(A) It shall be the function and duty of the Planning Board to make comprehensive surveys and studies of existing conditions and probable future developments and prepare those plans for physical, social and economic development as will best promote the public health, safety, morals, conveniences or the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the development of the town. The Planning Board shall have the powers and duties given it by the General Statutes of North Carolina and the Board of Commissioners of the town, including the power to:
(1) Make studies of the area within its jurisdiction and surrounding areas;
(2) Determine objectives to be sought in the development of the study area;
(3) Prepare and adopt plans for achieving objectives;
(4) Develop and recommend policies, ordinances, administrative procedures and other means for carrying out plans in a coordinated and efficient manner;
(5) Advise the Town Board of Commissioners concerning the use and amendment of means for carrying out plans;
(6) Exercise any functions in the administration and enforcement of various means for carrying out plans that the Town Board of Commissioners may direct;
(7) Perform any other related duties that the Town Board of Commissioners may direct;
(8) Accept, receive and disburse in furtherance of its functions any funds, grants and services made available by the federal government and its agencies, the state government and its agencies, any local government and its agencies and any private and civic sources, with concurrence of the Town Board of Commissioners; and the Planning Board, with concurrence of the Town Board of Commissioners, enter into and carry out contracts with the state and federal government or any agencies thereof under which financial or other planning assistance is made available to the town and agree to and comply with any reasonable conditions that are imposed upon that assistance;
(9) Enter into and carry out contracts, with the concurrence of the Town Board of Commissioners, with any other city, county or regional council or planning agency under which technical planning assistance is furnished; and, with the concurrence of the Town Board of Commissioners, enter into and carry out contracts with any other city, county or regional planning agency under which it agrees to pay the other local government or planning agency for technical planning assistance;
(10) Conduct public hearings as may be required to gather information necessary for the drafting, establishment and maintenance of a development plan for the town; and
(11) Promote public interest in and an understanding of its recommendations, and to that end publish and distribute copies of its recommendations and employ other means of publicity and education as it may deem necessary.
(B) The Planning Board shall have no power to incur any debt or obligation of the town, nor shall it have any power to make any expenditure of funds of the town, unless the funds are specifically provided for in the budget of the town and appropriation made for those purposes by the Town Board of Commissioners, or unless the incurring of other obligation is otherwise approved by the Town Board of Commissioners.
(1977 Code, § 2-44)