[Ord. 1989-1, 1/3/1989; as amended by Ord. 1999-18, 12/16/1999, §§ 39-1, 39-4; and by Ord. 2011-12, 10/6/2011]
1.
Creation; General Responsibilities. There is hereby created a Lower Macungie Township Planning Department. The Department shall be responsible for matters of Township planning, zoning, building construction, and inspections.
2.
General Purposes and Intent. The Planning Department is established to compile comprehensive planning studies, including, but not limited to, a natural resources inventory and subsequent environmental policy analyses; and to permit a significant degree of in-house design overview, and developer guidance, specifically to include the site analysis/development suitability process and subsequent design concept formulation; to provide the Lower Macungie Township's plan reviewing and approving authorities with sufficient information and data to enable the Township officials to better understand, document, protect and legally defend Township policies, including, but not limited to, critical areas, farmland and agricultural preservation, unique ecosystems, endangered wildlife and plant species and their habitats, wetlands, stream corridors, groundwater/aquifer recharge zones as well as other areas displaying significant scenic, historic or amenity values within the Township.
3.
Planning Department Director. For the administration of the Planning Department, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint a Director of Planning, who shall be, in the opinion of the Board of Commissioners, qualified for the duties of that position. The Director of Planning shall be in charge of the administration of the Department and shall exercise the powers and be subject to the duties that are granted or imposed on the Planning Department by this Part.
4.
Duties and Responsibilities. The Lower Macungie Township Planning Department is hereby delegated the following powers, duties, rights and responsibilities:
A.
To maintain and keep on file all official Township records regarding its actions, those of the Lower Macungie Township Zoning Hearing Board, the Township Planning Commission and those of the Board of Commissioners regarding all planning matters, subdivisions and land developments. In addition, the Department shall be responsible for maintaining all official records regarding Township zoning matters, building codes and inspections.
B.
To make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners and Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission concerning the adoption or amendment of the Official Map and Comprehensive Plan, to assure that it is kept current and in keeping with the planning objectives of the Board of Commissioners.
C.
To make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners and the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission on proposed amendments to the Lower Macungie Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27], to assure that the Zoning Ordinance is kept current and in keeping with the planning objectives of the Board of Commissioners.
D.
To prepare, recommend and administer subdivision, land and planned residential or other appropriate development regulations.
E.
To prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners a Building Code and a Housing Code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments thereto.
F.
To do such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by this Part.
G.
To prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners an environmental study or studies and to perform other activities as set forth in Subsection 2, "General Purposes and Intent."
H.
To submit to the Board of Commissioners, on a yearly basis, a recommended capital improvements program.
I.
To promote public interest in and understanding of the comprehensive plan and planning.
J.
To make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners; governmental, civic and private agencies; and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals.
K.
To require from other departments and agencies of Lower Macungie Township such available information as relates to the work of the Planning Department.
L.
To enter upon any land to make examinations and surveys, with the consent of the owner.
M.
To prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners a study regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources in specific areas within Lower Macungie Township.
N.
To receive and review subdivision and land development plans to determine whether or not said plans are sufficiently complete to permit the required review by the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners to begin.
5.
In the performance of its powers and duties, any act or recommendation of the Planning Agency which involves engineering consideration, shall be subject to review and comments of the Township Engineer, whose report shall be incorporated and separately set forth in any report, written act or recommendation of the Planning Department.