[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Warwick 7-13-1992 by Ord. No. 92-11. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The Board of Supervisors of Warwick Township,
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, hereby signifies its intention and desire
to create and to organize the 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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101
et seq.
B.
The terms of office of the members shall be four years
or until a successor is appointed and qualified, except that the terms
of the members first appointed shall be so fixed that no more than
three members shall be reappointed or replaced during any future calendar
year. The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify
the Board of Supervisors concerning vacancies on the Planning Commission.
C.
In the event that a vacancy shall occur otherwise
than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment by resolution
by the Board of Supervisors for the unexpired term.
D.
Any member of the Planning Commission once qualified
and appointed may be removed from office for malfeasance, misfeasance
or nonfeasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote
of the Board of Supervisors taken after the member has received 15
days' advance written notice of the intent to take such 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.
E.
All members of the Planning Commission shall serve
without compensation, but they may be reimbursed for necessary and
reasonable expenses. Elected or appointed officers or employees of
Warwick Township shall not, by reason of membership on the Planning
Commission, forfeit the right to exercise the powers, perform the
duties or receive the compensations of the municipal offices held
by them during membership on the Planning Commission.
A.
The Planning Commission shall elect its own Chairman
and Vice Chairman, and it may create and fill such other offices as
it may determine. Officers shall serve annual terms and may succeed
themselves.
B.
The Planning Commission may make and alter bylaws
and rules and regulations to govern its procedures, consistent with
the ordinances of Warwick Township and the laws of Pennsylvania.
C.
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 Board of Supervisors. Interim reports
may be so made as often as may be necessary or as requested by the
Board of Supervisors.
A.
The Planning Commission shall at the request of the
Board of Supervisors have the power and shall be required to:
B.
The Planning Commission, at the request of the Board
of Supervisors, may:
(1)
Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning
the adoption or amendment of an Official Map.
(2)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a
Zoning Ordinance and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors
on proposed amendments to it as authorized by the Municipalities Planning
Code.
(3)
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and
land development and planned residential development regulations as
authorized by the Municipalities Planning Code.
(4)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a
Building Code and a Housing Code and make recommendations concerning
proposed amendments thereto.
(5)
Do such other acts or make such studies as may be
necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the Municipalities
Planning Code.
(6)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors an
environmental study.
(7)
Submit to the Board of Supervisors a recommended capital
improvements program.
(8)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a
water survey, which shall be consistent with the state water plan
and any applicable water resources plan adopted by a river basin commission.
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 Warwick
Township 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 Board of Supervisors a
study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable
energy sources in specific areas within Warwick Township.
(16)
Review the Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision and Land
Development Ordinance,[2] the Official Map, provisions for planned residential development
and such other ordinances and regulations governing the development
of land in Warwick Township no less frequently than it reviews the
Warwick Township Comprehensive Plan.
A.
The Board of Supervisors may employ administrative
and technical services as consultants on particular matters or as
regular employees of Warwick Township to aid the Planning Commission
in carrying out its powers and duties.
B.
The Planning Commission may, with the consent of the
Board of Supervisors, accept and utilize any funds, personnel or other
assistance made available by Bucks County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
the United States government or any of their agencies or from private
sources. The Board of Supervisors may enter into agreements or contracts
regarding the acceptance or utilization of such funds or assistance
in accordance with the governmental procedures of Warwick Township.
