The planning commission (the commission) shall consist of seven members, to be appointed by the mayor. Commission members shall receive no compensation.
(Ord. 671 § 1, 1987; Ord. 722 § 1, 1992; Ord. 810, 2000; Code 2000 § 11.10.11)
Planning commission members shall hold office for four years, except when filling the unexpired portion of a vacancy in office. The mayor shall, with the advice of the council, appoint successors to such offices for each term of four years thereafter. Appointments shall be structured so as to ensure that terms overlap. No member shall serve more than three consecutive four-year terms. Following the completion of three consecutive four-year terms, a member may not apply for an additional term until they have stepped down from the commission for a period of no less than one year, after which point they may reapply.
(Ord. 671 § 1, 1987; Ord. 722 § 2, 1992; Ord. 810, 2000; Code 2000 § 11.10.12; Ord. 2021-01 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)
Any vacancy in office shall be filled by the mayor for the unexpired portion of the term. If within any five-calendar-month period a commission member has three unexcused absences, or if a commission member has three consecutive unexcused absences in any period of time, the unexcused absences shall constitute grounds for removal by the mayor.
(Ord. 671 § 1, 1987; Ord. 810, 2000; Code 2000 § 11.10.13)
In order to qualify for an appointment or reappointment to the planning commission, a person must have resided in the city one year immediately preceding that person's appointment or reappointment and continue to be a resident of the city at all times during the term of that person's office. No more than one person residing outside the city limits but within the city urban growth boundary may be appointed or reappointed to the planning commission if that person has resided within the city urban growth boundary one year immediately preceding that person's appointment or reappointment and continues to reside within the city urban growth boundary at all times during the term of that person's office. No more than one person located from outside of the city urban growth boundary may be appointed to the planning commission, provided that person owns property and/or owns a business within the community.
(Ord. 580 § 2, 1981; Ord. 671 § 1, 1987; Ord. 722 § 3, 1992; Ord. 810, 2000; Code 2000 § 11.10.14; Ord. 2014-16 § 1, 2015)
The commission at its first meeting shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the commission. The chairperson and vice chairperson shall be limited to those members who reside within the city of Cornelius.
(Ord. 671 § 1, 1987; Ord. 810, 2000; Code 2000 § 11.10.14; Ord. 2014-16 § 2, 2015)
The community development director or designee shall keep an accurate record of all commission proceedings. The commission shall on October 1st of each year make and file a report of all its transactions with the council.
(Ord. 671 § 1, 1987; Ord. 810, 2000; Code 2000 § 11.10.15; Ord. 841 Exh. 2, 2003)
A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum. The commission may make and alter rules and regulations for its government and procedure consistent with laws of this state, with the City Charter and ordinances, and the code of the city. It shall meet at least once a month, at such times and places as may be fixed by the commission.
(Ord. 671 § 1, 1987; Ord. 810, 2000; Code 2000 § 11.10.16; Ord. 2019-03 § 1)
(A) 
The commission may employ consulting advice on municipal problems, a secretary and such clerks as may be necessary, and pay for their services, and for such other expenses as the commission may lawfully incur, including the necessary disbursements incurred by its members in the performance of their duties as members of the commission, out of funds at the disposal of the commission, as authorized by the council.
(B) 
Expenditures. The commission shall have no authority to make expenditures on behalf of the city, or to obligate the city for the payment of any sums of money, except as provided by this chapter, and then only after the council has first authorized such expenditures by appropriate resolution, which shall provide the administrative method by which the funds shall be drawn and expended.
(Ord. 671 § 1, 1987; Ord. 810, 2000; Code 2000 § 11.10.17)
The commission shall have all the powers, which are now or hereafter granted to it by the code of the city or by general laws of the state. The commission may make recommendations to the council, to public officials and to individuals regarding land uses, location of thoroughfares, public buildings, parks and other facilities; and regarding any other matter related to the planning and development of the city and the surrounding area. The commission may make studies, hold hearings and prepare reports and recommendations on its own initiative or at the request of the council.
(A) 
Recommendations Written. All recommendations and suggestions made to the council by the commission shall be in writing.
(Ord. 671 § 1, 1987; Ord. 810, 2000; Code 2000 § 11.10.18)