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Township of Radnor, PA
Delaware County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A. 
Township boards, commissions and authorities shall be as follows:
(1) 
Board of Health.
(2) 
Civil Service Commission.
(3) 
Ethics Board.
(4) 
Rental Housing Board of Appeals.
[Amended 2-10-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-5]
(5) 
Park and Recreation Board.
(6) 
Planning Commission.
(7) 
Zoning Hearing Board.
(8) 
Design Review Board.
[Added 2-25-1991 by Ord. No. 91-09]
B. 
Except where otherwise provided by law, the Charter or ordinance, all boards and commissions shall be advisory in nature and perform no administrative function.
A. 
Appointing authority. The appointment of members to all boards, commissions and authorities shall be made by the Board at its annual organization meeting, except to fill unexpired terms as hereinafter provided.
B. 
Qualifications. All members of boards, commissions and authorities shall be registered electors of the Township of Radnor.
C. 
Terms. Terms of members of boards, commissions and authorities shall be staggered and shall not exceed six years. No member shall serve consecutively more than two full terms and the balance of one unexpired term. A term shall expire on December 31 of its last year.
D. 
Officers. A Chairman shall be elected for a one-year term by each board, commission or authority from among its members at its first meeting of the calendar year. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings and shall report to the Board in the manner which it directs. Other appropriate offices may be created and filled from the membership of the body.
E. 
Vacancies. Any vacancy on a board, commission or authority shall be filled by the Board for the remainder of the unexpired term. Such members shall be appointed within 90 days of the date the vacancy occurs. Public notice of the vacancy shall be given.
F. 
Removals. Removals shall be for cause in accordance with the Charter.
A. 
Except as provided by law or ordinance, members of boards, commissions and authorities shall serve without compensation. The compensation of any staff member paid from Township funds shall be established by the Board.
B. 
Members may be reimbursed for any reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
A. 
Except as otherwise provided by law or this chapter, boards, commissions and authorities shall conduct meetings at such time and place as they may designate. The Chairman of each board, commission and authority shall provide the Township Secretary with a regular meeting schedule prior to December 15 for the ensuing year for publication and shall notify the Secretary of all special meetings for publication.
B. 
Each board, commission and authority shall keep minutes of its meeting and shall submit them to the Township Secretary unless otherwise provided.
C. 
A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members.
Each board, commission and authority may establish rules and regulations deemed necessary for the conduct of its business. Such rules and regulations and changes thereto shall be approved by the Board.
All boards, commissions and authorities shall make an annual report and such other reports as from time to time may be requested by the Board.
A. 
Membership. The membership on the Board of Health shall consist of nine electors, five of whom shall be licensed doctors, registered nurses or persons trained and experienced in public health matters.
[Amended 11-26-1984 by Ord. No. 84-36; 1-11-1988 by Ord. No. 88-06]
B. 
Term of office. The term of office shall be four years.
[Amended 1-11-1988 by Ord. No. 88-06]
C. 
Duties. The Board of Health shall:
(1) 
Advise the Board and the Community Development Department on matters of public health policy and administration necessary to protect the health of the citizens of the Township.
(2) 
Advise the Board regarding federal and state laws and regulations on public health.
(3) 
Recommend to the Board such new ordinances, rules and regulations or changes to existing ordinances and regulations necessary to protect the health of the citizens of the Township.
(4) 
Conduct hearings and advise the Board on appeals from the Health Officer and Plumbing Inspector in accordance with rules and regulations established by the Board.
A. 
Membership. The membership of the Civil Service Commission shall consist of three registered electors. No member shall at the same time hold an elected or appointed office under the United States Government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any political subdivision of the commonwealth.
B. 
Term of office. The term of office of Civil Service Commission members shall be six years.
[Amended 5-28-1985 by Ord. No. 85-14; 7-20-1992 by Ord. No. 92-13]
C. 
Meetings.
(1) 
The Civil Service Commission shall meet and organize on the second Monday of each year. Each member shall be notified, in writing, of each and every meeting. Meetings shall be called by the Chairman.
