The creation of the Hellertown Borough Planning Commission is
hereby ratified and confirmed.
The Planning Commission heretofore created, ratified and confirmed
shall hereinafter be known as "Borough of Hellertown Planning Commission"
(hereinafter referred to in this chapter as the "Commission").
[Amended 2-6-1984 by Ord. No. 527; 11-6-2006 by Ord. No. 702; 2-6-2012 by Ord. No. 767]
The Commission shall consist of seven members, who shall be
residents of the Borough of Hellertown and who shall serve without
compensation. Two members may be appointed from Borough Council. In
the event that a Borough Council appointee shall no longer serve the
Council, that person shall be deemed to have resigned, and Borough
Council shall appoint another person to fill the unexpired term. At
least five members shall be designated as citizen members, who shall
not be officers or employees of the Borough.
The Council of the Borough of Hellertown may reimburse the Commission
for any necessary and reasonable expenses in carrying out the functions
and purposes of its office.
The present members of the Commission shall continue to serve
as members of the Commission; however, the term of each of the members
of the Commission shall be four years and no more than two shall be
reappointed or replaced during any future calendar year.
The Commission shall elect from its own a 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 bylaws and rules and regulations to
govern its procedures consistent with the ordinances of the Borough
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 Borough Council. Interim
reports may be made as often as may be necessary or as requested by
the Borough Council.
The Commission shall, at the request of the Council of the Borough
of Hellertown, have the power and shall be required to:
A. Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the Borough
as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, and present it for the consideration of the Borough Council.
B. Maintain and keep on file records of its action. All records and
files of the Commission shall be in the possession of the Borough
Council.
The Commission, at the request of the Borough Council, may:
A. Make recommendations to the Borough Council concerning the adoption
or amendment of an official map.
B. Prepare and present to the Borough Council of the Borough a Zoning Ordinance (Chapter
450) and make recommendations to the Borough Council on proposed amendments to it as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
C. Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land development (Chapter
390) and planned residential development regulations as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
D. Prepare and present to the Borough Council of the Borough a Building Code (Chapter
160) and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments thereto.
E. 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.
F. Prepare and present to the Borough Council of the Borough an environmental
study.
G. Submit to the appointing authority of the Borough a recommended capital
improvements program.
H. Promote public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive
Plan and planning.
I. Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies
and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies
and individuals.
J. Hold public hearings and meetings.
K. Require from other departments and agencies of the Borough such available
information as relates to the work of the Commission.
L. In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make
examinations and land surveys with the consent of the owner.
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.