[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Cecil as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 210.
Zoning — See Ch. 240.
[Adopted 5-17-2000 as § 302 of Ord. No. 5-00]
The membership of the Commission shall consist of five residents of the Township appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Their terms of office shall be for four years and shall be so fixed that no more than two members shall be reappointed or replaced during any calendar year. Vacancies may be filled only for the unexpired term.
Planning Commission members may be removed from office upon failure to attend more than three advertised meetings during the course of any twelve-month period; for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office; or for other just cause. The removal shall be by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors taken after the member has received 15 days' advance notice of the intent to take such a vote. A hearing shall be held in connection with the vote if the member shall request it in writing.
The Commission shall elect its own Chairman and Vice Chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine necessary. Officers shall serve annual terms and may succeed themselves. The Commission may make and alter bylaws and regulations to govern its procedures consistent with Township ordinances and the laws of the commonwealth. The Commission shall keep a full record of its business and shall annually provide a written report of its activities to the Board of Supervisors by March 1. Details of required conduct of business are included in the Cecil Township Planning Commission Rules of Procedure.
The powers and duties of the Planning Commission shall include those required or allowed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,[1] including those outlined below:
A. 
Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the municipality and present it for the consideration of the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Maintain and keep on file records of its actions, such records to be kept in the possession of the Board of Supervisors.
C. 
Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning the adoption or amendment of an Official Map.
D. 
Provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning proposed amendments to the Township's land development ordinances.
E. 
Prepare, recommend, and administer regulations for planned residential developments and subdivision and land developments.
F. 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a recommended building code and housing code and provide recommendations concerning proposed amendments.
G. 
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a recommended capital improvements program.
H. 
Review and provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning any subdivision, land development and application for rezoning or conditional use.
I. 
Hold public hearings and meetings.
J. 
Promote public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive Plan and planning.
K. 
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.
L. 
Review and provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on all site plans submitted for the erection of a building, structural alterations to a building, or change in use of a building for all land uses except single-family dwellings, their accessory structures, and signs.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[Adopted 5-17-2000 by Ord. No. 5-00]
There is hereby established a Department of Planning in the Township of Cecil, which shall have all the powers and duties conferred upon it by law and any other powers vested in it by law or ordinance. Authority is granted by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[1] for the appointment by the Board of Supervisors of a Director of Planning, who shall be charged with administration of the Department and who shall have those duties specifically conferred by this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
The duties of the Director of Planning are set forth as follows:
A. 
Recommend governmental measures affecting land use, public utilities, community facilities, housing, transportation, and such studies authorized by the Municipalities Planning Code to control and guide community development and renewal.
B. 
Direct the preparation and updating of the Township Comprehensive Plan and all ordinances enforced by the Township, as well as other functions of a planning department outlined in the MPC that may be assigned by the Township Supervisors.
C. 
Prepare proposed amendments to the Township's land development ordinances at the request of the Township Supervisors or upon recommendation from the Planning Commission.
D. 
Provide recommendations to decisionmaking bodies on requests for rezoning and applications for subdivision approval, land developments, conditional uses, special exceptions, temporary uses, and variances.
E. 
Conduct reviews of all site plans, referring said plans to the Township Engineer when deemed necessary, and provide recommendations to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
F. 
Provide technical and staff review assistance to the Township Planning Commission, any existing advisory planning councils, Zoning Hearing Board, and Board of Supervisors.
G. 
Meet with prospective applicants regarding application content and procedures for review.
H. 
Monitor development trends in the Township and maintain computerized recordkeeping and GIS systems.
I. 
Coordinate long-range planning activities.
J. 
Coordinate grant applications.
K. 
Assemble data for preparation and updating of the Capital Improvements Program.
L. 
Coordinate with federal, state and county agencies regarding Township development activities.
M. 
Monitor expiration of subdivision and land development approvals and expiration of performance bonds posted for approved plans.
N. 
Prepare annual report of building permit trends and Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board activities for submission to the Board of Supervisors.
O. 
Provide assistance to the Building Code Official in the administration of zoning regulations.
P. 
Attend meetings of the Planning Commission, Advisory Planning Council, Zoning Hearing Board, and Board of Supervisors.
Q. 
Keep the Township fee schedule current with costs incurred by the Township and receive all required zoning and subdivision fees.
R. 
Supervise the updating of Township maps.
S. 
Keep a record of all correspondence, reports, plans and documents concerning each development application to the Township.
The jurisdiction and authority of the Director of Planning may be delegated to his or her designee except as prohibited by law.