Chapter 2.70
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.70.030 Purpose and functions.
2.70.050 Membership - appointment and terms.
2.70.060 Election of officers.
2.70.070 Rules and regulations.
2.70.110 Board of zoning appeals.
2.70.130 Disclosure requirements.
2.70.010 Short title.
This chapter shall be known as the “Planning Commission Ordinance.”
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.020 Establishment.
There is created and established a commission of the City to be known as the “Planning Commission” and hereinafter called “Commission.”
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.030 Purpose and functions.
A. The purpose of the Planning Commission is to review matters relating to planning and development; to make recommendations on goals and policies affecting the future development and growth of the City; and to consider land use matters, such as general plan amendments, specific plans, rezoning, use permits and subdivisions.
B. The Planning Commission shall have such powers and duties as set forth in the state planning law, Government Code section 65000 et seq., and any amendments thereto. The commission is hereby assigned the duties and functions of the planning agency, pursuant to Government Code section 65100 et seq. The Planning Commission shall have such other powers and duties as may be designated or assigned by City ordinance.
C. The Commission shall perform the following functions:
1. Annually review, and make recommendations for amendments, as necessary, to the general plan.
2. Make recommendations regarding the implementation of the general plan through actions including, but not limited to, the formation or adoption of specific plans and zoning and subdivision ordinances.
3. Annually review the capital improvement program of the City for its consistency with the general plan, pursuant to Government Code section 65400 et seq.
4. Endeavor to promote public interest in, comment on, and understanding of the general plan, and regulations relating to it.
5. Consult with public officials and agencies, public utility companies, civic, educational, professional, and other organizations, and citizens generally concerning implementation of the general plan.
6. Promote the coordination of local plans and programs with the plans and programs of other public agencies.
7. Review and act upon, or make recommendations to the City Council, as applicable, on land use applications.
8. Perform other functions as set forth in the Galt Municipal Code, or as the City Council requests.
D. All ordinances and resolutions involving the general plan, specific plans or zoning shall be submitted to the Commission for review and recommendation, prior to City Council action. The Commission shall report and make recommendation to the City Council upon the matter within the time specified by the Council or, if not specified, in a timely manner. If the Commission does not report and recommend within the period specified by the Council, or otherwise within a reasonable time, the Council may thereafter proceed to act upon the matter without such report and recommendation after first making the finding that the Commission failed to act within a reasonable time period.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.040 Qualifications.
A. City Council Members, when recommending or nominating persons to serve on the Commission, shall seek outstanding individuals whose commitment and talents will contribute to the purposes and functions of the Commission and who reflect the ethnic, geographic and gender diversity of the City.
B. Except as otherwise provided herein, in order to be eligible to hold office on the Commission, a person must be a resident and registered voter of the City. If, during his or her term of office, a Member of the Commission moves his or her residence outside the City limits, or ceases to be a registered voter of the City, such Member’s office shall immediately become vacant. This provision shall not apply to any Members in office at the time of adoption of this chapter.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of this section, up to two (2) Members of the Commission may reside outside the City limits, but within the boundaries of the Galt Joint Union High School District and within Sacramento County.
(Ord. 2019-01, Amended, 02/19/2019; Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.050 Membership - appointment and terms.
A. The Commission shall consist of five (5) Members. Each Council Member shall appoint one (1) Commission Member whose term shall run concurrently with that of the Council Member so appointing.
B. If the office of a Member of the Commission appointed by a Council Member becomes vacant, the appointing Council Member shall fill the vacancy by appointing a Commission Member whose term shall run concurrent with that of the appointing Council Member.
C. The Members of the Commission serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed from office by the vote of a majority of the Members of the City Council. No public hearing need be held prior to removal; however, a Member shall only be removed for good cause, as determined by the City Council.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.060 Election of officers.
At the first regular meeting of the Commission after January 1st of each year, the Members shall elect a Chair and a Vice Chair. In the absence or disability of the Chair and Vice Chair, the Commission shall designate a temporary Chair.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.070 Rules and regulations.
The Commission may adopt and amend, by the affirmative vote of a majority of its Members, rules and regulations for the conduct of the Commission’s business consistent with this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall be submitted to the City Council and shall not become effective until approved by the City Council.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.080 Meetings.
A. The Commission shall endeavor to hold meetings at least once a month. All its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and shall be open to the public except as provided by law. Special meetings may be called by the Chair or a majority of the Commission.
B. A quorum shall be a majority of the Commission. No action of the Commission shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least three (3) Members.
C. All meetings of the Commission shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, unless the particular rule or matter is otherwise provided for by City ordinance or the Commission’s rules and regulations.
D. A permanent change in the date and time of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Commission shall be submitted to the City Council for approval.
E. The Commission shall keep a record, which shall be available for public inspection, of all of its resolutions, proceedings, and other actions.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.090 Absences.
In the event a Member has three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from regular meetings of the Commission, the City Council may declare the office of such Member vacant. The Secretary to the Commission shall advise the Mayor through the City Clerk of any Member with three (3) consecutive unexcused absences. The Chair of the Commission has the discretion to determine whether absences are excused or unexcused. Absences should be excused if due to situations such as illness, religious observances, family emergencies, work conflicts, and vacations.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.100 Annual report.
A. The Commission shall submit an annual report to the City Council no later than September 1st of each year. The annual report shall provide a summary of the work or activities undertaken by the Commission during the prior year, work or activities planned for the upcoming year, and may include recommendations.
B. Attendance records of Members shall be included as part of the annual report.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.110 Board of zoning appeals.
The Commission is hereby designated to perform the duties and functions of a Board of Zoning Adjustment and a Board of Zoning Appeals, pursuant to Government Code section 65900 et seq. The Commission may prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the functions and duties of the Board of Zoning Adjustment and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Three (3) Members shall constitute a quorum. No action taken shall be valid unless it receives the affirmative vote of three (3) Members of the Board.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.120 Compensation.
Each Member of the Commission shall receive twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each meeting of the Commission which he/she attends.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)
2.70.130 Disclosure requirements.
Members of the Commission shall be required to file annual statements of economic interest pursuant to the City’s conflict of interest code.
(Ord. 2011-04, Added, 06/07/2011)