Township of North Codorus, PA Chapter 37 Planning Commission

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of North Codorus 6-16-1993 by Ord. No. 127-06-93. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 165.

§ 37-1 Name.

The name of this organization shall be the "North Codorus Township Planning Commission."

§ 37-2 Authorization.

The authorization for the establishment of the Planning Commission is set forth under Section 201 et seq. of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and amendments and supplements thereto.[1] Certain powers and duties are hereby delegated to the Planning Commission by the Township Board of Supervisors of North Codorus Township by this chapter, which supersedes prior Ordinance No. 9, enacted April 10, 1964, in accordance with the above-mentioned enabling law and its predecessor.

[1] Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10201 et seq.

§ 37-3 Membership and terms; compensation; vacancies.

A. Membership shall consist of five persons to be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. At least three members shall be citizen members who are not officers or employees of the Township. The term of each of the members of the Commission shall be four years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term. No more than two members shall be reappointed or replaced during any calendar year. All members of the said Commission shall reside within the Township. Each member shall be entitled to one vote.

B. Except for elected or appointed officers or employees of the Township, members of the Commission may receive compensation in an amount fixed by the Board of Supervisors. Compensation shall not exceed the rate of compensation authorized to be paid to members of the Board of Supervisors. Without exception, members of the Planning Commission may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses. However, elected or appointed officers or employees of the municipality shall not, by reason of membership thereon, forfeit the right to exercise the powers, perform the duties or receive the compensations of the municipal offices held by them during such membership.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

C. The Chairman of the Commission shall promptly notify the Board of Supervisors concerning vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term. If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.

§ 37-4 Officers.

A. The officers of the Planning Commission shall consist of a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary.

B. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the Planning Commission and shall have the duties normally conferred by parliamentary usage on such officers.

C. The Vice Chairman shall act for the Chairman in his absence.

D. The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the Commission and, with the assistance of such staff as is available, shall prepare the agenda of regular and special meetings under the direction of the Chairman, provide notice of all meetings to Commission members, arrange proper and legal notice of all meetings and hearings, attend to correspondence of the Commission and such other duties as are normally carried out by a Secretary.

§ 37-5 Election of officers.

A. An annual organizational meeting shall be held on the third Tuesday of January.

B. Nominations shall be made at the annual organizational meeting, and the election of the officers specified in § 37-4A shall follow immediately thereafter.

C. A candidate receiving a majority vote of the entire membership of the Planning Commission shall be declared elected and shall serve for one year or until his successor shall take office. Officers may succeed themselves in office.

D. Vacancies in office shall be filled immediately by regular election procedure.

§ 37-6 Meetings.

A. Meetings shall be held monthly on such dates and times as determined and advertised annually for each calendar year. In the event of conflict with holidays or other events, a majority at any meeting may change the date of said meeting, provided that the new date of said meeting is duly advertised.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

B. A quorum shall consist of three members of the Commission. The number of votes necessary to transact business shall be a majority of the number of members. A record of the vote shall be kept as part of the minutes.

C. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman. It shall be the duty of the Chairman to call a special meeting when required to do so by a majority of members of the Commission. The Secretary shall notify all members of the Commission in writing within a reasonable time in advance of such special meeting.

D. All meetings or portions of meetings at which official action is taken shall be open to the general public, and the Commission shall at all times conform to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act (65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.). However, the Commission may meet in closed session for purposes permitted by the aforesaid Act. [2]

[2] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

E. Unless otherwise specified, Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings at the meetings of this Commission.

§ 37-7 Order of business.

The order of business at regular meetings shall be:

A. Roll call.

B. Reading of minutes of previous meetings and action thereon.

C. Communications and bills.

D. Old business.

E. New business.

F. Adjournment.

§ 37-8 Hearings.

A. In addition to those required by law, the Commission may hold public hearings when it decides that such hearings will be in the public interest.

B. Notice of the time and place of such hearing, when on a matter of widespread interest, shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the territorial jurisdiction of the Commission, with the first publication not more than 30 days and the second publication not less than seven days from the date of the hearing. For a matter of limited territorial interest, notice shall be given in such manner as is deemed appropriate by the Commission.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

C. The matter before the Commission shall be presented in summary by a member of the Commission designated by the Chairman, and parties in interest shall have the privilege of the floor.

D. No record or statement shall be recorded or sworn to as evidence for any court of law without notice to the parties.

E. A record shall be kept of those speaking before the Commission at such hearings.

§ 37-9 Removal from office.

Any member of the 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 of Supervisors 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.

§ 37-10 Legal advisor.

At the discretion of the Board of Supervisors, the Solicitor for the Township or an attorney appointed by the Board shall serve the Commission as legal advisor.