The Planning Board shall consider and make recommendations to the City Council concerning every proposed amendment, supplement, change, modification or repeal to this chapter as directed in G.S. 160D-604. The Planning Board, at its own discretion, may hold a public hearing if deemed necessary by the Planning Board. Otherwise, the Planning Board will send its recommendation directly to the City Council who shall hold a public hearing for every proposed zoning amendment.
Members of the Planning Board shall not participate in or vote on any zoning amendment matter in a manner that would violate affected persons' constitutional rights to an impartial decision maker. Impermissible violations of due process include, but are not limited to, a close familial, business, or other associational relationship with an affected person, or a financial interest in the outcome of the matter. If an objection is raised to a board member's participation at or prior to the hearing or vote on that matter and that member does not recuse himself or herself, the remaining members of the board shall by majority vote rule on the objection. For purposes of this section, a close familial relationship means a spouse, parent, child, brother, sister, grandparent, or grandchild. The term includes the step, half, and in-law relationships.12 (G.S. 160D-109(d), (e), (f)). (Ord. of 12-7-04, No. 37-02; Ord. of 8-7-06, No. 18-06; Ord. of 6-21-21, No. 41-21)