In addition to the powers and duties described in existing city ordinances, the city council is vested with the authority to:
A. 
Approve, approve with conditions, or deny applications for subdivision preliminary plat approval, final plat approval, annexations, amendments to the comprehensive plan, amendments to this title, and rezones, after considering the findings and recommendations of the city planner and/or planning commission, except as such power is granted to a hearing examiner under this code;
B. 
The city council holds an open public record hearing and an appeal hearing (based on established record in the open public hearing) on project applications that require city council approval;
C. 
Base all decisions on criteria established in this title or other applicable laws;
D. 
Require any applicant granted final plat approval to deposit an acceptable security with the city and sign a security agreement to assure that the applicant and/or their successors in interest will adhere to the approved plan and all conditions attached to the final plat approval;
E. 
Review and act upon any recommendations of the city planner or planning commission for amendments to or revisions of the comprehensive plan or the provisions of this title;
F. 
Initiate proceedings for civil infraction violations; and
G. 
Perform other duties as outlined in this title.
(Ord. 627 (part), 1999; Ord. 889 § 1 (App. B) (part), 2019; Ord. 932 § 1, 2022; Ord. 954 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 965 § 1, 2025)
Pursuant to the authority conferred by Chapter 35A.63 RCW, as amended, there is created a city planning commission, consisting of five (5) members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. The members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations, and they serve without compensation; provided, however, expenses incurred in performing the official duties of the planning commission will be reimbursed subject to prior approval by the council.
The term of office of the members shall be six (6) years. The terms shall expire in the order of one (1) position in each successive year, with one (1) year having no expiring term.
Vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired terms. Members serve at the pleasure of the mayor and city council and may be removed by the mayor, with the approval of a majority of the city council.
One (1) ex officio member of the city council, hereby known as the planning commission liaison, shall be appointed by the mayor, whose term shall coincide with their term on the council, but who will not have a vote on the planning commission.
If any person or persons on the planning commission concludes that they have a conflict of interest or an appearance of fairness problem with respect to a matter pending before the commission so that they cannot discharge their duties, the member shall disqualify himself or herself from participating in the deliberations and the decision-making process with respect to the matter per RCW 35A.63.020.
(Ord. 627 (part), 1999; Ord. 681 (part), 2003; Ord. 890 § 2, 2019; Ord. 932 § 1, 2022; Ord. 954 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 965 § 1, 2025)
A contracted position is established to provide for the recording, transcribing, and delivery of the minutes of the planning commission meeting to the city clerk.
(Ord. 681 (part), 2003; Ord. 932 § 1, 2022; Ord. 965 § 1, 2025)
A. 
The planning commission shall hold meetings as necessary to fulfill their duties as outlined in Section 15.06.040.
B. 
The commission shall adopt rules for transaction of business, subject to reviews by the mayor and council, and shall keep a written record of its meetings, transactions, findings and recommendations, which record shall be a public record.
C. 
A majority of the membership of the planning commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present, when those present constitute a quorum, at any regular or special meeting of the planning commission shall be deemed and taken as the action of the commission. A vote of the majority of the planning commission shall be required to recommend the adoption of, or amendment to, a comprehensive plan.
(Ord. 627 (part), 1999; Ord. 681 (part), 2003; Ord. 892 § 2, 2019; Ord. 932 § 1, 2022; Ord. 965 § 1, 2025)
A. 
The planning commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the mayor, the council, or both and shall perform each and all of the duties as specified in Chapter 35A.63 RCW, as amended.
B. 
The city council may refer to the planning commission, for its recommendation and report, any ordinance, resolution, or other proposal relating to any of the matters and subjects referred to in Chapter 35A.63 RCW, as amended, and the commission shall promptly report to the council thereon, making such recommendations and giving such counsel as it may deem proper.
(Ord. 627 (part), 1999; Ord. 681 (part), 2003; Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2020; Ord. 932 § 1, 2022; Ord. 965 § 1, 2025)
There is hereby created a subcommittee to the Ilwaco planning commission tasked with engaging business owners and community members to encourage economic development of the downtown core. The subcommittee shall be comprised of five (5) members appointed by the mayor, through recommendations made by the subcommittee and/or planning commission, to serve in an advisory capacity to the planning commission. Members are not required to be a citizen of Ilwaco but will successfully demonstrate to the mayor their affiliation with the city and desire for improvement of its economy. The subcommittee shall meet as necessary. There shall be elected a chair of the subcommittee who shall also serve as a member of the planning commission and report to the commission its activities and recommendations for further action. There shall be no term limits for the subcommittee; however, members will be removed by the mayor for inefficiency or neglect of duty. The duties of this subcommittee shall sunset December 31, 2027, unless otherwise extended by the city council.
(Ord. 932 § 1, 2022; Ord. 965 § 1, 2025)
A. 
The city planner or their designee is vested with overall administrative responsibility for this title.
B. 
The duties and responsibilities of the city planner include:
1. 
Establishing procedures and preparing forms necessary for the administration of this title;
2. 
Advising interested citizens and applicants of the regulations and procedures set forth in this title;
3. 
Determining that an applicant provides all applications for development and other required materials;
4. 
Compiling an official file on each application submitted;
5. 
Reviewing all information submitted by an applicant and preparing a report that summarizes their findings, conclusions, and recommendations involving an application;
6. 
Submitting the report in subsection B5 of this section to the planning commission, city council, or hearing examiner, depending on the application, for consideration and official action. The city planner will assure that all relevant information and testimony regarding an application is made available to the planning commission and/or city council during their review;
7. 
Assuring that proper notice is given to appropriate persons, agencies, and the public for all hearings;
8. 
Investigating, developing and proposing amendments to this title as necessary;
9. 
Carries out the provisions of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act and is the designated responsible environmental official as defined in Chapter 197-11 WAC;
10. 
Seeking remedies for alleged violations of this title, or of violations of conditions of any permit or approval issued by the city; and
11. 
Coordinating information with other departments of the city and affected agencies.
(Ord. 627 (part), 1999; Ord. 889 § 1 (App. B) (part), 2019; Ord. 932 § 1, 2022; Ord. 954 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 965 § 1, 2025)