(2) 
No action of the Civil Service Commission shall be valid unless it shall have the concurrence of at least two members.
D. 
Powers and duties. The Civil Service Commission shall:
(1) 
Administer the civil service provisions of this chapter for police officers.
(2) 
Enforce rules and regulations approved by the Board for administering civil service provisions of this chapter. The Civil Service Commission shall be governed by such rules and regulations.
(3) 
Certify qualified applicants for positions and promotions within the Police Department.
(4) 
Conduct investigations concerning all matters touching the administration and enforcement of the civil service provisions of this chapter and rules and regulations adopted thereunder. The Chairman of the Civil Service Commission shall have the power to administer oaths.
(5) 
Issue subpoenas over the signature of the Chairman to require the attendance of witnesses and the production of records and papers pertaining to any investigation or inquiry.
(a) 
All officers in public service and employees shall attend when required to do so by the Commission.
(b) 
If any person shall refuse or neglect to obey any subpoena issued by the Commission, he shall, after hearing and upon conviction by the District Justice of his summary offense, be sentenced to pay a fine not to exceed $600 and, in default of the payment of such fine and costs, shall be imprisoned not to exceed 90 days.
[Amended 7-20-1992 by Ord. No. 92-13]
(c) 
If any person shall refuse or neglect to obey any subpoena issued by the Commission, the Commission may apply by petition to the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County for its subpoenas requiring the attendance of such persons before the Commission or the Court, there to testify and to produce any records and papers necessary, and in default thereof shall be held in contempt of court.
(6) 
Hold hearings and hear appeals.
(7) 
Perform such other duties as are consistent with the Charter, this chapter and general law.
E. 
Minutes and records. The Civil Service Commission shall keep minutes of its meetings and records of examinations and other official actions. All certifications of applicants for appointment received by the Civil Service Commission shall be kept and preserved for five years. All minutes shall be open to public inspection.
A. 
Membership. The membership of the Ethics Board shall consist of five registered electors.
[Amended 3-26-1984 by Ord. No. 84-06]
B. 
Term of office. Term of office shall be four years.
[Amended 3-26-1984 by Ord. No. 84-06]
C. 
Duties. The Ethics Board shall:
(1) 
Hear and investigate written complaints and transmit the findings and all supporting documentation, evidence and testimony to the Board.
(2) 
Render interpretations with respect to application of the standards of ethics.
(3) 
Cause such findings to be formally filed with the Board and made a part of the public record.
(4) 
Recommend with respect to amendments to the standards of ethics.
(5) 
Render confidential advisory opinions.
[Added 1-5-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-01]
A. 
Membership. The membership of the Council shall consist of nine registered electors, one of whom shall be the supervisor of the Radnor Township educational access channel, or his/her designee, or another individual who may be appointed by the Radnor Township School District (the "District"), and one of whom shall be appointed by Radnor Studio 21 ("RS21") or its successor organization.
B. 
Term of office. The term of office for all members of the Council who are appointed by the Board of Commissioners (the "Board") shall be five years; provided, however, that, notwithstanding other provisions of the Code, the terms of office for members who are representatives of the District and RS21 may be for indefinite terms.
C. 
Duties. The Council shall:
(1) 
Advise the Board and Township staff on policy and administrative matters relating to cable television, telecommunications, wireless facilities, and new and emerging communication technologies.
(2) 
Review and, as may be directed by the Board, negotiate cable franchise, right-of-way, and other communication agreements and make appropriate recommendations.
(3) 
Recommend appropriate policies and procedures governing the use and operation of the Township's public, educational, and governmental television access channels.
(4) 
Evaluate applications and plans submitted for the placement of cell towers, distributed antenna systems, micro-cell, and other communications facilities, including all related equipment, in the public rights-of-way and on Township-owned property and make appropriate recommendations.
