(a) Planning Commission Established. The Planning Commission is established under Article VIII in the Charter of the City of Louisville.
(b) Powers and Duties. Article VIII, Section 3 in the Charter of the City of Louisville vests the Planning Commission with all powers and duties granted and imposed by the general laws of the State of Ohio to planning commissions and zoning boards, and is to be controlled by such statutes except where the same are in conflict with the Charter. The Planning Commission shall have the following duties:
(1) Zoning amendments. To initiate map or text amendments to this Zoning Code.
(2) Comprehensive Plan. Make recommendations to Council on all proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan of the City.
(3) Change in nonconforming use. The Planning Commission may hear and decide on an application for a change from one nonconforming use to another subject to the provisions of this Unified Development Ordinance.
(4) Zoning Code and Zoning District Map. Upon the filing of a petition or application on all proposed amendments to the text of the Unified Development Ordinance or the Zoning District Map, conduct public hearings, review, and make appropriate recommendations to Council.
(5) Conditional uses. The Planning Commission shall have the power to administer Chapter 1133 (Conditional Use Review) and shall have the power to issue conditional zoning certificates as specified and regulated in this Unified Development Ordinance.
(6) Plats. Review and decide all requests for preliminary and final plats within the corporate limits of the City.
(7) Maintenance. Carry on a continuous review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of this Unified Development Ordinance and recommend such changes or amendments as it deems appropriate.
(8) Interpretation. In the case of a use that is not specifically mentioned in the Unified Development Ordinance, the Planning Commission shall classify the use with a use of a similar nature that is already listed in this UDO and all applicable sections of this UDO shall apply to such use. The use approved as a similar use shall also be recommended by the Planning Commission for addition to the list of the permitted or conditional uses in the Zoning Districts previously described in this UDO.
(9) Extension of district. Grant a permit for the extension of a use district for a distance of not more than twenty-five (25) feet, where the boundary line of a district divides a lot in a single ownership at the time of the adoption of this Unified Development Ordinance.
(11) Studies. The Planning Commission may make studies and recommend to City Council community development plans, goals, and objectives relating to the growth, development, and redevelopment of the City.
(12) Recommendations. The Planning Commission may develop and recommend to the Council policies, ordinances, administrative procedures, and other means for carrying out plans in a coordinated and efficient manner.
(13) Other duties. The Planning Commission may perform other duties assigned by City Council.(Ord. 09-20. Passed 6-22-09.)
(c) Members.
(1) Appointment. As specified by Article VIII, Section 1 in the Charter of the City of Louisville, Council shall appoint five (5) voting members to the City Planning Commission, none of whom shall hold any other public office or position in the City. The members shall be residents of the incorporated area of the City. Members shall serve without compensation. The City Manager and Mayor-Councilmember shall serve as non-voting members of the Commission. (Ord. 11-29. Passed 10-10-11.)
(2) Terms. As specified by Article VIII, Section 2 in the Charter of the City of Louisville, the term of the appointive members shall be five (5) years, except that, terms of the five (5) members first appointed shall be staggered, such that one shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, one for two (2) years, one for three (3) years, and one for four (4) years.
(3) Term Limits. No one shall be appointed for more than three (3) full consecutive terms.
(4) Vacancy. As specified by Article VIII, Section 2 in the Charter of the City of Louisville, any vacancy during the unexpired term of an appointed member shall be filled with a new appointee by Council for the remainder of the term.
(5) Removal. Planning Commission members may be removed by City Council at any time for failure to attend three (3) consecutive meetings or for failure to attend thirty (30) percent or more of the meetings within any twelve (12) month period or for any other good cause related to performance of duties. Upon request of the member proposed for removal, City Council shall hold a hearing on the removal before it becomes effective.
(d) Officers. At its first meeting of each year, the Planning Commission shall elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among the voting members. Vacancies in these offices may be filled for the unexpired terms in similar fashion. Officers shall serve for terms of one (1) year. Officers may take part in all deliberations and vote on all issues. The City Manager shall designate administrative staff to serve as secretary for the Commission.
(e) Meetings.
(1) Procedures. The Planning Commission shall adopt rules necessary to the conduct of its affairs and hold meetings in keeping with the provisions of the Charter and this Unified Development Ordinance. All meetings of the Planning Commission shall be open to the public.
(2) Quorum. The presence of three (3) voting members of the Planning Commission shall constitute a quorum.
(3) Voting. A concurring vote of three (3) members shall be necessary to take action, make decisions, or act on any motion.
(4) Records. The Planning Commission shall keep minutes of its proceedings showing the vote of each member upon each question, or if absent or failing to vote, showing such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions all of which shall be a public record and kept in the office of the City Clerk.