(a) 
There is hereby created and established for the city a planning and zoning commission, which shall be composed of seven (7) members, four (4) constituting a quorum. The members shall be resident citizens and qualified voters of the city, all of whom shall be appointed by the governing body, to serve for terms of two (2) years. The city manager or his designee shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member of the planning and zoning commission.
(b) 
Any planning and zoning commission member with three (3) or more consecutive absences from regularly scheduled meetings of the commission may be removed at the discretion of city council. The chairman of planning and zoning commission, or the city manager or his designee, will notify the city secretary of the absences. The city secretary will notify the city council who may, at its discretion, declare a vacancy and appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.
(Ordinance 806-16 adopted 12/16/16)
The planning and zoning commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from its membership and the city council shall furnish such qualified persons as may be necessary for the proper conduct and undertakings of the planning and zoning commission. The planning and zoning commission shall have the power to make rules, regulations and bylaws for its own government, which shall conform as nearly as possible with those governing the city council, and same shall be subject to approval by such city council. Such bylaws shall include, among other items, provisions for:
(1) 
Regular and special meetings, open to the public;
(2) 
Records of its proceedings, to be open for inspection by the public;
(3) 
Reporting to the governing body and the public, from time to time and annually; and
(4) 
The holding of public hearings on its recommendations.
(Ordinance 806-16 adopted 12/16/16)
(a) 
The planning and zoning commission is a locally appointed city board charged with making recommendations to the city council regarding zoning districts, zoning regulations, and other zoning matters; reviewing and making recommendations to the city council regarding the comprehensive plan and other planning matters; approving plats or replats of any subdivisions within the city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ); and making recommendations to the city council regarding changes and updates to the city’s subdivision regulations. The city council shall, except with regard to plats and replats, retain the right to final approvals and disapprovals. The commission shall collect data and keep itself informed as to best practices in effect in the matter of city planning and zoning to be qualified to act on measures affecting the present and future movement of traffic, the segregation of residential, business districts and other districts and the convenience and safety of persons and property in any way dependent on city planning and zoning, as directed by city council.
(b) 
The planning and zoning commission shall have the power and it shall be its duty to make and recommend for adoption a comprehensive plan, as a whole or in parts, for the future development and redevelopment of the municipality and its environs. The powers and duties and comprehensive plan among other things, but not limited thereto, will include:
(1) 
To make studies and project plans for the improvements of the city, with a view of its development and extensions, and to recommend to the city council all matters for the development and advancement of the city facilities, layouts and appearance, and to perform the duties imposed upon the city planning commission by applicable laws and ordinances.
(2) 
To make plans and maps of the whole or any portion of the city and of land outside the city limits located within its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), and any other land outside the city which in the opinion of the city planning commission bears a relation to the planning of the city, and to make such changes in additions and extensions of plans or maps within the city as it deems same advisable.
(3) 
To act with and assist all other municipal and governmental agencies and especially the city council in formulating and executing proper plans for municipal development.
(4) 
To plan and recommend the location, plan and extent of city alleyways, parks, playgrounds, airports, automobile parking places, and other public grounds and public improvements, for the location and planning of public buildings, schools and other properties, and of public utilities, including bus terminals, railroad depots and terminals, whether public or privately owned, for water, lights, sanitation, sewage disposal, drainage, flood control, transportation, communication and shipping facilities, and for the removal, relocation, widening, extension, narrowing, vacation, abandonment or change of use of any of the foregoing public places, works, buildings, facilities or utilities.
(5) 
To select and recommend to the city council routes of streets, avenues and boulevards and particularly to investigate and recommend the opening, widening or abandonment of streets, avenues, boulevards and alleyways or the changing thereof to conform to the city’s system, present and future, all streets, avenues, boulevards, alleyways and parks.
(6) 
To investigate, consider and report to the city council upon the layout and plan of any new subdivision in the city or property situated within the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the city and to approve all plans, plats or replats of additions within the city limits or within its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).
(7) 
To recommend to the city council for adoption, rules and regulations governing plats and subdivisions of land within the corporate limits of the city or within the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the city, to promote health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community, and the safe and orderly and healthful development of the community. Such rules and regulations may be adopted by the city council only after public hearing held thereon.
(8) 
To aid and assist the city council by recommending plans for the development of civic centers and to make investigations, consider and make recommendations to the city council concerning traffic regulations, routing and controlling and highway designations.
(9) 
To review the city’s building codes and development standards within the existing zoning districts and recommend any changes.
(Ordinance 806-16 adopted 12/16/16)