[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.
