[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Tredyffrin 2-8-1988 by Ord. No. HR-115 (Ch. I,
Art. 1, § 105, of the 1979 General Laws of the Municipality
of Tredyffrin.) Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. HR-323]
An advisory council, to be known as the "Tredyffrin
Township Environmental Advisory Council," pursuant to and as authorized
by the Act of December 19, 1996, No. 177, 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 2321
et seq., is hereby created and shall continue to function until this
section is revoked.
[Amended 2-27-1989 by Ord. No. HR-123A; 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. HR-323; 10-19-2020 by Ord. No. HR-440]
A.
Membership.
The Council shall be seven members, all appointed by the Board of
Supervisors which shall also fill all vacancies. At least one member
shall have experience or training in the area of the environmental
sciences. The Board of Supervisors shall annually designate the chairperson
of the Environmental Advisory Council. A Vice Chairperson and Secretary
shall be elected by the Council for terms to expire at the end of
the calendar year. In addition, the Planning Commission and the Park
and Recreation Board shall appoint liaisons.
B.
Associate
membership. An associate member of the Environmental Advisory Council
shall be a resident of the Township of Tredyffrin. The Council shall
have an unlimited number of associate members. Associate members shall
be nonvoting members of the Council. Associate members shall be nominated
and appointed by a majority vote of the Council.
[Amended 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. HR-323; 10-19-2020 by Ord. No. HR-440]
In accordance with Act 177, the length of term
for serving on the Council shall be three years. The length of term
for serving as an associate member on the Council shall be one year.
Associate members shall be reappointed at the first Council meeting
of a new calendar year.
The Township Zoning Officer shall provide the
Council with notice concerning communications with or activities in
the township which concern or might reasonably affect the environment.
[Amended 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. HR-323]
A.
Advisory responsibility. The Council shall act in
an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission
and the Park and Recreation Board and at specific request of the Board
of Supervisors shall advise other governmental agencies, officials
and employees of Tredyffrin Township on matters dealing with protection,
promotion, conservation, management and use of natural resources,
including air, land and water resources.
B.
Inventory. The Council shall keep an inventory of
all open areas and environmentally sensitive areas, publicly or privately
owned, including but not limited to flood-prone areas, lakes and ponds,
wetlands, woodlands, streams, unique geological features and other
unique natural areas, for the purposes of establishing open space
preservation priorities, identifying appropriate land management and
use plans and identifying existing or potential conflicts between
such open areas and adjacent land uses, existing or proposed.
D.
Discretionary review. When requested by Township staff,
the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors, or upon its own
initiative, the Council shall review, evaluate and prepare written
reports on rezoning, subdivision and land development applications
involving lands located in or affecting environmentally sensitive
areas, including but not limited to flood hazard districts as defined
in the Township Flood Hazard District Ordinance,[2] and wetlands, groundwater, recharge areas, steep slopes,
woodlands, streams and carbonate areas as defined in the Subdivision
and Land Development Ordinance.[3]
E.
Promotion/conservation of natural resources. The Council
may, at its discretion, recommend plans and programs, including proposed
amendments to the general laws of the Township of Tredyffrin, for
the promotion and conservation of the natural resources of the Township.
The Council shall, at the request of the Board of Supervisors or Planning
Commission, review, evaluate and comment on any such program or regulations
proposed or recommended by other persons or agencies.
F.
Acquisition of sensitive lands. The Council shall
advise the appropriate boards, agencies and officials of the Township
on the acquisition of property, both real and personal, by gift, purchase,
grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease in matters dealing with
environmental issues.
G.
Environmental education. The Council may sponsor environmental
education and coordinate environmental projects for the promotion
and conservation of natural resources for the protection and improvement
of the quality of the environment in the Township.
Members of the Environmental Advisory Council
shall receive no compensation for their services but may be reimbursed
for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the
performance of their duties, with prior township approval. The Council
may not contract independently for professional services but shall
have access to professional services through the township.
The Environmental Advisory Council may explore
sources of funding, including but not limited to gifts and grants.
The Council shall consult with the Township Solicitor and Township
Manager regarding the legal implications connected with receiving
funding from sources other than the township. The Township Manager
shall refer all such inquiries to the Board of Supervisors.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep
records of its meetings and activities. The Council shall make an
annual report to the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission.
Copies of said records and reports shall be maintained in the offices
of the township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 16-9, Validity,
which immediately followed this section, was repealed 1-26-2004 by
Ord. No. HR-323.
