The Board of Supervisors of Lower Windsor Township hereby signifies
its intention and desire to organize a Planning Commission under the
provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Code, Act 247 of July
31, 1968, as amended.
The Planning Commission shall consist of five members, all of
whom shall be citizens of Lower Windsor Township. The term of office
of the members shall be four years, except that the terms of the members
first appointed shall be so fixed that on a Commission of eight members
or less, no more than two shall be appointed during any future calendar
year. In the event of vacancies, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint
a replacement to fill the unexpired term. Members whose terms have
expired shall hold office until their successors have been appointed.
Each member shall be entitled to one vote.
Members of the Planning Commission should familiarize themselves
with Township ordinances. Members of the Planning Commission should
not consort privately with persons whose interests are affected by
its actions. Members of the Planning Commission should excuse themselves
from deliberation of issues in which they have either a vested financial
interest or a close or seemingly close personal or business relationship.
Members of the Planning Commission may be removed from office
for the following reasons:
A. Malfeasance and misfeasance.
B. Unethical or unlawful conduct or activity.
C. Ignoring provisions of Township ordinances.
E. Failure to attend meetings on a regular basis.
F. Showing bias for or against persons whose interests are affected
by his actions.
The Planning Commission shall at the request of the Board of
Supervisors have the power and shall be required to:
A. Prepare a Comprehensive Plan for the development of the Township
and present it for consideration of the Supervisors.
B. Maintain and keep on file records of its actions. All records and
files of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession of the
Board of Supervisors.
C. Review subdivision and land development plans and submit comments
and recommendations on the plans to the Board of Supervisors.
D. Hold public meetings and hearings.
The Planning Commission at the request of the Board of Supervisors
may:
A. Make recommendations to the governing body concerning the adoption
or amendment of an Official Map.
B. Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a zoning ordinance,
and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on proposed amendments
to it.
C. Prepare and recommend subdivision and land development regulations
and amendments thereto.
D. Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors an environmental
study.
E. Submit to the Board of Supervisors a recommended capital improvements
program.
F. Promote understanding of the Comprehensive Plan and planning.
G. Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies
and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies
and individuals.
H. Require from other departments and agencies of the Township such
available information as relates to the work of the Planning Commission.
I. In the performance of its function enter upon any land to make examinations
and land surveys with the consent of the owner.
J. Give other assistance to the Board as requested.
The Planning Commission may, with the consent of the Board of
Supervisors, accept and utilize any funds, personnel or other assistance
made available by the county, the commonwealth or the federal government,
or any of their agencies, or from private sources. The Planning Commission
may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or
utilization of the funds or assistance in accordance with the governmental
procedures of the Township, with the consent of the Board of Supervisors.
Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings at the meetings
of the Planning Commission. A quorum shall consist of three members
of the Commission. Voting shall be by roll call and a record of the
roll call vote shall be kept as a part of the minutes.
An annual organization meeting shall be held on the date of
the first regular Commission meeting during the month of January to
elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman. The Secretary-Treasurer of the
Board of Supervisors shall serve as the Secretary-Treasurer of the
Planning Commission.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the Planning
Commission. A record shall be kept of those speaking before the Commission.
Notice of the time and place of public hearings shall be published
once a week for two successive weeks in at least one newspaper of
general circulation in the Township not earlier than 30 days and not
less than 14 days from the hearing date.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The names, addresses and terms of office of the initial members
of the Planning Commission are as follows.
All recommendations made by the Planning Commission to the Board
of Supervisors shall be advisory only. No action taken by the Planning
Commission shall be binding on the Board of Supervisors unless ratified
by majority vote of the Board of Supervisors.
All other resolutions and ordinances or parts thereof, inconsistent
herewith, are hereby repealed.