City of Lancaster, PA Planning Commission

All members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. All alternate members shall be appointed by Resolution of the Council. There shall be no limitation upon the number of terms a member or alternate member may serve.

All members of the Commission and alternate members of the Commission shall serve for terms of four years. The terms of members first appointed pursuant to Act 247 of 1968[1] shall be so fixed that no more than three members shall be re-appointed or replaced during any calendar year. The Chairman of the Commission shall promptly notify the Mayor concerning a vacancy or vacancies in the Commission. Whenever vacancies occur other than as a result of the expiration of a member's term, the Mayor may fill such vacancy by appointment with approval of the Council, but only for the period of the unexpired term.

[1]

Editor's Note: See the Municipalities Planning Code 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.

All members of the Commission shall be residents of the City. At least six members of the Commission must be citizen members, one representing each of the six designated planning districts as shown on the map attached to original Ordinance No. 24-1975, adopted October 28, 1975. The remaining three members of the Commission serve at large and may be either citizen members or members of the governing body. Alternate members must also be residents of the City and may not serve as a member of the Zoning Hearing Board or as a Zoning Officer.

Any member or alternate member of the Commission once qualified and appointed may be removed from office for malfeasance, misfeasance of non-feasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote of City Council taken after the member or alternate member has received 15 days advanced notice of the intent to take such a vote. If requested in writing by the affected member or alternate member, a hearing shall be held in connection with the vote. Any appointment to fill a vacancy created by removal shall only be for the unexpired term.

Members of the existing Commission shall continue to occupy their positions until the expiration of their present terms, or after their vacancies shall be filled by appointment in the manner specified in this article.

When seated pursuant to the provisions of the Municipalities Planning Code, an alternate member of the Commission shall be entitled to participate in all proceedings and discussions of the Commission to the same and full extent as provided by law for Commission members, including specifically the right to cast a vote as a voting member during the proceedings, and shall have all the powers and duties set forth in the Municipalities Planning Code and as otherwise provided by law. Any alternate member may participate in any proceeding or discussion of the Commission but shall not be entitled to a vote as a member of the Commission unless designated as a voting alternate pursuant to the provisions of the Municipalities Planning Code.

§ 22-14 Conduct of business; officers.

The Planning Commission may make and alter bylaws and regulations to govern its procedures consistent with this article and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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 shall keep a full record of its business in the form of official minutes.

The Commission shall make a written report of its annual activities to the Council by March 1 of each calendar year. In addition, interim reports shall be made as often as may be deemed necessary by the Council.

§ 22-15 Powers and duties.

Mandated powers and duties.

(1)

The Planning Commission shall have the power and be required to undertake the following responsibilities:

(a)

Prepare, if requested by the Council, a Comprehensive Plan for the development of the City and present it for the consideration of the Council.

(b)

Maintain and keep on file its records and official minutes of its actions and shall avail these records and files to the Council, the administration and any other interested parties.

(c)

If requested by the Council, prepare and present for consideration by the Council, in conjunction with the Department of Public Works, Bureau of the City Engineer and Bureau of Traffic Engineering, an Official City Plan; make recommendations to the Council on any amendments to the existing City Plan; and maintain the plan and any changes thereto for the records of the Council.

(d)

If requested by the Council, prepare and present to the Council a Zoning Ordinance and an Official Map and make recommendations to the Council on any proposed amendments to the existing Zoning Ordinance and Map.

(e)

If requested by the Council, prepare and present to the Council a Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance; administer the existing Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance; and make recommendations with regard to any amendments thereto.

(f)

Make recommendations to governmental, civil and private agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals regardless of their affiliation or nonaffiliation with the Council and the administration.

(g)

Hold public hearing and other meetings which are deemed desirable to the interests of the residents of the City.

(h)

Request from other departments and agencies of the City all information available which relates to the work of the Commission.

(i)

Be subject to the approval of the City Engineer concerning any act or recommendation which involves engineering considerations.

(j)

Be responsible to the Council and the administration for the review and recommendation of all matters presented to the Council and the administration concerning the development of the City relative to street or alley petitions, rezoning petitions and other matters which may have an effect upon the Comprehensive Plan for the City.

(2)

In performing its functions, the Commission may enter upon any land to make examinations and surveys with the consent of the owner.

Optional powers and duties. The Commission may have the power and be requested by the governing body to undertake the following responsibilities:

(1)

Review and make recommendations to the Council concerning amendments to the Building Code, the Plumbing Code, the Housing Code and the Electrical Code.

(2)

Submit to the Council a recommended Capital Improvements Program, including a capital budget.

(3)

Prepare for the review and adoption by the Council a Planned Residential Development Ordinance and, after adoption by the Council, administer such Planned Residential Development Ordinance.

(4)

Promote a public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive Plan and the planning process.

(5)

Do such other acts or make studies which may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by this article under the terms of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, as amended.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.

§ 22-16 Expenditure and receipt of funds.

The Planning Commission may employ administrative and technical services as consultants on particular matters which will aid in carrying out the provisions of this article, provided that the same has been authorized by the Council.

The Commission may, with the consent of the Council, accept and utilize any funds made available by the federal government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the County of Lancaster or any other funds granted by individuals or private agencies for the development or enhancement of facilities or services which are deemed in the best interest of the residents of this City. The Council may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of funds or assistance as it deems necessary and advisable.