(5) 
Evaluate applications and plans submitted for the placement of cell towers, distributed antenna systems, micro-cell, and other communications facilities, including all related equipment, on private property and, if appropriate and necessary, make recommendations to the Zoning Hearing Board. Applications seeking approval under this subsection shall conform to the rules of the Zoning Hearing Board.
(6) 
Consider complaints dealing with cable television and other communication issues in the Township and make appropriate referrals and recommendations.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 5-38, Municipal Authority, was repealed 2-10-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-5.
A. 
Membership. The membership of the Park and Recreation Board shall consist of seven registered electors.
[Amended 2-28-1983 by Ord. No. 83-05; 12-12-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-12]
B. 
Term of office. The term of office shall be five years except for the initial terms of the additional members, which terms shall be at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners.
[Amended 2-28-1983 by Ord. No. 83-05]
C. 
Duties. The Park and Recreation Board shall:
(1) 
Advise the Board and the Recreation Department on matters of recreational policy and administration necessary to provide appropriate facilities and programs.
(2) 
Make recommendations to the Board and the Recreation Department on rules and regulations and practices concerning the utilization of programs and facilities, the schedule of fees for programs and facilities and the operation and maintenance of park and recreational facilities and programs.
(3) 
Receive complaints dealing with park and recreation programs or facilities and make recommendations pursuant to them.
A. 
Membership. The membership of the Planning Commission shall consist of nine members.
B. 
Term of office. The term of office shall be four years.
C. 
Duties. The Planning Commission shall:
(1) 
Advise the Board upon all plans related to development in the Township.
(2) 
Promote public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive Plan and community development and planning and hold public meetings to this end.
(3) 
Review and make recommendations to the Board concerning the Comprehensive Plan, the Official Map, Chapter 280, Zoning, subdivision and other land development plans, building standards, regulations for the Township, environmental matters and all other plans for the community development prepared by the Community Development Department.
(4) 
Perform such other functions as set forth in Article II, Section 209.1, of Act No. 247, 1968 (Municipalities Planning Code).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10209.1.
[Amended 4-23-1984 by Ord. No. 84-14; 2-27-1989 by Ord. No. 89-06]
A. 
Membership. There shall be a Zoning Hearing Board appointed which shall consist of five registered electors; however the Board of Commissioners may also appoint one but no more than three registered electors who shall serve as alternate members to the Board.
B. 
Appointment. Appointment as a member or alternate member to the Zoning Hearing Board shall be by resolution by the Board of Commissioners.
C. 
Terms of office.
(1) 
Terms of office of a five-member Board shall be five years and shall be so fixed that the terms of office of any one member shall expire each year.
(2) 
Terms of office of an alternate member shall not exceed three years.
D. 
The Zoning Hearing Board shall:
(1) 
Conduct hearings and render decisions on appeals from the Zoning Officer.
(2) 
Hear requests for variances and render decisions thereon, attaching such reasonable conditions and safeguards as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes of law, the Charter or ordinances.
(3) 
Hear and decide upon requests for special exceptions pursuant to criteria and standards adopted by the Board.
(4) 
Perform such other duties provided in Chapter 280, Zoning, Article XXIV, of the Code of Radnor Township and Article IX of Act 247, 168 (Municipalities Planning Code), as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10901 et seq.
[Added 2-25-1991 by Ord. No. 91-09]
A. 
Membership. The membership of the Design Review Board shall consist of five registered electors, three of whom shall have a professional background and experience in the fields of architecture, engineering or landscaping.
B. 
Term of office. The term of office shall be for a period of five years. As first established, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint one member to serve for a period of three years, two members to serve for terms of four years and two members to serve for periods five years.
C. 
Rules. The Design Review Board shall elect from the membership a Chairman and adopt rules and regulations to conduct business. Three members shall constitute a quorum. Approval, conditional approval or denial of an application shall be by majority vote. A tie vote shall constitute a denial of an application.
D. 
Meetings. The Design Review Board shall schedule meetings to be held at regular intervals or at the call of the Chairman.
E. 
