[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Indiana 6-8-1971 by Ord. No. 1019 (Ch. I, Part 4, Sec. 51, of the 1971 Code of Ordinances); amended in its entirety 5-6-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-01. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 170.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 405.
Zoning — See Ch. 460.
A Planning Commission consisting of five members is hereby created and established for Indiana Borough, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 201, of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as established by the Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as amended and reenacted.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
The Planning Commission shall be comprised of five members who shall be appointed for terms of office of four years, except that the terms of office for three of the original members shall be fixed at one year, two years and three years, respectively, and the terms of office for two of the original members shall be fixed at four years, to be established on a series of overlapping terms with one term expiring each year, except for one year in which two terms shall expire.
[Amended 12-8-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-06; 2-2-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-01]
The Planning Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
Upon request of Borough Council, review and revise the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the municipality and present it for consideration to Borough Council through the Planning Department.
B. 
Promote public interest in, and understanding of, the Comprehensive Plan and planning.
C. 
Review and make recommendations to the Planning Department to present to Borough Council on any existing zoning or land use regulations.
D. 
Make recommendations to the Borough Council concerning the adoption or amendment of an Official Map.
E. 
Prepare, revise or recommend any other long-range or capital plan to the Planning Department to present to Borough Council.
F. 
Present testimony before any board.
G. 
Prepare agendas and maintain records and minutes of all meetings and present them monthly to Borough Council. All records and files of the planning agency shall be in the possession of the governing body.
H. 
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.
A Planning Department is hereby created and established for Indiana Borough, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 201, of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as established by the Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as amended and reenacted.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[Amended 12-8-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-06]
The Planning Department shall consist of a Director appointed by Borough Council, and upon recommendation of the Borough Manager additional staff positions may be approved by Council.
[Amended 12-8-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-06; 2-2-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-01]
The Planning Department shall perform the duties and responsibilities assigned by Council, including but not limited to:
A. 
Serve as an advisor/consultant to the Planning Commission and provide technical assistance and coordination for review and revision of the Comprehensive Plan.
B. 
Serve as a liaison between Council and the Planning Commission.
C. 
Review plans submitted to the Planning Department and report its recommendations to Borough Council for approval or denial of an application as set forth in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Part II, Chapters 405 and 460 of the Code of the Borough of Indiana] and planned residential development regulations, as required.
D. 
Present plans to committees of Borough Council.
E. 
Advise the Planning Commission of regulation updates.
F. 
Prepare, review or revise an existing zoning or land use regulation, and make recommendations to Borough Council on proposed amendments.
G. 
Maintain an operational schedule that includes regular office hours, the number and times of which to be established in consultation with the Borough Manager or his designee.
H. 
Act as Zoning Officer as described in Chapter 460, Zoning, Article IX, § 460-54 D, E, and F.
I. 
Prepare recommendations for land and real estate development that ensure they are in conformity with the comprehensive plan.
J. 
Regularly attend meetings of the Community Development Committee in order to keep them abreast of planning and development issues.
K. 
Report activities directly to the Borough Manager or his designee and complete planning related tasks and other general tasks as assigned by the Manager.
L. 
Maintain and keep on file records of its action. All records and files of the planning agency shall be in the possession of the governing body.
M. 
Prepare and present to Borough Council an environmental study.
N. 
Promote public interest in, and understanding of, the Comprehensive Plan and planning.
O. 
Present testimony before any board.
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.
The authority for the adoption of these articles is the Borough Code, 53 P.S. § 45101 et seq. and the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.