The Planning Commission of the Township of Lower Merion is hereby created pursuant to the Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, Article II, Section 201.[1] The Commission shall be composed of seven members, who shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10201.
A. 
The Board shall appoint all members of the Planning Commission.
B. 
The term of each of the members of the Commission shall be for four years or until his successor is appointed and qualified, except that the terms of the members first appointed pursuant to this chapter shall be so fixed that no more than two shall be reappointed or replaced during any future calendar year.
C. 
The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the Board concerning vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Board.
The members of the existing Township Planning Commission, which was established under former laws, shall continue in office until the end of the terms for which they are appointed. Their successors shall be appointed as provided by this article. If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term, according to the provisions of this article.
All of the members of the Planning Commission shall be residents of the Township. An officer or employee of the Township may be a member of the Planning Commission, but at least five of the seven members of the Commission shall be citizen members.
Any member of a 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, 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 be only for the unexpired term.
A. 
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.
B. 
The Commission may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations to govern its procedures consistent with the ordinances of the Township and the laws of the commonwealth.
C. 
The Commission shall keep a full record of its business and shall annually, by March 1 of each year, make a written report of its activities to the Board. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary or as requested by the Board.
The Commission:
A. 
Shall, upon the request of the Board, revise the Comprehensive Plan, and may from time to time submit amendments to the Comprehensive Plan.
B. 
Shall review all subdivision and land development plans and submit its recommendations thereon to the Board.
C. 
Shall review such proposed amendments to Chapter 135, Subdivision and Land Development, Chapter 155, Zoning, and Chapter 121, Stormwater Management and Erosion Control, as may be referred to it by the Board or any of its committees and may recommend amendments to any of such ordinances on its own motion.
D. 
Shall review the Capital Improvement Program and submit its recommendations thereon.
E. 
Shall review all plans for the location, demolition, removal or sale of any school district structure or land.
F. 
May make recommendations to the Board concerning land development policies and their implementation.
G. 
Shall promote the preservation of the natural environment of the Township, including adherence to and enforcement of any conservation agreements which are in existence, such as the Mill Creek Valley Conservation Agreement.
H. 
Shall hold public meetings and may hold public hearings on the Capital Improvement Program and on other matters before the Commission.
I. 
Shall, at the request of the Board, prepare and present recommendations for proposed amendments to the Official Map of the Township of Lower Merion for consideration by the Board and shall maintain the Official Map for the Board.
[Added 4-25-2012 by Ord. No. 3972]
J. 
Shall, at the request of the Board, review the status of new development in the City Avenue District and make recommendations for revisions and subsequent consideration and adoption by the Board of Commissioners.
[Added 4-25-2012 by Ord. No. 3972]