(A) Establishment. A Planning Board for the town is hereby created under the authority of G.S. § 160D-301.
(Prior Code, § 32.030)
(B) Members; vacancies.
(1) The Planning Board shall consist of nine members: five citizens of the town, who shall be appointed by the Council of the town and a Chairperson, as provided in division (C) below.
(2) Vacancies occurring for reasons other than the expiration of terms shall be filled as they occur by the appropriate governing body as stated herein for the period of the unexpired term. The Mayor of the town shall be a member of the Planning Board, ex officio.
(Prior Code, § 32.031)
(C) Officers, rules and meetings. Within 30 days after appointment, the Planning Board shall meet and elect a Chairperson and create and fill such offices as it may determine. The term of the Chairperson and other officers shall be one year, with eligibility for re-election. It shall adopt rules for transaction of business and shall keep a record of its members’ attendance and of its resolutions, discussions, findings and recommendations, which record shall be a public record. The Board shall meet when necessary, and all of its meetings shall be open to the public.
(Prior Code, § 32.032)
(D) Powers and duties.
(1) Studies. The Planning Board shall make careful studies of present conditions and the probable future development of the town and its environs. The studies may include, but not be limited to: land use surveys; population studies; economic base studies; schools, parks and recreation studies; traffic and parking studies; and urban renewal studies.
(2) Plans. The Planning Board shall formulate and maintain a comprehensive plan of the town and its environs for the purpose of achieving a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the municipality, which would promote, in accordance with present and future needs, the safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of its citizens; efficiency and economy in the process of development; conveniences of traffic; safety from fire and other dangers; adequate light and air; healthful and convenient distribution of population; provision of adequate open spaces; good civic design and arrangement; wise and efficient expenditures of public funds; adequate provision for public utilities; and for other matters pertaining to the public requirements. The comprehensive plan shall consist of a number of parts which may include, but not be limited to, the following: a land use plan; a major thoroughfare plan; a utilities plan; a plan for economic development; a recreation plan; a school plan; and a community facilities plan.
(3) Appointment as Zoning Commission. The Planning Board shall be designated as the Zoning Commission for the town and its environs and shall prepare a zoning ordinance to govern the use of buildings and premises, which ordinance shall be submitted to the Council for its consideration and possible adoption.
(4) Subdivision regulations. The Board may prepare subdivision regulations governing the subdivision of land within the town and its environs, to be submitted to the Council for its consideration and possible adoption.
(5) Powers of review. The Board shall review and make recommendations to the Council upon the extent, location and design of all public structures and facilities; the acquisition and disposal of public properties; the opening, abandonment, widening, extension, narrowing or other change to streets and other public ways; the construction, extension, expansion or abandonment of utilities, whether publicly or privately owned; and upon all zoning and subdivision matters. However, in the absence of a recommendation from the Board, after the expiration of 30 days from the date on which the question has been submitted in writing to the Board, the Council may, if it deems wise, take final action.
(Prior Code, § 32.034)
(Ord. passed 5-10-1951; Ord. passed - -1966; Ord. passed 11-11-1971)
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see G.S. § 160D-301