There is hereby established in and for the municipality a Planning Commission, to be constituted and to have such members as provided in this chapter. The main functions of the Planning Commission are to review and approve site plans and make recommendations to the Village Council concerning changes to the zoning code.
(a) Appointment and organization. The Planning Commission shall be composed of five members, qualified electors who reside in the incorporated area of the municipality. Each member of the Planning Commission shall serve for the term of his or her appointment and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Membership shall include the following:
(1) Mayor.
(2) A member of Village Council elected by Council to serve during his or her term.
(3) Three members appointed by the Mayor. The term of office shall be three years and terms shall be so arranged that the term of at least one 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 annually elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson and secretary from its membership and the secretary shall be the administrative coordinator for the municipality. The Commission shall adopt rules necessary for the conduct of its affairs in keeping with the provisions of state and local law.
(2) Commission meetings shall be held at the call of the Chairperson, and at such other times as the Commission may determine.
(3) 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.
(4) A quorum of the Planning Commission shall consist of a majority of all the members of the Planning Commission. When a quorum is present, the concurring vote of a majority of the votes cast shall be necessary for the adoption of any motion.
(c) Duties of the Planning Commission. For the purpose of the Zoning Code, the Commission shall have the following duties:
(1) Recommend the proposed Zoning Code, including text and the Official Village Zoning Map to the Village Council for formal adoption.
(2) Initiate advisable Village Zoning Map changes or changes in the text of the Zoning Code where the same will promote the best interest of the public in general through recommendations to the Village Council.
(3) Review all proposed amendments to the text of the Zoning Code and the Village Zoning Map and make recommendations to the Village Council.
(4) Review all Planned Development applications and make recommendations to the Village Council as provided in the Zoning Code.
(5) Carry on a continuous review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Zoning Code and recommend such changes or amendments as it feels would be appropriate.
(6) 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.
(7) The Commission shall make use of such information and counsel as is available from appropriate public officials, departments, and agencies.
(8) Interpret the appropriate classification of uses not found in the Zoning Code.
(9) In the case of a use that is not specifically mentioned in the Zoning Code, the Planning Commission shall classify the use of a similar nature to a use that is already listed in the Zoning Code. 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 the Zoning Code.
(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)