[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Trafford 10-20-1998 by Ord. No. 667. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction - See Ch. 77.
Subdivision and land development - See Ch. 175.
Zoning - See Ch. 202.
There is hereby created a Borough Planning Commission which shall have all the powers and duties conferred upon it by law and any other powers vested in it by law or ordinance.
The Borough Planning Commission shall consist of five members who will be appointed by the Council and shall serve without compensation, except that they shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying out their Commission duties.
The Borough Planning Commission shall make an annual report to the Borough Council showing its transactions and recommendations. It may employ planning technicians and other persons whose salaries and wages, together with other necessary expenses of the Commission, shall be provided for, at the discretion of the Borough Council, by proper appropriations and resolutions. The Commission may also receive and expend, for the purposes of its planning work, any gifts, grants and appropriations of money from any other source, including commonwealth, federal or local funds, and may contract with governmental or private agencies or individuals with respect thereto.
A. 
The Planning Commission shall, at the request of the Borough Council, have the power and shall be required to:
(1) 
Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the borough, and amendments thereto, as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act No. 247 of 1968, as amended and supplemented,[1] and present such plan and amendments for the consideration of the Borough Council.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
(2) 
Maintain and keep on file records of its action. All records and files of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession of the Borough Council.
B. 
The Planning Commission, at the request of the Borough Council, may:
(1) 
Make recommendations to the Council concerning the adoption or amendment of an official map.
(2) 
Prepare and present to the Council a Zoning Ordinance and make recommendations to the Council on proposed amendments to it, as set forth in said Planning Code.
(3) 
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development and planned residential development regulations, as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(4) 
Prepare and present to the Council 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 said Planning Code.
(6) 
Prepare and present to the Council an environmental study.
(7) 
Submit to the Council a recommended capital improvements program.
(8) 
Promote public interest in and 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.
(12) 
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make examinations and surveys, with the consent of the owner.
C. 
In the performance of its powers and duties, any act or recommendation of the Planning Commission which involves an engineering consideration shall be subject to the review and comment of the Borough Engineer, which comments shall be incorporated and separately set forth in any report, written act or recommendation of the Planning Commission.
[Added 4-15-2008 by Ord. No. 723[1]]
A. 
The members of the Borough of Trafford Planning Commission shall be appointed by the Council of the Borough of Trafford. The terms of each of the members of the Planning Commission shall be for four years or until a successor is appointed and qualified, except that the terms of the members first appointed pursuant to this chapter pursuant to this section shall be as follows:
(1) 
One of the initial members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed for a term of one year.
(2) 
One of the initial members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed for a term of two years.
(3) 
One of the initial members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed for a term of three years.
(4) 
Two of the initial members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed for terms of four years.
B. 
The initial terms of the Planning Commission shall have been deemed to commence beginning the first Monday in January 2008. Following the expiration of the initial term, all subsequent terms shall be for four-year durations beginning on the first Monday in January such that at least one term expires annually.
C. 
To the extent that a vacancy occurs due to resignation, death or otherwise, then the Borough Council shall appoint a qualified resident to the unexpired term.
D. 
To the extent that the Council does not immediately fill an expired term, then the individual whose term has expired shall continue to serve until a replacement is appointed by the Borough Council. Once filled, the new member shall serve for the remainder of the four-year term.
E. 
The Planning Commission may offer recommendations to the Council concerning the appointment, removal, or replacement of any member; however, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to preclude the Borough Council from reorganizing or recomposing any or all of the Planning Commission members at any time, as the Planning Commission serves at the pleasure of the Borough Council.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that to the extent that it conflicts with the provisions of 53 P.S. § 10201, et seq., of the Municipalities Planning Code, the Municipalities Planning Code sections shall be deemed to take precedence over and supersede any conflicting term in the ordinance.