There shall be a Planning Commission consisting of seven members
who shall be appointed by the Mayor with confirmation by the Common
Council. The Commissioners shall serve three-year terms with no compensation,
except the Council may authorize compensation for expenses. The Planning
Commission shall, at the beginning of each year, elect one of its
members as Chair.
The Planning Commission shall have the following powers and
duties:
A.
To prepare, adopt and from time to time revise a Comprehensive Master
Plan for the development of the entire area of the City pursuant to
the Administrative Code.[2] The Master Plan and all modifications thereof shall be
on file in the office of the City Clerk.
B.
To advise the Common Council or any other body, department, official
or agency having jurisdiction, with respect to any subject of the
Master Plan or to any policy or procedure relating thereto, to the
end that the Master Plan shall serve as a guide for public policies,
procedures and actions relating to the subjects thereto.
C.
To review the City capital improvements program prepared by the Capital
Program Committee and to make written recommendations on capital expenditure
priorities to the Mayor and the Common Council.
D.
To study and consider all proposed amendments to the Planning and
Zoning Ordinance of the City,[3] including all proposed changes in the boundaries of districts
established thereby, and to submit to the Zoning Board a definite
recommendation thereon, prior to the adoption of any amendment by
the Common Council.
E.
To pass on the plats of all proposed subdivisions of lands showing
new streets or highways.
F.
To advise the Common Council with respect to proposed acquisition
or alienation of land. The Common Council shall not acquire any land
for any purpose by an means except by tax sale or foreclosure and
shall not alienate any lands by any means until such proposed acquisition
or alienation shall first have been referred to the Planning Commission
for a report thereon.
G.
To advise the Common Council with respect to any proposed change
in the Official Map of the City.
H.
To advise the Zoning Board of Appeals with respect to the granting
of special permits as provided in the Planning and Zoning Ordinance.
I.
To act on any matter on which the Planning Commission is required
or authorized to act by the provisions of this Charter or of any ordinance
of the City or any general law or by any action of the Common Council.
J.
To utilize the county planning staff, pursuant to agreement with
the County Planning Board, and to contract for additional expert services
needed pursuant to appropriations by the Common Council.
