The Zoning Officer, who shall be appointed by
the governing body, shall:
A. Administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter
in accordance with its literal terms and shall not have the power
to permit any construction or any use or change of use which does
not conform to this chapter.
B. Issue zoning permits and building permits.
C. Maintain a permanent file of all zoning permits and
applications as public records.
The governing body may amend this chapter as
proposed by a member of the governing body, by the Planning Commission
or by a petition of a person residing or owning property within the
municipality in accordance with the following provisions:
A. Petitions for amendment shall be filed with the Planning
Commission, and the petitioner, upon such filing, shall pay an advertising
deposit and a filing fee in accordance with a schedule annually affixed
by resolution. The Planning Commission shall review the proposed amendment
and report its findings and recommendations in writing to the governing
body and to the petitioner. The proposed amendment shall be introduced
before the governing body only if a member of the governing body elects
to do so. If an amendment proposed by petition is not introduced,
the advertising deposit shall be refunded to the petitioner; otherwise,
such deposit shall be paid to the municipality.
B. Any proposed amendment introduced by a member of the
governing body without written findings and recommendations from the
Planning Commission shall be referred to the Planning Commission for
review at least 30 days prior to public hearing by the municipality.
C. Before voting on the enactment of an amendment the
governing body shall hold a public hearing thereon pursuant to public
notice. If, after any public hearing held upon an amendment, the proposed
amendment is revised or further revised to include land previously
not affected by it, the governing body shall hold another public hearing
pursuant to public notice, before proceeding to vote on the amendment.
D. Procedure upon curative amendments. A landowner who
desires to challenge on substantive grounds the validity of an ordinance
or map, or any provision thereof, which prohibits or restricts the
use or development of land in which he has an interest may submit
a curative amendment to the governing body with a written request
that his challenge and proposed amendment be heard and decided as
approved in Section 916.1 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code. The governing body shall commence a hearing thereon within
60 days of the request as provided in Section 916.1 of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code. The curative amendment shall be referred
to the planning agency or agencies as provided in Section 609 of the
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and notice of the hearing
thereon shall be given as provided in Section 610 of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code and Section 916.1 of the said Code. The hearing shall
be conducted in accordance with Subsections (4) to (8) of Section
908 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and all
references therein to the Zoning Hearing Board shall, for purposes
of this section, be references to the governing body.
In accordance with law, the governing body shall
appoint and organize a Zoning Hearing Board, which Board shall adopt
rules to govern its procedure. The Board shall hold meetings, keep
minutes, and, pursuant to notice, shall conduct hearings, compel the
attendance of witnesses, take testimony under oath, and render decisions
in writing, all as required by law. A fee shall be charged in accordance
with a schedule annually affixed by resolution for any appeal or proceeding
filed with the Zoning Hearing Board. The Hearing Board shall have
the functions, powers and obligations specifically granted by law.