(A) Establishment. In accordance with R.C. § 713.01, there is established a Village Planning Commission of five members consisting of the Mayor; one member of the Village Council to be elected thereby for the remainder of his/her term as such member of Village Council; and three electors of the municipality who shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of a majority of the members elected to Council. Each appointee shall serve for a term of six years, except that the term of one of the members of the first commission shall be for four years and one for two years, so that the terms of the three appointed members are staggered.
(B) Officers and Rules. The Planning Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from its members. The Zoning Administrator shall serve as Secretary to the Commission. The Commission shall adopt rules or by-laws for the holding of regular and special meetings, the transaction and disposition of its business and the exercise of the powers of the Commission, such procedure shall be followed.
(C) Quorum. All meetings of the Planning Commission shall be open to the public. A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. No action of the Commission shall be deemed taken unless concurred in by a majority of its members.
(D) Employment of Consultants. The Planning Commission may control, appoint or employ professional services, and may appoint clerks, craftsmen and other subordinates as it finds necessary in connection with the performance of its functions and duties. Expenditures for such service and employment shall be within the amount appropriated for such purpose by the Council.
(E) Planning Commission Powers and Duties. The Planning Commission shall have such powers as are conferred by the general laws of the state, by ordinance of the Village Council as well as the following powers and duties:
(1) To review and act on all development plans as required by this Zoning Code;
(2) To review and act on Conditional Use Permits according to the procedures, standards and criteria stated in this Zoning Code;
(3) To make a determination that a proposed use not listed or provided for in this Zoning Code is substantially similar to a principal use that is listed and provided for in this Zoning Code and refer such determination to the Village Council for confirmation;
(4) To review and act on proposed subdivision plats according to the procedures, standards and criteria stated in Articles 151.30 and 151.40 of the Subdivision Regulations;
(5) To hear and decide appeals from the refusal by the zoning administrator to issue a zoning permit or certificate of zoning compliance;
(6) To authorize in specific cases exceptions to and variations from the terms of this Zoning Code as will not be contrary to the public interest, according to the review criteria set forth in this Zoning Code;
(7) To review all proposed amendments to this Zoning Code and make recommendations to the Village Council as provided in this Zoning Code;
(8) To investigate and 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 the Village of Swanton;
(9) To resolve any disputes with respect to the precise location of a zoning district boundary, using, where applicable, the standards and criteria of § 150.155, District Boundary Lines;
(10) To review nonconforming uses, structures, buildings, site conditions in accordance with the provisions of this Zoning Code; and
(11) To perform such other functions as are referred or delegated to it by the Village Council or the Mayor.
(Ord. 2023-03, passed 2-27-2023)