The planning department of the township shall be under the direction
of a qualified planner. He shall be appointed by the township manager
with the approval of the Council and shall study and make recommendations
on the physical development of the township, the adoption, revision,
or implementation of the comprehensive plan, and the preparation and
revision of the capital budget. He shall provide staff assistance
and advice to the township planning commission in carrying out its
responsibilities. He may also serve as assistant township manager
or fill any other position if at any time the planning functions do
not require his full time.
There shall be a township planning commission of five members
appointed by the Council to four-year staggered terms. Members of
the commission shall be chosen from among the qualified voters of
the township and shall hold no other township office. The commission
may make recommendations to the township manager and the Council in
all matters affecting the physical development of the township, shall
be consulted on the comprehensive plan and its implementation, and
shall exercise all other responsibilities as may be provided by general
law or by ordinance.
The Council shall adopt and, from time to time, may modify a
comprehensive plan setting forth in graphic and textual form policies
to govern the future physical development of the township. The comprehensive
plan shall serve as a guide to all future Council action concerning
land use and development regulations, urban renewal programs, and
expenditures for capital improvements.
The Council shall refer a proposed comprehensive plan or modification
of the existing plan, as prepared by the planner, to the township
planning commission for its recommendations. Following receipt of
the recommendations of the planning commission, the Council shall
hold a public hearing and shall thereafter adopt, modify or reject
the recommendations.
A.
Land use and development regulations. The Council may by ordinance
adopt land use and development regulations, including but not limited
to, an Official Map and zoning and subdivision regulations.
B.
Urban development. The Council may by ordinance provide for conservation,
rehabilitation, and other programs for the achievement of the most
appropriate use of land and for the alleviation or prevention of slums,
obsolescence, blight and other conditions of deterioration.
C.
Council action. Before acting on any proposed ordinance concerning
land use and development regulations, urban renewal or expenditures
for capital improvements, where such ordinance refers to a matter
covered by the comprehensive plan, the Council shall refer the matter
to the planning commission, which shall within a time specified by
Council and prior to the public hearing on the proposed ordinance
report its recommendations thereon. Upon adopting such ordinance,
the Council shall report on the relationship between the ordinance
and the comprehensive plan; in the event the ordinance does not accord
with the comprehensive plan, the plan shall be deemed to have been
amended by the adoption of the ordinance.
The Council shall by ordinance establish a zoning hearing board
and shall provide standards and procedures for the board to hear and
determine appeals from administrative decisions, which would prevent
the reasonable use of land, and such other matters as may be required
by Council or by law.
Unless otherwise provided by ordinance, the procedures specified
in the laws of the Commonwealth governing planning, zoning, and land
use control, as amended from time to time, shall be applicable to
all matters before the Council, planning commission, and zoning hearing
board.
