City of Sunbury, PA Planning Commission

The Planning Commission of the City of Sunbury is hereby created, and all powers and duties thereof are hereby assigned to a Planning Committee to be comprised of members appointed by the Sunbury City Council. The Engineer for the City, or an engineer appointed by the governing body, shall serve the planning agency as engineering advisor. The Solicitor for the City, or an attorney appointed by the governing body, shall serve the planning agency as legal advisor.

§ 33-2 General provisions.

The City of Sunbury Planning Commission shall have not fewer than three, nor more than nine, members. Without exception, members of the Planning Commission may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses. Further, elected or appointed officers or employees of the municipality shall not, by reason of membership thereon, forfeit the right to exercise the powers, perform the duties or receive the compensations of the municipal offices held by them during such membership.

§ 33-3 Appointment, term and vacancy.

All members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Sunbury City Council.

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.

The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the City Council concerning vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term. If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term according to the terms of this chapter.

Should the City Council determine to increase the number of members of an already existing Planning Commission, the additional members shall be appointed as provided in this chapter. If the governing body of any municipality shall determine to reduce the number of members on any 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.

The City Council may appoint by resolution at least one but no more than three residents of the City to serve as alternate members of the Planning Commission. The term of office of an alternate member shall be four years. When seated pursuant to the provisions of § 33-6, an alternate 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 this chapter and as otherwise provided by law. Alternates shall not serve as a member of the City Zoning Hearing Board or as a Zoning Officer. Any alternate may participate in any proceeding or discussion of the Commission but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the Commission nor be reimbursed pursuant to § 33-2 unless designated as a voting alternate member pursuant to § 33-6.

§ 33-4 Membership.

All of the members of the Planning Commission shall be residents of the City of Sunbury. On all Planning Commissions appointed pursuant hereto, a certain number of the members, designated as "citizen members," shall not be officers or employees of the municipality. On a Commission of three members, at least two shall be citizen members. On a Commission of four or five members, at least three shall be citizen members. On a Commission of either six or seven members, at least five shall be citizen members, and on Commissions of either eight or nine members, at least six shall be citizen members.

§ 33-5 Removal of members.

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 Sunbury City 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.

§ 33-6 Conduct of business.

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 may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations to govern its procedures consistent with the ordinances of the City of Sunbury and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commission shall keep a full record of its business and shall annually make a written report by March 1 of each year of its activities to the Sunbury City Council. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary, or as requested by the City Council.

The Chairman of the Planning Commission may designate alternate members of the Commission to substitute for any absent member or member who has recused himself or has been disqualified by the City Council, and, if, by reason of absence, recusal or disqualification of a member, a quorum is not reached, the Chairman of the Commission shall designate as many alternate members of the Commission to sit on the Commission as may be needed to reach a quorum. Any alternate member of the Commission shall continue to serve on the Commission in all proceedings involving the matter or case for which the alternate was initially appointed until the Commission has made a final decision on the matter or case. Designation of an alternate pursuant to this section shall be made on a case-by-case basis in rotation, according to declining seniority among all alternates.

§ 33-7 Powers and duties.

The Planning Commission shall, at the request of the Sunbury City Council, have the power and shall be required to:

(1)

Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the City and present it for the consideration of said 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 the governing body.

The Planning Commission, at the request of the Sunbury City Council, may:

(1)

Make recommendations to the City Council concerning the adoption or amendment of an Official Map.

(2)

Prepare and present to the City Council a Zoning Ordinance, and make recommendations to the Council on proposed amendments to it as set forth in this chapter.

(3)

Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development and planned residential development regulations.

(4)

Prepare and present to the City Council 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 Planning Commission's duties.

(6)

Prepare and present to the City Council an environmental study.

(7)

Submit to the City Council a recommended capital improvements program.

(8)

Prepare and present to the City 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 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 the City of Sunbury such available information as relates to the work of the planning agency.

(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 City Council a study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources in specific areas within the municipality.

(16)

Review the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, 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.

§ 33-8 Administrative and technical assistance.

The City Council may employ administrative and technical services to aid in carrying out the duties of the Planning Commission either as consultants on particular matters or as regular employees of the City.

§ 33-9 Acceptance and utilization of funds or assistance.

The Planning Commission may, with the consent of the City Council, accept and utilize any funds, personnel or other assistance made available by Northumberland County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the federal government or any of their agencies, or from private sources. The City Council may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of the funds or assistance in accordance with the governmental procedures of the City.

§ 33-10 Intergovernmental cooperation.

For the purposes of this chapter, the City Council may utilize the authority granted under 53 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2303(a) (relating to intergovernmental cooperation authorized) and 2315 (relating to effect of joint cooperation agreements).