of the York County Planning Commission.
(14) 
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make examinations and land surveys, with the consent of the owner.
(15) 
Prepare and present to the County Commissioners of York County a study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources in specific areas within York County.
(16) 
Review the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Official Map, provisions for planned residential development and such other ordinances and regulations governing the development of land no less frequently than it reviews the Comprehensive Plan.
A. 
Assistance. The York County Planning Commission, with the consent of the County Commissioners of York County, may accept and utilize funds, personnel or other assistance made available by the county, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the federal government, or any of their agencies, or from private sources. Said Board of Commissioners may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of the funds or assistance in accord with the governmental procedures of York County (53 P.S. § 10211).
B. 
Administrative and technical assistance. The York County Planning Commission may employ administrative and technical services to aid in carrying out the provisions of this Act,[1] either as consultants on particular matters or as regular employees. Said York County Planning Commission, with the consent of the County Commissioners of York County, may perform planning services for any municipality whose governing body requests such assistance and may enter into agreements or contracts for such work (53 P.S. § 10210).
[1]
Editor's Note: "This Act" refers to the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
C. 
The York County Planning Commission, when requested and as authorized, shall have authority to:
(1) 
Accept any funds, personnel or other assistance made available by the County of York and utilize such funds, personnel or other assistance for the purposes for which they are provided and in accordance with this Article and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(2) 
Perform planning services for any city, borough or township within York County whose governing body requests such assistance and enter into agreements or contracts for such work.
(3) 
Review, make recommendations and give reports as to proposed zoning ordinances and subdivision and land development and planned residential development regulations and proposed amendments thereto for municipalities in York County as authorized by, and set forth in, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
D. 
The York County Planning Commission may utilize such funds, personnel or other assistance in pursuance of the terms upon which they are made available and accepted and in accordance with this Article and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and exercise any powers of review, comment or approval imposed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the federal government or any of their agencies as to which the York County Planning Commission is designated as the reviewing or approving agency.
The York County Planning Commission:
A. 
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 be eligible to succeed themselves.
B. 
May make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations to govern its procedures, consistent with the ordinances of York County and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and subject to the approval of the York County Commissioners.
C. 
May manage its fiscal affairs, secure and maintain offices, secure personnel and purchase necessary services, supplies and equipment, all in conjunction with the County of York and in accordance with its procedures and the requirements of the County Code[1] and subject to the direction of the County Commissioners.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 16 P.S. § 101 et seq.
D. 
Shall keep a full record of its business and shall submit annually to the County Commissioners of York County, by March 1 of the succeeding year, a written report of its activities. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary or as requested by the Board of County Commissioners.
E. 
Shall submit a proposed work schedule and a budget, in writing, for review by the County Commissioners of York County in considering what areas of activity and what duties, work and projects they care to authorize or direct the York County Planning Commission to perform and the extent and application of any appropriation which they may make to the York County Planning Commission toward its annual operating expenses.
This Article may be amended, in whole or in part, at any time by action of the County Commissioners of York County. All changes must conform to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., and as it may be amended.
[The Subdivision Regulations for York County were adopted by the York County Planning Commission 3-1-1964. Copies of the Subdivision Regulations are on file in the Planning Commission office.]