(a) Establishment. The Village of Centerburg Planning Commission is hereby established by Village Council.
(b) Membership and Terms.
(1) The Planning Commission shall be composed of a total of five (5) members that shall include:
A. The Mayor;
B. One member of Village Council to be elected by a majority of Council for the remainder of their term with Council; and
C. Three citizens of the Village to be appointed by the Mayor.
(2) The Planning Commission members shall serve a term of six (6) years each, with terms staggered so that there is an appointment every other year.
(3) Alternates.
A. Village Council may appoint up to one alternate member to the Planning Commission for the same term as other members of the board receive.
B. An alternate member shall meet the same appointment criteria as a regular member.
C. The designated alternate member may take the place of an absent regular member at any meeting of the Planning Commission.
D. The alternate member shall otherwise not be entitled to any rights, privileges, or obligations except when attending a meeting on behalf of an absent member, the alternate member may vote on any matter the absent member is authorized and eligible to vote for and provided the member attended all pertinent public meetings or hearings.
E. When a vacancy occurs, alternate members do not automatically become full members of the Planning Commission. Alternate members have to be appointed by the Village Council to fill a vacancy.
(c) General Provisions for the Planning Commission. The following provisions shall apply to the Planning Commission:
(1) All members shall be residents and electors of the Village at all times while serving in such capacity.
(2) Members of the Planning Commission may be removed by Village Council for cause.
(3) A vacancy occurring during the term of any member of the Planning Commission shall be filled through the same manner as the position was originally filled, for the unexpired term in a manner authorized for the original appointment.
(4) The Planning Commission may, by a majority vote of its entire membership, adopt written bylaws or rules for the governance of the Planning Commission. Such bylaws or rules shall be filed with the Clerk of Council.
(5) The Planning Commission shall keep minutes of their meetings and hearings, which shall be a public record.
(6) All meetings of the Planning Commission shall be open to the public, except for executive sessions in accordance with law.
(7) The departments, divisions and agencies of the Village shall cooperate with and assist the Planning Commission in implementing the purposes for which they are formed.
(8) Meetings.
A. At either the end of the last regular meeting of a calendar year, or the beginning of the first meeting of each year, the Planning Commission shall elect a Chairperson who shall serve for a one-year term. The Planning Commission may also elect a Vice-Chairperson. These officers shall be elected from among the members of the Planning Commission. During the temporary absence of the Chairperson, the Vice- Chairperson, where elected, shall fulfill the duties of the Chairperson. The Planning Commission shall hold such meetings as it may require for conducting its business. Prior to the end of each year, the members shall, by motion, determine the dates of its regular meetings for the succeeding year. Meetings may also be established at the call of the Chairperson, Village Administrator, or a majority of the members of the Planning Commission.
B. The Chairperson of the Planning Commission may, after consulting with the Zoning Administrator, cancel a meeting if there is no pending business to be conducted.
(9) Quorums and Decisions.
A. Any combination of three or more regular or alternate members of the Planning Commission shall constitute a quorum.
B. A motion made on a decision shall carry when at least three members of the Planning Commission concur.
C. Non-decision items, such as continuance or approval of minutes, shall only require a majority of the quorum of the Planning Commission to concur.
(d) Roles and Powers of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall have the following roles and powers:
(1) Initiate, hear, review, and make recommendations to Village Council related to amendments to the text of this code or the zoning map;
(2) Hear, review, and make recommendations or decisions related to planned developments in accordance with Chapter 1107: Planned Developments;
(3) Hear, review, and make decisions on conditional use permits in the respective zoning district;
(4) In accordance with the authority granted by ORC Section 713.11(A), the Planning Commission may hear, review, and decide on appeals of any administrative decision where it is alleged there is an error in any administrative order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Administrator, or other staff member authorized to make such decisions or orders;
(6) Hear, review, and decide on variance requests in accordance with the applicable provisions of this code;
(7) Review and make decisions on temporary use permits when the temporary use is reviewed as part of a site plan review application;
(8) Revoke previously approved conditional use permits upon a finding of a violation of the terms of such permits;
(9) Review and make decisions on the preliminary subdivision plats and final subdivision plats for major subdivisions;
(11) Consider, investigate, and report upon any special matter or question coming within the scope of its work as requested by Village Council, or the administration; and
(12) Perform any other duties related to the administration and enforcement of this code as authorized by this code, by ordinance of Village Council, and/or the ORC.
(Ord. 2023-16. Passed 6-5-23.)