(A) There is hereby created a City Planning Commission, which shall be referred to as the Planning Commission.
(B) The Planning Commission created under the terms of this section shall consist of an uneven number of members, of not less than three members and not more than five members, appointed by the Mayor, and subject to approval by the City Council. The term each member shall serve shall be for five years. Administrative officials of the city may be appointed as ex-officio members of the Planning Commission, however, all members of the Planning Commission shall serve as such without compensation.
(C) The Planning Commission shall elect a Chairperson from among its members for a term of one year with eligibility for re-election, and shall also elect a Vice-Chairperson and Secretary in a manner prescribed by the rules of the members. The Planning Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting each month, and shall adopt rules for transaction of its business and keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations, which shall be a public record. The Planning Commission may appoint such employees as it may deem necessary for its work, and may also contract with planners, engineers, architects, and other consultants for such services as it may require; provided, however, that such appointments and contracts shall be approved by the City Council.
(D) The Planning Commission may exercise the comprehensive planning and zoning powers granted in SDCL §§ 11-4 and 11-6, and acts amendatory thereof, not only within the corporate limits of the city, but also within an area of up to three miles of the corporate limits, as provided by law.
(E) (1) For the purpose of making a comprehensive plan for the development of the city, the Planning Commission shall make, or cause to be made, careful and comprehensive studies of present conditions and future growth of the city, including any land outside the city which bears relation to the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated and harmonious development of the city and its environs.
(2) After such comprehensive plan has been adopted according to law, no substantial amendment or modification thereof shall be made without such proposed change first being referred to the Planning Commission for its recommendations.
(F) It shall be a duly of the Planning Commission to recommend the boundaries of zoning districts and appropriate regulations to be enforced therein, in accordance with the comprehensive plan. All applications and proposals for changes in, or amendments to, the zoning regulations shall first be submitted to the Planning Commission for its recommendations. The City Council may provide for the Planning Commission to act as a Board of Adjustment to make special exceptions or grant variances to the terms of the zoning regulations.
(G) (1) All plans, plats, or re-plats of subdivisions or re-subdivisions of land within the jurisdiction of this section shall first he submitted to the Planning Commission for its recommendation before approval by the City Council.
(2) The Planning Commission shall prepare and recommend to the City Council regulations governing the subdivision of land within its jurisdiction. No amendments or changes thereto shall be made without recommendation by the Planning Commission.
(H) The Planning Commission, its members, and employees shall have all powers as may be necessary to enable it to fulfill and perform its functions, and to carry out all the purposes and powers provided in SDCL §§ 11-4 and 11-6, and acts amendatory thereof.
(Ord., passed 9-11-1995; Ord. 531, passed 7-14-1999)