[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Brighton 5-8-2000 by Ord. No. 112. (This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 47, Planning Commission, adopted 6-4-1954 by Ord. No. 11.) Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Park and Recreation Board — See Ch. 38.
Floodplain management — See Ch. 100.
Parks and recreation areas — See Ch. 133.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 180.
Zoning — See Ch. 195.
A Township Planning Commission, to be known as the "Brighton Township Planning Commission," is hereby created and established in accordance with the Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
A. 
The Planning Commission shall be comprised of seven members who shall be residents of Brighton Township and who shall be appointed by the Supervisors of Brighton Township. All members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses, provided that such expenses are approved by the Supervisors in advance.
B. 
The term of each of the members of the Commission shall be for four years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified, except that the terms of the members first appointed shall be so fixed that one member shall be appointed for one year, two for two years, two for three years and two for four years; and annually thereafter, members of said Commission shall be appointed for terms of four years.
C. 
The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the Supervisors of Brighton Township concerning vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
D. 
Should the Supervisors of Brighton Township determine to increase the number of members of the existing Planning Commission, the additional members shall be appointed as provided in this chapter. If the Supervisors of Brighton Township shall determine to reduce the number of members on the existing Planning Commission, such reduction shall be effectuated by allowing the terms to expire and by making no new appointments to fill the vacancy. Any reduction or increase shall be by ordinance.
All of the members of the Planning Commission shall be residents of Brighton Township. No more than two members of the Planning Commission shall be officers or employees of Brighton Township.
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 the Supervisors of Brighton Township 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.
The Planning Commission shall elect its own Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary 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 or alter bylaws, rules and regulations to govern its procedures consistent with the ordinances of Brighton Township and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Planning Commission shall keep a full record of its business and shall make a written report by March 1 of each year of its activities to the Supervisors of Brighton Township.
A. 
The Planning Commission shall at the request of the Supervisors of Brighton Township have the power and shall be required to:
(1) 
Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the municipality as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and present it for the consideration of the Supervisors of Brighton Township.
(2) 
Maintain and keep on file records of its action. All records and files of the Brighton Township Planning Commission shall be in the possession of the Supervisors of Brighton Township.
B. 
The Planning Commission at the request of the Supervisors of Brighton Township may:
(1) 
Make recommendations to the Supervisors of Brighton Township concerning the adoption or amendment of an Official Map.
(2) 
Prepare and present to the Supervisors of Brighton Township a Zoning Ordinance and make recommendations to the Supervisors on proposed amendments to it.
(3) 
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development and planned residential development regulations, as provided by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(4) 
Prepare and present to the Supervisors of Brighton Township a building code and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments thereto.
(5) 
Do such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the Municipalities Planning Code.
(6) 
Prepare and present to the Supervisors of Brighton Township an environmental study.
(7) 
Submit to the Supervisors of Brighton Township a recommended capital improvements program.
(8) 
Prepare and present to the Supervisors of Brighton Township a water survey, which shall be consistent with the State Water Plan and any applicable water resources plan adopted by a river basis 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 Brighton Township 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 the Supervisors of Brighton Township a study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewal energy sources in specific areas within Brighton Township.
(16) 
Review the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance,[1] 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 195, Zoning, and Ch. 180, Subdivision and Land Development.
The Supervisors of Brighton Township may employ administrative and technical services to aid in carrying out the provisions of this chapter either as consultants on particular matters or as regular employees of Brighton Township.
The Brighton Township Planning Commission may, with the consent of the Supervisors of Brighton Township, accept and utilize any funds, personnel or other assistance made available by Beaver County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the federal government or any of their agencies or from private sources. The Supervisors of Brighton Township may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of the funds or assistance in accordance with the governmental procedures of Brighton Township.