[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Towamencin 2-2-1977 by Ord. No. 77-2. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The intent, purpose and scope of this chapter is to protect
and promote safety, health and morals; to accomplish a coordinated
development of the Township; to provide for the general welfare by
guiding and protecting amenity, convenience, future governmental,
economic, practical, social and cultural facilities, development and
growth, as well as the improvement of governmental processes and functions;
to guide uses of land and structures, type and location of streets,
public grounds and other facilities; and to permit the Township to
minimize such problems as may presently exist or which may be foreseen.
It is the further intent of this chapter that any recommendations
made by the herein-created Planning Commission to the Board of Supervisors
shall be advisory only.
[Amended 1-10-1984 by Ord. No. 84-1]
A Planning Commission is hereby created, which shall have nine
members. All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation
but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses. However,
elected or appointed officers or employees of the Township shall not,
by reason of membership thereon, forfeit the right to exercise the
powers, perform the duties or receive the compensation of the municipal
offices held by them during such membership.
[Amended 1-10-1984 by Ord. No. 84-1]
All members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Board
of Supervisors of the Township of Towamencin. The term of each of
the members of this Commission shall be for four years or until his
successor is appointed and qualified, except that the terms of the
members first appointed pursuant to this chapter shall be so fixed
that not more than three shall be reappointed or replaced during any
future calendar year. The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall
promptly notify the appointing authority of the municipality concerning
vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancies shall be filled for
the unexpired term.
[Amended 1-10-1984 by Ord. No. 84-1]
All of the members of the Planning Commission shall be residents
of Towamencin Township. On the Planning Commission appointed pursuant
to this chapter, at least six of the members, designated as citizen
members, shall not be officers or employees of the Township.
Any member of a Planning Commission, once qualified and appointed,
may be removed from office for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance
in office, and failure to attend three consecutive meetings and/or
failure to attend a minimum of 50% of the regularly designated meetings
held in a calendar year may be considered nonfeasance and cause for
removal. Any member may be removed for other just cause, by a majority
vote of the Board of Supervisors which appointed the member, taken
after the member has received 15 days' advance notice of the
intent 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.
The 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 Commission
may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations to govern its
procedures, consistent with the ordinances of the Township and the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The 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 governing body. Interim
reports may be made as often as may be necessary or as requested by
the Board of Supervisors.
A.
Quorum. Five members attending a meeting shall constitute a quorum
for purposes of conducting business.
[Amended 1-10-1984 by Ord. No. 84-1]
B.
Special meetings. The Chairman may call special meetings by written
notice mailed to the members of the Commission 72 hours prior to the
meeting.
C.
Subcommittees. The Chairman may appoint subcommittees to carry out
the business of the Commission, and he shall be a member of each committee,
with at least two additional members constituting each committee.
The Chairman may appoint as standing committees:
A.
The Planning Commission shall, at the request of the Board of Supervisors,
have the power and shall be required to:
(1)
Prepare the comprehensive plan for the development of the Township,
as set forth in this chapter, and present it for the consideration
of the governing body.
(2)
Review all land use subdivision and make recommendations to the Board
of Supervisors for a rejection or acceptance of plans and suggest
conditions to be imposed, all in compliance with applicable Township
ordinances and laws.
(3)
Maintain and keep on file records of its action. All records and
files of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession of the
Township.
B.
The Planning Commission, only at the request of the Board of Supervisors,
may:
(1)
Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning the adoption
or amendment of an official map.
(2)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors of the Township a
zoning ordinance and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors
on proposed amendments to it, as set forth in this chapter.
(3)
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development,
planned residential development regulations, as set forth in this
chapter.
(4)
Do such other act or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill
the duties and obligations imposed by this chapter.
(5)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors an environmental
study.
(6)
Submit to the appointing authority of a municipality a recommended
capital improvements program.
(7)
Promote public interest in and understanding of the comprehensive
plan and planning.
(8)
Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies
and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies
and individuals.
(9)
Hold public hearings and meetings.
(10)
Require from other departments and agencies of the Township such
available information as relates to the work of the Planning Commission.
(11)
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make
examinations and land surveys with the consent of the owner.
C.
In the performance of its powers and duties, any act or recommendation
of the Planning Commission which involves engineering consideration
shall be subject to review and comments of the Engineer, which shall
be incorporated and separately set forth in any report, written act
or recommendation of the Planning Commission.
The appointing authority may employ administrative and technical
services to aid in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, either
as consultants on particular matters or as regular employees of the
Township. A county planning agency, with the consent of its governing
body, may perform planning services for the Township if the Board
of Supervisors requests such assistance and may enter into agreements
or contracts for such work.
The Planning Commission may, with the consent of the Board of
Supervisors, 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 Board of Supervisors
may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or
utilization of the funds or assistance, in accordance with the governmental
procedures of the Township of Towamencin.
