The Planning Commission, consisting of seven members as presently
constituted, is hereby continued, with its members to serve the unexpired
portions of their present terms. All members shall be residents of
Shaler Township and not officers or employees of the municipality.
The appointment and tenure of members of the Commission shall be governed
by the Municipalities Planning Code[1] and laws of the commonwealth.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
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 Shaler
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 Commissioners. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary
or as requested by the Board of Commissioners.
A.
The Planning Commission shall, at the request of the Board of Commissioners,
have the power and shall be required to:
(1)
Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the Township
as set forth in the Municipalities Planning Code and present it for
the consideration of the Board of Commissioners.
(2)
Maintain and keep on file records of its action. All records
and files of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession of
the Board of Commissioners.
B.
The Planning Commission, at the request of the Board of Commissioners,
may:
(1)
Make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners concerning
the adoption or amendment of an Official Map.
(2)
Prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners of the Township
a zoning ordinance and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners
on proposed amendments to it, as set forth in the Municipalities Planning
Code.
(3)
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development
and planned residential development regulations, as set forth in the
Municipalities Planning Code.
(4)
Prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners of the Township
a property maintenance 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 Municipalities
Planning Code.
(6)
Prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners of the Township
an environmental study.
(7)
Submit to the Board of Commissioners of the Township a recommended
capital improvements program.
(8)
Prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners of the Township
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 the Township
such available information as relates to the work of the Planning
Commission.
(14)
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to
make examinations and surveys with the consent of the owner.
(15)
Prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners of the Township
a study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable
energy sources in specific areas within the Township.
(16)
Review this chapter, subdivision and land development ordinances,
the 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.
The Planning Commission shall receive copies of all applications
for amendment to this chapter other than those prepared by the Planning
Commission, shall make recommendations thereon and shall forward such
recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.
The Planning Commission shall initiate, direct and review, from
time to time, a study of the provisions of this chapter and shall
make reports of its findings to the Board of Commissioners at least
annually.
The Planning Commission shall also receive copies of all applications
for building permits for conditional uses and other applications for
conditional uses which have been received, shall make recommendations
thereon and shall forward such recommendations to the Board of Commissioners
at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing by the Board of
Commissioners on such applications. The Planning Commission may, from
time to time, make and amend its bylaws and regulations to provide
for and change it procedures governing applications for conditional
uses, including its procedures for holding or not holding public hearings
thereon, for notices of its hearings and for the timing of its actions.
The Planning Commission shall, when requested by the Zoning
Hearing Board, review and make recommendations and supply factual
data with reference to any matter before the Zoning Hearing Board.
In the performance of its powers and duties, any act or recommendation
of the Planning Commission which involves engineering considerations
shall be subject to review and comments of the Township Engineer.
Any recommendation made by the Planning Commission to the Board
of Commissioners shall be advisory only.
The Solicitor of Shaler Township shall serve as the legal advisor
to the Planning Commission.
