A. Created; Membership; Terms: There is created a planning and zoning commission for the city, consisting of nine (9) members, to be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. One member may be selected from outside the city limits; provided, that person resides within the designated impact area and has been a resident of the impact area or the city for the preceding two (2) continuous years. All members of the planning and zoning commission shall be appointed for a four (4) year term. Any commission member may be discharged from office at any time by the mayor with the concurrence of a majority of the members of the city council. If any member has three (3) consecutive unexcused absences, they shall automatically be discharged from office. (Ord. 606, 3-14-2016)
B. General Procedures And Requirements:
1. Records: Copies of all records and proceedings of the planning and zoning commission shall be on file in the office of the city clerk.
2. Rules And Regulations: The planning and zoning commission shall adopt such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this title, and it shall hold such meetings and meet at such places and have such hearings as the planning and zoning commission, or a majority thereof, may deem necessary and to the interest of the city. At the first meeting of the planning and zoning commission, it shall elect one of its members chairperson, and then at the first meeting of each calendar year following an appointment or reappointment, the planning and zoning commission shall meet and organize by electing a chairperson and vice chairperson, each to serve one year or until his successor is elected and qualified.
3. Recommendations: The planning and zoning commission shall be responsible for recommendations to the city council on commercial and/or industrial comprehensive plan amendments and land use legislation.
4. Meetings: All meetings and records shall be open to the public. At least one regular meeting shall be held on the second Tuesday of each month for not less than nine (9) months in a year. A majority of voting members of the planning and zoning commission shall constitute a quorum. If both chairperson and vice chairperson are not in attendance at meeting, such meeting shall be conducted by the zoning administrator.
C. Duties: In addition, the duties of the planning and zoning commission regarding implementation of this title shall be as follows:
1. Provide for citizen meetings, hearings or other methods to obtain advice on the planning process, comprehensive plan and implementation;
2. Conduct informational meetings and consult with public officials and agencies, public utility companies and civic, educational, professional or other organizations;
3. Promote a public interest in and understanding of the planning and zoning commission activities;
4. Conduct public hearings and make recommendations based on the required findings and standards to the city council for applications in accordance with section 10-2-14, table 1 of this chapter. (1984 Code §§ 5-3-2, 11-5-2B; amd. 2014 Code; Ord. 606, 3-14-2016)