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Borough of Hellertown, PA
Northampton County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (1) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Hellertown 3-3-1975 by Ord. No. 454. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Construction codes — See Ch. 160.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 390.
Zoning — See Ch. 450.
The creation of the Hellertown Borough Planning Commission is hereby ratified and confirmed.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
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,[1] and present it for the consideration of the Borough Council.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
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.