[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Lewisburg 8-19-1980
by Ord. No. 80-8. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Borough of Lewisburg hereby creates a Planning Commission and a
Planning Department under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, Act 247 of July 31, 1968, as amended.
[Amended 3-21-1989 by Ord. No. 846]
The Planning Commission shall consist of seven members, all of whom
shall be residents of the Borough of Lewisburg and five of whom shall not
be officers or employees of the Borough. The Borough Council shall appoint
the members of the Planning Commission. All members of the Planning Commission
shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary and
reasonable expenses. The term of office of the members shall be for 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 shall
be reappointed or replaced during any calendar year. Any member may be removed
from office for malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office or for
other just cause by a majority vote of Borough Council taken after the member
has received 15 days' advance notice of the intent to take such a vote and
after a hearing if the member shall request such a hearing in writing. In
the event of vacancies, Borough Council shall appoint a member to fill the
unexpired term.
Borough Council shall appoint a Director of the Planning Department;
provided, however, that neither the Mayor nor any member of Borough Council
shall be eligible to hold such office. The Director shall serve under contract
for the period thereof or, if not under contract, shall hold office until
the first Monday of January of the even-numbered year following his appointment,
or until his successor is appointed and qualified. The Director may be removed
from office for malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office or for
other just cause by a majority vote of Borough Council taken after the Director
has received 15 days' advance notice of the intent to take such a vote and
after a hearing if the Director shall request such a hearing in writing, unless
the Director is under contract, in which case the terms of the contract shall
provide for such removal. In the event of a vacancy, Borough Council shall
appoint a temporary Director to fill the unexpired term. The Director shall
receive such compensation as Borough Council shall deem appropriate.
The Planning Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A.
The Planning Commission shall at the request of Borough
Council have the power and shall be required to:
(1)
Prepare a comprehensive plan for the development of the
Borough as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, and
present it for the consideration of Borough Council; and
(a)
Maintain and keep on file records of its actions, provided
that all records and files of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession
of Borough Council.
B.
The Planning Commission at the request of Borough Council
may:
(1)
Make recommendations to Borough Council concerning the
adoption or amendment of an official map;
(2)
Prepare and present to Borough Council a zoning ordinance,
and make recommendations to Borough Council on proposed amendments to it as
set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code;
(3)
Prepare, recommend, and administer subdivision and land
development, and planned residential development regulations, as set forth
in the Municipalities Planning Code and the ordinances of the Borough;
(4)
Prepare and present to Borough Council a building code
and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments
thereto;
(5)
Do such other act or make such studies as may be necessary
to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, this chapter, or any other ordinance of the Borough;
(6)
Prepare and present to Borough Council an environmental
study;
(7)
Submit to Borough Council a recommended capital improvements
program;
(8)
Promote public interest in, and an understanding of,
the comprehensive plan and planning;
(9)
Make recommendations to governmental, civic, and private
agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such
agencies and individuals;
(10)
Hold public hearings and meetings;
(11)
Require from other departments and agencies of the Borough
such available information as relates to the work of the Planning Commission;
and
(12)
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land
to make examinations and land surveys with the consent of the owner.
C.
The Planning Commission shall prepare a monthly report
of its activities and actions and submit such report to the Director of the
Planning Department.
D.
The Planning Commission shall comply with all provisions
of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.
The Director of the Planning Department shall have the following powers
and duties:
A.
The powers and duties formerly associated with the Administrative
Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, Zoning Officer, and Building Permit Officer;
B.
Administer the Planning Department;
C.
Administer and enforce all Borough Codes and the provisions
of the zoning, subdivision, and building ordinances of the Borough;
D.
Investigate all reported violations of Borough Codes
and the provisions of the zoning, subdivision, and building ordinances of
the Borough, whether reported by the Planning Commission, residents of the
Borough, Borough Council, or any other individual;
E.
Receive and review applications for zoning and building
permits and issue such permits and certificates of occupancy in accordance
with the zoning and building ordinances of the Borough;
F.
Assist the Planning Commission in the preparation and
presentation to Borough Council of a zoning ordinance;
G.
Assist the Planning Commission in the preparation, recommendation,
and administration of subdivision and land development, and planned residential
development regulations, as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code and in the ordinances of the Borough;
H.
Assist the Planning Commission in the preparation and
presentation to Borough Council of a building code and a housing code;
I.
Attend all meetings of Borough Council;
J.
Report to Borough Council each month on the activities
and actions of the Planning Department and the Planning Commission;
K.
Schedule all hearings for the Zoning Hearing Board and
notify the Planning Commission of all such hearings;
L.
Acquire from other departments and agencies of the Borough
such available information as relates to the work of the Planning Department;
and
M.
In the performance of his functions, enter upon any land
to make examinations and inspections with the consent of the owner.
The Planning Commission and the Planning Department may, with the consent
of Borough Council, accept and utilize any funds, personnel, or other assistance
made available by Union County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the Federal
Government, or any of their agencies, or from private sources. Borough 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.
