[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. 03-2]
A Township Planning Commission to be composed of seven members
is hereby created and established in the Township of Warrington, Bucks
County, Pennsylvania, in accordance with Act No. 247 of 1968, known
as the "Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code," 53 P.S. § 10101,
as amended.
The term of each member of the Planning Commission shall be
for four years or until his successor is appointed and qualified,
provided that the members of the Planning Commission as it exists
at the time of the adoption of this article shall continue as the
members of the Planning Commission established by this article. Subsequent
terms of the office shall be arranged so that no more than two members
shall be reappointed or replaced during any future calendar year.
[Added 4-12-2016 by Res.
No. 2016-R-27; amended 5-24-2016 by Res. No. 2016-R-37]
A. The
Board of Supervisors of Warrington Township may appoint by resolution
at least one but not more than three residents of the municipality
to serve as alternate members of the Warrington Township Planning
Commission.
B. Alternate
members shall perform those duties provided pursuant to Section 203(e)
of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code [53 P.S. § 10203(e)].
The Commission shall elect its own Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
and shall create and fill such other offices as it may determine.
Officers shall serve annual terms and may succeed themselves. The
Commission may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations to
govern its procedures, consistent with the ordinances of Warrington
Township and the laws of Pennsylvania. The Commission shall keep a
full record of its business and shall annually make a written report,
by March 1 of each year, of its activities to the Board of Supervisors.
Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary or as requested
by the Board of Supervisors.
[Added 10-22-2013 by Ord.
No. 2013-O-13; amended 2-23-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-O-07]
The Planning Commission shall have the following powers and
duties:
A. Prepare
the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the municipality and
present it for the consideration of the governing body.
B. Maintain
and keep on file records of its action. All records and files of the
planning agency shall be in the possession of the governing body.
C. Make
recommendations to the governing body concerning the adoption or amendment
of an official map.
D. Prepare
and present to the governing body of the municipality a zoning ordinance,
and make recommendations to the governing body on proposed amendments
to it as set forth in this act.
E. Prepare,
recommend and administer subdivision and land development and planned
residential development regulations.
F. Prepare
and present to the governing body of the municipality a building code
and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments
thereto.
G. Do
such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary to fulfill
the duties and obligations imposed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code.
H. Prepare
and present to the governing body of the municipality an environmental
study.
I. Submit
to the governing body of a municipality a recommended capital improvements
program.
J. Prepare
and present to the governing body of the municipality a water survey,
which shall be consistent with the State Water Plan and any applicable
water resources plan adopted by a river basin commission. The water
survey shall be conducted in consultation with any public water supplier
in the area to be surveyed.
K. Promote
public interest in, and understanding of, the Comprehensive Plan and
planning.
L. Make
recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies and individuals
as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals.
M. Hold
public hearings and meetings.
N. Present
testimony before any board.
O. Require
from other departments and agencies of the municipality such available
information as relates to the work of the Planning Commission.
P. In
the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make examinations
and surveys with the consent of the owner.
Q. Prepare
and present to the governing body of the municipality a study regarding
the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources
in specific areas within the municipality.
R. 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.
[Added 8-12-1980 by Ord.
No. 80-6; amended 10-22-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-O-13; 2-23-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-O-07]
The functions and operations of the Planning Commission as herein
described shall be governed by the appropriate provisions of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code.