(A) General. There shall be a City Planning and Zoning Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, consisting of seven members who shall be residents of the city, appointed by the Council. Commission members shall be qualified by knowledge or experience to act in matters pertaining to the development of a city plan and shall not hold any elective office in the city government.
(B) Term of office. The term of office of the members of the Commission shall be five years. The terms of not more than three of the members will expire in any one year.
(C) Vacancies. If any vacancy shall exist on the Commission caused by resignation, or otherwise, a successor for the residue of said term shall be appointed in the same manner as the original appointee.
(D) Compensation. All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, except their actual expenses, which shall be subject to approval of the Council.
(E) Powers and duties. The Commission shall have and exercise the following powers and duties.
(1) Selection of officers. The Commission shall choose annually at its first regular meeting one of its members to act as Chairperson and another as Vice-Chairperson, who shall perform all the duties of the Chairperson during an absence or disability.
(2) Adopt rules and regulations. The Commission shall adopt such rules and regulations governing its organization and procedure as it may deem necessary.
(3) Appointment of assistants. Subject to the limitations contained in this chapter as to the expenditure of funds, it may appoint such assistants as it may deem necessary and prescribe and define their respective duties and fix and regulate the compensation to be paid to the several persons employed by it.
(4) Comprehensive Plan studies. It shall have full power and authority to make or cause to be made such surveys, studies, maps, plans or charts of the whole or any portion of the city or of any land outside thereof, which, in the opinion of the Commission, bears relation to the Comprehensive Plan and shall bring to the attention of the Council and may publish its studies and recommendations.
(5) Comprehensive Plan preparation. To prepare a Comprehensive Plan regarding the height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures; the percentage of ground that may be occupied; the size of yards, courts and other open spaces; the density of population; and the location and use of buildings; structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes; and, to this end, such Commission shall prepare a preliminary report and hold public meetings thereon, and after such meetings have been held, shall submit its final report and recommendations to the City Council.
(6) Comprehensive Plan amendments. To recommend to the Council from time to time as conditions require, amendments, supplements, changes or modifications in the Comprehensive Plan prepared by it.
(7) Subdivisions, streets or other public improvements. To review and recommend to the City Council approval or disapproval of all plans, plats or replats of subdivisions or re-subdivisions of land lying within the jurisdiction of the city and all proposals for the vacation or partial vacation of any street, alley or public ground and plans for any street.
(8) Zoning. The Commission shall have and exercise all the powers and duties and privileges in preparing and amending this chapter as provided by Iowa Code Ch. 414.
(2011 Code, § 34.0501)