The planning agency of the county of Merced consists of the
following:
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
The planning commission shall consist of five members.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
Each member of the board of supervisors shall nominate one member
to the planning commission for his or her district. Appointment to
the commission shall be by majority vote of the board of supervisors.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
The term of each member is four years. The expiration date for
each term shall be on October 1st, with the following staggered terms
by supervisorial district:
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District 1
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2001 and each successive 4 years
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District 2
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2000 and each successive 4 years
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District 3
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2004 and each successive 4 years
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District 4
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2002 and each successive 4 years
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District 5
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2003 and each successive 4 years
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(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988; Ord. 1670, 2001)
A member of the commission may be removed by a majority vote
of the board of supervisors. A vacancy shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment. A commissioner appointed to fill
a vacancy serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
Planning commissioners should attend all meetings of the planning
commission. If a commissioner knows that he or she may not be able
to attend a meeting, the commissioner should make a reasonable effort
to contact the secretary of the commission at least 24 hours prior
to the commission meeting.
(Ord. 1281, 1988)
The planning commission shall consider excusing the absence
of a planning commissioner at the first regular meeting the commissioner
attends following his or her absence. The commission shall excuse
the absence of a commissioner if it can find that there was good cause
for the absence. Three unexcused absences by a commissioner within
a 12 month period shall be considered the resignation of that commissioner.
(Ord. 1281, 1988)
Members of the planning commission shall receive compensation
as set by the board of supervisors from time to time by resolution.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
A quorum of the planning commission shall consist of three members.
Actions by the commission shall require a majority vote of the total
membership of the commission. The planning commission shall adopt
rules for the transaction of its business and shall keep a public
record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
The planning commission shall:
A.
Exercise
the powers and duties prescribed by statute or ordinance except those
powers specifically reserved or delegated to other divisions of the
planning agency.
B.
Initiate
preparation of general plans, specific plans, regulations, programs,
and legislation to implement the planning power of the county.
C.
Be responsible
for advising the board of supervisors on matters relating to planning
which, in the opinion of the commission, should be studied.
D.
Be responsible
for advising the board of supervisors on planning policy, land use
development and zoning matters as set forth in state law and local
ordinance.
E.
Hear and decide on all land use, development and zoning matters not encompassed by subsection C as set forth in state law and local ordinances.
F.
Perform
such other matters as may be specifically assigned by ordinance, by
the board of supervisors, or referred by the planning director.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
The planning department is a department of the county. It consists
of the planning director and such other employees as are authorized
by the board of supervisors.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
The planning director is the chief administrative officer of
the planning department and also serves as the secretary to the planning
commission.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
The planning department shall:
A.
Perform
the duties required for the proper preparation and administration
of the general plan, specific plans and elements of the general plan,
as provided by statute, ordinance, and regulations.
B.
Provide
administrative support and professional advice to the planning commission
and board of supervisors.
C.
Perform
special duties and surveys as directed by the board of supervisors.
D.
Perform
all other necessary and proper functions relative to planning as required
by statute, ordinance, regulations, or as may be directed by the board
of supervisors.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
The board of supervisors, as the legislative body, shall:
A.
Exercise
the appointive power provided under state law, and this chapter, for
appointment of the planning director and the members of the planning
commission.
B.
Adopt
general and specific plans, regulations and ordinances.
C.
Exercise
the functions of the official agency specified in state law.
D.
Be the
final appellate body on all matters as specified by state law, this
ordinance, and other county ordinances.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
The board of supervisors shall hear and decide all appeals from
the decisions of the planning commission as set forth by statute or
ordinance. When an action by the planning commission results in a
tie vote, the application shall be deemed denied. The applicant may
request that the application be reconsidered at another meeting of
the commission.
(Ord. 766, 1975; Ord. 1045, 1981; Ord. 1281, 1988)
