In accordance with the Municipalities Planning Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania[1] and the ordinances of Haverford Township, there is hereby recognized the existence of the Planning Commission for the following purposes:
A. 
To review and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on all matters affecting physical development and land usage in the Township.
B. 
To promote public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive Plan and all other planning and development as it affects the residents of Haverford Township.
C. 
To hold public meetings to carry out the above purposes.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
A. 
The Planning Commission shall consist of seven members, each of whom shall be a full-time resident and qualified elector of the Township, appointed by the Board of Commissioners. None of the members can be officers or employees of the Township.
B. 
The current members of the Planning Commission shall continue in office until the end of the terms for which they were appointed. At the expiration of the terms of the current members, their succeeding appointees shall be appointed for a term of four years, provided that it is so fixed that the terms of not more than two members shall expire each year.
C. 
Should a vacancy occur, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term.
A. 
The Planning Commission shall exercise those powers and duties pursuant to the Municipalities Planning Code and the ordinances of Haverford Township. As such, the Planning Commission shall act in an advisory nature, except in those instances when, in accordance with applicable law or ordinance, it shall possess the administrative authority to act and make decisions independently of the Board of Commissioners.
B. 
The Board of Commissioners shall not adopt or amend any ordinance concerning those matters as herein stipulated as falling within the purview of the Planning Commission without having first referred the proposal to the Planning Commission for its consideration and recommendations.
C. 
The powers and duties of the Planning Commission shall be to:
(1) 
Review and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners concerning all applications for subdivision and land development. This shall mean that all applications for subdivision or land development shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for its approval. Rejection of such plans by the Planning Commission shall suffice and require no further action on the part of the Board of Commissioners.
(2) 
Review and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners concerning the enactment or amendment of the Comprehensive Plan or of those ordinances regulating zoning and all other regulations for development within the Township.
(3) 
Review and make recommendations to the Township Manager and the Board of Commissioners on capital projects for implementation in the annual capital budget.
(4) 
Perform such other duties and provide such other advice and assistance to the Board of Commissioners, the Township Manager and/or the Director of the Department of Community Development as may be requested and as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by the Municipalities Planning Code and the ordinances of Haverford Township.
(5) 
Utilize the staff services provided by the Director of the Department of Community Development in carrying out the above.
(6) 
Hold public meetings to accomplish those ends as defined above and for the purposes of promoting public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive Plan and planning.
D. 
The Planning Commission shall be entitled to receive notices of all hearings and decisions of the Zoning Hearing Board.