[Amended 5-10-2000 by Ord. No. 462]
A. The Board of Commissioners may from time to time amend,
supplement, or repeal any of the regulations and provisions of this
chapter. The procedure for the preparation of a proposed zoning ordinance
as set forth in § 607 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10607, is hereby declared optional.
B. Before voting on the enactment of an amendment, the
Board of Commissioners shall hold a public hearing thereon, pursuant
to public notice. In addition, if the proposed amendment involves
a Zoning Map change, notice of said public hearing shall be conspicuously
posted by the Township at points deemed sufficient by the Township
along the perimeter of the tract to notify potentially interested
citizens. The affected tract or area shall be posted at least one
week prior to the date of the hearing.
C. In the case of an amendment other than that prepared
by the Planning Commission, the Board of Commissioners shall submit
each such amendment to the Planning Commission at least 30 days prior
to the hearing on such proposed amendment to provide the Planning
Commission an opportunity to submit recommendations.
D. If, after any public hearing held upon an amendment,
the proposed amendment is changed substantially, or is revised, to
include land previously not affected by it, the Board of Commissioners
shall hold another public hearing, pursuant to public notice, before
proceeding to vote on the amendment.
E. At least 30 days prior to the public hearing on the
amendment by the Board of Commissioners, the Township shall submit
the proposed amendment to the county planning agency for recommendations.
F. Notice. Public notice shall be given by the applicant
for any proposed amendment to the Zoning Map at such time and in such
manner as shall be prescribed by rules of the Township Board of Commissioners.
At a minimum, all property owners of record within 500 feet of the
subject property shall receive notice at least 10 days prior to the
required public hearing.
G. Impact
statement. Any proposed amendment to this chapter not prepared by
the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, or other Township
agency must include an impact statement prepared in accordance with
accepted methodology and consisting of the following:
[Added 8-25-2010 by Ord. No. 607]
(1) Environmental
impact: the predicted impact on stormwater runoff, aquifer recharge,
erosion, sedimentation, wildlife habitats, scenic areas, historic
and cultural resources, and the general resources of the community.
All environmental and natural features shall be identified and mapped.
(2) Transportation
impact: a complete traffic impact study, including any supplemental
information deemed necessary by the Hatfield Township Traffic Engineer.
(3) Fiscal
impact: a fiscal impact analysis documenting costs and revenues associated
with the proposed amendment. Detailed information shall be submitted
to show net fiscal impact to both Hatfield Township and the North
Penn School District.
The Board of Commissioners may refer each petition
or proposal for change or amendment under this article to the Planning
Commission which shall consider whether or not such proposed change
or amendment would be, in the view of the Commission, consistent with
and desirable in furtherance of the comprehensive planning upon which
this article is based, as the same may be modified from time to time.
The Commission shall transmit its conclusion thereon, together with
its reasons therefor, to the Board of Commissioners. The Board of
Commissioners shall take such conclusion and reasons into consideration
in reaching its decision, but shall not be bound thereby.