[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
West Whiteland 4-5-1971 by Ord. No. 2-1
(Ch. 1, Part 2, of the 1983 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
All members of the existing West Whiteland Planning Commission appointed
under the provisions of Ordinance Number 2 of June 18, 1956,[1] shall continue in office until the end of the term for which they
were appointed and their successors shall be appointed as provided by this
chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said original Ordinance 2 of June 18, 1956, was repealed
by this Ordinance 2-1 of April 5, 1971.
The West Whiteland 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 citizen members. The remaining
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 compensations 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 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 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 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 Township 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)
Keep 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.
(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:
(1)
Prepare and present an Official Map for consideration
and, after adoption, maintain for the Board the Official Map, and make recommendations
to the Board on proposed changes in such map.
(3)
Administer the Planned Residential Development Regulation.
(4)
Prepare and present to the Board amendments to the Building
Code.
(5)
Prepare and present to the Board a housing code and make
recommendations to the Board on proposed amendments thereto.
(6)
Do such other act 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, 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.
