[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Upper Hanover as indicated in article histories.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-8-1997 by Ord. No. 97-3]
Upper Hanover Township shall join with the municipalities
of East Greenville Borough, Pennsburg Borough, Red Hill Borough, Green
Lane Borough and Marlborough Township to create the Upper Perkiomen
Valley Regional Planning Commission as per the guidelines set forth
under Section 1102 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Code, Act 247
of July 31, 1968, as reenacted and amended.[1] Each participating municipality shall appoint two members. The term of each member shall be two years; however, initially each municipality shall appoint one member for a one-year term and a second member for a two-year term so that the terms of membership of the members appointed by the individual municipalities shall be on a staggered basis. Qualification of members, the removal of members, the conduct of business, etc., shall be governed by Article II of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Code.[2]
A.
The six municipalities of the Upper Perkiomen Valley
have come to recognize that the issues associated with growth and
development, such as, but not limited to, traffic congestion, air
and water pollution, and loss of open space, are too large for any
one municipality to deal with. They further recognize that current
growth and anticipated growth, if not properly managed, will lead
to the diminution of the region's quality of life. They are concerned
that current zoning requirements which call for each and every municipality
to provide for a full range of uses, regardless of historic development
patterns, is inefficient and potentially destructive to the region's
economic and social structure.
B.
To this end, the six municipalities of the Upper Perkiomen
Valley hereby embark on a course of action to implement regional planning
and regional zoning. That only through regional planning and regional
zoning can growth and development be rationally and fairly managed.
Therefore, Upper Hanover Township empowers the Upper Perkiomen Valley
Regional Planning Commission to undertake the development of a joint
municipal comprehensive plan that shall encompass the six municipalities
of the Upper Perkiomen Valley. Upon the successful completion of the
joint municipal comprehensive plan and its adoption by all the participating
municipalities, the participating municipalities may so instruct the
Regional Planning Commission to undertake the development of a joint
municipal zoning ordinance and zoning map.[1]
The Upper Perkiomen Valley Regional Planning
Commission shall have the responsibility to prepare a joint municipal
comprehensive plan for the six participating municipalities of the
Upper Perkiomen Valley. To this end, the powers and duties of the
Commission are as follows:
B.
That in the preparation of the joint municipal comprehensive
plan, the members of the Commission shall represent the interests
of their respective municipalities and shall cast one vote per municipality
on all matters that require action.
C.
Upon the completion of the joint municipal comprehensive
plan by the Commission and its adoption by all the participating municipalities,
the Commission may be instructed by the participating municipalities
to prepare a joint zoning ordinance and zoning map, which shall be
presented to the participating municipalities for their consideration
and adoption.
D.
Should joint municipal zoning be formally adopted
by the participating municipalities, the Regional Planning Commission
shall review all proposed changes to the joint municipal zoning ordinance
and zoning map and shall make a formal recommendation to the participating
municipalities regarding said change. The recommendation of the Commission
shall be advisory only.
Each municipality shall retain its own municipal
planning commission and zoning hearing board. The participating municipalities
agree that for all matters relating to lot line changes, subdivisions,
land developments, variances, special exceptions and conditional uses,
or any other matter of a planning or zoning nature in which jurisdiction
resides in the governing body of a municipality, such matter shall
not be a joint planning or joint zoning activity.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended 8-11-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-06.
The officers of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Regional
Planning Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson,
and Secretary, all of whom are to serve for a term of one year. The
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be members of the Commission,
but the Secretary need not be a member of the Commission.
Any participating municipality may withdraw
from the Regional Planning Commission after one month's formal notice.
Upon receiving notice that a municipality wishes to withdraw from
the Regional Planning Commission, the governing bodies of the remaining
municipalities shall promptly schedule a meeting to consider whether
the remaining municipalities wish to continue with the Regional Planning
Commission. Should joint municipal zoning be enacted, notice of withdrawal
shall be pursuant to the standards set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code.[2]
[Adopted 7-11-2000 by Ord. No. 00-2]
A.
The Board of Supervisors of the Upper Hanover Township
of Montgomery County hereby signifies its intention and desire to
organize a planning commission under the provisions of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of July 31, 1968, reenacted
and amended by Act 170 of December 21, 1988, P.L. 1329.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101
et seq.
B.
By enacting this article, the Board of Supervisors
of the Upper Hanover Township of Montgomery County hereby adopts and
ratifies to the extent permitted by law all actions of the Planning
Commission which occurred prior to the enactment of this article.
A.
The Planning Commission shall consist of five members,
all of whom shall be residents of Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery
County, Pennsylvania. No member shall be an employee of the Township.
[Amended 4-10-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-04]
B.
The term of office of the members shall be four years
and shall expire on December 31.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Original Section 3, which contained
the names, addresses and terms of office of the initial members of
the Planning Commission, and which immediately followed this section,
was repealed 8-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-06.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended 8-11-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-06.
A.
B.
The Planning Commission, at the request of the Board
of Supervisors, may:
(1)
Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning
the adoption of or amendment of an Official Map.
(2)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a
Zoning Ordinance and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors
on proposed amendments to it.
(3)
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and
land development and planned residential development regulations.
(4)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a
Building Code and a Housing Code and make recommendations concerning
proposed amendments thereto.
(5)
Do such other acts or make studies as may be necessary
to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the MPC.
(6)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors an
environmental study.
(7)
Submit to the Board of Supervisors a recommended capital
improvements program.
(8)
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.
(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
municipality such available information as relates to the work of
the planning agency.
(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 Board of Supervisors a
study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable
energy sources in specific areas within the municipality.
(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.
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 municipality.
