Lansdale City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXIV
Planning Commission
§ 405-2400 Appointment; qualifications; composition.
The Planning Commission, consisting of seven members, shall be appointed by the Borough Council of the Borough of Lansdale. All members of the Planning Commission shall be residents of the Borough of Lansdale. A certain number of members, designated as citizen members, shall not be officers or employees of the municipality. On a Commission of seven members, at least five shall be citizen members.
§ 405-2401 Terms.
The term of each of the members of the Commission shall be four years or until his successor is appointed and qualified.
§ 405-2402 Vacancies.
The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the Borough Council of vacancies on the Commission, and such vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term.
§ 405-2403 Removal.
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 Borough Council 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.
§ 405-2404 Officers.
A.
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.
B.
The Chairman or, in his absence, the Vice Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Commission. The Chairman, subject to these rules, shall decide all points of procedure, unless otherwise directed by majority of the Commission, and shall perform any other duties required by law, ordinance or these rules.
§ 405-2405 Rules of procedure.
The Planning Commission shall adopt rules of procedure necessary for the purpose of administering this chapter. The 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 required by the Borough Council.
§ 405-2406 Meetings.
The Planning Commission shall meet monthly on a regularly prescribed date at a regularly prescribed meeting place and at other times as the Chairman may deem necessary. All meetings of the Planning Commission shall be open to the public. The Secretary of the Planning Commission shall keep minutes of all meetings.
A.
Notification. The Planning Commission shall notify all persons requesting, in writing, such notification of a Commission meeting during which a proposal affecting their interests will be considered. Notification shall be made by the Secretary of the Planning Commission. An opportunity to introduce evidence and other testimony shall be guaranteed to any interested party.
B.
Cancellation. Whenever there are no business matters to be considered at any regular meeting, other than matters of routine business, the Chairman may dispense with such meeting by notifying each member of the Commission and each other party who may have been given notice of such meeting.
§ 405-2407 Decisions.
Within 30 days after any hearing or other public meeting required by this chapter, the Planning Commission shall record its review and recommendations in written form. A copy of this record shall be provided to the applicant, the Zoning Officer, and the Borough Manager.
§ 405-2408 Powers and activities.
A.
Powers. The Planning Commission of the Borough of Lansdale shall function as a Planning Commission, having all powers and duties prescribed generally by law and set forth specifically in Section 209.1 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
(1)
Review requests for amendments to this chapter. Proposed amendments, supplements or changes or a proposal to repeal this chapter or part thereof must be submitted to the Planning Commission for its findings before any further public action is taken. The findings of the Planning Commission shall be submitted to the Borough Council in the form of a written report recommending or disapproving the proposed actions. Failure of the Planning Commission to submit such a report shall constitute an approval.
(2)
Other. The Planning Commission shall have the right to review and make recommendations regarding all sections of this chapter to the Borough Council as it deems necessary.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10209.1.
B.
Activities. The Planning Commission may undertake special studies relating to this chapter and the Comprehensive Plan and the required implementation it deems necessary. Public meetings may be held, material may be gathered and printed, and the Planning Commission may retain outside assistance as it deems necessary. All appropriations of funds must be approved by the Borough Council.
C.
Limitations. The Planning Commission shall function as an advisory body only and shall be restricted in its duties to applying the conditions, requirements and restrictions and standards imposed by the various ordinances of the Borough of Lansdale and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[2] in keeping with its overall intent.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.