[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Franconia 10-2-1956 by Ord. No. 7; amended in its entirety 5-12-1997 by Ord.
No. 253. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The membership of the Planning Commission is hereby increased from five
to seven members. All members of the Planning Commission shall be residents
of Franconia Township. At least five members shall be citizen members who
are not officers or employees of the township.
All members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the Township
Board of Supervisors.
The term of office for each of the members of the Planning Commission
shall be four years, or until a successor is appointed and qualified to fill
the term of a member whose term has expired, except that the terms of office
of the two additional members created by this chapter shall be established
so that no more than two members shall be reappointed or replaced during any
future calendar year.
If a vacancy in office shall occur by death, resignation, removal from
the township or removal from office, it shall be filled by appointment for
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 majority vote of the Board of Supervisors
taken after the member has received 15 days' advance notice of the intent
to take such a vote. A hearing shall be held before the Board of Supervisors
in connection with the vote if the member shall request it in writing.
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.
In January each year, the Planning Commission shall establish a schedule
of meetings for the year. Additional meetings may be held as required by the
Board of Supervisors. All meetings shall be open to the public.
A member's absence without excuse from two successive scheduled meetings, or absence without excuse from four scheduled meetings in a calendar year, shall constitute just cause for removal from office as provided in § 26-5 of this chapter.
The attendance of four members at a meeting shall be required for a
quorum for the transaction of business.
The affirmative vote of four members of the Planning Commission shall
be required for approval or disapproval of any matter brought before the Planning
Commission for review. Where, due to lack of a quorum or other cause, the
Planning Commission fails to approve or disapprove a subdivision or land development
plan or otherwise fails to take action on a matter requiring review, the subdivision,
land development plan or other matter shall be referred to the Board of Supervisors,
and the Planning Commission's failure to take action shall have the effect
of no recommendation.
The Planning Commission may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations
to govern its procedures consistent with this chapter 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 Board of Supervisors. Interim reports may be made as often as may be
necessary, or as requested by the Board of Supervisors.
A.
B.
The Planning Commission, at the request of the Board
of Supervisors, may:
(1)
Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning
the adoption or amendment of an Official Map.
(2)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a zoning
ordinance and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on proposed
amendments to it consistent with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code.
(3)
Prepare, recommend and administer subdivision and land
development and planned residential development regulations as set forth in
the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(4)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a building
code and a housing code and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments
thereto.
(5)
Do such other acts or make such studies as may be necessary
to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed upon the Planning Commission
by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(6)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors an environmental
study.
(7)
Submit to the Board of Supervisors a recommended capital
improvements program.
(8)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors 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 township
such available information as relates to the work of the Planning Commission.
(14)
In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land
to make examinations and surveys with the consent of the owner.
(15)
Prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors a study
regarding the feasibility and practicability of using renewable energy sources
in specific areas within the township.
