A planning and zoning commission is created in order to accomplish the following purposes:
(1) 
To identify community needs and to advise the city council of their short-range and long-range implications for the total development of the city;
(2) 
To recommend achievable community goals as a basis for long-range planning and development programs;
(3) 
To recommend plans, programs, and policies that will aid the entire community in achieving its defined goals; and
(4) 
To interpret the adopted plans and programs to concerned citizens so that private activities and desires may be accomplished in harmony with public needs and policies.
(Ordinance 2014-O-461 adopted 2/13/14)
The planning and zoning commission shall be composed of seven (7) qualified electors of the city: five (5) regular members and two (2) alternate members. The city council will consider for appointment to the commission only those persons who have demonstrated their civic interest, general knowledge of the community, independent judgment, interest in planning and zoning, and availability to prepare for and attend meetings. It is the intent of the city council that members shall, by reason of diversity of their occupational backgrounds, constitute a commission which is broadly representative of the community.
(Ordinance 2014-O-461 adopted 2/13/14)
The regular members of the commission shall be identified by place numbers one (1) through five (5), and the alternates shall be identified as alternate place one (1) and alternate place two (2). The terms of office for place 2, place 4 and alternate, place 2 shall end on December 31st of even-numbered years. The terms of office for place 1, place 3, place 5 and alternate, place 1, shall end on December 31st of odd-numbered years.
(Ordinance 2014-O-461 adopted 2/13/14)
The commission shall hold an organizational meeting in January of each year, or as soon as practicable. The commission shall elect a secretary and such other officers as it deems necessary either from its membership or from staff representatives assigned by the city administrator to work with the commission. The commission shall meet regularly and shall designate the time and place of its meetings. The commission shall keep a record of its proceedings consistent with the provisions of this code and the requirements of law.
(Ordinance 2014-O-461 adopted 2/13/14)
The planning and zoning commission is charged with the duty and invested with the authority to:
(1) 
Inspect property and premises at reasonable hours when required to discharge its responsibilities under the laws of the state and of the city.
(2) 
Formulate and recommend to the city council for its adoption a comprehensive plan for the orderly growth and development of the city and its environs, and from time to time recommend such changes in the plan as it finds will facilitate the movement of people and goods, and the health, recreation, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the city.
(3) 
Formulate a zoning plan as may be deemed best to carry out the goals of the comprehensive plan, hold public hearings and make recommendations to the city council relating to the creation, amendment, and implementation of zoning regulations and districts as provided in article 14.02 (the zoning code), and the Local Government Code, as amended, authorizing cities to pass regulations.
(4) 
Exercise all the powers of a commission as to recommendation to city council approval or disapproval of plans, plats, or replats and vacations of plats, set out in chapters 42 (extraterritorial jurisdiction of municipalities), 43 (municipal annexation), and 212 (municipal regulation of subdivisions and property development), Local Government Code.
(5) 
Study and make recommendations on the location, extension, planning, vacating, and closing of public rights-of-way, parks, and other public places.
(6) 
Study and make recommendations concerning the capital improvements program, including the construction of public buildings, bridges, viaducts, street fixtures, and other structures and appurtenances. Study and make recommendations on the design or alteration and on the location or relocation of works of art which are, or may become, the property of the city.
(7) 
Initiate, in the name of the city, for consideration at public hearings, all proposals for the opening, vacating, or closing of public rights-of-way, parks, or other public places; for the original zoning of annexed areas; and for the change of zoning district boundaries on an area-wide basis. No fee shall be required for the filing of any such proposal in the name of the city.
(8) 
Formulate and recommend to the city council policies and regulations consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan governing the location and/or operation of utilities, public facilities, and services owned or under the control of the city.
(9) 
Review and make recommendations concerning annexation of land into the city.
(10) 
Keep itself informed with references to the progress of city planning in the United States and other countries and recommend improvements in the adopted plans of the city.
(11) 
Submit a progress report to the city council in January of each year that summarizes its activities, major accomplishments for the past year, and a proposed work program for the coming year. The report shall contain the attendance record of all members and the identity of commission officers for the year.
(Ordinance 2014-O-461 adopted 2/13/14)
(a) 
A motion may be made by any member other than the presiding officer.
(b) 
A motion to approve any matter before the commission or to recommend approval of any request requiring city council action shall require three favorable votes of the members present. However, a request or application shall not be continued to the next regular meeting and shall be recorded in the minutes as a denial if a motion fails to carry by three votes.
(Ordinance 2014-O-461 adopted 2/13/14)
(a) 
Members shall disqualify themselves from voting whenever they find that they have a personal or monetary interest in the property under appeal, or that they will be directly affected by the decision of the commission, or as otherwise required by chapter 171, Tex. Local Government Code.
(b) 
A member may disqualify himself or herself from voting whenever any applicant, or his or her agent, has sought to influence the vote of the member on the application, other than in the public hearing.
(Ordinance 2014-O-461 adopted 2/13/14)
(a) 
Election of acting chairperson.
In the absence of both the chairperson and vice-chairperson, the commission shall elect an acting chairperson.
(b) 
Meetings.
(1) 
Quorum.
A quorum shall consist of three members.
(2) 
Agenda.
The city staff shall prepare an agenda for each meeting of the commission, and shall attach to each agenda a report of matters pending further action by the commission. The city staff shall post a copy of the agenda as required by law.
(3) 
Regular meetings.
Regular meetings shall be held at the council chamber of the city hall, unless otherwise determined by the commission.
(4) 
Special meetings.
Special meetings for any purpose may be held on the call of the chairperson, or on request of two or more members and by giving written notice to all members deposited in the mail at least 48 hours before the meeting, or as may be scheduled by a majority of the commission at any previous meeting. The time and place of the special meeting shall be determined by the convening authority.
(5) 
Appearance before commission.
Any party in interest may appear in his own behalf or be represented by counsel or agent.
(c) 
Official records.
(1) 
Contents.
The official records shall be the minutes of the commission, together with all findings, decisions, and other official records of the commission.
(2) 
Recording of vote.
The minutes of the commission’s proceedings shall show the vote of each member, or indicate a member’s absence or failure to vote.
(3) 
Filing.
All matters coming before the commission shall be filed in the city’s records. Original papers of all requests and proposals shall be retained as a part of the permanent record.
(4) 
Public inspection.
The official records and citizen requests filed for commission action in regular or special meetings shall be on file in the city hall and shall be open to public inspection during customary working hours.
(d) 
Application procedures.
(1) 
Filing.
Every proposal submitted for commission action shall be made in writing. Where appropriate, the city shall provide application forms. The proposal shall be filed on city-provided forms, shall be accompanied by all prescribed fees, and shall be complete in all respects before the city shall accept it for filing.
(2) 
Schedules and instructions.
Every proposal or request for commission action or recommendation shall be filed, processed, and considered in accordance with this section and in accordance with any other applicable section of the code.
(3) 
Supporting information.
Information supporting a request or recommendation to approve or disapprove any proposal before the commission shall be submitted through the city staff in writing or to the commission in public meeting.
(4) 
Withdrawal of proposal.
When any applicant desires to withdraw his or her proposal he or she may do so by filing a written request with the city staff. Such request shall be effective upon the date of its official receipt; provided, however, that no such request shall be valid after notices have been mailed, except on action of the commission. Withdrawal of a proposal at any stage of its processing shall terminate all consideration of it by the city, and the case file shall be closed.
(Ordinance 2014-O-461 adopted 2/13/14)