[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Lehighton as Ch. 30 of the 1975 Code. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
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.
[Amended 7-25-2011 by Ord. No. 596-2011]
The Borough Planning Commission shall consist
of seven members who shall be appointed by the Council. Members of
the Planning Commission shall receive such compensation as established
by resolution of the Borough Council. Planning Commission members
shall be reimbursed the 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 gift, 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 engineering
consideration shall be subject to review and comments of the Borough
Engineer, which comments shall be incorporated and separately set
forth in any report, written act or recommendation of the Planning
Commission.
