[Adopted 4-21-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-1]
There is hereby established a Planning Commission for the City
of Walhalla, which shall have the following duties and powers:
A.
It is the function and duty of the Planning Commission to undertake
a continuing planning program for the physical, social and economic
growth, development and redevelopment of the area. The plans and programs
must be designed to promote public health, safety, morals, convenience,
prosperity or the general welfare as well as the efficiency and economy
of the area. Specific planning elements must be based upon careful
and comprehensive studies of existing conditions and probable future
development and include recommended means of implementation.
B.
In the discharge of its responsibilities, the Planning Commission
has the power and duty to:
(1)
Prepare and revise periodically plans and programs for the development
and redevelopment of the area as provided by state law; and
(2)
Prepare and recommend for adoption to the City Council as a means
for implementing the plans and programs in the area:
(a)
Zoning ordinances, to include zoning district maps and appropriate
revisions thereof;
(b)
Regulations for the subdivision of or development of land and
appropriate revisions thereof, and to oversee the administration of
such regulations that may be adopted;
(c)
An Official Map and appropriate revision on it showing the location
of existing or proposed public street, highway and utility rights-of-way,
and public building sites, together with regulations to control the
erection of buildings or other structure or changes in land use within
the rights-of-way, building sites or open spaces within the City;
(d)
A landscaping ordinance setting forth required planting, tree
preservation and other aesthetic considerations for land and structures;
(e)
A capital improvements program setting forth projects required
to implement plans which have been prepared or adopted, including
an annual listing of priority projects for consideration by the City
Council; and
(f)
Policies or procedures to facilitate implementation of planning
elements.
The Planning Commission shall consist of five members appointed
by City Council for terms of four years, staggered so that 1/3 of
members shall have terms expiring in each year. Members shall serve
until their successors are appointed or qualified. Members may be
reappointed upon completion of their terms at the discretion of City
Council. No member of the Planning Commission shall be the holder
of an elected public office in the City of Walhalla or Oconee County.
Members of the Planning Commission shall serve without compensation.
Reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in the performance of official
duties may be reimbursed from budgeted funds pursuant to the reimbursement
policies and procedures for employees of the City of Walhalla.
Members of the Planning Commission may be removed at any time
by the City Council for cause. The existence of such cause shall be
discussed by the Council in executive session as permitted by the
Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-70(a)(1),
and the determination of removal shall be by a vote in public session
declaring a vacancy in the position without a statement of cause.
Any fact which, in the discretion of Council, is deemed to adversely
affect the public interest, including lack of attendance at meetings,
may constitute cause.
The Planning Commission shall organize, elect officers and adopt
rules of procedure as required by S.C. Code Ann. § 6-29-360.
The Planning Commission shall hold all public hearings on amendments
to the Zoning Ordinance and Map pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 6-29-760(A).
