[Adopted 6-11-1991 by Ord. No. 91-O-9]
There is hereby created a City Advisory Planning
Commission (the "Advisory Planning Commission" or the "Commission").
[Amended 11-27-2001 by Ord. No. 01-O-7]
The Advisory Planning Commission's duties are
as follows:
A.
To develop a comprehensive, long-range plan for future
development and revitalization of the City of College Park, including
all properties located within the corporate limits, taking into account
economic development, commercial revitalization, housing, transportation
and facilities needs, historical preservation, recreation and open
space needs, including short-range land use needs and area-wide land
use needs.
B.
To propose workable solutions for community problems,
such as residential, commercial and industrial land development, park
and recreational land development, zoning changes, building and housing
codes, urban renewal, transportation and community facilities, associated
capital budgeting and other activities as may be referred to it by
action of the City Council.
C.
To review and make recommendations to the Mayor and
Council on zoning applications, subdivision plans and other land use
issues, including departures and variances, and hold such public hearings
as may be directed by the Mayor and Council.
D.
To provide analysis and input relative to the County
Master Plan, sectional map amendments, the University of Maryland
Master Plan and other plans and studies impacting on the City of College
Park.
E.
To review planning-related grant requests as appropriate
and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council regarding related
capital improvements needs for the City.
F.
To hear appeals and perform such other functions enumerated in § 125-4 of Chapter 125 of the College Park Code, entitled "Housing Regulations," § 87-19 of Chapter 87 of the College Park Code, entitled "Building Construction,"§ 157-6 of Chapter 157 of the College Park Code, entitled "Property Maintenance," § 141-14 of Chapter 141, entitled "Nuisances," and as otherwise directed by the Council.
[Amended 6-14-2016 by Ord. No. 16-O-03; 9-24-2019 by Ord. No. 19-O-13]
A.
The City Manager shall refer to the Advisory Planning Commission for its consideration all of the aforesaid matters on which the City Council is requested or required to take official action, with immediate notification of such referral given to the City Council. The Public Services Department shall refer to the Advisory Planning Commission for its consideration all of the matters to be heard by reason of § 15-19F. A report of each matter referred to it shall be made to the City Council by the Advisory Planning Commission within a reasonable time.
[Amended 12-10-1991 by Ord. No. 91-O-24; 11-27-2001 by Ord. No. 01-O-7]
B.
The Advisory Planning Commission is authorized to
hold such public hearings as it deems advisable or as may be recommended
by the City Council. The Commission shall keep records of its official
actions, which shall be retained in the office of the City Manager
for the reference of the City Council.
[Amended 12-10-1991 by Ord. No. 91-O-24]
C.
The City's Planning Department staff shall assist
the Advisory Planning Commission as necessary and be responsible for
making arrangements for and providing notification of any meetings
or public hearings presenting relevant reports or information, providing
appropriate resource materials and arranging for training and orientation
of new members. The costs of training shall be budgeted by and paid
for under the general government budget.
D.
The City Manager shall obtain for the Advisory Planning
Commission all services and supplies as the Commission shall direct
within the limits of the Commission's appropriated funds.
[Amended 12-10-1991 by Ord. No. 91-O-24]
[Amended 11-27-2001 by Ord. No. 01-O-7; 1-31-2006 by Ord. No. 06-O-01]
The Advisory Planning Commission shall be composed of seven members, appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council, who have a City-wide perspective relative to planning-related and housing issues. Members shall have a track record of civic-mindedness from work on other City projects or committees, an interest in planning and housing and some knowledge of the planning process and related laws and procedures. For the Commission's initial membership, the City shall give consideration to appointing members from among those of the City committees dissolved pursuant to § 15-29, and shall seek to give priority to the appointment of residents of the City and assure that there shall be representation from each of the City's four Council districts. Vacancies shall be filled by the Mayor with the approval of the Council for the unexpired portion of the term. Further, the Mayor, with approval of the City Council, may appoint members to the Commission on a temporary basis for a limited period upon a determination by the Mayor that such action would expedite the handling of appeals of the City Code violation notices involving fire protection or fire safety. The period may be extended from time to time by the Mayor, with approval of the City Council, as necessary.
[Amended 12-10-1991 by Ord. No. 91-O-24; 9-24-2002 by Ord. No. 02-O-3]
Each of the Commissioners shall receive compensation
in an amount set by the Mayor and Council in the annual City budget.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 15-23, Terms of office,
was repealed 3-10-2020 by Ord. No. 20-O-03.
[Amended 11-27-2001 by Ord. No. 01-O-7]
Members of the Commission shall disclose to
the Advisory Planning Commission any conflict of interest, as that
term is understood in the Maryland Common Law, § 15-801
et seq. of the State Government Article of the Maryland Code, as amended,
and the College Park Ethics Code,[1] and shall refrain from voting or taking action on any
such matter. Clarification and recommendations concerning doubtful
situations can be requested of the City Ethics Commission.
The Advisory Planning Commission shall meet
not less than monthly, unless otherwise determined by the Advisory
Planning Commission, at a time, date and public place set by it. A
special meeting of the membership shall be called at the request of
the Chairperson or a request by the majority of the members. The request
for a special meeting shall state the purpose of the meeting and the
matters proposed for action. Minutes of meetings shall be kept and
promptly made available to the Mayor and Council.
The Chairperson shall be the chief officer of
the Advisory Planning Commission and shall, when present, preside
at all meetings of the Commission. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
shall be elected by the majority of the Commission at a regular meeting
for a minimum twelve-month term. The Chairperson may perform other
such duties as the Commission may agree upon.
With the prior approval of the Mayor and Council,
the Advisory Planning Commission may recommend the hiring of such
technical consultant(s) as may be necessary from time to time to carry
out its duties. Such recommendations shall follow normal City procedures
for the hiring of consultants.
The Advisory Planning Commission shall promptly
adopt written bylaws, subject to the approval of the same by the Mayor
and Council.
Upon the effective date of this Article and
upon the appointment of the initial members of the Commission, the
Economic Development Committee (EDC), the Land Use Committee and the
Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) shall be automatically
dissolved.
[Added 1-31-2006 by Ord. No. 06-O-1; amended 6-14-2016 by Ord. No.
16-O-03]
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code or any regulations adopted hereunder, the Advisory Planning Commission is authorized to hear appeals pursuant to § 115-7 of the City Code involving fire protection or fire safety violations by means of panels comprised of three or more permanent and/or temporary members. Action by the panel on such appeals may be taken by the affirmative vote of the majority of the panel.
