[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Tredyffrin 2-8-1988 by Ord. No. HR-115 (Ch. I, Art. 1, § 105, of the 1979 General Laws of the Municipality of Tredyffrin.) Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Planning Commission — See Ch. 43.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 181.
Zoning — See Ch. 208.
[Amended 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. HR-323]
An advisory council, to be known as the "Tredyffrin Township Environmental Advisory Council," pursuant to and as authorized by the Act of December 19, 1996, No. 177, 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 2321 et seq., is hereby created and shall continue to function until this section is revoked.
[Amended 2-27-1989 by Ord. No. HR-123A; 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. HR-323; 10-19-2020 by Ord. No. HR-440]
A. 
Membership. The Council shall be seven members, all appointed by the Board of Supervisors which shall also fill all vacancies. At least one member shall have experience or training in the area of the environmental sciences. The Board of Supervisors shall annually designate the chairperson of the Environmental Advisory Council. A Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall be elected by the Council for terms to expire at the end of the calendar year. In addition, the Planning Commission and the Park and Recreation Board shall appoint liaisons.
B. 
Associate membership. An associate member of the Environmental Advisory Council shall be a resident of the Township of Tredyffrin. The Council shall have an unlimited number of associate members. Associate members shall be nonvoting members of the Council. Associate members shall be nominated and appointed by a majority vote of the Council.
[Amended 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. HR-323; 10-19-2020 by Ord. No. HR-440]
In accordance with Act 177, the length of term for serving on the Council shall be three years. The length of term for serving as an associate member on the Council shall be one year. Associate members shall be reappointed at the first Council meeting of a new calendar year.
The Township Zoning Officer shall provide the Council with notice concerning communications with or activities in the township which concern or might reasonably affect the environment.
[Amended 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. HR-323]
A. 
Advisory responsibility. The Council shall act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission and the Park and Recreation Board and at specific request of the Board of Supervisors shall advise other governmental agencies, officials and employees of Tredyffrin Township on matters dealing with protection, promotion, conservation, management and use of natural resources, including air, land and water resources.
B. 
Inventory. The Council shall keep an inventory of all open areas and environmentally sensitive areas, publicly or privately owned, including but not limited to flood-prone areas, lakes and ponds, wetlands, woodlands, streams, unique geological features and other unique natural areas, for the purposes of establishing open space preservation priorities, identifying appropriate land management and use plans and identifying existing or potential conflicts between such open areas and adjacent land uses, existing or proposed.
C. 
Draft/monitor environmental ordinance. The Council will prepare and monitor the performance standards in the Zoning Ordinance[1] for the protection of sensitive lands and natural features.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 208, Zoning.
D. 
Discretionary review. When requested by Township staff, the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors, or upon its own initiative, the Council shall review, evaluate and prepare written reports on rezoning, subdivision and land development applications involving lands located in or affecting environmentally sensitive areas, including but not limited to flood hazard districts as defined in the Township Flood Hazard District Ordinance,[2] and wetlands, groundwater, recharge areas, steep slopes, woodlands, streams and carbonate areas as defined in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.[3]
[2]
Editor's Note: See Art. V of Ch. 208, Zoning.
[3]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 181, Subdivision and Land Development.
E. 
Promotion/conservation of natural resources. The Council may, at its discretion, recommend plans and programs, including proposed amendments to the general laws of the Township of Tredyffrin, for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources of the Township. The Council shall, at the request of the Board of Supervisors or Planning Commission, review, evaluate and comment on any such program or regulations proposed or recommended by other persons or agencies.
F. 
Acquisition of sensitive lands. The Council shall advise the appropriate boards, agencies and officials of the Township on the acquisition of property, both real and personal, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease in matters dealing with environmental issues.
G. 
Environmental education. The Council may sponsor environmental education and coordinate environmental projects for the promotion and conservation of natural resources for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment in the Township.
Members of the Environmental Advisory Council shall receive no compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties, with prior township approval. The Council may not contract independently for professional services but shall have access to professional services through the township.
The Environmental Advisory Council may explore sources of funding, including but not limited to gifts and grants. The Council shall consult with the Township Solicitor and Township Manager regarding the legal implications connected with receiving funding from sources other than the township. The Township Manager shall refer all such inquiries to the Board of Supervisors.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep records of its meetings and activities. The Council shall make an annual report to the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission. Copies of said records and reports shall be maintained in the offices of the township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 16-9, Validity, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. HR-323.