(a)
Creation and purpose.
(1)
The planning and zoning commission as heretofore duly created by ordinance and now performing its authorized duties in accordance with chapter 211, Local Government Code, is hereby perpetuated.
(2)
The planning and zoning commission is charged with identifying community needs and preparing goals to achieve long-range planning and development of the city.
(3)
The planning and zoning commission will recommend plans, programs and policies to the city council that will aid the entire community in achieving long-range planning and development of the city.
(4)
The planning and zoning commission will educate the public on the plans, programs and policies adopted by the city council so that private activities can be conducted in harmony with these plans, programs and policies.
(b)
Membership, appointment and organization.
(1)
The planning and zoning commission shall be composed of five (5) qualified members plus two (2) alternate members. The city council shall consider members who shall constitute a commission that is broadly representative of the community.
(2)
All commission members shall be appointed by the city council for a two (2) year term. Appointments shall be staggered so that only one-half of the commission is appointed each year. City council appointments shall be made at the first regular city council meeting in June with terms starting on July 1 and ending on June 30.
(3)
Vacancies for unexpired terms shall be made in the same manner as regular appointments. Appointments to vacancies shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(4)
The commission shall select a chairman and vice-chairman from among its members at its first meeting in July.
(c)
Meetings and quorum.
(1)
The commission shall meet when required or at other times as the commission shall so decide. Commission members are expected to regularly attend meetings. Members who miss three consecutive meetings without commission approval may be deemed to have vacated commission membership. The city council, upon receiving verification of such absences from the commission, may fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. Members, who miss six or more absences during their appointment, either excused or unexcused, may be deemed as grounds for removal from the commission.
(2)
Staff shall maintain minutes of all meetings and shall enter into the minutes attendance of all members, whether present or absent.
(3)
A quorum for the purpose of conducting business shall consist of three (3) members.
(d)
Duties and powers.
(1)
The commission shall procure information and make recommendations to the city council on the creation or modification of zoning districts in accordance with state law and said ordinance [the zoning ordinance], and following due process.
(2)
The commission shall serve as a recommending body to the city council regarding the approval or disapproval of all preliminary, revised preliminary and final plats of land. The city council shall be the final authority for the approval or disapproval of all plats of land.
(3)
The commission shall discharge all other functions devolving upon city planning and zoning commissions by law or this article, and shall investigate, study, and submit reports and recommendations to the city council on all such matters as it or the city council shall deem appropriate and which have any relation to municipal planning or zoning.
(4)
The commission shall provide information to the planning department as needed regarding the format for the various application forms, procedures and lead times for the steps in zoning changes and plat approvals, and the needs for recordkeeping, calling of public hearings, notification to affected property owners, and publishing of public notices.
(5)
Upon request of the applicant if the project completion date will exceed the 6-month permit period, and with permit period beginning the date of the final decision, the planning and zoning commission shall determine, and make recommendation to the council, a timeline within which a requested zoning change project must be completed from the date of the final decision. The council shall set the completion timeline upon approval of a requested zoning change project and, providing a reasonable situation creates the need for extension, may give authority to the city manager to extend the timeline once for a period not to exceed 6 months, or an extension period as otherwise designated at the time of the final decision. The city manager has the authority to require the request be submitted to the council for any reason.
(Ordinance O-02-2020, sec. 17-100, adopted 3/23/2020; 1997 Code, sec. 154.155; Ordinance O-06-2022 adopted 8/8/2022)