[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of New Salem 8-8-1978 by Ord. No. 2-1978. Amended in its entirety
at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The Council of the Borough of New Salem, of
York County, Pennsylvania, hereby signifies its intentions and desires
to organize a Planning Commission under the provisions of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of July 31, 1968, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
Members of the Planning Commission shall be
appointed by the Borough Council. The Planning Commission shall consist
of five members, all of whom shall be residents of the Borough of
New Salem, York County, Pennsylvania, and at least three of whom shall
be citizen members who shall not be officers or employees of said
Borough. At all times one of the members of the Planning Commission
shall also be a member of the Council of the Borough of New Salem.
The term of office of the members shall be four years or until a successor
is appointed and qualified, except that the term of the members first
appointed shall be so fixed that no more than two shall be reappointed
or replaced during any future calendar year. In the event of vacancies,
the governing body shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term.
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 governing
body 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.
The Planning 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 Planning
Commission may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations to
govern its procedures consistent with the ordinances of the Borough
of New Salem and the laws of the commonwealth. The Planning Commission
shall keep a full record of its business and shall annually make a
written report by March 1 of each year of its activities to the Borough
Council. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary,
or as requested by the Borough Council.
A.
The Planning Commission shall at the request of the
governing body have the power and shall be required to:
(1)
Prepare the comprehensive plan for the development
of the municipality as set forth in this act, and present it for consideration
of the governing body.
(2)
Maintain and keep on file records of its actions.
All records and files of the Planning Commission shall be in the possession
of the governing body.
B.
The Planning Commission at the request of the governing
body may:
(1)
Make recommendations to the governing body concerning
the adoption or amendment of an official map.
(2)
Prepare and present to the governing body of the municipality
a zoning ordinance, and make recommendations to the governing body
on proposed amendments to it as set forth in this act.
(3)
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and
land development, and planned residential development regulations,
as set forth in this act.
(4)
Prepare and present to the governing body of the municipality
a building code and a housing code and make recommendations concerning
proposed amendments thereto.
(5)
Do such other act or make such studies as may be necessary
to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by this act.
(6)
Prepare and present to the governing body of the municipality
an environmental study.
(7)
Submit to the governing body of a municipality a recommended
capital improvement program.
(8)
Prepare
and present to the governing body of the municipality a water survey,
which shall be consistent with the State Water Plan and any applicable
water resources plan adopted by a 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
municipality such available information as relates to the work of
the planning agency.
(14)
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any
land to make examinations and land surveys with the consent of the
owner.
(15)
Prepare
and present to the governing body of the municipality a study regarding
the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources
in specific areas within the municipality.
(16)
Review
the zoning ordinance, subdivision and land development ordinance,
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 Planning Commission may, with the consent
of the governing body, accept and utilize any funds, personnel or
other assistance made available by the county, the commonwealth or
the federal government, or any of their agencies, or from private
sources. The governing body may enter into agreements or contracts
regarding the acceptance or utilization of the funds or assistance
in accordance with the governmental procedures of the municipality.
