[Ord. No. 1004, 10-12-2022]
There shall be a City of Truesdale Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to Section 89.070, RSMo., and Section 89.320, RSMo., hereinafter referred to as the Commission with the powers and duties as therein set forth and as hereinafter provided and staffed Planning Department. This Chapter shall be officially known and described as the "City of Truesdale Planning and Zoning Commission Ordinance."
[Ord. No. 1004, 10-12-2022; Ord. No. 1124, 5-12-2025]
A. 
Composition Of The Commission.
1. 
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consist of:
a. 
The Mayor, if he or she elects to serve as a member;
b. 
One (1) member of the Board of Aldermen, selected by the Mayor and approved by the Board of Aldermen, if the Board chooses to appoint such a member;
c. 
No fewer than five (5) and no more than fifteen (15) citizen members, appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Board of Aldermen. These members shall serve staggered multi-year terms.
B. 
Compensation. Citizen members shall not receive compensation for their service but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
C. 
Officers. The Commission shall elect a Chairman and a Secretary from among the citizen members. The City Clerk may attend meetings and take minutes but may not serve as Secretary. The Secretary shall sign and certify the accuracy of the official minutes.
D. 
Geographic Representation Policy.
1. 
Purpose. To ensure equitable geographic representation and avoid disproportionate influence from any single neighborhood within the City.
2. 
Definitions.
NEIGHBORHOOD
A distinct residential area, subdivision, or recognized neighborhood association boundary within the City of Truesdale.
QUORUM
The minimum number of Planning and Zoning Commission members required to conduct official business, as defined by municipal ordinance or Commission bylaws.
3. 
Policy Requirements.
a. 
No quorum of the Commission shall be comprised solely of members who reside within the same neighborhood.
b. 
Appointments shall be made to prevent any one (1) neighborhood from having membership equal to or exceeding a quorum.
c. 
If a scheduled meeting would result in a quorum consisting entirely of members from the same neighborhood, the meeting shall be postponed or rescheduled once a more geographically diverse quorum is established.
4. 
Implementation And Oversight.
a. 
Appointing authorities shall take neighborhood representation into account when selecting new members.
b. 
Each Commission member shall disclose their neighborhood of residence upon appointment and report any changes.
c. 
The Commission Secretary shall maintain up-to-date records of member residency and verify quorum compliance in advance of meetings.
5. 
Exceptions.
a. 
In emergency circumstances or when vacancies occur, this policy may be temporarily waived for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days with written justification approved by the Mayor or City Manager.
b. 
This policy shall not retroactively invalidate any actions taken by the Commission prior to the effective date of this Section.
6. 
Enforcement.
a. 
Alleged violations shall be referred to the Board of Aldermen for review.
b. 
Repeated violations may result in suspension or removal of Commission members in accordance with the Municipal Code.
[Ord. No. 1004, 10-12-2022]
The Commission shall elect its Chair and Vice-Chair from among the citizen members. The term of Chair and Vice-Chair shall be for one (1) year with eligibility for re-election. The term of each of the citizen members shall be for four (4) years, except that the terms of the citizen members first appointed shall be for varying periods so that succeeding terms will be staggered. Any vacancy in a membership shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment as aforesaid. The Board may remove any citizen member for cause stated in writing and after a public hearing.
[Ord. No. 1004, 10-12-2022]
A. 
The Commission shall hold regular meetings and special meetings as provided by rules they create. The Commission shall conduct its meetings so as to obtain necessary information and to promote the full and free exchange of ideas and evidence.
B. 
All Planning and Zoning Commission meetings shall be open to the public and the agenda for each meeting shall be made available in advance of the meetings as required by law.
C. 
The Commission may request appointment of employees or staff necessary for its work and may request contract with professional persons and services required to carry out its duties under the provisions of this Chapter.
D. 
The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations, which record shall be a public record.
E. 
Once the Commission is established by ordinance and members selected with a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary, then a comprehensive plan can be created.
[Ord. No. 1004, 10-12-2022]
A. 
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
1. 
Create, adopt, and update a Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Zoning Map.
2. 
Conduct studies and recommend to the Board of Aldermen plans, goals, and objectives relating to the growth, development, and redevelopment of the City.
3. 
Prepare and recommend to the Board of Aldermen policies, ordinances, administrative procedures, and other means for carrying out plans for the City in a coordinated and efficient manner.
4. 
Prepare and recommend to the Board of Aldermen regulations governing the zoning and subdivision of land within the City, including, among other things, requirements for the coordinated development of the City. Recommendations may be made for the coordination of streets within subdivisions with other existing or planned streets or with other features of the Comprehensive Plan or Official Map; for adequate open spaces for traffic, recreation, light and air; for distribution of population and traffic; for requirements as to the extent and manner of installation of all utility facilities; and recommended manner of enforcement. All recommendations shall be in conformity with Chapter 89, RSMo.
5. 
Hold public hearings on rezoning applications, text amendments, and conditional use permits and make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen regarding the approval or disapproval of such rezoning applications, text amendments, and conditional use permits.
6. 
Make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen regarding the approval or disapproval of plans and plats for land subdivision.
7. 
Hold public hearings and make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen regarding variances to land subdivision and platting.
8. 
Make reports to the Board of Aldermen, as it may deem proper or as requested by the Board of Aldermen, on its investigations, transactions, recommendations, and other reports relative to its prescribed responsibilities and authority.