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.