(a) Establishment. The Planning Commission shall consist of five (5) residents of the City of Galion. One (1) shall be the Mayor, one (1) the Safety Service Director, and the remaining three (3) shall be appointed by the Mayor for overlapping terms of (4) years. Members at the time of the enactment of this section shall complete the term to which they were previously appointed. Vacancies shall be filled by the Mayor and shall be for the unexpired term.
(b) Alternate Members. Two (2) alternate members shall be appointed by the Mayor for overlapping terms of (4) years. Alternates shall be called in rotation to attend meetings when a regular member cannot attend and shall be able to vote when so called.
(c) Removal of Members. Members of the Commission shall be removable for nonperformance of duty, misconduct in office, relocation to a residency outside the City, or for other good cause, by the City Council, after a public hearing has been held regarding such charges. The member shall be given the opportunity to be heard and answer such charges.
(d) Organization and Rules.
(1) Rules. The Commission shall adopt, from time to time, such rules, procedures and regulations as it may deem necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this section.
(2) Officers. The Commission shall elect a Chairperson who shall serve a two year term, and shall also elect a Vice Chairperson who shall serve a term concurrent with the Chairperson. The Commission shall likewise elect a Secretary who shall serve a term concurrent with the Chairperson.
(3) Meetings. 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 that fact. Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. The meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public. The Commission shall keep records of its examinations and other official action.
(4) Assistance. The Commission may call upon the various departments of the City for assistance in the performance of its duties and it shall be the duty of such departments to render assistance to the Commission as may reasonably be required.
(e) Powers and Duties. The Planning Commission has authority to undertake the following:
(1) Prepare a recommended Comprehensive Plan for the City and recommend amendments to that Plan as may be needed from time to time.
(2) Take actions to approve, approve with modification or disapprove subdivisions of land, as authorized by this Planning and Zoning Code.
(3) Review proposed amendments to the Planning and Zoning Ordinance or Official Zoning Map and make recommendations to City Council.
(4) Permit Conditional uses as specified in the Official Schedule of District Regulations under the conditions specified in the Planning and Zoning Code, and such additional safeguards as will uphold the intent of this same.
(5) Review site plans as may be required by specific sections of the Planning and Zoning Code. The decisions of the Commission on such site plan(s) may be overruled by City Council by a 2/3 vote of the total membership.
(6) Make recommendations for newly annexed areas to the City, in accordance with this Ordinance.
(7) Authorize the substitution or extension of nonconforming uses, determine similarity of uses, declare zoning certificates void, and administer requirements for planned unit developments as specified in the Planning and Zoning Code. (Ord. 2014-45. Passed 5-13-14.)