(a) There
is established for the town a planning and zoning commission, which
shall be composed of five members; which three members shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business. The members of the planning
and zoning commission shall be resident citizens of the town, who
shall be appointed by the governing body, to serve for terms of two
years, beginning June 1st and ending May 31st. Any vacancies in the
commission shall be filled for the unexpired term of the member removing
or resigning, in the same manner as initial appointments are made.
Members of the commission may be removed by the town council in accordance
with the grounds and procedures for removal set forth in Local Government
Code, section 22.007 (or any successor statute), or for missing more
than three consecutive meetings without excuse. The reason for removal
will be assigned in writing. The members of the commission shall serve
without compensation.
(b) Up
to two alternate members of the planning and zoning commission may
be appointed by the town council. Appointment of alternate members
shall be in the same manner as appointment of regular members.
(c) The
planning and zoning commission, as heretofore created and now existing
as authorized by V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, section 211.007,
is hereby perpetuated, and the terms of office of the present commission
members shall not be affected by the amendments set forth in this
section which amends this section and section 14.02.081 [section 14.03.010].
(Ordinance 15-754, sec. 1, adopted 3/2/15)
The planning and zoning commission shall elect a chairman and
vice-chairman from its membership each year by July following appointment
of its new members and shall have power to employ such qualified persons
as may be necessary for the proper conduct and undertakings of the
commission and to pay for their services and to make such other necessary
expenditures; provided that the cost of such services and expenditures
shall not exceed the amount appropriated by the governing body for
the use of the commission. It shall also have the power to make rules,
regulations and bylaws for the conduct of its own business, which
shall conform as nearly as possible to those governing the conduct
of the town council, and shall be subject to approval by the council.
Such bylaws shall include, among other items, provisions for:
(1) The
rules for conduct of regular and special meetings, which meetings
shall be open to the public;
(2) The
keeping of records of its proceedings, which records shall be kept
in such a fashion and at such a location as to be available for inspection
by the public;
(3) Making
reports to the governing body and the public, as required by the business
presented to such commission and regularly;
(4) The
conduct of public hearings of matters presented to the commission
for its consideration.
(Ordinance 92-04, sec. 1 (2.28.020),
adopted 6/8/92)
The planning and zoning commission shall conduct such public
hearings as are required by V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, section
211.007. Such hearings may, when the commission and the town council
find it expedient and reasonable to do so, be held simultaneously
and in conjunction with hearings required to be held by the council
in connection with planning and zoning matters, under the laws of
the state; provided, however, that no action shall be taken by the
council upon recommendations made by the commission until such time
as the final report of the commission has been presented to the town
council.
(Ordinance 92-04, sec. 1 (2.28.030),
adopted 6/8/92)
The planning and zoning commission shall be an advisory body
to the town council and shall present its recommendations concerning
matters brought before it for its consideration, but its findings
and recommendations shall be in no wise binding upon the council.
A representative shall be present at council meetings to report on
decisions and recommendations made by the commission on any and all
zoning cases and activities to the council. Included among the duties
of the commission shall be the duty to prepare and recommend for adoption
a master plan for the future development and redevelopment of the
municipality and to prepare and recommend for adoption a comprehensive
zoning ordinance as authorized in V.T.C.A., Local Government Code,
chapter 211, as amended; the commission shall perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by ordinances of the town and by the laws of
the state.
(Ordinance 09-615, sec. 1, adopted 12/14/09)