Records. Records shall be kept of all official business transacted and shall be filed in the Department of Community Development.
F. 
Reports. The Design Review Board shall submit an annual report following December 31 and other such reports as may be requested by the Board of Commissioners.
G. 
Duties and responsibilities. The Design Review Board shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1) 
To review applications for sign permits to ensure compliance with Chapter 280, Zoning, Article XXI, of the Township Code.
(2) 
The review of architectural and landscaping plans for new development within nonresidential zoning districts, including those plans which propose exterior structural additions and material changes, excluding painting, to existing buildings.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 150, Design Review.
[Added 7-16-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-26]
A. 
Establishment and composition. The Rental Housing Board of Appeals shall consist of three registered electors; however, the Board of Commissioners may appoint one registered elector to serve as an alternate member to the Board.
B. 
Terms of office. Terms of office shall be for five years, or until a successor is appointed by the Board of Commissioners, and shall be so fixed that the term of office of only one member shall expire in any given year.
C. 
General powers. The Board of Appeals shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair and create, alter and rescind rules and regulations to conduct business. Two members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any and all business. Approval or denial of an appeal before the Board shall be by majority vote of those in attendance. A tie vote shall constitute a denial of an appeal.
D. 
Meetings. Meeting shall be held at the call of the Chair or when necessary for the proper and efficient discharge of business.
E. 
Records. Records shall be kept of all official business transacted and shall be filed in the Department of Community Development.
F. 
Reports. The Board of Appeals shall submit an annual report to the Board of Commissioners following December 31 of each year, as well as any other information which may be requested.
G. 
Responsibilities. The Board of Appeals shall be responsible for considering appeals from the owner of a rental unit who is aggrieved by the Code Official's determination to revoke the owner's privilege to rent to student tenants or to not renew or suspend the owner's license. The Board shall conduct a public meeting, and consider factual information and arguments presented by the owner, Code Official, police and other relevant parties. In accordance with Ordinance 2001-25,[1] the Board shall render a decision based upon the facts presented and shall be empowered to affirm, amend or reverse the decision of the Code Official, with such decision being final.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 226, Rental Property, Art. I, Rental Unit Regulations.
[Added 2-27-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-07; amended 7-16-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-30]
A. 
Establishment, composition. The HARB shall consist of five registered electors who shall serve at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners, preferably including the following: one registered architect or engineer; one licensed real estate broker; and one person with technical knowledge in the building codes and construction industry. The remaining two members shall have knowledge and interest in the preservation of historic districts.
B. 
Terms of office. The term of office shall be five years. As first established, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint one member to serve for a period of three years, two members to serve for a period of four years, and two members to serve for a period of five years. Vacancies on the HARB shall be filled by the Board of Commissioners.
C. 
Rules. The HARB shall elect from its membership a Chair and adopt its own rules and regulations to conduct business. Three members shall constitute a quorum. Approval, conditional approval, or denial of an application shall be by majority vote of members present. A tie vote shall constitute a denial of an application.
D. 
Meetings. The HARB shall schedule public meetings on a regular basis, or meetings shall be held at the call of the Chair.
E. 
Records. Records of all business transacted shall be filed in the department so designated by the Township Manager. An annual report shall be filed following December 31, or at the request of the Board of Commissioners.
F. 
Responsibilities. The HARB shall serve as an advisory body to the Board of Commissioners in the review of applications for the erection, addition, or demolition of buildings within the North Wayne Historic District, the Louella Court Historic District, and the South Wayne Historic District, in accordance with Chapter 178 of the Administrative Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 178, Historic Districts.
A. 
Radnor-Haverford-Marple Sewer Authority. The Board shall appoint two members to the Authority who shall be registered electors for terms of five years, in accordance with Chapter 78, Sewer Authority.
B. 
Memorial Library of Radnor Township. The Board shall appoint two members to the Board of the Memorial Library of Radnor Township, who shall be registered electors, for terms of three years. The terms shall be staggered by the appointments made in January 1978 being for two years and three years, respectively.