[Ord. 195, 9/9/1981]
There is hereby recreated and reestablished the Northampton Township Planning Commission by authority of and in compliance with Article II of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended (53 P.S. § 10201 et seq.).
[Ord. 195, 9/9/1981; as amended by Ord. 200, 7/14/1982; Ord. No. 606, 1/22/2020; and by Ord. No. 618, 2/28/2024 ]
1. 
Said Planning Commission shall consist of five members, residents of Northampton Township, who shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses.
A. 
The Board of Supervisors may appoint by resolution at least one but no more than three residents to serve as alternate members of the Planning Commission pursuant to § 203(e) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).
[Ord. 195, 9/9/1981]
At least three members of said Planning Commission shall be citizen members and shall not be officers or employees of Northampton Township. Elected or appointed officers or employees of the Township shall not, by reason of membership therein, forfeit the right to exercise the powers, perform the duties or receive the compensation of the Township offices held by them during such membership.
[Ord. 195, 9/9/1981]
All members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The term of each of the members of the Commission shall be four years or until his successor is appointed and qualified, except that the term of the members first appointed pursuant to this Part shall be so fixed that not more than two members shall be reappointed or replaced during any future calendar year. The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the Board of Supervisors concerning vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
[Ord. 195, 9/9/1981]
Any member of a 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' advance 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.
[Ord. 195, 9/9/1981]
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. 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 Board of Supervisors. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary or as requested by the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 195, 9/9/1981; as amended by Ord. 296, 8/9/1989]
1. 
The Planning Commission shall, at the request of the Board of Supervisors, have the power and shall be required to:
A. 
Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the Township as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., and present it for the consideration of the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
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 Supervisors.
2. 
The Planning Commission, at the request of the Board of Supervisors, may:
A. 
Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning the adoption or amendment of an official map.
B. 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a zoning ordinance and make recommendations to the Board on proposed amendments to it as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
C. 
Prepare, recommend and administer the subdivision and land development ordinance.
D. 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a building code and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments thereto.
E. 
Do such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., or the ordinances of the Township.
F. 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors an environmental study.
G. 
Submit to the Board of Supervisors a recommended capital improvements program.
H. 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors 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.
I. 
Promote public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive Plan and planning.
J. 
Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals.
K. 
Hold public hearings and meetings.
L. 
Present testimony before any board.
M. 
Require from other departments and agencies of the Township such available information as relates to the work of the Planning Commission.
N. 
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make examinations and surveys with the consent of the owner.
O. 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources in specific areas within the Township.
P. 
Review the zoning ordinance, subdivision and land development ordinance, official map, and such other ordinances and regulations governing the development of land no less frequently than it reviews the comprehensive plan.
[Ord. 195, 9/9/1981]
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.