Borough of Pennsburg, PA Chapter 13 Planning Commission

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Pennsburg 12-4-2007 by Ord. No. 8-07. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 13-1 Intent.

The Borough Council of the Borough of Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, hereby signifies its intention and desire to organize a Planning Commission under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of July 31, 1968, reenacted and amended by Act 170 of December 21, 1988, P.L. 1329.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.

§ 13-2 Members of Planning Commission.

The Pennsburg Borough Planning Commission shall be comprised of five members, all of whom shall be citizens of the Borough of Pennsburg. Elected or appointed officers or employees of the Borough may serve on the Planning Commission; however, no more than two members shall be officers or employees of the Borough and the remaining members shall be citizen members who are not officers or employees of the Borough. Elected or appointed officials or employees of the Borough shall not be eligible to serve as the Chairman of the Planning Commission.

§ 13-3 Appointments and terms.

All members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the appointing authority of the Pennsburg Borough Council. The term of office of members shall be four years and shall expire on December 31 or until a successor is appointed. A member of the Planning Commission can be appointed to consecutive terms by Council. In the event of a vacancy, Council shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term. The initial terms of the Planning Commission members shall be as follows:

A. Member 1: January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2009;

B. Member 2: January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2009;

C. Member 3: January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2010;

D. Member 4: January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2010; and

E. Member 5: January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2011.

§ 13-4 Initial members of Planning Commission.

All initial appointments of citizens to the Planning Commission, as well as all future appointments shall be made by resolution adopted by Borough Council without the need for adoption of an amending ordinance.

§ 13-5 Compensation.

The members of the Pennsburg Borough Planning Commission shall receive no compensation for their service; however, elected or appointed officials or employees of the Borough 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 Borough office held by them during such membership.

§ 13-6 Powers and duties.

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

(1) Prepare and update the Comprehensive Plan for development of the Borough as set forth in the Municipalities Planning Code, and present it for the consideration of the Council; and

(2) Maintain and keep on file records of its actions. All records and files of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession of the Council.

B. The Planning Commission, at the request of Council, may:

(1) Make recommendations to the Council concerning the adoption or amendment of an official map;

(2) Prepare and present to the Council a zoning ordinance, and make recommendations to the Council on proposed amendments to it;

(3) Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development and planned residential development regulations;

(4) Prepare and present to the Council a building code and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments thereto;

(5) Do such other acts or make studies as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the Municipalities Planning Code;

(6) Prepare and present to the Council an environmental study;

(7) Submit to the Council a recommended capital improvements program;

(8) Prepare and present to the Council a water survey which shall be consistent with the State Water Plan and any applicable water resources plan adopted by governmental agencies or water suppliers. 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 Borough 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 land surveys with the consent of the owner;

(15) Prepare and present to the Council a study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources in specific areas within the Borough;

(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.

§ 13-7 Acceptance and utilization of funds and assistance.

The Planning Commission may, with the consent of the Council, 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 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 Borough.