A. Powers Of Planning Commission: The planning commission shall have the power to prepare and recommend to the city council for adoption a comprehensive plan for the physical development of the city. In conducting its work, the planning commission may consider and investigate any subject matter tending to the development and betterment of the city and may make recommendations as it may deem advisable concerning the adoption thereof to the city council. The planning commission may make or cause to be made surveys, studies, maps and plans in the conduct of its activities. Before final action is taken by the city council on the location or design of any public buildings, statue, memorial, park, boulevard, street, alley, playground, public grounds, bridge or change in any location of any street or alley, such question shall be submitted to the planning commission for investigation and report. In the preparation of the comprehensive plan, the planning commission may from time to time prepare and recommend to the city council for adoption a part or parts thereof, which parts shall cover one or more major geographical divisions of the city or one or more major elements of the comprehensive plan. The planning commission may from time to time recommend extending, amending or changing any portion of the comprehensive plan. (1992 Code § 12-105)
B. Purposes Of Plan: In the preparation of such plan, the planning commission may make careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of present conditions and future growth of the city with due regard to its relation to neighboring territory. The plan shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the city and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development; including, among other things, adequate provisions for traffic, the promotion of safety from fire and other dangers, adequate provision for light and air, the promotion of healthful and convenient distribution of population, the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, and wise and efficient expenditure of public funds. (1992 Code § 12-106)