A. Created:
1. Appointment; Terms: A planning and zoning commission of the city is hereby created pursuant to Idaho Code title 67, chapter 65. The planning and zoning commission shall consist of not less than three (3) nor more than twelve (12) voting members, and the initial commission, until changed by resolution, shall consist of five (5) persons appointed by the mayor and affirmed by a majority vote of the city council. The term of office for the initial commission shall be as follows:
a. One member of the planning and zoning commission shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years;
b. Two (2) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years; and
c. Two (2) members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years.
2. Successors; Vacancies; Terms: Their successors shall in all cases be appointed for terms of four (4) years and all appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired terms.
B. Qualifications For Commission Members: An appointed member of the commission must have resided in Bonner County for two (2) years prior to appointment and must remain a resident of the county during service on the commission. The appointed member must also be a resident of the city or must reside in an area of city impact for the city.
C. Compensation: Members of the planning and zoning commission shall receive no compensation for their services as such commissioners.
D. Organization: The planning and zoning commission shall elect a chairperson and create and fill any other office it may deem necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs and business of the commission. Such organization and expenditures for staff shall be in accordance with Idaho Code section 67-6504.
E. Rules, Records And Meetings; Quorum: At least one regular meeting shall be held each month for not less than nine (9) months in a year. The record of meetings, hearings, resolutions, studies, findings, permits and actions taken by the planning and zoning commission shall be maintained and all meetings and records shall be open to the public. The majority of voting members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
F. Duties: It shall be the duty of the planning and zoning commission to work closely with the city council to:
1. Conduct a planning process designed to prepare, implement, review and update the comprehensive plan that includes all lands within the governing boards of jurisdiction;
2. Hold public hearings prior to recommending the changes to the comprehensive plan;
3. Provide ways and means to obtain citizen participation in the planning process;
4. Provide ways and means to obtain citizen participation in the administration of ordinances;
5. Prepare procedure for processing zoning permits, namely: special use permits, rezone applications, planned unit development proposals, lot line adjustments, and to hold hearings and make recommendations to the council for resolving said proposals;
6. Hear all requests for amendment to this title, hold at least one public hearing and make its recommendation to the governing board;
7. Review and recommend changes to planning and zoning ordinances and comprehensive plan;
8. Complete tasks as assigned by the city council, including, but not limited to, researching an issue and review and submit findings to the council. (Ord. 146, 9-22-2016)