[R.O. 2004 § 420.320; Ord. No. 2.56 § 4, 1-9-2001]
A.
The Mount Vernon Planning and Zoning Commission
has officially adopted the following principles to govern the conduct
of its business. These principles should be considered as advisory
rather than mandatory. Should any questions arise about the interpretation
and application of any of these principles, the City Attorney should
be consulted.
1.
Serve The Public Interest. The primary
obligation of Planning and Zoning Commission members and planning
staff is to serve the public interest.
2.
Support Citizen Participation In
Planning. Because the definition of the public interest is modified
continuously, Planning and Zoning Commission members and planning
staff must recognize the right of citizens to seek to influence planning
decisions that affect their well-being. Members should encourage a
forum for meaningful citizen participation and expression in the planning
process and assist in clarifying community goals, objectives and policies.
3.
Recognize The Comprehensive And Long-Range
Nature Of Planning Decisions. Planning and Zoning Commission members
and planning staff should recognize and give special consideration
to the comprehensive and long-range nature of planning decisions.
Planning and Zoning Commission members and planning staff must seek
to balance and integrate physical (including historical, cultural
and natural), economic and social characteristics of the community
or area affected by those decisions. Planning and Zoning Commission
members and the planning staff must gather all relevant facts, consider
responsible alternative approaches and evaluate the means of accomplishing
them. Planning and Zoning Commission members and planning staff should
expressly evaluate foreseeable consequences before making a recommendation
or decision.
4.
Expand Choice And Opportunity For
All Persons. Planning and Zoning Commission members and planning staff
should strive to make decisions which increase choice and opportunity
for all persons; recognize a special responsibility to plan for the
needs of disadvantaged people; and urge that policies, institutions
and decisions which restrict choices and opportunities be changed.
5.
Facilities Coordination Through The
Planning Process. Planning and Zoning Commission members and planning
staff must encourage coordination of the planning process. The planning
process should enable those concerned with an issue to learn what
other participants are doing, thus permitting coordination of activities
and efforts and accommodation of interests. Planning and Zoning Commission
members and planning staff should strive to ensure that individuals
and public and private agencies likely to be affected by a prospective
planning decision receive adequate information far enough in advance
of the decision to allow their meaningful participation.
6.
Avoid Conflict Of Interest. To avoid
conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety, Planning and
Zoning Commission members who may receive some private benefit from
a public planning decision must not participate in that decision.
The private benefit may be direct or indirect, create a material or
personal gain or provide an advantage to an immediate relation.
7.
Render Thorough And Diligent Planning
Service. Planning and Zoning Commission members and planning staff
must render thorough and diligent planning service. Should a Planning
and Zoning Commission member or members of staff believe he/she can
no longer render such service in a thorough and diligent manner, he/she
should resign from the position. If a member has not sufficiently
reviewed relevant facts and advice affecting a public planning decision,
the member must not participate in that decision.
8.
Do Not Seek Or Offer Favors. Planning
and Zoning Commission members and members of staff must seek no favor.
Planning and Zoning Commission members and planning staff must not
directly or indirectly solicit any gift or accept or receive any gift
(whether in money, services, loans, travel, entertainment, hospitality,
promises or in some other form) under circumstances in which it could
be reasonably inferred that the gift was intended or could reasonably
be expected to be intended to influence them in the performance of
their duties or that it was intended or could reasonably be construed
to be intended as a reward for any recommendation or decision on their
part. Individuals must not offer any gifts or favors intended to influence
the recommendation or decision of Planning and Zoning Commission members
or planning staff.
9.
Do Not Disclose Or Improperly Use
Confidential Information For Financial Gain. Planning and Zoning Commission
members and planning staff must not disclose or use confidential information
obtained in the course of their planning duties for financial or other
gain. A Planning and Zoning Commission member or staff must not disclose
to others confidential information acquired in the course of their
duties or use it to further a personal interest. Exceptions to this
requirement of non-disclosure may be made only when:
a.
Required by process of law;
b.
Required to prevent a clear violation
of law; or
c.
Required to prevent substantial injury
to the public.
|
Disclosure pursuant to Subsection (A)(9)(b) and (c) must not be made until after the Planning and Zoning Commission member or member of staff has made reasonable efforts to verify the facts and issues involved, obtain reconsideration of the matter and obtain separate opinions on the issue from other planners or officials.
|
10.
Ensure Access To Public Planning
Reports And Studies On An Equal Basis. Planning and Zoning Commission
members and planning staff must ensure that reports and records of
the public planning body are open equally to all members of the public.
All non-confidential information available to a member or planning
staff must be made available in the same form to the public in a timely
manner at reasonable or no cost.
11.
Ensure Full Disclosure At Public
Hearings. Planning and Zoning Commission members and staff members
must ensure that the presentation of information on behalf of any
party to a planning question occurs only at the scheduled public hearing
on the question, not in private, unofficially or with other interested
parties absent. The official must make partisan information regarding
the question (received in the mail, by telephone or other communication)
part of the public record.
12.
Maintain Public Confidence. A Planning
and Zoning Commission member or member of staff must conduct himself/herself
publicly so as to maintain public confidence in the public planning
body, the City of Mount Vernon and the official's performance of the
public trust.
