A Planning Commission is created and established in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Law of the State of California, Title 7 of the Government Code, and in particular pursuant to the provisions of Chapter III of said Title 7 of the Government Code. Said Planning Commission may be known and referred to as the "West Hollywood Planning Commission" or as the "Planning Commission."
(Prior code § 2900; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985)
The Planning Commission shall consist of seven members who shall be residents of the city. Members shall not be officers or employees of the city. Members are subject to a background check as set forth in Section 2.30.050 of this code.
(Prior code § 2901; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985; Ord. 23-09 § 16, 2023)
Each member of the City Council shall appoint one member of the Planning Commission. The Council as a whole will appoint the remaining two members. Appointments shall be made at a regular Council meeting.
(Prior code § 2902; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985; Ord. 92-330 § 1, 1992)
a. 
Each member of the Planning Commission appointed directly by individual councilmembers shall serve a two-year term commencing on March 1st following a general municipal election. Upon expiration of the term of office, each such Commission member shall continue to serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Each such member of the Commission serves at the pleasure of the appointing councilmember and may be removed by that councilmember at any time. In the event the office of a councilmember becomes vacant during the term thereof, and until the office is filled, the Commission member appointed by such councilmember may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council.
b. 
The two Commission members appointed by the Council as a whole shall serve two-year terms commencing on March 1st following a general municipal election. Upon expiration of the term of office, each such Commission member shall continue to serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Such members may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council; provided, however, that no member of the Commission may be removed prior to March 1st following any municipal election.
c. 
Commission members are subject to term limits as set forth in Section 2.30.040 of this code.
(Prior code 2903; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985; Ord. 91-306 § 1, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 1, 1992; Ord. 00-589U § 3, 2000; Ord. 00-590 § 3, 2000; Ord. 03-663 § 19, 2003; Ord. 19-1067 § 5, 2019; Ord. 23-09 § 17, 2023)
For the five individually appointed positions, vacancies on the Planning Commission shall be filled by appointment of the individual councilmember or his or her successor who made the appointment which is vacated. Vacancies in the two remaining at-large seats shall be filled by appointment by the City Council.
(Prior code § 2904; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985; Ord. 92-330 § 1, 1992)
If a member of the Planning Commission is absent for more than three regular meetings in any twelve-month period, the office of such member shall be vacated. In such event, the City Clerk shall notify the City Council of the vacancy and shall advertise for a replacement. A successor may be appointed for the remainder of the term as provided in Section 2.52.050. Notwithstanding the foregoing, up to three additional absences in a twelve-month period will be permitted for the purpose of bonding with a new baby, adopted child, or foster child and will not be counted against the allowable number of excused absences.
(Prior code § 2905; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985; Ord. 03-663 § 20, 2003; Ord. 23-09 § 18, 2023)
Regular meetings of the Planning Commission shall be as provided in the Commission by-laws; provided that the Commission shall meet at least once monthly.
(Prior code § 2906; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985; Ord. 03-663 § 21, 2003)
The Planning Commission and the members thereof shall respectively have and exercise each and all of the powers, duties, rights, privileges and authorities of city planning commissions and of members of such commissions, all as set forth, provided for, and contemplated in this code and in and under the provisions of the State Planning and Zoning Law as the same now exists and as the same may hereafter be amended, and shall perform the duties, acts and functions of such City Planning Commission, and members thereof, respectively, all as indicated, set forth and referred to in, and as contemplated by, the Planning and Zoning Law and in the manner therein stated.
(Prior code § 2907; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985)
Accurate and permanent records of the acts of the Commission shall be kept, and such records shall have the same status as records of other administrative departments of the city.
(Prior code § 2908; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985)
The Planning Commission shall organize and operate in accordance with uniform by-laws for city commissions adopted by the City Council.
(Prior code § 2909; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985; Ord. 02-627 § 5, 2002)
Members of the Planning Commission may receive compensation for their services as set by resolution of the City Council. The secretary of the Planning Commission shall submit to the Finance Officer at the end of each calendar month, a statement showing the number of meetings of the Planning Commission attended by each member during each month. No additional compensation shall be paid for expenses incurred by the members of the Commission in the performance of their duties, except that the City Council may from time to time authorize in advance, expenditures for attendance at seminars, institutes, or other meetings which the City Council finds to be beneficial to the Commissioners in the performance of their duties, and in the best interests of the city. Claims for such expenses shall be filed with the Finance Officer and shall be subject to audit and approval by the City Council.
(Prior code § 2910; Ord. 85-90 § 1, 1985)