(a) 
The city council acknowledges and affirms the creation of the planning and zoning commission for the city on January 20, 2000.
(b) 
The city council acknowledges and affirms the actions of the planning and zoning commission from the date of its creation until the passage of this division.
(c) 
The city council acknowledges and affirms the structure of the planning and zoning commission, consisting of five (5) members serving terms of two (2) years.
(Ordinance 2005-02-04, sec. 1, adopted 2/24/05)
(a) 
Membership; terms.
The planning and zoning commission shall consist of five (5) members who shall be appointed by the city council to serve a term of two (2) years or until their successors are duly appointed. Seats one (1), three (3), and five (5) shall expire at the first city council meeting in June of each odd-numbered year. Seats two (2) and four (4) shall expire at the first city council meeting in June of each even-numbered year. Each and every member of the planning and zoning commission shall be residents of the city. Should a sitting member change their residency to a location outside the corporate city limits, they will immediately vacate their seat on the commission.
(b) 
Appointment of members.
The city council shall appoint new members or reappoint previous members to seats for which a term has expired at the first city council meeting in June of each year, or as soon thereafter as is reasonable.
(c) 
Vacancies.
If a seat is vacated or empty for any reason, the city council shall appoint a new member for the balance of the unexpired term at the first city council meeting after the seat is vacated, or as soon thereafter as is reasonable.
(d) 
Chairman.
The city council shall designate a member of the commission as chairman for the planning and zoning commission at the first city council meeting in June of each year, or as soon thereafter as is reasonable. The member shall hold the position of chairman for a period of one year or until a new chairman is designated by the city council.
(e) 
Removal of members.
The city council by majority vote may remove any member from the commission with or without cause at any time.
(f) 
Vice-chairman.
The planning and zoning chairman shall select from the members of the planning and zoning commission a vice-chairman. The selected member shall be seated as vice-chairman upon approval of a majority vote of the planning and zoning commission.
(Ordinance 2005-02-04, sec. 2, adopted 2/24/05; Ordinance 2010-03-01 adopted 3/16/10)
The members of the planning and zoning commission shall serve without compensation. However, the city council may authorize the payment of expenses for travel and meetings and similar costs which may be incurred by members incidental to the performance of their duties as members of the planning and zoning commission.
(Ordinance 2005-02-04, sec. 3, adopted 2/24/05)
(a) 
Recommendation of subdivision plats.
The commission shall perform the following duties related to the review and recommendation of subdivision plats:
(1) 
The commission shall review all plats and subdividing of land within the corporate limits of the city and outside the corporate limits to the extent allowed by law, including preliminary plats, final plats, amended plats, vacated plats, and replats, for conformance to the city comprehensive plan, subdivision ordinance, zoning ordinance and other regulations of the city and state law.
(2) 
The commission shall complete their review and forward a written recommendation to the city council within thirty (30) days of the initial date the subdivision plat was received by the city. The minutes of the commission meeting may suffice for a written recommendation.
(3) 
If the commission fails to complete its review and forward a written recommendation to the city council within thirty (30) days of the initial date the subdivision plat was received by the city, the plat shall be forwarded to the city council for action with no recommendation by the commission.
(b) 
Preparation of comprehensive plan.
The commission shall, as a whole or as individual parts thereof, prepare or cause to be prepared a comprehensive plan for the growth, development, and beautification of the city and its environs, including but not limited to:
(1) 
Land use;
(2) 
Thoroughfare maps;
(3) 
Thoroughfare plan;
(4) 
Transportation plan;
(5) 
Park and school sites;
(6) 
Public buildings and facilities;
(7) 
Housing and neighborhood improvements;
(8) 
Drainage;
(9) 
Utilities and services;
(10) 
Municipal expansion and annexation;
(11) 
Slum clearance and blighted areas; and
(12) 
Parking and use of streets and alleys.
(c) 
Recommendation of comprehensive plan.
The commission shall, as a whole or as individual parts thereof, recommend a comprehensive plan to the city council. From time to time the commission shall recommend changes to the then-current comprehensive plan to the city council.
(d) 
Recommendation of zoning and rezoning.
The commission shall hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to the city council on all applications or proposals for amendment, supplement, or other change to the zoning ordinance or zoning map.
(1) 
The commission shall hold a public hearing and forward a written recommendation to the city council within thirty (30) days of the date the zoning application or proposal was received by the city. The minutes of the commission meeting may suffice for a written recommendation.
(2) 
If the commission fails to forward a written recommendation to the city council within thirty (30) days of the date the zoning application or proposal was received by the city, the zoning or rezoning request shall be forwarded to the city council for action with no recommendation by the commission.
(e) 
Review of ordinances.
The commission shall regularly review the existing city ordinances relating to zoning, building and subdivisions and recommend changes to the mayor and city council.
(f) 
Recommendation of variances.
The commission shall not perform any duties related to the review and recommendation of variances unless assigned to do so by the city council.
(g) 
Research and analysis.
The commission shall conduct research and analysis of matters affecting development of the city as is appropriate.
(h) 
Other duties.
The commission shall perform other duties as may be assigned by the city council.
(i) 
Cooperation with other entities.
The commission shall act with and assist all other municipal and governmental entities in formulating proper plans of city development and growth, including annexation and disannexation.
(Ordinance 2005-02-04, sec. 4, adopted 2/24/05)
(a) 
The commission shall meet once a month and at such other times as may be necessary for the efficient performance of its duties.
(b) 
Three (3) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and all actions of the commission shall be approved by a majority of affirmative votes of those present. All members, including the chairman, shall be able to vote.
(c) 
The commission shall keep an appropriate record of all meetings as required by state law.
(d) 
All decisions and recommendations of the commission shall be made in a meeting and shall be duly recorded.
(e) 
Procedure at meetings shall be governed by rules and procedures as established by the city council.
(Ordinance 2005-02-04, sec. 5, adopted 2/24/05; Ordinance 2009-12-02 adopted 12/15/09)
The commission shall keep accurate records of its meetings and shall report to the city council at least once per calendar quarter concerning its activities during the previous quarter and its anticipated activities for the current quarter.
(Ordinance 2005-02-04, sec. 6, adopted 2/24/05)