The Planning and Zoning Commission is designated by the Mayor as described in division (a) of this section. The main function of the Planning and Zoning Commission is to make recommendations to the City Council concerning amendments to the Zoning Code, approval of site plans, conditional use applications, serve as the platting commission, providing recommendations to the Board of Zoning Appeals concerning variance applications and any other duty set forth in this Zoning Code. More specific responsibilities of the Planning and Zoning Commissioners are detailed in division (c) of this section.
(Ord. 2009-09. Passed 5-11-09.)
(a) Appointment and Term Length. The Commission shall be composed of five (5) members and shall include the Mayor, Director of Public Safety-Services, and three (3) citizens of the City of Deer Park to be appointed by the Mayor.
(1) The term of all members shall be six years and their terms so arranged that the term of one member shall expire every two years.
(2) Any vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the manner the original appointment was made.
(3) All members shall serve without compensation.
(Ord. 2014-14. Passed 8-11-14.)
(b) Proceedings of Commission.
(1) The Commission shall adopt rules necessary to the conduct of its affairs in keeping with the provisions of this Ordinance.
(2) The Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, shall adopt rules necessary to the conduct of its affairs in keeping with the provisions of this Zoning Code, and appoint a secretary who may or may not be a member of the Commission.
(3) Commission meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson and at such other times as the Commission may determine. The Chairperson, or in his or her absence the acting Chairperson, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. All meetings shall be open to the public.
(4) The Commission shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question, or if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact. The Secretary shall record Commission action and keep minutes of its proceedings showing the vote of each member upon each question, or if absent, or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions. All minutes shall be public record and immediately filed in the office of the Commission.
(5) The presence of three members shall constitute a quorum. The concurring vote of four members of said Commission shall be necessary to reverse an order of determination of the Zoning Inspector, to decide in favor of an applicant in any matter over which the Commission has original jurisdiction under this Zoning Code, or to grant any variance from the requirements stipulated in this Zoning Code.
(c) Duties of Commission. For the purpose of this Zoning Code, the Commission shall have the following duties:
(1) Recommend the proposed Zoning Code, including text and Zoning Map to the City Council for formal adoption.
(2) Initiate advisable Zoning Map changes or changes in the text of the Zoning Code where same will promote the best interest of the public in general through recommendations to the City Council.
(3) Review all proposed amendments to the text of this Zoning Code and the Zoning Map and make recommendations to the City Council.
(4) Review all planned unit development applications and make recommendations to the City Council as provided in this Zoning Code.
(5) Review and decide upon all conditional use applications as identified in the respective zoning districts according to Chapter 1149.
(6) Carry on a continuous review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of this Zoning Code and recommend such changes or amendments as it feels would be appropriate.
(7) Review and decide upon site plan applications in accordance with Chapter 1139.
(8) Any other duty or responsibility as expressly provided for in this Zoning Code. (Ord. 2019-15. Passed 6-24-19.)