There shall be a Department of Planning and Development under
the direction of a Commissioner of Planning and Development, who shall
be appointed by the County Executive subject to confirmation by the
County Legislature. He/She shall be appointed on the basis of his/her
professional training and experience and other qualifications for
the responsibilities of his/her office. He/She shall be directly responsible
to, and serve at the pleasure of, the County Executive.
The Commissioner of Planning and Development shall be the chief
administrative officer of the department. Except as may otherwise
be provided in this Charter, he/she shall have all the powers and
perform all the duties conferred or imposed by law upon a county commissioner
of planning and development or a county planning board, and shall
perform such other and related duties required by the County Executive
or County Legislature.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 7-2003]
There shall be within the Department of Planning and Development
an advisory Planning Board consisting of 13 members. All members shall
be residents of Dutchess County. Nine members shall be appointed by
the County Executive, subject to confirmation of the County Legislature.
Four members shall be appointed by the County Legislature. Of the
County Executive appointments, one member shall be a resident of the
City of Poughkeepsie and one member shall be a resident of the City
of Beacon. Initially, the County Executive shall appoint three members
for a term of one year, three members for a term of two years and
three members for a term of three years. All subsequent appointments
to fill vacancies resulting from the expiration of terms shall be
for three years. Of the legislative appointments, one member shall
be a resident of one of the villages in the County and be appointed
for a term of one year. One member shall be appointed for a term of
two years and two members shall be appointed for a term of three years.
All subsequent legislative appointments to fill vacancies resulting
from the expirations of terms shall be for three years. Vacancies
occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the
balance of the term remaining in the same manner and by the same appointing
authority as the original appointment. In making appointments, members
should be considered with a background and involvement dealing with
housing, conservation, the environment, economic development, infrastructure
(including water, sewer and transportation) and planning. The Board
shall consider matters relating to metropolitan, regional, County
or municipal planning, development, transportation, infrastructure,
housing and land use and shall advise the County Legislature, the
County Executive and the Commissioner and make recommendations to
them.
The Commissioner of Planning and Development shall have the
power to appoint such Deputy Commissioners, assistants and employees
of his/her department as shall be authorized by the County Legislature.
All such appointees shall be directly responsible to, and serve at
the pleasure of, the Commissioner, except as otherwise provided by
this Charter, the Administrative Code or applicable law.
The Commissioner of Planning and Development, subject to approval
by the County Executive, shall designate in writing, and in order
of succession, the Deputy Commissioners and assistants who shall be
Acting Commissioner of Planning and Development in the event of his/her
absence from the County or inability to perform and exercise the powers
and duties of his/her office. Such designation shall be filed with
the County Clerk and the Clerk of the County Legislature and may be
revoked at any time by the Commissioner filing a new written designation
and order of succession. The Acting Commissioner of Planning and Development
shall have all the powers and perform all the duties of the Commissioner.