There shall be a Municipal Planning Commission which shall consist of seven (7) members who shall be electors of the Municipality not holding any incompatible public or private office, who shall be appointed by Council. The members of the Planning Commission serving upon the adoption of this Charter shall finish out their respective terms of office. At its organizational meeting in January 2014 and at the organizational meeting every fourth year thereafter, Council shall appoint two (2) members, each of whom shall serve a four (4) year term. At its organizational meeting in January 2016 and at the organizational meeting every fourth year thereafter, Council shall appoint three (3) members, each of whom shall serve a four (4) year term. Two (2) members of the Planning Commission shall be members of Council. At its organizational meeting in January 2014 and at the organizational meeting every second year thereafter, Council shall appoint two (2) of its members, each of whom shall serve a two (2) year term. A vacancy occurring during the term of any member of the Planning Commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner authorized for appointment.
The Planning Commission shall have such powers and duties as are conferred upon it by the laws of Ohio concerning the preparation of plans and maps for the future physical development and harmonious improvement of the Municipality; the plan, design, location, removal, relocation and alteration of any municipal building or structure, municipal parks, playgrounds, recreation areas and other municipal places and municipal property; the location, widening, extension, and vacating of streets, alleys and public ways; the approval of plats for the subdivision of lands; the regulation and restriction of premises and the location of buildings and other structures thereon to be used for trade, industry, residences or other specified uses; the regulation and limitation of the height of buildings and other structures; the regulation of the size and location of buildings and other structures, including the percentage of lot coverage, building setbacks and the area of yards, courts and other open spaces; and such other powers and duties as may be conferred upon it by resolution or ordinance of Council.
The Planning Commission shall have the powers conferred upon an administrative board of zoning appeals by the general law of Ohio and ordinances enacted by Council, and shall hear and determine appeals for exceptions to and variations from the application of the provisions of the Zoning and Building Codes of the Municipality in harmony with the intent and purposes thereof, and from any ordinances, regulations, rules, restrictions, or orders of any municipal official. Decisions of the Planning Commission shall be final and binding upon the applicant and the Municipality; provided, however, that the Municipality and the applicant shall each have the right to appeal the decision or decisions to a court of law.
(Amended 11-5-13)