[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Uwchlan 6-7-1960 by Ord. No. 9; amended in its entirety 6-14-1971 by Ord. No. 71-07. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
General References
Construction codes — See Ch. 106.
Mobile homes and mobile home parks — See Ch. 153.
Parks and recreation areas — See Ch. 179.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 260.
Zoning — See Ch. 265.
All members of the existing Uwchlan Township Planning Commission, appointed under the provisions of Ordinance No. 9 of June 7, 1960, shall continue in office until the end of the terms for which they were appointed, and their successors shall be appointed as provided by this chapter.
The Uwchlan Township Planning Commission shall consist of seven members. Additional members shall be appointed by the Board under the provisions of this chapter. All new members shall be residents of the Township. At least five members of the Planning Commission shall be residents of Uwchlan Township. No more than two members may be officers or employees of the Township. As new members or additional members are appointed, they shall be appointed for terms of four years, except that appointment of additional members shall be made so that no more than two shall be reappointed or replaced during any future calendar year. The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall properly notify the Board of vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. All members of the Planning Commission shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses. Officers or employees of the Township, however, shall not, by reason of membership on the Planning Commission, forfeit the right to exercise the powers, perform the duties or receive the compensation of the municipal offices held by them during such membership.
The Board of Supervisors may remove any member, or members, of the Planning Commission for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote of the Board, 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 Uwchlan Township Planning Commission shall elect its own Chairman and Vice Chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine. The Commission may make and alter rules for its procedure consistent with the ordinances of the Township and the laws of the Commonwealth.
The Board of Supervisors shall appropriate from the general Township funds such money as may be necessary and may be available for the work of the Planning Commission in the year in which the appropriation is made. The Planning Commission may appoint such employees and staff as it may deem necessary for its work and may contract with planners, surveyors and other consultants for such technical services as it may require upon authorization of the Board of Supervisors. These and other expenditures as may be necessary and proper shall be within the amount appropriated for the purpose by the Board of Supervisors or placed at the Commission's disposal from other sources.
A. 
The Planning Commission shall have the power and shall be required to:
(1) 
File with the Township Secretary a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations, which records shall be a public record. The Planning Commission shall annually make a written report of its activities to the Board by March 1 of each year.
(2) 
Prepare revisions to the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the Township and present these revisions for the consideration of the Board of Supervisors.
(3) 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors proposed amendments to the Uwchlan Township Zoning Ordinance, including regulations for planned residential development.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 265, Zoning.
(4) 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors proposed amendments to the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 260, Subdivision and Land Development.
(5) 
Promote public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive Plan and planning.
(6) 
Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals.
(7) 
Hold public meetings on a regularly scheduled basis and public hearings as required.
(8) 
Require from other departments and agencies of the Municipality such available information as relates to its work.
(9) 
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make examinations and surveys, either after permission has been obtained from the owner or after public notices.
(10) 
Review and comment on all Township ordinances, or amendments to Township ordinances, proposed for enactment.
B. 
The Planning Commission shall, upon request of the Board of Supervisors:
(1) 
Prepare and present an Official Map for consideration and, after adoption, maintain for the Board of Supervisors the Official Map and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on proposed changes in such Map.
(2) 
Administer the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 260, Subdivision and Land Development.
(3) 
Administer the Planned Residential Development Regulations.
(4) 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors amendments to the Building Code.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 106, Construction Codes, Uniform.
(5) 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a Housing Code and make recommendations to the Board on proposed amendments thereto.
(6) 
Do such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed.
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 the approval of the Township Engineer.
The Planning Commission may, with the consent of the Board of Supervisors, accept and utilize any funds, personnel or other assistance made available by the county, the commonwealth or the federal government or any of their agencies, or from private sources. The Board may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of the funds or assistance in accordance with the governmental procedures of the Township.