There is created a Planning Commission for the City which shall consist of seven members who shall not be officials or employees of the City, but who shall be residents of the City.
(Ord. 101 § 2, 1985)
The City Council shall appoint members of the Planning Commission as follows: two members shall be appointed by a majority vote of the entire Council. Those two positions shall be appointed for terms of two years commencing January 1st of each odd-numbered year and expiring December 31st of each even-numbered year. Except as modified below the remaining five members shall be directly appointed by each individual City Councilmember in December of each even-numbered year. The terms of appointment for the directly appointed members of the Planning Commission shall be two years, commencing on January 1st of each odd-numbered year, and expiring on December 31st of each even-numbered year. Appointments may be made after the commencement of a term to fill a vacancy or removal, in which case the term of office shall be for the balance of the unexpired term. In the event that a member at large (appointed by a majority vote of the entire Council) resigns or is removed, the vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the entire City Council. In the event that a member directly appointed by a City Councilmember resigns or is removed, the vacancy shall be filled by the individual City Councilmember that made the appointment of the resigning or removed Planning Commission member. In the event that the appointing City Councilmember has vacated office the appointment shall be made by the City Councilmember appointed or elected to fulfill the term of the vacating City Councilmember. In the event that the vacated City Council position has not been filled by appointment or election, an appointment to the vacated Planning Commission term may, but does not have to be, made by a majority vote of the entire Council. Any such appointment shall be for the remainder of that unexpired term. All members shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may continue to serve after expiration of the stated term, with the approval of the City Council, until such time as a successor is selected according to the procedures set forth above.
(Ord. 101 § 2, 1985; Ord. 200 § 1, 1990; Ord. 291 § 1, 1995; Ord. 327 § 2, 1997; Ord. 411 § 1, 2003; Ord. 565 § 1, 2013; Ord. 588 § 1, 2015)
Absence of a member of the Planning Commission from three consecutive meetings, or from four meetings during a calendar year, without formal consent of the Planning Commission noted in its official minutes, shall be reported by the Planning Director to the City Council for consideration of removal from office.
(Ord. 101 § 2, 1985; Ord. 200 § 2, 1990)
A member of the Planning Commission serves at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a majority vote of all the members of the City Council.
(Ord. 101 § 2, 1985; Ord. 200 § 3, 1990)
A vacancy on the Planning Commission occurring by death, resignation, removal, or any other cause before the expiration of the term of the member shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term by the Council.
(Ord. 101 § 2, 1985)
Planning Commission members shall be entitled to remuneration for expenses in accordance with the procedure approved by resolution of the Council.
(Ord. 101 § 2, 1985)
The powers, duties, and functions of the Planning Commission shall be all those powers, duties, and functions of a Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment as provided in Chapters 3 and 4 of Title 7, commencing with Section 65100 of the Government Code of the State (the Planning and Zoning Law), as the same may be hereafter amended. The Planning Commission shall perform such other duties and functions as may be directed or designated by the Council not inconsistent with State law.
(Ord. 101 § 2, 1985)
As of February 1st annually, or as soon thereafter as is feasible, the Planning Commission shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from among its members. The chair shall preside over meetings, appoint appropriate committees, sign resolutions and direct the affairs of the Commission. In the absence of the chair, the duties of this office shall be performed by the vice-chair. The Commission shall conduct meetings pursuant to adopted rules for the transaction of business, shall keep a public record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations and shall hold regularly scheduled meetings in the Rotunda Room, fourth floor, Administration Building, 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, every first and third Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m., and on such other days, at such other times, as may be designated in order for a special meeting. When the day for any regular meeting of the Planning Commission falls on a legal holiday, the meeting shall not be held on such holiday but should be held at the same hour on the next succeeding day thereafter which is not a holiday, or at such other time as shall be determined and noticed by the Planning Commission.
(Ord. 610 § 1, 2017; Ord. 291 § 2, 1995; Ord. 142 § 2, 1986; Ord. 101 § 2, 1985)
(a) 
The City Council establishes policies citywide and specifically as they relate to the duties of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is advisor to the Council except where the Council has delegated specific authority to the Commission. City staff administers the policies of the Council, forwards recommendations of the Commission to the Council and administers Planning Commission actions on issues delegated to the Commission by the Council. The Planning Commission may recommend to the Council topics to be included in the City's work program.
(b) 
The Commission and its members shall work through the Community Development Director, except for the purpose of inquiry, in carrying out the Commission's responsibilities.
(c) 
Commissioners shall not attempt to coerce or influence staff in the making of appointments, the awarding of contracts, the selection of consultants, the processing of development applications, or the granting of City licenses or permits. Commissioners shall not attempt to change or interfere with the operating policies and practices of any City department.
(d) 
Commissioners shall not attend internal staff meetings or meetings between City staff and third persons unless invited by City staff or directed by Council to do so. Commissioners may attend meetings of private organizations that staff may attend. Commissioners may attend any public meeting of the City or any public agency.
(Ord. 504 § 3, 2007)