Boards, Authorities and Commissions
In addition to Municipal Council, following are volunteer advisory boards that are appointed by Council.
Bethel Park Planning & Zoning Commission
The Planning & Zoning Commission reviews and discusses subdivision plans, land development and ordinance amendments in a Planning & Zoning Committee Meeting. Voting items put forward by the workshop go before the Planning & Zoning Commission’s regular meeting. A Zoning Commission Agenda is posted before every workshop meeting and voting meeting, and the Planning & Zoning Commission minutes, or details of what went on in the meeting, are posted after. The Planning & Zoning Commission acts in an advisory capacity and makes recommendations to Municipal Council on applications filed under Chapter 60, Subdivisions, and Chapter 69, Zoning, as well as amendments to those Chapters, and the Comprehensive Plan.
Building & Fire Codes Appeals Board
The Building & Fire Codes Appeals Board is responsible for hearing appeals on rulings by the Building Official or Fire Official in enforcing Municipal Building or Fire Codes. Officers consisting of a Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary are elected at the first meeting in April each year or the first regular meeting thereafter by a majority vote of the Board and serve a one-year term or until a successor is elected. Regular meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Municipal Building.
Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission is the civilian advisory board for the Bethel Park Police Department and only meets when needed. The Commission will meet to hear police officer hiring appeals or to address a vital police issue and provide civilian input. It can also hear police discipline appeals as well as participate in the police hiring and promotion process as observers and for oral interviews.
Economic Development Steering Committee
The mission of the Bethel Park Economic Development Steering Committee is to serve as a community resource for residents, businesses and developers in an effort to foster economic development while respecting local heritage and facilitating continued growth. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
Library Board
The Bethel Park Public Library Board of Trustees is a governing Board with legal responsibilities. It has the authority to make policy and govern the affairs of the Library under the PA Public Library Code. The Board has 5-7 members who must be Bethel Park residents at least 18 years of age. The Board meets six times per year with Trustees serving a three-year term. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 5 p.m.
Municipal Authority
The Bethel Park Municipal Authority is a Joint Authority comprised of five members from Bethel Park and two from South Park. The Authority’s primary function is the financial engine for all capital projects pertaining to its assets including the Piney Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Main Interceptor Conveyance System as a joint venture with South Park. The Authority also owns the entire conveyance system in Bethel Park including the portions that flow to Alcosan. Regular meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.
Parks & Recreation Board
Parks & Recreation recommends policies relating to the conduct of all recreational and public leisure activities within the Municipality, including specific rules and regulations. The Board also recommends fees, charges and expenditures. Additionally, the Board advises the Municipality and the Bethel Park School District on matters relating to recreational needs, use of Municipal facilities, and the development of parks in the community. The Parks & Recreation Board typically meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Bethel Park Recreation Center on Park Ave.
Zoning Hearing Board
The Zoning Hearing Board’s purpose is to assist in assuring fair and equitable application and administration of the zoning ordinance by hearing appeals on the zoning officer’s determinations and by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the zoning ordinance in certain hardship situations. The Zoning Hearing Board will perform duties such as conducting hearings and rendering decisions on appeals, hearing challenges to the validity of any ordinance or map, and hearing requests for variances and thereby rendering decisions on zoning-related matters.
Shade Tree Commission
The Shade Tree Commission has an advisory capacity over all trees on public property or in the public right-of-way. The Commission also determines needs associated with Municipal tree planting, maintenance and removal and keeps an inventory of all public trees, regulates tree protection, preservation, and tree replacement specifications. The Shade Tree Commission also assists by making periodic recommendations to Council regarding grant funding and legislation for the program. The Commission relies on a network of volunteers to assist in maintaining designated Shade Tree Districts.
The Shade Tree Commission holds one meeting each quarter, typically the third Wednesday of a particular month at 6:30 p.m., in the Municipal Caucus Room. For more information click here.