[R.O. 1993 § 405.010; Ord. No. 199 § 1, 7-27-1970; Ord. No. 784 § 1, 7-18-2005]
There is hereby established a commission to be known as the "Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Bel-Nor." The Planning and Zoning Commission may also be referred to as the "Planning Commission" or variations thereof. The reference to either name or slight variations thereof shall mean the Commission established by this Chapter.
[R.O. 1993 § 405.020; Ord. No. 199 § 2, 7-27-1970; Ord. No. 537 § 1, 11-21-1994; Ord. No. 784 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consist of not more than fifteen (15) nor less than seven (7) members, including:
1. 
The Mayor;
2. 
A member of the Board of Aldermen selected by the Board of Aldermen;
3. 
Not more than fifteen (15) nor less than five (5) citizens appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Board of Aldermen. All citizen members of the Commission shall serve without compensation. The term of each of the citizen members shall be for four (4) years, except that the terms of the citizen members first appointed shall be for varying periods so that succeeding terms will be staggered. Any vacancy in a membership shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment as aforesaid. The Board of Aldermen may remove any citizen member for cause stated in writing and after public hearing.
B. 
The Planning and Zoning Commission may consult with engineers, architects, arborists and other experts as deemed necessary by the Commission in the performance of its duties.
[R.O. 1993 § 405.030; Ord. No. 199 § 3, 7-27-1970; Ord. No. 784 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
Comprehensive Plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall have the authority and duty to prepare a Comprehensive Plan for the physical development of the City and shall have the power to consult professional advisers with regard to the Comprehensive Plan.
B. 
Review And Recommendation. The Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct review of:
1. 
Applications, plans, drawings, designs and materials for additions, alterations and improvements to existing structures;
2. 
Applications, plans, drawings, designs and materials for all new construction within the City;
3. 
Applications for rezoning and/or amendments to the Zoning Map;
4. 
Plats and plans for the subdivision of land within the City; and
5. 
Any other applications or documents as prescribed by State law or ordinance. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall review all such applications, plats, plans, drawings, designs and materials:
a. 
To ensure compliance with the City's zoning, building, subdivision and development requirements and standards;
b. 
To ensure physical growth and development is done in a planned manner and in order to best protect various land uses within the City;
c. 
To assure the continued and long-term quality of Bel-Nor's housing stock;
d. 
To encourage high quality development, both residential and commercial, and to discourage poor exterior design, appearance and inferior quality that is likely to have a depreciating effect on the local environment and surrounding area;
e. 
To enhance the beauty, livability and prosperity of the community;
f. 
To encourage originality, creativity and diversity in design and to avoid monotony;
g. 
To preserve green space by requiring the preservation/replacement of existing trees and enhanced landscaping; and
h. 
To ensure residential design that is compatible with the character inherent within the surrounding neighborhood.
[R.O. 1993 § 405.040; Ord. No. 199 § 4, 7-27-1970; Ord. No. 784 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
Upon hearing an application or other matter, the Planning and Zoning Commission may recommend approval as submitted, recommend approval with modifications or recommend denial. Such recommendation shall be transmitted to the Board of Aldermen along with all documents submitted to the Commission regarding the matter.
B. 
All applications shall be promptly considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission; the Commission shall render a decision no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the meeting at which the item first appears before the Commission; provided, however, that with the consent of the applicant, any application or matter before the Planning and Zoning Commission may be continued in order for the applicant to make changes or modifications to the application, plans, etc., as requested by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Failure of the Commission to make a decision within the time period prescribed will result in the application being transmitted to the Board of Aldermen without recommendation.
[R.O. 1993 § 405.050; Ord. No. 199 § 5, 7-27-1970; Ord. No. 784 § 1, 7-18-2005]
The members of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall elect their own Chairman and shall make such rules as they deem appropriate for the conduct of their meetings and of their business consistent with the law, including designation of the place and time of meetings and the calling thereof.
[R.O. 1993 § 405.060; Ord. No. 199 § 6, 7-27-1970; Ord. No. 784 § 1, 7-18-2005]
The Planning and Zoning Commission is empowered to incur expenses in connection with the conduct of their business to be paid from the General Revenue Fund, provided that no expenditure for any one (1) item shall exceed the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) without prior approval of the Board of Aldermen.
[R.O. 1993 § 405.070; Ord. No. 199 § 7, 7-27-1970; Ord. No. 784 § 1, 7-18-2005]
Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall receive no compensation for their services in such capacity.