1135.04  PLANNING COMMISSION.
   (a)   Composition and Organization. The composition, terms of members, organization and meetings of the Planning Commission shall be in compliance with and as provided in Article X of the City Charter.
   (b)   Proceedings of Planning Commission. Subject to the provisions of Article X of the City Charter, all meetings of the Planning Commission shall be open to the public. The presence of three or more members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business, and action by the Commission on any matter shall be effected by the concurring votes of at least three members.
   (c)   Powers and Duties of the Commission. For the purpose of this Zoning Code, the City Planning Commission is given the following powers and duties that are in addition to those conferred upon it by the laws of Ohio.
      (1)   To adopt and recommend to Council a Comprehensive Plan for the physical development of the City, or the redevelopment of any area or district therein which shall include the location of streets and other public ways, parks, playgrounds, recreation areas and other public places.
      (2)   To review and recommend to Council plans and maps for dividing the City or any portion thereof into zones or districts representing the recommendations of the Commission in the interest of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity or general welfare for the regulation and restriction of the location of buildings and other structures and of premises to be used for trade, industry, residence or other specified uses; the regulation and limitation of height of buildings and other structures to be erected or altered; regulation of bulk and location of buildings and other structures to be erected or altered, including the percentage of lot occupancy, setback building lines, and the area of yards, courts and other open spaces in such zones or districts.
      (3)   To review all site plans required by this Code, and make recommendations to City Council as provided in this Code.
      (4)   To review all applications for conditional uses for a particular zoning lot according to provisions and criteria stated in this Code and make recommendations to City Council.
      (5)   To review applications for variances from the terms of this Zoning Code pertaining to uses requiring site plan review or conditional use approval, except as otherwise specified in this Code, as will not be contrary to the public interest and where:
         A.   The proposal results in a development of equivalent or higher quality than that which could be achieved through strict application of such standards and requirements; or
         B.   Owing to the special conditions, a literal enforcement of this Code will result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship; and make recommendations to City Council.
      (6)   To recommend to Council that a proposed use that is not listed or provided for in this Code is substantially similar to a principal or conditionally permitted use that is listed and provided for in this Code.
      (7)   To review all proposed amendments to the Zoning Code Text and/or Map and to submit to Council the Commission's recommendations with respect to such proposed amendments.
      (8)   To investigate and to propose on its own initiative such amendments to the Zoning Code as it may deem consistent with the purposes of this Zoning Code and which further the public health, safety and general welfare of Stow.
      (9)   To review plans for the completion, restoration, reconstruction, expansion, extension or substitution of nonconforming uses, buildings or site conditions for all uses except single-family residential uses where the enforcement of the regulations pertaining to nonconforming lots, buildings, or uses will result in unnecessary hardship.
      (10)   To adopt rules and bylaws for the holding of regular and special meetings, for the transaction and disposition of its business and the exercise of its powers.
(Ord. 2007-222. Passed 1-10-08.)