(a) Basic studies. As background for its comprehensive plan and any ordinances it may prepare, the planning board may gather maps and aerial photographs of manmade and natural physical features of the area, statistics on past trends and present conditions with respect to population, property values, the economic base of the community, land use, and such other information as is important or likely to be important in determining the amount, direction, and kind of development to be expected in the area and its various parts. In addition, the planning board may make, cause to be made, or obtain special studies on the location, condition, and adequacy of specific facilities, which may include but are not limited to studies of housing; commercial and industrial facilities; parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities; public and private utilities; and traffic, transportation, and parking facilities. All city officials shall, upon request, furnish to the planning board such available records or information as it may require in its work. The board or its agents may, in the performance of its official duties, enter upon lands and make examinations or surveys and maintain necessary monuments thereon, where authorized.
(b) Comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan, with the accompanying maps, plats, charts, and descriptive matter, shall be and show the planning board's recommendations to the city council for the development of the territory, including, among other things, the general location, character, and extent of streets, bridges, boulevards, parkways, playgrounds, squares, parks, aviation fields, and other public ways, grounds, and open spaces; the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned or operated, for water, light, sanitation, transportation, communication, power and other purposes; the removal, relocation, widening, narrowing, vacating, abandonment, change of use, or extension of any of the foregoing ways, buildings, grounds, open spaces, property, utilities, or terminals; and the most desirable pattern of land use within the area. The plan and any ordinances or other measures to effectuate it 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, and the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development: including, among other things, adequate provision for traffic; the promotion of safety from fire and other dangers; adequate provision for light and air; the promotion of the healthful and convenient distribution of population: expenditure of public funds; and the adequate provision of public utilities, services, and other public requirements.
(c) Zoning ordinances. The planning board may initiate, from time to time, proposals for amendment of the zoning ordinance, based upon its studies and comprehensive plan. In addition, it shall review andmake recommendations to the city council concerning all proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance.
(d) Subdivision regulations. The planning board shall review, from time to time, the need for regulations for the control of land subdivision in the area and submit to the city council its recommendations, if any, for the adoption or revision of the regulations. In accordance with such regulations, the planning board shall review and make recommendations to the city council concerning all proposed plats of land subdivision.
(e) Public facilities. The planning board shall review with the city officials and report its recommendations to the city council upon the extent, location, and design of all public structures and facilities; on the acquisition and disposal of public properties; and on the establishment of building lines, mapped street lines, and proposals to change existing street lines. However, in the absence of a recommendation from the planning board, the city council may, if it deems wise, after the expiration of 30 days from the date on which the question has been submitted in writing to the planning board for review and recommendation, take final action.
(f) Miscellaneous powers and duties. The planning board may conduct such public hearings as may be required to gather information necessary for the drafting, establishment, and maintenance of the comprehensive plan. Before adopting any such plan it shall hold at least one (1) public hearing thereon.
The planning board shall have power to promote public interest in and an understanding of its recommendations, and to that end it may publish and distribute copies of its recommendations and may employ such other means of publicity and education as it may determine. Members or employees of the planning board, when duly authorized by the planning board, may attend planning conferences or meetings of planning institutes or hearings upon pending planning legislation. (Ord. of 4/3/78, Sec. 4)