The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ZAPCO.
The zoning and planning commission.
(Ordinance 330 adopted 7/13/16)
The city council shall appoint by simple majority vote a zoning and planning commission consisting of a chairperson and five members, for a total of six members. The chairperson shall formally appoint a vice-chairperson from among the commission members each year. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the members appointed by the council. Quorum shall include the chairperson and vice-chairperson. The chairperson shall only vote in the case of a tie.
(Ordinance 2020-012 adopted 9/23/20)
All members of the zoning and planning commission shall be bona fide residents of the city for a minimum of six months. The members of the zoning and planning commission shall serve for a staggered two-year period and may be reappointed for succeeding terms. Vacancies of the members of the commission shall be filled as determined by the city council, including any vacancies resulting from increasing the number of members on the commission.
(1996 Code, sec. 62-33)
(a) 
Meetings of the zoning and planning commission shall be held on a regular basis, but not less than once every two months, and such meetings shall be advertised and open to the public as required by the laws of the state. Meetings may also be called by the chairperson or at the request of two or more of the commission members.
(b) 
The commission shall make a written report to the city council of its findings on each matter on its agenda that has been advertised and for which a public hearing is required. The written report on such agenda items shall clearly indicate either “for” or “against” the subject application. Such a report may be in the form of the commission’s minutes.
(c) 
No continuances or postponements shall be granted, except upon the request of the applicant, on any matter on its agenda that is required by law to be advertised or is the subject of a required public hearing.
(1996 Code, sec. 62-34)
The duties of the zoning and planning commission shall be to:
(1) 
Recommend revisions or amendments to article 28.02 of this code and the land use map associated therewith.
(2) 
Review all subdivision plans, plats, replats or resubdivisions to be presented to the council and to submit the plan, plat, replat or resubdivision with ZAPCO's recommendation at a council meeting following submission to the zoning and planning commission provided that such plan, plat, replat or resubdivision was submitted by the developer or owner in proper form according to the city's ordinances and V.T.C.A., Government Code ch. 212, and provided that the plan, plat, replat or resubdivision was timely submitted to the zoning and planning commission.
(3) 
Review and make recommendations to the city council on all matters and applications concerning zoning, in accordance with the city's ordinances and state law and to determine whether such zoning requests are in conformity with article 28.02 of this code.
(4) 
Review permit applications for sewage facilities in all zoning districts except one-family residential (R-1) zones, and to submit recommendations at a city council meeting following the commission meeting at which such permit application was considered, provided that the application was submitted in proper form in accordance with the city's ordinances.
(5) 
Cooperate with any applicant to encourage the best development for nonresidential use in a manner consistent with the low-density rural character promulgated in the master plan ordinance.
(6) 
Advise the city council and work with owners on the appearance of existing or new buildings and property, either on specific assignment by the council or on its own initiative.
(7) 
Consider and make recommendations to the city council and the board of adjustment on requests for variances to the city's ordinances; however, ZAPCO shall only review permits or variances for tree removal when construction is involved.
(8) 
Hold public hearings as may be required by the city's ordinances.
(9) 
Review and approve or deny requests for signs in accordance with the criteria set out in the city's ordinances.
(10) 
Assist in the drafting and revision of ordinances relating to any of the hereinabove mentioned duties.
(11) 
Perform such other duties as normally required of a zoning and planning commission, from time to time, by the city council.
(12) 
ZAPCO shall not review requests for special use permits (SUP).
(1996 Code, sec. 62-35; Ordinance 251 adopted 6/27/12; Ordinance 2024-006 adopted 6/12/2024)
The zoning and planning commission shall have the authority to request funds from the city council to meet ZAPCO’s operating costs. Such funds shall include the cost of any special, nonrecurring item of the commission as well as routine administrative costs.
(1996 Code, sec. 62-36)