(a) Composition and Term. The Municipal Planning Commission shall consist of five (5) qualified electors of the Municipality who shall hold no other municipal office. The five (5) members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval by Council, two (2) to serve a term of one (1) year, one (1) to serve a term of two (2) years, one (1) to serve a term of three (3) years, and one (1) to serve a term of four (4) years. In the event that any vacancy shall not be so filled within sixty (60) days, any member of Council may nominate a qualified individual to fill the vacancy, subject to the approval of a majority of the members of Council. Their successors shall serve a term of four (4) years. Commission members shall serve without compensation. Commission members shall have been continuously a resident of the Municipality, or in territory subsequently annexed thereto, or in the Municipality and annexed territory in any combination, continuously for at least two (2) years immediately prior to the date of their appointment. A vacancy occurring during the term of any member of the Municipal Planning Commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided herein authorized for an original appointment. At the first meeting each year, the Commission shall elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair from the five (5) members for the remainder of the calendar year.
(b) Powers and Duties. The Municipal Planning Commission shall establish its own rules of operation except that the meetings shall be called by the Chair and at other times as its members may determine, shall be open to the public and the Commission shall maintain a record of its resolutions, findings, and determinations. It shall be the duty of the Chair of the Municipal Planning Commission to report to the Municipal Administrator and Council all matters affecting the physical development of the Municipality. The Municipal Planning Commission shall have the powers and duties conferred upon it by this Charter and by ordinances of Council enacted pursuant hereto, any zoning or other ordinances presently in effect, and in addition shall have such powers as may now or hereafter be granted by the laws of the State of Ohio. It may adopt and recommend to Council a comprehensive general plan for the physical development of the Municipality or the redevelopment of any area or district therein, which shall include the location of public ways, property, bridges, schools, utilities, buildings, parks, playgrounds, and recreation areas, and the reservation and acquisition of lands therefore. It may prepare and recommend to Council ordinances creating areas, zones, and districts of permitted and excluded uses, including rules, regulations, restrictions, and limitations governing the plan, design, height, floor area, number of stories, size of structures, area and size of lots, percentage of land occupancy, size of yards, courts, open spaces, locations and use and occupancy of public and private buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, off-street parking, residence, park, playground, agriculture, and all other uses or purposes, both public and private, pertaining to each, as will promote the general welfare of the Municipality and its inhabitants. It shall have jurisdiction over the platting and subdivision of lands and the improvement or development thereof, including the construction of streets, sewers, and utilities therein.
(c) Planning, Zoning, and Subdivision Regulations. In furtherance and not in limitation of any power or powers granted to it by this Charter, Council shall have the full power and authority to:
(1) Adopt, amend and enforce all or any portion of a comprehensive general plan for the redevelopment of any area or district therein.
(2) Create, change or revise areas, zones and districts of permitted and excluded uses of such numbers or classifications, as it may deem appropriate.
(3) Enact and enforce such rules and regulations pertaining to the matters mentioned herein, as will promote and preserve the general welfare of the Municipality and its inhabitants.
(4) Legislate upon any matter over which the Municipal Planning Commission has jurisdiction or powers of recommendation or regulation provided that such matter shall be first submitted to the Municipal Planning Commission for recommendation and report; and the action of Council, whether approving or disapproving the recommendation of said Commission, shall require a vote of the majority of the members of Council.
(d) Notice and Hearings. In the enactment of zoning legislation, or of regulations pertaining to platting or subdivision of lands, Council shall provide by ordinance for such public hearing and notices and for the form and manner of publication or delivery of notices as it deems necessary and in the public interest, and as may be in conformity with this Charter, irrespective of the provisions of the statutes of the State of Ohio in regard thereto.
(Amended 11-6-07; 11-2-10; 11-7-17)