[Adopted as Article 150 of the Codified Ordinances]
[Amended 9-22-2020 by Ord. No. 10-2020]
The Planning Commission shall consist of nine members and up
to three alternates, all of whom shall serve without compensation
as follows:
A.
All members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and
approved by the Council. All alternate members shall be appointed
by Resolution of the Council. There shall be no limitation upon the
number of terms a member or alternate member may serve.
B.
All members of the Commission and alternate members of the Commission
shall serve for terms of four years. The terms of members first appointed
pursuant to Act 247 of 1968[1] shall be so fixed that no more than three members shall
be re-appointed or replaced during any calendar year. The Chairman
of the Commission shall promptly notify the Mayor concerning a vacancy
or vacancies in the Commission. Whenever vacancies occur other than
as a result of the expiration of a member's term, the Mayor may fill
such vacancy by appointment with approval of the Council, but only
for the period of the unexpired term.
[1]
Editor's Note: See the Municipalities Planning Code 53 P.S.
§ 10101 et seq.
C.
All members of the Commission shall be residents of the City. At
least six members of the Commission must be citizen members, one representing
each of the six designated planning districts as shown on the map
attached to original Ordinance No. 24-1975, adopted October 28, 1975.
The remaining three members of the Commission serve at large and may
be either citizen members or members of the governing body. Alternate
members must also be residents of the City and may not serve as a
member of the Zoning Hearing Board or as a Zoning Officer.
D.
Any member or alternate member of the Commission once qualified and
appointed may be removed from office for malfeasance, misfeasance
of non-feasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote
of City Council taken after the member or alternate member has received
15 days advanced notice of the intent to take such a vote. If requested
in writing by the affected member or alternate member, a hearing shall
be held in connection with the vote. Any appointment to fill a vacancy
created by removal shall only be for the unexpired term.
E.
Members of the existing Commission shall continue to occupy their
positions until the expiration of their present terms, or after their
vacancies shall be filled by appointment in the manner specified in
this article.
F.
When seated pursuant to the provisions of the Municipalities Planning
Code, an alternate member of the Commission shall be entitled to participate
in all proceedings and discussions of the Commission to the same and
full extent as provided by law for Commission members, including specifically
the right to cast a vote as a voting member during the proceedings,
and shall have all the powers and duties set forth in the Municipalities
Planning Code and as otherwise provided by law. Any alternate member
may participate in any proceeding or discussion of the Commission
but shall not be entitled to a vote as a member of the Commission
unless designated as a voting alternate pursuant to the provisions
of the Municipalities Planning Code.
A.
The Planning Commission may make and alter bylaws
and regulations to govern its procedures consistent with this article
and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B.
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.
C.
The Commission shall keep a full record of its business
in the form of official minutes.
D.
The Commission shall make a written report of its
annual activities to the Council by March 1 of each calendar year.
In addition, interim reports shall be made as often as may be deemed
necessary by the Council.
A.
Mandated powers and duties.
(1)
The Planning Commission shall have the power and be
required to undertake the following responsibilities:
(a)
Prepare, if requested by the Council, a Comprehensive
Plan for the development of the City and present it for the consideration
of the Council.
(b)
Maintain and keep on file its records and official
minutes of its actions and shall avail these records and files to
the Council, the administration and any other interested parties.
(c)
If requested by the Council, prepare and present
for consideration by the Council, in conjunction with the Department
of Public Works, Bureau of the City Engineer and Bureau of Traffic
Engineering, an Official City Plan; make recommendations to the Council
on any amendments to the existing City Plan; and maintain the plan
and any changes thereto for the records of the Council.
(d)
If requested by the Council, prepare and present
to the Council a Zoning Ordinance and an Official Map and make recommendations
to the Council on any proposed amendments to the existing Zoning Ordinance
and Map.
(e)
If requested by the Council, prepare and present
to the Council a Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance; administer
the existing Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance; and make
recommendations with regard to any amendments thereto.
(f)
Make recommendations to governmental, civil
and private agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the
proposals of such agencies and individuals regardless of their affiliation
or nonaffiliation with the Council and the administration.
(g)
Hold public hearing and other meetings which
are deemed desirable to the interests of the residents of the City.
(h)
Request from other departments and agencies
of the City all information available which relates to the work of
the Commission.
(i)
Be subject to the approval of the City Engineer
concerning any act or recommendation which involves engineering considerations.
(j)
Be responsible to the Council and the administration
for the review and recommendation of all matters presented to the
Council and the administration concerning the development of the City
relative to street or alley petitions, rezoning petitions and other
matters which may have an effect upon the Comprehensive Plan for the
City.
(2)
In performing its functions, the Commission may enter
upon any land to make examinations and surveys with the consent of
the owner.
B.
Optional powers and duties. The Commission may have
the power and be requested by the governing body to undertake the
following responsibilities:
(1)
Review and make recommendations to the Council concerning
amendments to the Building Code, the Plumbing Code, the Housing Code
and the Electrical Code.
(2)
Submit to the Council a recommended Capital Improvements
Program, including a capital budget.
(3)
Prepare for the review and adoption by the Council
a Planned Residential Development Ordinance and, after adoption by
the Council, administer such Planned Residential Development Ordinance.
(4)
Promote a public interest in and understanding of
the Comprehensive Plan and the planning process.
A.
The Planning Commission may employ administrative
and technical services as consultants on particular matters which
will aid in carrying out the provisions of this article, provided
that the same has been authorized by the Council.
B.
The Commission may, with the consent of the Council,
accept and utilize any funds made available by the federal government,
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the County of Lancaster or any
other funds granted by individuals or private agencies for the development
or enhancement of facilities or services which are deemed in the best
interest of the residents of this City. The Council may enter into
agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of
funds or assistance as it deems necessary and advisable.
