The planning and zoning commission serves as the city's planning agency and board of appeals and adjustments and shall have the powers and duties given these bodies by Minnesota statutes sections 462.351 through 462.365, as may be amended from time to time. (Ord. 2013-04, 3-19-2013; amd. Ord. 2024-013, 7-16-2024)
The commission shall hold meetings of its members and hold necessary public meetings and hearings to carry out the purposes and duties established in this chapter, to consider matters as referred to the commission by the council, or initiated by the members of the commission and deemed necessary to carry out the purposes and duties established in this chapter. Such duties shall include:
A. To establish principles, procedures, policies and plans for guiding actions affecting the development of the city and its environs;
B. To prepare and keep current a comprehensive plan for meeting present requirements and such future needs as may be foreseen;
C. To acquire and maintain in current form such basic information and background data as is necessary for an understanding of past trends, present conditions and forces at work to cause changes in these conditions;
D. To determine whether specific proposed developments conform to the principles and requirements of the comprehensive plan and development ordinances;
E. To prepare and recommend to the council practical means to implement the objectives of the comprehensive plan, which may include ordinances establishing zoning regulations, regulations for the subdivision of land, site plan regulations, sanitary codes, building standards and official maps;
F. To advise the council on matters which have an impact on existing plans and the future development of the city, including, but not limited to, plans of other jurisdictions, major improvements, and annexations;
G. To conduct such public meetings and hearings as may be required to gather information necessary for the drafting, establishment, maintenance and administration of the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations;
H. To establish public committees for the purpose of collecting and compiling information necessary for the comprehensive plan or for the purpose of promoting the accomplishment of the plan in whole or in part, as authorized by the city council;
I. To keep the city council informed and advised on development matters;
J. To perform other duties which may be assigned by the council. (Ord. 2013-04, 3-19-2013; amd. Ord. 2024-013, 7-16-2024)