[Adopted 8-12-1980 by Ord. No. 80-6 (Ch. 1, Part 2, of the 1995 Code of Ordinances)]
[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)].[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C, regarding the first appointed alternate member, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former §§ 205, Planning Commission Powers and Duties; 206, Planning Department Powers and Duties; and 207, Planning Department Director, added 10-22-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-O-13, which immediately followed this section, were repealed 2-23-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-O-07.