[Ord. 105, 4/13/1976; as revised by Ord. 374, 1/10/1989]
There shall be in and for the Township of Ferguson a Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to the Municipalities Planning Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 105, 4/13/1976; as revised by Ord. 374, 1/10/1989]
The powers and duties of the Zoning Hearing Board shall be only as prescribed in Article IX of the Municipalities Planning Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 105, 4/13/1976; as revised by Ord. 374, 1/10/1989]
The Zoning Hearing Board may, within the limit of funds appropriated by the Board of Supervisors, employ or contract for secretaries, clerks, legal counsel other than the Township Attorney, consultants, and other technical and clerical services subject to the Township Manager's approval.
[Ord. 397, 6/27/1989, § 1; as amended by Ord. 820, 12/8/2003]
1. 
The Zoning Hearing Board shall consist of five members, each of whom shall be full-time residents and qualified electors of the Township. Each of the three wards of the Township shall be represented by at least one resident member so that at the time when the Board of Supervisors considers an appointment, if the currently serving members of the Zoning Hearing Board are from only two wards, then the member to be appointed must be from the unrepresented ward; provided, however, in the event that there shall not be a person who resides in the unrepresented ward who is willing to serve, then after a period of 60 days, the Board of Supervisors may appoint a person from a ward other than the unrepresented ward.
2. 
Each member of the Zoning Hearing Board shall be appointed for a term of five years.
3. 
The term of one member shall expire each year.
4. 
Should a vacancy occur, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy only for the unexpired portion of the term. Such appointment shall be made within a period of 60 days after the vacancy occurs.
5. 
The Board of Supervisors may appoint by resolution at least one but no more than three residents of the Township to serve as alternate members of the Zoning Hearing Board. The term of office of an alternate member shall be three years. When seated pursuant to the provisions of § 906 of the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10906, an alternate shall be entitled to participate in all proceedings and discussions of the Board to the same and full extent as provided by law for Board members, including specifically the right to cast a vote as a voting member during the proceedings, and shall have all the powers and duties set forth in the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., and as otherwise provided by law. Alternates shall hold no other office in the Township, including membership on the Planning Commission and Zoning Officer. Any alternate may participate in any proceeding or discussion of the Board but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the Board nor be compensated pursuant to § 907 of the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10907, unless designated as a voting alternate pursuant to § 906, 53 P.S. § 10906.