[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Hancock 5-10-2006 as Ch. 27 of the 2006 Code of Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
The Mayor and Council of the Town of Hancock, a municipal corporation, adopted a Comprehensive Plan and Land Subdivision Ordinance in 1974. The Planning Commission was established and a methodology was utilized over a period of time to carry out the functions of this body. The original ordinance establishing the Planning Commission was effective August 12, 1974.
B. 
The Mayor and Council, as the legislative body of the municipality, feel it is in the best interest of the citizenry and community to clarify and formally reestablish the Planning Commission by this chapter.
Pursuant to the powers and authority vested in the Mayor and Council of Hancock, a municipal corporation, by and pursuant to the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, §§ 2-101 et seq. and 3-101 et seq., as subsequently amended, there is hereby created and reconstituted a Planning Commission to be known as the "Hancock Planning Commission."
A. 
The general powers and duties of the Hancock Planning Commission are those powers, duties and responsibilities defined in the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, § 1-101 et seq., insofar as the same are applicable and pertain to municipal planning for the Town of Hancock as now set forth in the Land Use Article, § 1-101 et seq., and as may be subsequently amended and as prescribed in the applicable ordinances of the Mayor and Council of Hancock, a municipal corporation, as they now exist and as may be subsequently amended. This chapter shall not in any way affect the powers and duties vested in the Mayor and Council of the Town of Hancock, as its legislative body, by any laws of the State of Maryland, nor shall it affect the powers and duties vested in the Board of Zoning Appeals by any laws of the State of Maryland or by an ordinance passed pursuant thereto.
B. 
The Planning Commission may promulgate rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. Said rules and regulations shall be approved by the Mayor and Council by resolution at a duly constituted meeting. The Planning Commission shall not have the authority to make any revisions or changes in the Subdivision Ordinance or any other land use ordinance or regulation.
A. 
The Commission shall consist of seven members, one of whom may be a member of the Council to serve in an ex officio capacity concurrent with that person's official term of office.
B. 
The members shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council.
C. 
All members of the Commission shall serve as such without compensation, except as provided by the Mayor and Council by appropriate resolution.
D. 
The term of office of each member, except for the member of the Council, shall be for five years from the date of his or her appointment or until his or her successor takes office; except that the respective terms of the five members first appointed originally and those now serving shall be on a staggered basis and shall terminate as previously provided upon the expiration of their terms, at which time their successors shall be appointed for the term established herein.
E. 
Vacancies occurring, other than through the expiration of a term, shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment of the Mayor and confirmation by the Council.
F. 
Members may, after a public hearing before the legislative body, be removed by the Mayor and Council for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. In the event of a removal of a member as set forth, the Mayor and Council shall file a written statement of reasons for that removal.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Resolution Ordinance adopting Planning Commission enacted August 12, 1974, recorded at Liber 1, folio 169. Ordinance provided for five members. Subsequent revisions December 1994, February 22, 1995.
The statutory powers of the Planning Commission are set forth in Article 66B, Land Use, Planning Commission Generally, Section 3.01 through Section 3.09, of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Former Hancock Code Chapter 13, amended, revised, reconstituted June 2006.