The purpose of this chapter is to provide for effective and efficient administrative review of land use and development applications with consistent procedures for similar projects, and to combine procedural and substantive environmental reviews with the review of project permit applications under other applicable requirements. This chapter is intended to provide a framework within which the consistency of project permit applications with the comprehensive plan and development regulations shall be determined.
The following is a brief summary of key land use decision-making roles:
A.
The mayor is the chief administrative officer of the city, presides over city council meetings, appoints members to the planning commission, and in limited circumstances votes on matters before the city council. The mayor is also authorized to designate a planning official(s), who shall be responsible for the administration of this title;
B.
The city council is the legal legislative body of the city and is the only body which can adopt or amend an ordinance. The city council shall make the final decisions on Class 3 applications and hear appeals of decisions on Class 2 applications. The council shall also ratify the mayor's appointments to the planning commission;
C.
The planning commission shall have the authority to make recommendations to the city council on Class 3 applications authorized under this title;
D.
The hearing examiner shall have the authority to make recommendations to the city council on Class 3 applications authorized under this title, as well as to make decisions regarding Class 2 applications, and hear appeals of Class 1 decisions;
E.
It shall be the duty of the planning official(s) to administer the provisions of ZMC Title 15 and this title and to coordinate the implementation of all planning requirements and activities in the city, and to interpret the provisions of this code. The planning official(s) and all authorized city representatives are hereby empowered to cause any structure or tract of land to be inspected and examined, and to order, in writing, the remedying of any condition found to exist in violation of any provision of the Zillah Municipal Code or city ordinances; and
F.
The city attorney shall advise the planning commission, hearing examiner, city council, mayor, and city staff regarding the legal interpretations, applications, and the enforcement of this title.
(Ord. 1387 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1316 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1289 § 1 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 1202 § 2 (Exh. A), 2009)