A Township Planning Commission is hereby created for Springettsbury
Township which shall have five members who shall serve without compensation.
The Board of Supervisors may, by resolution, provide for reimbursement of
reasonable and necessary expenses for Planning Commission members.
Each member of the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the Board
of Supervisors of Springettsbury Township for a term of four years or until
his/her successor is appointed and qualified. The Chairman of the Planning
Commission shall promptly notify the Board of Supervisors of Springettsbury
Township of any vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancy shall be filled
for the unexpired term by said Board of Supervisors.
All of the members of the Planning Commission shall be residents of
Springettsbury Township, York County, Pennsylvania. At least three of said
members shall be citizen members who shall not be officers or employees of
Springettsbury Township.
Any member of the Planning Commission, once qualified and appointed,
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
aforesaid taken after the member has received 15 days' advance notice of the
intent to take such a vote. A hearing shall be held in connection with the
vote if the member shall request it, in writing. Any appointment to fill a
vacancy created by removal shall only be for the unexpired term.
The Commission shall elect its own Chairman and Vice Chairman and 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 Springettsbury Township and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Commission shall keep a full record of its business and shall annually
make a written report by April 1 of each year of its activities to said Board
of Supervisors. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary or
as requested by the Board of Supervisors.
The Planning Commission shall perform all the duties and may exercise
all the powers conferred upon it by ordinances and the laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania or as requested by the Board of Supervisors of Springettsbury
Township.
A. The Planning Commission shall at the request of the Board
of Supervisors have the power and shall be required to:
(1) Prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of
the Township as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code
and present it for the consideration of the Board of Supervisors.
(2) Maintain and keep on file records of its action. All
records and files of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession of
the Board of Supervisors.
B. The Planning Commission, at the request of the Board
of Supervisors, may:
(1) Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning
the adoption or amendment of an official map.
(2) Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a zoning
ordinance and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on proposed
amendments to it as set forth in this chapter.
(3) Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land
development and planned residential development regulations, as set forth
in this chapter.
(4) Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a building
code and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments
thereto.
(5) Do such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary
to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by this chapter.
(6) Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors of the
Township an environmental study.
(7) Submit to the Board of Supervisors a recommended capital
improvements program.
(8) Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a water
survey, which shall be consistent with the State Water Plan and any applicable
water resources plan adopted by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. The
water survey shall be conducted in consultation with any public water supplier
in the area to be surveyed.
(9) Promote public interest in, and understanding of, the
Comprehensive Plan and planning.
(10) Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private
agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such
agencies and individuals.
(11) Hold public hearings and meetings.
(12) Present testimony before any Board.
(13) Require from other departments and agencies of the Township
such available information as it relates to the work of the Planning Commission.
(14) In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land
to make examinations and surveys with the consent of the owner.
(15) Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a study
regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources
in specific areas within the Township.
(16) Review Chapter
325, Zoning, Chapter
289, Subdivision and Land Development, the 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.
The Board of Supervisors may employ administrative and technical services
to aid in carrying out the provisions of this chapter and the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code, either as consultants on particular matters
or as regular employees of the Township.
The Planning Commission may, with the consent of said Board of Supervisors,
accept and utilize any funds, personnel or other assistance made available
by York County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the federal government
or any of their agencies or from private sources. The Board of Supervisors
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.