[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of North Coventry 6-25-2005 by Ord. No. 127. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 320.
Zoning — See Ch. 370.
The Planning Commission is hereby created, recreated and/or confirmed.
The Planning Commission shall have not less than three nor more than nine members as the Board has established or shall, hereafter, change by ordinance duly adopted by the Board. The present membership of the Planning Commission being seven members with their present terms of offices being hereby established and confirmed. If the Board shall determine to reduce the number of members on the Planning Commission, the reduction shall be authorized by ordinance and shall be effectuated by allowing the term or terms of the member to expire and by making no new appointments to fill the vacancy.
All members of the Planning Commission shall serve with compensation. The member shall be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses.
The Township Engineer and the Township Solicitor shall provide professional services for the Planning Commission as the Planning Commission shall so determine unless, by resolution, the Board restricts the parameters of such sources.
The Board shall appoint all members to the Planning Commission with each member serving a term of four years or until such member's successor is appointed and qualified. The seven members constituting the Planning Commission now functioning in the Township shall constitute the Planning Commission pursuant to this chapter, and nothing herein shall affect the tenure of the present members.
Where there is a vacancy that has occurred otherwise than by expiration of a term, the Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the Board of such, and the Board shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term of the vacated position.
All members of the Planning Commission shall be residents of the Township. Two members of the Planning Commission may be officers or employees of the Township.
Any member of the Planning Commission once qualified and appointed may be removed from office for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office of 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 Planning 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 Planning Commission may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations that govern its procedure consistent with the ordinances of the Township and the laws of the commonwealth. The Planning 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 Township. 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 the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the Township as set forth in this act, and present it for the consideration to the Board.
(2) 
Maintain and keep on file records and files of its action. All records of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession of the Township.
B. 
The Planning Commission at the request of the Board may:
(1) 
Make recommendations to the Board concerning the adoption or amendment of an official map.
(2) 
Prepare and present to the Board amendments to its Zoning Chapter.
(3) 
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development and planned residential development regulations as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
(4) 
Prepare and present to the Board recommendations as to amendments to the building code and housing code.
(5) 
Prepare and present to the Board an environmental study.
(6) 
Submit to the Board a recommended capital improvements program.
(7) 
Promote public interest in, and understanding of, the Comprehensive Plan and planning.
(8) 
Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals.
(9) 
Hold public meetings and present testimony where necessary as requested by the Board.
(10) 
Require from other departments and agencies of the Township such available information as it relates to the work of the Planning Commission.
(11) 
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make examinations and surveys with the consent of the owner.
(12) 
Prepare and present to the Board a study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources in specific areas within the municipality.
(13) 
Review Chapter 370, Zoning, Chapter 320, Subdivision and Land Development, the Official Map, provisions for planned residential development, and such other ordinances and regulations governing the development of land no less frequently than the Planning Commission shall review the Comprehensive Plan.
(14) 
Do such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the Pennsylvania Municipality Planning Code or the ordinances of the Township.
The Planning Commission may employ administrative and technical services to aid in carrying out the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code either as consultants on particular matters or the regular employees of the Township to aid and assist the Commission.
The Planning Commission may, with the consent of the Board, accept and utilize funds, personnel or other assistance made available by the county, particularly with respect to the County Planning Commission and may enter into agreements or contracts for such work, as approved by the Board with the county, the commonwealth or federal government or any of their agencies, or from private sources.