This chapter is occasionally revised or changed by the Board of Commissioners at official and open public meetings. Every effort is made to keep this website up to date. However, there may be a short period of time between the Board of Commissioners changing this chapter and the revised ordinance being posted in this chapter on this site. If you have any questions about the status of a particular ordinance, please call the Township Secretary at (610) 645-6145.

Chapter 13
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

GENERAL REFERENCES
Planning agencies -- See Ch. 34.
Air pollution -- See Ch. 49.
Natural features conservation -- See Ch. 101.
Subdivision and land development -- See Ch. 135.
Zoning -- See Ch. 155.

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Lower Merion 10-16-1985 by Ord. No. 2087. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 13-1. Creation.

An advisory council, to be known as the "Lower Merion Township Environmental Advisory Council," is hereby created and shall continue to function until this chapter is revoked.

§ 13-2. Composition.

The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of not more than seven and not fewer than five residents of the Township of Lower Merion.

§ 13-3. Membership; terms of office.

The Board of Commissioners of the Township of Lower Merion shall appoint all members of the Lower Merion Environmental Advisory Council and shall designate the Chairperson of the Council. The Board of Commissioners shall appoint members to the Environmental Advisory Council in accordance with the following procedures:

1. At least two of the members shall have experience in the development of environmentally sensitive land or technical training in the environmental sciences.
2. Whenever possible, one member shall also be a member of the Township of Lower Merion Planning Commission.
3. Terms of office.
1. Council members shall serve four-year terms, appointments shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately 1/4 of the members of the Council shall expire each year. [Amended 1-20-1993 by Ord. No. 3307]
2. Council members' terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office, or when the Board of Commissioners appoints a successor.

§ 13-4. Duties.

The Environmental Advisory Council shall provide advice to the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Lower Merion and the Planning Commission of the Township of Lower Merion and shall coordinate its activities with all appropriate boards, agencies and officials of the township.

§ 13-5. Compensation.

Members of the Environmental Advisory Council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties. The Council may not contract for professional services.

§ 13-6. Powers.

The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the following powers:

1. To recommend plans and programs to the Board of Commissioners for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources of the Township of Lower Merion and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within the township.
2. To make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas within the Township of Lower Merion.
3. To promote a community environmental program.
4. To keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including but not limited to flood-prone areas, swamps and other unique natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.
5. To advise the appropriate boards, agencies and officials of the township in the acquisition of property, both real and personal, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease in matters dealing with environmental issues.

§ 13-7. Tasks requested by Board of Commissioners.

The Council shall undertake such environmental tasks as may be requested by the Board of Commissioners. These tasks may include:

1. Providing technical expertise on environmental aspects of subdivisions and land developments generally and providing environmental advice on specific projects or properties upon request by the Board of Commissioners or the Planning Commission.
2. Recommending plans and programs, including proposed amendments to the Code of the Township of Lower Merion, for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources of the township and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within the township.

§ 13-8. Records to be kept; annual report.

The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep records of its meetings and activities. The Council shall make an annual report to the Board of Commissioners and the Planning Commission. Copies of said reports shall be maintained in the offices of the township.

§ 13-9. Sources of funding.

The Environmental Advisory Council may explore sources of funding, including but not limited to gifts and grants. The Council shall consult with the Township Solicitor regarding the legal implications connected with receiving funding from sources other than the township.