[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Edgmont Township 6-6-1961 by Ord. No. 24; amended in its entirety at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
A Township Planning Commission, composed of five members, is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and shall be known as the "Edgmont Township Planning Commission," as follows:
A. 
The member first appointed shall be for a term of one year.
B. 
The member second appointed shall be for a term of two years.
C. 
The member third appointed shall be for a term of three years.
D. 
The members fourth and fifth appointed shall be for terms of four years.
E. 
Thereafter, the term of each of the members of the Commission shall be for four years, or until his successor is appointed and qualified.
F. 
The Chairperson of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the Board of Supervisors of a vacancy, and such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
G. 
The Board of Supervisors may appoint, by resolution, at least one but no more than three residents to serve as alternate members of the Planning Commission for a term of four years. Alternates shall not serve as a member of the Zoning Hearing Board or as a Zoning Officer and may participate in any proceeding or discussion of the Commission but shall not be entitled to vote unless designated as a voting alternate member.
H. 
The Chairperson of the Planning Commission may designate a voting alternate member to substitute for any absent member or member who has recused or been disqualified to achieve a quorum. Any voting alternate member of the Commission shall continue to serve on the Commission in all proceedings involving the matter or case for which the alternate was initially appointed until the Commission has made a final decision on the matter or case.
The members shall all be residents of the municipality. At least three members shall be citizen members and shall not be officers or employees of the municipality.
Any member of a Planning Commission once qualified may be removed from office for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office, or for other just cause 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.
Members of the Commission may receive compensation, as authorized and fixed by the Board of Supervisors, which shall not exceed the rate of compensation authorized. Members may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses.
The Commission shall elect its own Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary and create and fill such other offices as it may determine. Officers shall serve annual terms and may succeed themselves. The Commission shall keep a full record of its business and shall annually make a written report by March 1 of each year, summarizing its activities, and such additional reports as the governing body may require.
The Planning Commission, at the request of the Board of Supervisors, and only as enumerated in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,[1] shall be required to make such studies, prepare and formulate such plans for the Township as it deems necessary and proper, and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth and shall have the powers as will reasonably enable it to carry out its purpose and promote Township planning.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
The governing body may, at its expense, employ professional consultants and technical services to aid in carrying out the duties of the Commission. The engineer, solicitor, and other technical professionals and specialists appointed by the Board of Supervisors shall serve the Commission as advisors.