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]
