[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Springfield 8-9-1972 by Ord. No. 614. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The Board of Commissioners of Springfield Township, Montgomery
County, Pennsylvania, (hereinafter referred to as the "Board"), pursuant
to Article II, Section 201, of Act 247,[1] does hereby create the Springfield Township Planning Commission.
Such Commission shall have nine members, who shall serve without compensation
but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses.
[1]
Editor's Note: Act 247, as used in this chapter, refers
to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968),
as amended and supplemented.
A.
The Board shall appoint all members of the Planning Commission.
B.
The term of each of the members of the Commission shall be for four
years, or until his successor is appointed and qualified, except that
the terms of the members first appointed pursuant to this chapter
shall be such that no more than three shall be reappointed or replaced
during any future calendar year.
C.
The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the
Board concerning vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancies shall
be filled for the unexpired term by the Board.
The members of the existing Township Planning Commission, which
was established under former laws, shall continue in office until
the end of the term for which they are appointed, but their successors
shall be appointed as provided by this chapter. If a vacancy shall
occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by
appointment for the unexpired term, according to the provisions of
this chapter.
All of the members of the Planning Commission shall be residents
of the township. An officer or employee of the township may be a member
of the Planning Commission, but at least six of the nine members of
the Commission shall be citizen members.
A.
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.
B.
The Commission may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations
to govern its procedures consistent with the ordinances of the township
and the laws of the commonwealth.
C.
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 Board. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary,
or as requested by the Board.
A.
The Planning Commission shall, at the request of the Board, have
the power and shall be required to:
(1)
Prepare amendments to the comprehensive plan for the development
of the township as set forth in Act 247, as amended and supplemented,
and present such amendments for the consideration of the Board.
(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
Board.
B.
The Planning Commission, at the request of the Board, may:
(1)
Make recommendations to the Board concerning the amendment of an
Official Map.
(3)
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development
and planned residential development regulations, as set forth in Act
247.
(5)
Do such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill
the duties and obligations imposed by Act 247.
(6)
Prepare and present to the Board an environmental study.
(7)
Submit to the Board a recommended capital improvements program.
(8)
Promote public interest in and understanding of the comprehensive
plan and planning.
(9)
Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies
and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies
and individuals.
(10)
Hold public hearings and meetings.
(11)
Require from other departments and agencies of the township such
available information as relates to the work of the Planning Commission.
(12)
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make
examinations and surveys with the consent of the owner.
C.
In the performance of its powers and duties, any act or recommendation
of the Planning Commission which involves engineering consideration
shall be subject to review and comments of the Township Engineer,
which comments shall be incorporated and separately set forth in any
report, written act or recommendation of the Planning Commission.
