(A) Review authority. The Planning Commission acts in a review and recommending capacity on the following matters:
(1) Comprehensive Plan amendments;
(2) Zoning and Land Development Regulations text amendments;
(3) Zoning map amendments (rezonings); and
(4) Planned development (PD) development plans and PD zoning map amendments.
(B) Decision-making authority. The Planning Commission shall have final (local) decision-making authority on the following matters:
(1) Preliminary subdivision plats; Planning Commission may delegate final plat review and approval to the planning staff;
(2) Public project review;
(3) Appeals of administrative decisions on final subdivision plats;
(4) Appeals of administrative decisions on subdivision matters;
(5) Names of new streets and roads;
(6) Requests for street name changes; and
(7) Any other matters pursuant to S.C. Code§ 6-29-340, as amended.
(C) Officers, rules, meetings, and minutes. Pursuant to S.C. Code§§ 6-29-350 and 6-29-360, the Planning Commission shall elect one of its members as chairperson and one as vice-chairperson whose terms must be for one year. It shall appoint a secretary who may be an officer or an employee of the governing authority or of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall adopt rules of organizational procedure and shall keep a record of its resolutions, findings, and determinations, which record must be a public record. The Planning Commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson and at such times as the chairperson or Commission may determine. The Planning Commission may purchase equipment and supplies and may employ or contract for such staff and such experts as it considers necessary and consistent with funds appropriated.
(D) Composition. The Planning Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Town Council for terms of four years each; provided, however, that, of the initial members of the Planning Commission, two members shall be appointed for two- year terms and three members shall be appointed for four-year terms. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Any vacancy which may occur on the Planning Commission shall be filled by Town Council appointing a successor to serve out the un-expired term of the vacancy. In appointing members to the Planning Commission, the Town Council shall consider their professional expertise, knowledge of the community, and concern for the future welfare of the total community and its citizens. The membership of the Planning Commission should represent a broad cross-section of the interests and concerns within the town. All Planning Commission members shall reside within the municipal jurisdiction of the town. No member of the Planning Commission may hold any elected public office.
(Ord. 2012-06, § 2.2, passed 10-18-2012; Ord. 2012-21, passed 12-20-2012; Ord. 2014-01, passed 2-20-2014)