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Upper Hanover Planning Commission establishes public-comment rules, sets two-minute limit per speaker
Summary
The Upper Hanover Township Planning Commission adopted detailed rules for public meetings, including a two-minute limit per speaker (extendable at the presiding member's discretion), priorities for township residents and taxpayers, decorum requirements, and meeting start/end-time guidance.
The Upper Hanover Township Planning Commission presented and adopted rules and regulations governing public meetings, explicitly citing the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act as the legal baseline for allowing residents and taxpayers a reasonable opportunity to comment. The measures outline who may speak, how speakers are recorded, time limits, and standards of decorum.
The rules state that "All residents and taxpayers of Upper Hanover Township shall be afforded an opportunity during each advertised regular or special meeting of the Planning Commission to present comments on matters of concern, official action, or deliberation that are or may be before the Commission," while also allowing the presiding member to permit comments from adjacent or non-resident individuals when appropriate. The policy asks commenters to provide their name and either an address or whether they are a resident or taxpayer; that information will be recorded in the meeting minutes.
On time limits, the Commission set a default cap: "Each speaker shall be afforded no more than two (2) minutes for the presentation of their comments." The presiding Commission member may grant additional time when "reasonable and proper under the circumstances," and the rules encourage groups to designate a single speaker to avoid repetition.
The rules give the presiding Commission member authority to manage decorum and the flow of public comment, including the power to rule out "scandalous, impertinent, or redundant comments" and to ask speakers to conclude remarks that become repetitive or disorderly. Audience members are required to refrain from "abusive or profane remarks and slanderous, personal attacks," and may be asked to leave if their behavior interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting.
Meeting hours were specified: "Meetings shall commence at 7:00 pm, or at such other time as advertised, and shall generally end by 9:00 pm or two hours after commencement." The presiding Commission member may extend meetings to 10:00 pm or three hours after commencement for good cause; any remaining business or public comment beyond that period will be tabled for a future meeting.
Finally, the Commission said the rules do not contradict the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act and that individuals may submit written communications to be provided to all Commission members and made part of meeting records at the discretion of township staff and professionals.
The measures are framed as guidance to ensure orderly meetings while preserving the public's opportunity to be heard under state law. No formal motions or votes are recorded in the transcript provided.
