1135.04 PLANNING COMMISSION.
The Planning Commission is designated by the Mayor according to Section 1135.04A below. The main function of the Planning Commission is to make recommendations to the City Council concerning site plans and changes to the zoning code. More specific responsibilities are detailed in the City of Norwalk Charter and Section 1135.04.C
A. Appointment and Organization
1. The Planning Commission shall be composed of seven (7) members, who must be qualified electors that reside in the incorporated area of the City. Membership shall include three (3) members appointed by the Mayor, and four (4) members appointed by City Council. Compensation shall be established by City Council..
2. The term of office shall be four (4) years and their 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.
(Ord. 99-45. Passed 7-13-99.)
B. Proceedings of the Planning Commission
1. The Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from its membership. It shall elect a Secretary who may or may not be a member of the Commission. It shall adopt rules necessary to the conduct of its affairs in keeping with the provisions of 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.
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. All minutes shall be public record and immediately filed in the office of the Clerk of Council.
5. The concurring vote of a majority of members shall be necessary to reverse an order, requirement, decision, or determination of the Zoning Inspector.
C. Duties of the Planning Commission
The City Planning Commission shall have and exercise all powers conferred upon City Planning Commissions by general law and such other duties assigned by the Charter of the City of Norwalk and by City ordinances.
Duties of the Planning Commission shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
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 Planned Unit Development Applications and make recommendations to the City Council as provided in this Ordinance.
5. Carry on a continuous review of the effectiveness and appro priateness of this Ordinance and recommend such changes or amendments as it feels would be appropriate.
6. The Commission may for their purpose, within the limits of the monies appropriated by Council, and subject to execution by the Mayor pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Charter, 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.
(Ord. 2001-42. Passed 6-5-01.)
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.