(1) Reference. The Planning and Zoning Commission, established in the City Charter, shall be known and hereafter referenced in this Code as the PZC.
(2) Membership. The members of the PZC shall be appointed to five-year staggered terms. (Charter, Article VII, § 7.5)
(3) Powers and duties. The Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) shall have the following functions, powers and duties, exercisable in accordance with the procedures contained in this Code, Ohio Revised Code and as established by the City Charter:
(A) Initiate, hear, review and make recommendations related to amendments to this Code;
(B) Initiate, hear, review and make recommendations related to amendments to the zoning map;
(C) Hear, review and make decisions on conditional use applications;
(D) To interpret the boundaries on the zoning map, where questions with respect to zoning boundaries may have been raised, to carry out the intent and purpose of this Code. In case of any question as to the location of any boundary line between zoning districts, a request for interpretation of the zoning map may be made to the PZC and a determination shall be made by the PZC, after formal public notice is given to adjacent and other affected property owners pursuant to the procedure established in § 157.055;
(E) To hear, review and make decisions on preliminary plans and make recommendations on final plats as part of major subdivisions;
(F) To hear, review and make decisions on minor subdivisions upon referral of the Planning Director;
(G) To hear, review and make decisions on an appeal of the Planning Director’s decision on a minor subdivision pursuant to § 157.049(8);
(I) To hear, review and make decisions on applications to vary the terms of the land development standards (related to subdivision) of §§ 157.130 through 157.142, as part of a major subdivision review, when such variance will not be contrary to the public interest, where, owing to special conditions, literal enforcement of the provisions of this Code will result in undue hardship, and so that the spirit of this Code shall be observed and substantial justice done. Such variances shall be made pursuant to § 157.050(16).
(4) Meetings. All meetings of the PZC shall be open to the public and the PZC 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, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official action, all of which shall be immediately filed in the office of the Planning Department and City Council and shall be a public record.
(5) Bylaws. The PZC shall, by a majority vote of its entire membership, adopt bylaws governing its procedures on such matters as officers, agendas, voting, quorum, order of business and related matters as it may consider necessary or advisable; provided such bylaws are consistent with the provisions of this Code.
(6) Action by the PZC. Any action taken by the PZC shall have the supporting votes of the majority of the full membership of the PZC, regardless of the number of Commission members present.
(Prior Code, § 1223.04) (Ord. 2009-21, passed 10-27-2009)