Sound planning practices and development policies
require interaction among three principal agencies at the municipal
level. These agencies are the legislative body, the Planning Board
(or Commission) and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Other local officials
and the Code Enforcement Officer, Engineer, consultants and planning
staff also provide invaluable information to the Planning Board for
the formulation of development policies.
The local legislative body is responsible for
originating basic planning policies. The primary responsibility of
the Planning Board is to advise the legislative body. To carry out
this task, the Planning Board is authorized by state law to prepare
a Comprehensive Plan (Master Plan), to recommend land subdivision
regulations for adoption by the legislative body and to review subdivision
plats and site plans. The local legislative body may also refer to
the Planning Board such matters as the adoption of official maps,
amendments to the zoning ordinances and capital improvements.
Planning Board members are appointed by the
Town Board for a specific term of five years; provided, however, that
where a vacancy shall occur on the Planning Board by reason of a death
or resignation, the Town Board shall appoint a person to complete
the term of the person who has died or resigned.
The Planning Board shall select from its membership
a Chairman, a Vice Chairman to act in the Chairman's absence and a
recording secretary to keep the minutes.