§ 21.13-1305. Planning Commission.

 A. There shall be a Planning Commission consisting of five members. They shall serve for terms of four years. The terms of not more than two members shall commence in any one year. The Board may by ordinance expand the Planning Commission to seven members by absolute majority vote, in which event it may set initial terms of less than four years, more than two of which may commence in one year, so that thereafter appointments shall be for four years and the terms of not more than two members shall commence in any one year.

 B. The Planning Commission shall perform the following functions in addition to those which are bestowed upon it by the state law, other provisions of this Charter, or ordinance of the Board:

   1. The Planning Commission shall make recommendations for the development of financial and planning policies for the Township as described in §  21.6-601B hereof.

   2. The Planning Commission shall undertake and discharge assignments or projects given to it by the President or the Board. In addition, consonant with its budget, it may at its own instance undertake projects or studies relating to the above matters.

   Commentary: : The Municipal Planning Code (53 P.S. §  10101) (the ‘‘MPC’’) permits a planning commission of three to nine members, with four-year terms, but its creation is optional. The MPC does not require a planning commission but this Charter mandates it. Under the MPC, any such commission may be required to submit a comprehensive plan and has the power to involve itself in broad questions of land use, housing, environment and capital improvements—if the Board requests. The Planning Commission must also be consulted on any change to the comprehensive plan, the official map or any zoning or subdivision ordinance, under the MPC. This Charter specifies the Planning Commission’s responsibilities, which go well beyond land use questions. The present planning commission felt that a group of five to seven was more manageable, and the GSC accepted this judgment.

Cross References

   This section cited in 346 Pa. Code §  21.13-1309 (relating to application of Article XIII to specifically designated entities).


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