There is hereby created and established a West Vincent Environmental
Advisory Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Council").
The Council shall advise the Board of Supervisors, and at the
request of the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, other
committees, commissions, officials, and employees of West Vincent
Township on matters dealing with protection, conservation, management,
and natural resources located within the Township of West Vincent.
The Council shall have the power to:
A. Recommend plans and educational programs, including proposed amendments
to the ordinances of West Vincent Township, for the promotion, conservation,
protection and improvement of the natural and open space resources
of the Township. The Council shall, at the request of the Board of
Supervisors, review, evaluate, and comment on any such programs or
regulations proposed or recommended by other persons or agencies.
B. Compile an inventory of all open space areas, publicly owned land,
including, but not limited to, flood prone areas, lakes and ponds,
wetlands, woodlands, aquifer recharge areas, significant visual resources,
unique geological features and other unique natural areas.
C. Identify important environmental or open space issues requiring analysis
or regulatory action and provide review and comment to the Board of
Supervisors on such issues.
D. Provide review and comment to the Board of Supervisors on natural
resources impacts of subdivision and land development plans, zoning
amendment and conditional use applications, special exception and
variance applications, where appropriate. Specific attention should
be given to environmentally sensitive areas, including but not limited
to flood hazard areas as defined in the Township Zoning Ordinance;
wetlands, groundwater, steep slopes, woodlands, streams, as defined
by the Township. Written notice of the Council's findings and
recommendations shall be sent to the Township Manager, who will forward
comments/recommendations to the Township Planning Commission. If written
notice is not submitted to the Township Manager within or less than
the review periods established for the Township under the appropriate
ordinance and the Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 as amended),
it shall be deemed no review.
The Council shall be composed of seven residents of West Vincent
Township, who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors, which
shall also fill all vacancies. Preferably, members of the Council
should have experience in the areas of environmental science, ecology.
Duly appointed Council members shall serve for a term of three years,
except that initial appointments shall be so staggered that no more
than three of the appointments shall expire each year. One member
may be a member of the Planning Commission to act as a liaison between
the organizations. A member of the Board of Supervisors may serve
as a liaison between the organizations, but shall not be considered
an official member of the Council. A Chairperson, Vice Chairperson,
and Secretary shall be elected by the Council for terms to expire
at the end of the calendar year.
Members shall receive no compensation for their services, but
shall be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred
by them in the performance of their duties.
The Council shall keep records of its meetings and activities
which shall be submitted monthly to the Township Secretary and shall
make an annual report to the Board of Supervisors. The Council shall
be required to hold public meetings, set and advertise agendas, and
record and publish meeting minutes. All public meetings shall be advertised
in accordance with the requirements of the Second Class Code.
The Board of Supervisors may, at a public hearing, remove any
members of the Council from office for reasons such as: inefficiency,
neglect of duty, change of residence, absence, malfeasance in office
or conflict of interest.
The Board of Supervisors may appropriate funds on an annual
basis to support activities of the Council. Expenses incurred by the
Council shall be approved in advance by the Township Manager. Expenses
may include administrative, clerical, printing, professional consulting,
and legal services as may from time to time be required. The Council
submit a detailed written itemized budget proposal to the Board of
Supervisors at least 60 days prior to adoption of the Township's
final budget.
The Council shall endeavor to take advantage of such programs
of assistance to Environmental Advisory Councils, including educational
services, exchange of information, assignment of technical personnel
for natural resources planning assistance and coordination of state
and local conservation activities.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed as abolishing or
limiting any existing municipal agency, board, authority, or commission
even though such agency, board, authority, or commission may have
a responsibility related to the responsibilities delegated to the
Environmental Advisory Council hereunder, but otherwise all other
ordinances and parts of ordinances are repealed insofar as they are
inconsistent herewith.
This article shall become effective five days after its adoption.