Pursuant to RCW 35A.63.020, there is created a planning agency to be known as the “Kelso planning commission.” The planning commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to city officials and to the city council. The planning commission shall consist of five members.
The five members shall be appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation by the city council.
(Ord. 2959 § 1 (1), 1984; Ord. 3299 § 1, 1996; Ord. 3404 § 1, 1998; Ord. 3838 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014)
The terms of the members shall be as follows:
A. 
Members shall be appointed for terms of four years.
B. 
The terms shall be staggered so that no more than three members’ terms shall expire in any year.
C. 
Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term. Members may be removed by the mayor, with the approval of the city council, for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office or other just cause.
(Ord. 2959 § 1(2), (3), 1984; Ord. 3404 § 1, 1998; Ord. 3493 § 1, 2002; Ord. 3838 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014)
At least four members of the planning commission shall be residents of the city. Up to one member need not reside in the city, but must reside within Cowlitz County and meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
A. 
Own at least a fifty percent interest in property within the city limits of the city of Kelso; or
B. 
Own at least a fifty percent interest in a business that operates within the city limits of the city of Kelso.
In the event a planning commission member is serving who is not a resident of the city, such person shall not be authorized to serve as the planning commission chairman. In the further event that a duly appointed member shall move from within the city to outside the city or cease to own at least a fifty percent interest in property or a business within the city limits of the city of Kelso, that person may remain on the commission with the consent of the mayor and approval by the council for the balance of the unexpired term.
(Ord. 2959 § 1(4), 1984; Ord. 2984 § 1, 1985; Ord. 3187 § 1, 1992; Ord. 3325 § 1, 1996; Ord. 3404 § 1, 1998; Ord. 3838 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014)
The planning commission shall have all the powers and perform each and all of the duties specified by Chapter 35A.63 RCW, except those powers and duties delegated to the city’s hearing examiner, together with any duties or authority which may hereafter be conferred upon them by statute or ordinance or as directed by council action. The performance of such duties and the exercise of such authority shall be subject to each and all of the limitations expressed in such legislative enactment or enactments.
(Ord. 2959 § 2, 1984; Ord. 3404 § 1, 1998; Ord. 3838 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014)
A majority of the planning commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present at any regular or special meeting of the planning commission shall be deemed and taken as the action of the commission.
(Ord. 2959 § 5, 1984; Ord. 3404 § 1, 1998; Ord. 3838 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014)
The position of a member shall be forfeited and become vacant for failure to attend three regular consecutive meetings of the planning commission, unless such absence is excused by a majority of the members of the commission.
(Ord. 2959 § 1(5), 1984; Ord. 2984 § 1, 1985; Ord. 3404 § 1, 1998; Ord. 3838 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014)
The planning commission is empowered to adopt its own rules of procedure. Such rules shall comply in all respects to any procedural steps required by state law or by city ordinance.
(Ord. 2959 § 1(6), 1984; Ord. 2984 § 1, 1985; Ord. 3404 § 1, 1998; Ord. 3838 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014)
All legislative land use decisions under Title 18B, including comprehensive plan updates and amendments and all zoning code text and zoning district amendments, shall first be submitted to the planning commission for its recommendation and report, which report shall be made to the council within any time frame established by statute or ordinance.
(Ord. 2959 § 4, 1984; Ord. 3404 § 1, 1998; Ord. 3838 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014)
The city council may periodically request reports, recommendations, or opinions from the planning commission and the planning commission shall provide such reports, recommendations, and opinions as may be requested. The planning commission, as an advisory body, may report to the city council as they may determine necessary. The community development director, or other staff directed by the city manager, shall also provide periodic reports to the city council on the schedule and activities of the planning commission as the city council may request.
(Ord. 2959 § 6, 1984; Ord. 3404 § 1, 1998; Ord. 3838 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014)