Pursuant to section 211.007 of the Texas Local Government Code, the city planning and zoning commission is hereby created for the purpose of researching and establishing building codes, zoning codes, subdivision planning, and all other relevant building standards for construction and reconstruction within the city limits.
(Ordinance 0009, sec. I, adopted 3/8/94; Ordinance 0009, sec. I, adopted 5/19/00)
(a) 
The planning and zoning commission shall consist of nine (9) members who shall serve for terms of two (2) years. No members of the city council may serve on the planning and zoning commission.
(b) 
The terms of appointment and initial terms of the members of the planning and zoning commission shall be as follows:
(1) 
The city representatives Places 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 shall each have one appointment and the mayor shall have two (2) appointments (mayor “A” and “B”).
(2) 
It is the intent of this division to provide for staggered terms of service for commission members. Therefore, during the initial term of the members, those members appointed by city representatives Places 1, 3, 5, and 7 and mayor appointment “A” shall serve for a period of two (2) years. Those members appointed by city representatives Places 2, 4, and 6 and the mayor appointment “B” shall serve for a term of one (1) year, during the initial term only.
(3) 
Appointed members shall not be eligible to appointment or transfer to fill another planning commission place until the term of their originally appointed place expires.
(4) 
At the end of each initial term, all future members shall be appointed for two-year terms.
(5) 
The initial terms shall begin on September 1, 2000. Also, the current terms of the planning commission shall expire August 31, 2000. The beginning of each new term will be the 1st day of September of each appropriate calendar year and shall end on the 31st day of August of each appropriate calendar year.
(6) 
Further, each member appointed to the planning and zoning commission shall continue to serve on the commission beyond the expiration of his or her term until that member is reappointed or a new member appointed by the city representatives.
(c) 
The appointing authority may remove a commission member for cause on a written charge after a public hearing which shall include, but is not limited to:
(1) 
Three consecutive absences by a commission member which absences are unexcused by a commission vote; and/or
(2) 
The council shall consider removal upon proper recommendation by the majority of the commission members.
(Ordinance 0009, sec. II, adopted 3/8/94; Ordinance 0009, sec. II, adopted 5/19/00)
In accordance with chapter 211 of the Texas Local Government Code, such commission known as the city planning and zoning commission shall have such power to recommend the boundaries of the various original districts and appropriate regulations to be enforced therein, in addition to recommending building codes and subdivision planning for all construction and reconstruction within the city limits while acting in the capacity of the city planning and zoning commission.
(Ordinance 0009, sec. III, adopted 3/8/94; Ordinance 0009, sec. III, adopted 5/19/00)
Furthermore, in exercising its powers as conferred by chapter 211 of the Texas Local Government Code and by the city council, the city council does hereby authorize the expenditure of public funds from the municipal treasury for the compiling of statistics, conducting studies and formulating plans relative to the future growth and development of such codes and plans by such planning and zoning commission when such funds become available.
(Ordinance 0009, sec. IV, adopted 3/8/94; Ordinance 0009, sec. IV, adopted 5/19/00)
The duties, powers and authorities of the planning and zoning commission so appointed by the city council shall be as follows:
(1) 
To recommend the employment of engineers, clerks, secretaries, field personnel, and administrative personnel as are necessary to formulate, prepare and design an organized master plan and building codes for the areas designated and the construction and reconstruction occurring therein.
(2) 
To prepare, formulate and design an organized master plan and building codes for the area which such members represent, including but not limited to highway design, street layout, park layout, schooling areas, residential areas, business areas, commercial areas, industrial areas and water reservoir areas, for the orderly growth of the areas, with such plan and codes to be approved by the city council only after public hearing.
(3) 
To make aerial photographs, land surveys, and topography studies to facilitate such planning.
(4) 
To keep and maintain a complete record of all activities, meetings, expenditures, and plans.
(5) 
To make regular reports of income, expenditures, accounts, and progress reports to the city council.
(6) 
To make all records, minutes, books, accounts and meetings open to the public for attendance and/or examination.
(7) 
To prepare and submit to the city council an annual audit of all accounts, expenditures, funds and moneys coming into the hands of the planning and zoning commission.
(8) 
To make all reports, accounts and records as may be required by the city council with such reports being due and coming on the second Tuesday of each month as the city council convenes in regular or on called special meetings.
(9) 
To perform any other duties or provide any other reports to the city council which the city council may request by resolution or ordinance.
(Ordinance 0009, sec. V, adopted 3/8/94; Ordinance 0009, sec. V, adopted 5/19/00)
Such commission shall make preliminary reports and hold public hearings thereon before submitting its final report to the city council. The city council shall not hold its public hearings or take action until it has received the final written report of such commission; provided, however, the city council and the planning and zoning commission may hold joint public hearings after public notice is given by publication, but in no instance may the city council take action until it has received the final written report from the planning and zoning commission.
(Ordinance 0009, sec. VI, adopted 3/8/94; Ordinance 0009, sec. VI, adopted 5/19/00)
The city council reserves the power to reduce or expand such planning and zoning commission’s powers, by ordinance duly enacted, whenever the need or situation requires.
(Ordinance 0009, sec. VII, adopted 3/8/94; Ordinance 0009, sec. VII, adopted 5/19/00)