The Planning Commission is designated according to Section 5.10 of the Charter for the City of Harrison and Section 1171.04A below. The main functions of the Planning Commission are to review and approve site plans and make recommendations to the City Council concerning changes to the zoning code. More specific responsibilities are detailed in the Charter for the City of Harrison and Section 1171.04C.
A. Appointment and Organization
The Planning Commission shall be composed of five (5) members, qualified electors who reside in the incorporated area of the City. Membership shall include the following:
1. Mayor.
2. A member of City Council elected by Council to serve during his/her term.
3. Three (3) members appointed by the Mayor with consent of Council.
The term of office shall be three (3) years and terms shall be so arranged that the term of at least one (1) member shall expire each year. Any vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the manner the original appointment was made.
B. Proceedings of the Planning Commission
1. The Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from its membership and the secretary shall be the administrative coordinator for the City. The Commission shall adopt rules necessary for the conduct of its affairs in keeping with the provisions of the City Charter and this Ordinance.
2. Commission meetings shall be held at the call of the Chairperson, and at such other times as the Commission may determine.
3. All meetings shall be open to the public. If permitted under Ohio law, the Planning Commission may go into executive session for discussion, but not for a vote on any case before it.
4. The Secretary of the Planning Commission shall keep minutes of its proceedings showing the vote for 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 actions. The Secretary of the Planning Commission shall not have the privilege of voting on matters of the Commission. All minutes shall be public record and immediately filed in the office of the Commission.
5. A quorum of the Planning Commission shall consist of a majority of all the members of the Planning Commission. The concurring vote of a majority of members, with a minimum of three, shall be necessary to reverse an order, requirement, decision, or determination of the Director of Zoning or his/her authorized representative or the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(Ord. 53-09. Passed 7-21-09.)
C. Duties of the Planning Commission
For the purpose of this Ordinance, the Commission shall have the following duties:
1. Recommend the proposed Zoning Ordinance, including text and the Official City Zoning Map to the City Council for formal adoption.
2. Initiate advisable Official City Zoning Map changes or changes in the text of the Zoning Ordinance where same will promote the best interest of the public in general through recommendations to the City Council.
3. Review all proposed amendments to the text of this Ordinance and the City Zoning Map and make recommendations to the City Council.
4. Review all developments of vacant land and Planned Unit Development Applications and make recommendations to the City Council as provided in this Ordinance.
5. Review all conditional uses as identified in the respective zoning districts according to provisions and criteria stated in this Ordinance.
6. Carry on a continuous review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of this Ordinance and recommend such changes or amendments as it feels would be appropriate.
7. The Commission may for their purpose, within the limits of the funds appropriated by Council, employ or contract with such planning consultants and executive and clerical assistants as it deems necessary.
8. The Commission shall make use of such information and counsel as is available from appropriate public officials, departments, and agencies. (Ord. 6-22. Passed 5-17-22.)
D. Interpretation of Uses not Found in the Zoning Districts
In the case of a use that is not specifically mentioned in this Ordinance, the Planning Commission shall classify the use of a similar nature to a use that is already listed in this Ordinance. The use that is approved as a similar use shall be recommended by the Planning Commission for addition to the permitted uses in the zoning districts previously described in this Ordinance. (Ord. 53-09. Passed 7-21-09.)