The Williamsport Planning Commission is hereby created.

(Ord. 4512, approved 2-17-1972)

   The Planning Commission shall have nine members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of Council, who shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses. All members shall be residents of the city. Six shall be citizen members and three may be officers and employees of the city. It shall be a goal of the membership of the Commission and the Mayor during the decision making process of the appointments that at least one of the six citizen members should have an architectural design background or expertise and at least one of the six citizen members should have a background or expertise in real estate.

(Ord. 4512, approved 2-17-1972; Ord. 6132, approved 4-30-2009)

   The term of each member of the Planning Commission shall be four years, or until his successor is appointed and qualified, except that the terms of the members first appointed pursuant to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, known as Act 247 (53 P.S. §§ 10101 et seq.) shall be so fixed that no more than three shall be reappointed or replaced during any future calendar year.

(Ord. 4512, approved 2-17-1972)

   The Chairperson of the Planning Commission shall promptly notify the Mayor concerning vacancies in the Commission, and such vacancy shall be filled by the Mayor with the advice and consent of Council.

(Ord. 4512, approved 2-17-1972)

   All members of the former Planning Commission appointed prior to 1-1-1969, the effective date of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, shall continue to serve until their terms expire or until a vacancy occurs in their positions.

(Ord. 4512, approved 2-17-1972)

   Any member of the Planning Commission once qualified and appointed may be removed from office for malfeasance, misfeasance or non-feasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote of 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.

(Ord. 4512, approved 2-17-1972)

   The Planning Commission shall elect its own Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and create and fill such other offices as it may determine. Officers shall serve annual terms and may succeed themselves. The Commission may make or alter by-laws and rules and regulations to govern its procedures consistent with the city ordinances and the laws of the Commonwealth. The Commission shall keep a full record of its business and shall annually by March 1 of each year make a written report of its activities to Council. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary or as requested by Council.

(Ord. 4512, approved 2-17-1972)

   (a)   General. The Planning Commission shall:

      (1)   Prepare and present for consideration to Council, and, after resolution, maintain for Council an official map, and make recommendations to Council on the proposed changes to such map as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code;

      (2)   Prepare and present to Council a zoning ordinance, as such ordinance may be needed, and make recommendations to Council of proposed amendments to it as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code;

      (3)   Prepare and administer subdivision and land development regulations as needed and as prescribed in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code;

      (4)   Prepare and administer planned residential development regulations as may be needed from time to time and in a manner set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code;

      (5)   Prepare and present to Council a building code and make recommendations to Council of any proposed amendments thereto;

      (6)   Prepare and present Council a housing code and make recommendations to Council of proposed amendments thereto;

      (7)   Submit to the Mayor a recommended capital improvements program in accordance with the laws of Pennsylvania and in accordance with the Administrative Code;

      (8)   Promote public interest in and understanding of the Comprehensive Plan and planning;

      (9)   Make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals;

      (10)   Hold public hearings and meetings;

      (11)   Require from other departments and agencies of the municipality such available information as relates to the work of the Planning Commission;

      (12)   In the performance of its functions, enter upon any land to make examinations and surveys either after permission has been obtained from the owner or after public notice;

      (13)   Do such other act or make such other study as may be necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations of the Planning Commission as provided by any law of Pennsylvania or city ordinance;

      (14)   Jointly certify with the Vacant Property Review Committee that a property is blighted property as defined in § 195.02 of the codified ordinances if the Commission so finds. The Commission shall also review and recommend to the Redevelopment Authority an appropriate reuse of any property acquired in accordance with Art. 195 of the codified ordinances, as such review and recommendation is requested by the Redevelopment Authority;

      (15)   The Planning Commission shall provide advice and guidance to business and property owners within the Central Business District that are planning changes in signage, new or replacement awnings or exterior building alterations, painting and facade changes or new construction and streetscape;

      (16)   The Building Code Official shall not approve the final issuance of a permit until after the Planning Commission has had an opportunity to provide a review or until 30 or more days have passed from the submission of the application to the Planning Commission in relation to the Central Business District facade, signs and awning; and

      (17)   It shall be a function and responsibility of the Planning Commission as a whole to review in total §§ 1379.11 and 1346.06(i) within the CBD District beginning in the year 2012 and every three years thereafter. The Planning Commission shall report to City Council on the applicability of the standards to the central business district as it develops and transforms over time. The report shall include any recommended changes.

   (b)   Permit application procedures. Upon receipt of an application for a building permit for any exterior building alteration, including new construction, signs, awnings and the like to be done in the Central Business District, the Building Code Official shall act in accordance with the procedures presently being followed in that office, except as those procedures are necessarily modified by the following requirements.

      (1)   He or she shall forward to the Chairperson of the Planning Commission a copy of the application for a building permit, together with a copy of the plot plan and the building plans and specifications filed by the applicant.

      (2)   He or she shall maintain in his or her office a record of all such applications and of his or her handling and final disposition of the same, which shall be in addition to and appropriately crossed referenced to his or her other records.

      (3)   He or she shall require applicants to submit the appropriate material, which is necessary to make an informed review and provide a sufficient number of copies to be attached to an application for a building permit to permit compliance with the foregoing.

      (4)   In the event a variance from the Zoning Code is required, a copy of the Planning Commission’s report shall be submitted to the Zoning Hearing Board within the 30-day period. Failure to submit a timely report shall be deemed an approval of the application.

(Ord. 4512, approved 2-17-1972; Ord. 5039, approved 5-1-1980; Ord. 6132, approved 4-30-2009)

   The Mayor may employ administrative and technical services to aid in carrying out the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Act either as consultants on particular matters or as regular employees of the city. A county planning agency, with the consent of Council, may perform planning services for the city if Council requests such assistance. The Planning Commission may, with the consent of Council, accept and utilize any funds, personnel or other assistance made available by Lycoming County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Federal Government or any of its agencies or from private sources including, but not limited to, a citizens advisory committee as required by law. Council may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of the funds or assistance in accordance with any city governmental procedures.

(Ord. 4512, approved 2-17-1972)

   All streets and alleys in existing additions or in additions hereinafter to be added to the city, shall be required to have curbs and sidewalks constructed if such shall be deemed necessary for the welfare and safety of the residents of the city and storm water sewers adequate to carry off storm and surface waters. Streets to be accepted shall be graded and paved in accordance with specifications prepared by the Engineering Department.

(Ord. 5020, approved 1-31-1980)

   All streets and alleys complying with the regulations of this article shall be plotted and dedicated by deed of dedication duly recorded in the Recorder’s office of Lycoming County. All improvements specifically set out in this article must be made in a manner acceptable to the Engineering Department. No maintenance work of any nature will be afforded any street or alley unless they fully comply with the regulations set forth herein.

(Ord. 5020, approved 1-31-1980)