It is the purpose of this article to cite the responsibilities of the Planning Commission in the administration of designated duties and functions according to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
A. 
Continuance of commission. There shall be in and for the Borough of Oakmont a Planning Commission, as previously created by Borough ordinance pursuant to Act 247.
B. 
Appointment, term and vacancy. The Planning Commission of the Borough of Oakmont shall consist of five members, all of whom shall be full-time residents of the Borough, appointed by Council in the manner prescribed by Act 247, as amended. The term of each member shall be for four years; not more than two shall expire during any calendar year. The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify Council concerning vacancies in the Planning Commission for any reason, and Council shall fill the vacancy only for the unexpired term. Such appointments shall be made within a period of 60 days after such vacancy occurs.
C. 
Meetings. The Planning Commission shall meet as required and as deemed necessary.
D. 
Conduct of business. 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 Borough of Oakmont and the laws of the commonwealth.
A. 
Conduct. The Planning Commission shall at the request of the Council have the power and shall be required to:
(1) 
Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the Borough as set forth in this act, and present it for the consideration of the Council.
(2) 
Maintain and keep on file records of its action. All records and files of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession of Council.
B. 
Conduct. The Planning Commission at the request of Council may:
(1) 
Make recommendations to Council concerning the adoption or amendment of an official Zoning Map.
(2) 
Prepare and present to Council a zoning ordinance, and make recommendations to the Council on proposed amendments to it as set forth in this act.
(3) 
Prepare, recommend and present subdivision and land development and planned residential development regulations for the consideration of Council.
(4) 
Prepare and present to Council a building code and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments thereto following review and approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
(5) 
Review and present recommendation to Council on conditional uses applications.
(6) 
Complete other actions, including to but not limited to the review and recommendation on conditional use applications to Council, or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by this chapter.
(7) 
Prepare and present to Council an environmental study; submit to Council a recommended capital improvements program.
(8) 
Prepare and present to Council 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 individuals, governmental, civic and private agencies as to the effectiveness of such agencies' proposals.
(11) 
Hold public hearings and meetings.
(12) 
Present testimony before any board.
(13) 
Require from other departments or agencies of the Borough 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 Council a study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources in specific areas within the Borough.
(16) 
Review the zoning, subdivision and land development ordinance, official Zoning Map of the Borough of Oakmont, provisions for planned residential development, and regulations governing the development of land no less frequently than it reviews the Comprehensive Plan.
C. 
Conduct. Provide recommendations for proposed actions related to:
(1) 
The location, opening, vacation, extension, widening, narrowing or enlargement of any street, public ground, pierhead or watercourse;
(2) 
The location, erection, demolition, removal or sale of any public structure located within the municipality;
(3) 
The adoption, amendment or repeal of an Official Map, SALDO, zoning ordinance or provisions for planned residential development, or capital improvements program; or
(4) 
The construction, extension or abandonment of any waterline, sewer line or sewage treatment facility.
Council may employ administrative and technical services to aid in carrying out the provisions of Act 247[1] either as consultants on particular matters or as regular employees of the Borough of Oakmont.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
The Planning Commission may, with consent of Council, accept and utilize any funds, personnel or other assistance made available by Allegheny County, the commonwealth or the federal government or any of their agencies or from private sources.
Any member of the 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 Council, 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.
The membership of the Zoning Hearing Board shall consist of three residents of Borough of Oakmont appointed by Council. Their terms of office shall be three years and shall be so fixed that the term of one member shall expire each year. The Board shall promptly notify Council of any vacancies which occur. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term. Members of the Board shall hold no other elected or appointed office in Borough of Oakmont nor shall any member be an employee of the Borough.
The Board shall elect from its own membership its officers, who shall serve annual terms as such and may succeed themselves. For the conduct of any hearing and taking of any action, a quorum shall be not less than a majority of all the members of the Board, but the Board may appoint a Hearing Officer from its own membership to conduct any hearings on its behalf and the parties may waive further action by the Board as provided by law. The Board shall adopt rules consistent with this chapter and the laws of the commonwealth. Such rules shall include, but not be limited to, the manner of filing appeals and the manner of filing applications for special exceptions and variances. The Borough Manager or his or her representative shall serve as Secretary to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Any Board member may be removed for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote of Council which appointed the member, 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.
A. 
Zoning Hearing Board. Council shall appoint a Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the provisions of the Borough's Code of Ordinances and § 901 of the of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1] The Zoning Hearing Board shall have the following powers:
(1) 
To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Zoning Officer in the enforcement of this chapter.
(2) 
To hear and decide all variances to the terms of this chapter; the Zoning Hearing Board is required to act under provisions of this chapter including approval of the expansion, extension or enlargement of nonconforming uses only as provided for in this chapter and/or as otherwise prescribed within the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code § 909.1.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10909.1.
(3) 
To authorize upon appeal in specific cases such variance from the terms of this chapter as will not be contrary to the public interest, where owing to special conditions a literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter would result in an unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of the this chapter shall be observed and substantial justice done.
(4) 
To hear and decide substantive challenges to the validity of any land use ordinance, except those brought before the governing body pursuant to §§ 609.1 and 916.1(a)(2) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. §§ 10609.1 and 10916.2(a)(2).
(5) 
To hear and decide appeals from a determination by a municipal engineer or the Zoning Officer with reference to the administration of any floodplain or flood hazard ordinance or such provisions within a land use ordinance.
(6) 
To hear and decide appeals from the Zoning Officer's determination under § 916.2 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10916.2.
(7) 
To hear and decide appeals from the determination of the Zoning Officer or municipal engineer in the administration of any land use ordinance or provision thereof with reference to sedimentation and erosion control and stormwater management insofar as the same relate to development not involving Article V or VII applications prescribed within the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(8) 
To hear and decide applications for special exceptions under the Zoning Ordinance pursuant to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code § 912.1.[5]
[5]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10912.1.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10901.
B. 
In exercising the above-mentioned powers, such Zoning Hearing Board may, in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed from and may make such order, requirement, decision or determination as in its opinion ought to be made. Notice of such decision shall forthwith be given to all parties in interest and shall be filed immediately with the Zoning Officer.
Meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board shall be held at the call of the Chairman and at such other times as the Board may determine as per its rules and procedures. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public. The Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings showing the vote of each member upon each question or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed with the permanent records of the Board and shall be a public record.
The Board shall conduct hearings and make decisions in accordance with the requirements and provisions under § 908, Hearings, Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1] Public notice shall be given and written notice shall be given to the applicant, the Zoning Officer and such other persons who have registered a name and address for this purpose with the Zoning Hearing Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10908.
Parties to proceedings may utilize mediation as an aid in completing such proceedings as per the provisions of § 908.1, Mediation option, Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10908.1.
Within the limits of funds appropriated by the Council, the Board may employ or contract for secretaries, clerks, legal counsel, consultants and other technical and clerical services. Members of the Board may receive compensation for the performance of their duties, as may be fixed by Council and as per the provisions of § 907 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10907.