A Planning Commission is hereby created for the Borough of Walnutport,
Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
The Planning Commission created in §
51-1 shall hereinafter be known as the "Borough of Walnutport Planning Commission" (hereinafter referred to in this chapter [§§
51-1 to
51-9] as "Commission").
The Commission shall consist of three members who shall be residents
of the Borough of Walnutport and who shall serve without compensation.
The Council of the Borough of Walnutport may reimburse the Commission
for any necessary and reasonable expenses in carrying out the functions
and purposes of its office.
The names, addresses and terms of first-appointed members of
the Commission are as follows: . . .
The Commission shall elect its own chairman and vice-chairman
and create and fill such other offices as it may determine. Officers
shall serve annual terms and may succeed themselves. The Commission
may make and alter by laws and rules and regulations to govern its
procedures consistent with the ordinances of the municipality and
the laws of the commonwealth. The Commission shall keep a full record
of its business and shall annually make a written report by March
1, of each year of its activities to the governing body. Interim reports
may be made as often as may be necessary, or as requested by the governing
body.
The Commission shall at the request of the Council of the Borough
of Walnutport have the power and shall be required to:
A. Prepare the comprehensive plan for the development of the municipality
as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, and
present it for the consideration of the governing body.
B. Maintain and keep on file records of its action. All records and
files of the Commission shall be in the possession of the governing
body.
The Commission, at the request of the governing body, may:
A. Make recommendations to the governing body concerning the adoption
or amendment of an official map.
B. Prepare and present to the governing body of the municipality a zoning
ordinance, and make recommendations to the governing body on proposed
amendments to it as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code.
C. Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development,
planned residential development regulations, as set forth in the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code.
D. Prepare and present to the governing body of the municipality a building
code and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed
amendments thereto.
E. Do such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill
the duties and obligations imposed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code.
F. Prepare and present to the governing body of the municipality an
environmental study.
G. Submit to the appointing authority of the municipality a recommended
capital improvements program.
H. Prepare
and present to the governing body of the municipality a water survey,
which shall be consistent with the State Water Plan and any applicable
water resources plan adopted by a river basin commission. The water
survey shall be conducted in consultation with any public water supplier
in the area to be surveyed.
I. Promote public interest in, and understanding of, the Comprehensive
Plan and planning.
J. Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies
and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies
and individuals.
K. Hold public hearings and meetings.
L. Present
testimony before any board.
M. Require from other departments and agencies of the municipality such
available information as relates to the work of the Commission.
N. In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make
examinations, or land surveys with the consent of the owner.
O. Prepare
and present to the governing body of the municipality a study regarding
the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources
in specific areas within the municipality.
P. Review the
zoning ordinance, subdivision and land development ordinance, official
map, provisions for planned residential development, and such other
ordinances and regulations governing the development of land no less
frequently than it reviews the comprehensive plan.
In the performance of its powers and duties, any act or recommendation
of the Commission which involves engineering consideration, shall
be subject to review and comments of the Borough Engineer, which shall
be incorporated and separately set forth in any report, written act
or recommendation of the Commission.