Pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3001, there is hereby
created a Planning Board for the City for purpose of serving as an
advisory board in matters relating to the planned development and
general land use of the City.
The Planning Board shall consist of seven (7) members who shall be
appointed by the City Council and who shall serve without pay and
who shall be representatives of the City at large. Each member shall
be appointed for three (3) years or until a successor is appointed.
Members appointed shall be residents of the City. A City Councilor
or his/her spouse may not be a member of the Planning Board.
A vacancy may occur by reason of resignation, death, giving up residency
or failure to attend at least seventy-five percent (75%) of all meetings
during the previous twelve (12) months. The Chair of the Board shall
immediately notify the City Council in writing of any vacancy when
it occurs.
At the first regular meeting of the Board in January of each year,
the members shall meet and elect a Chair and Vice Chair and such other
officers as it may determine to serve for a period of one (1) year
or until a successor is elected, and a member may succeed himself
or herself in office if so elected. The Planning Board shall hold
a regular monthly meeting and other meetings as it deems necessary
from time to time. Any records deemed public records under state law
may be inspected at the Planning Department during regular business
hours.
On any and all voting matters pertaining to recommended adoption
or amendments of the Comprehensive Plan or to proposed adoption or
amendment of land use ordinances, an affirmative vote of a majority
of all members of the Planning Board shall be necessary for its passage
and only after a public hearing has been conducted on the matter.
All other voting matters shall be decided by a majority vote of those
present and voting and shall require at least three (3) affirmative
votes.
The Planning Board shall exercise such powers and perform such duties
and other functions as are authorized and provided for under the City's
ordinances and the laws of the State of Maine pertaining to zoning,
subdivisions and land use throughout the City. Any amendments to the
Comprehensive Plan as recommended by the Planning Board shall be submitted
to the City Council for adoption.
The Planning Board shall have such other powers and perform such
other duties as may be necessary for the administration of its affairs
on behalf of the City, including, without limitation, the adoption
of bylaws and the procurement of goods and services necessary for
its proper functions.