Maintain records of all applications, amendments, permits, certificates,
variances, public notices and minutes of Commission meetings for public
inspection and purchase of copies.
No permit or certificate shall be issued by the Zoning Administrator/Code
Enforcement Officer except where compliance with the provisions of
this chapter has been met.
Purpose. A municipal Planning and Zoning Commission, hereinafter
called the "Commission," is hereby established for the purpose of
interpretation of this chapter, approving certain actions, receiving
requests for modifications to this chapter and rezoning, and making
recommendations to the City Council concerning matters pertaining
to zoning within the City.
The Commission shall review an administrative action of the
Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer when it is alleged that
there is an error in the order, requirement, determination, or refusal
made by the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer and shall
reverse, affirm, or modify the administrative action.
The Commission shall interpret the Zoning Map in accordance
with the standards set forth in this chapter when the Zoning Administrator/Code
Enforcement Officer is uncertain as to the exact boundary of a zone
shown on the Zoning Map.
Recommend to the City Council either approval, denial, or modification
of a request for annexation, historic district permit, special use
permit, subdivision, vacation of a public street or right-of-way,
rezoning, amendment of this chapter, or any land use consideration
within the zoning jurisdiction of the City.
Grant final approval or denial of a variance, home occupation permit, or conditional use permit after public meeting, provided there is not an appeal to the City Council within 15 days in accordance with Article VII of this chapter.
The Commission shall consist of not less than five members,
each to be appointed by a simple majority vote of the City Council.
Members shall serve staggered terms of two years each. Members appointed
to the Commission shall be residents of the City of Socorro.
After a public hearing and for cause stated in writing and made
part of the public record, a member of the Commission may be removed
by a simple majority vote of the City Council.
Any Commission member who is present at less than 1/2 of scheduled
Commission meetings within a calendar year shall be reported to the
City Council during the following month of January by the Commission
for consideration for removal.
A recording secretary, separate from the Zoning Administrator/Code
Enforcement Officer, shall be provided to assist the Commission by
the City. The recording secretary shall not be a member of the Commission
and shall be only responsible for those duties requested by the Commission
and approved by the City Clerk.
Organization. The Commission shall elect a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman
in April of each year. They shall serve for one calendar year following
their elections.
Voting. A simple majority vote of a quorum of the Commission is required
for approval on all Commission activities. A quorum is a majority
of the total membership. Any member having a conflict of interest
should verbally abstain from voting.
Criteria for recommendations and decisions. In considering all requests,
the Commission shall review applicable plans to determine whether
the request will:
Report to the City Council. The Commission shall provide written
minutes, with recommendations as necessary, to the City Council on
all matters that are brought before the Commission.