There is created a city planning commission in and for the city.
(Ord. 813 § 1, 1955; Ord. 3165 § 1, 2011)
[1]
For the statutory provisions regarding the creation of a planning agency by a code city, see RCW 35A.63.020.
The city planning commission shall consist of seven members who shall occupy positions designated as one to seven inclusive, plus the community and economic development director and city engineer, both of whom shall be ex officio nonvoting members. The members shall be appointed by the city council.
(Ord. 1449 § 1, 1969; Ord. 2685 § 1, 1998; Ord. 2774, 2000; Ord. 3165 § 1, 2011)
(1)
The term of office of each member hereafter appointed to any of the positions shall be four years and vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the city council. Notwithstanding the expiration of the term of any such member he or she may continue to act and occupy the position to which he or she was appointed until his or her successor is appointed and his or her actions shall be valid during such time.
(2)
The members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations, and they shall serve without compensation. The members may be residents, business owners, and/or property owners within the city of Longview and/or the city's planning area boundary as identified in the city's comprehensive plan.
(Ord. 1449 § 1, 1969; Ord. 2685 § 2, 1998; Ord. 3165 § 1, 2011)
(1)
The commission shall elect its own chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine it requires.
(2)
The commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month for not less than nine months in each year.
(3)
It shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a written record of its meetings, resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which record shall be a public record.
(Ord. 813 § 4, 1955; Ord. 3165 § 1, 2011)
(1)
The commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the city manager and city council with respect to the best methods of ensuring the growth, development and expansion of the municipality. It may have surveys, analyses, researches and reports concerning the general problem of municipal development, expansion and general welfare made through the office of the community and economic development director. It shall hold the public hearing required for amending LMC Title 19 as provided in RCW 35A.63.100.
(2)
The commission shall perform such administrative functions, including the holding of hearings on preliminary plats of proposed subdivisions, and make recommendations to the city council all as provided by law. Such recommendations shall be submitted to the city council not later than 14 days after the commission has concluded the hearings and any other investigation necessary to allow the commission to make such recommendations.
(3)
The commission shall have all the powers and duties specified in RCW 35A.63.030 to 35A.63.080, inclusive. In complying with the requirements of RCW 35A.63.070, notice of the time, place and purpose of such public hearing shall be published by the commission twice in the official newspaper of the city, the first such publication to be at least 10 days before the date of the public hearing and the second such publication to be not more than three days prior to the date thereof. The notice shall specify the date of such public hearing, that the same will be held at the hour of 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, and will be held in the council chambers at the City Hall. Such notice shall further describe in general terms the subject matter to be considered at such hearing.
(Ord. 1449 § 1, 1969; Ord. 1676 § 1, 1974; Ord. 2721 § 1, 1999; Ord. 2774 § 1, 2000; Ord. 3165 § 1, 2011)
The expenditures of the commission, exclusive of gifts, shall be within the amounts appropriated for the purpose by the city council. Within such limits, the city manager is authorized to employ such employees and expert consultants as are deemed necessary for the work of the planning commission.
(Ord. 813 § 6, 1955; Ord. 1449 § 1, 1969; Ord. 3165 § 1, 2011)
The planning commission shall make recommendations to the city council for the granting or denial of such permits. The planning commission shall be guided by the provisions of LMC § 19.12.050(3) in making its recommendations. In making its recommendations to the city council, the planning commission shall make findings of fact in support of such recommendations. Per the appearance of fairness doctrine, planning commission members shall not receive any testimony or recommendations except from city staff.
(Ord. 2799 § 2, 2001; Ord. 3165 § 1, 2011; Ord. 3170 § 2, 2011; Ord. 3291 § 1, 2015)