There is hereby created and established within and for the city a planning board to be known as the city planning commission, and composed of seven (7) members whose offices are hereby created. The members of the planning commission shall be resident citizens, taxpayers and qualified voters of the city, all of whom shall be appointed by the city council to serve for terms of six (6) years. All vacancies which may occur, either by death or resignation, shall be filled by appointment by the city council, such appointment to be for the remaining term of the member who has resigned or whose position has been vacated. All vacancies occurring by reason of the expiration of a term shall also be filled by appointment by the city council. The members of such commission shall serve without compensation.
(1964 Code, sec. 2-1)
The city planning commission, subject to the approval of the city council, shall make rules and regulations and adopt such bylaws for its own government and designate such time and places for holding meetings as it deems proper. The chairman and secretary shall be elected from the members of the commission and by the members of the commission. Four (4) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(1964 Code, sec. 2-2)
The planning commission shall have power and it shall be its duty to determine upon and make recommendations to the city council on the city plan; to make studies and project plans for the improvement of the city with a view to its future development and extension; to act with other municipal and governmental agencies in formulating and executing common plans of development; to select and recommend routes for streets and boulevards, and particularly to investigate and recommend the opening, widening or abandoning of streets, or the changing thereof to conform with a system of boulevards, parks and parkways; to consider and report the layout or platting of new subdivisions of the city or of territory adjacent to or near the city; to locate and to recommend plans for a civic center; to recommend plans for improving and beautifying the parkways and to cooperate with the city council in its devising and selection of public parks, parkways, playgrounds and other places for public recreation; to suggest plans for zoning the city; and generally to give consideration to and to file recommendations with the city council for the development and advancement of the city’s physical layout and appearance.
(1964 Code, sec. 2-3)