Chapter 2.26
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.26.010 Planning Commission, Creation of.
2.26.030 Absence from Meetings.
2.26.080 Compensation and Expenses.
2.26.010 Planning Commission, Creation of.
A Planning Commission is hereby created and established in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Law of The State of California, Title 7 of the Government Code, and in particular pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3 of Title 7 of the Government Code. The Planning Commission may be known and referred to as “Santa Clarita Planning Commission” or as the “Planning Commission.” (Ord. 88-2, 1/14/88)
2.26.020 Members.
The Planning Commission shall consist of five (5) members, each of whom shall be a resident of the City of Santa Clarita and shall be appointed by the City Council pursuant to the procedure and terms set forth by resolution of the City Council. All such terms will run through December 31st of the fourth calendar year after the appointment date or until their successor is appointed (whichever is later). Commissioners shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. (Ord. 88-2, 1/14/88; Ord. 89-2, 1/24/89; Ord. 91-49, 10/22/91; Ord. 15-10 § 1 (Exh. A), 11/24/15)
2.26.030 Absence from Meetings.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, any commissioner who absents himself from any three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the Planning Commission, unless excused from attendance by consent of the Planning Commission expressed by action recorded in its minutes, or who is absent without such absence being excused of record, from a total of five (5) regular meetings of the Planning Commission in any six (6) months period, shall thereby automatically forfeit his or her position as a member of the Planning Commission. In such case the name of such commissioner shall be automatically removed from the membership of the Planning Commission immediately after the adjournment of any such third consecutive meeting or of any such fifth meeting in any such six (6) months period, as the case may be, at which such commissioner has not appeared. The Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Planning Commission shall thereupon promptly notify the City Council and any such person so ceasing to be a Commissioner, of the fact of such vacancy. (Ord. 88-2, 1/14/88)
2.26.040 Regular Meetings.
Regular meetings of the Planning Commission shall be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each calendar month, at an hour set by the Commission. Regular meetings may be adjourned by public announcement to a specified date, and any such adjourned meeting shall be deemed a regular meeting. Said meeting dates may be changed by resolution adopted by the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council. (Ord. 88-2, 1/14/88; Ord. 89-23, 11/14/89; Ord. 06-10 § 1, 11/28/06)
2.26.050 Duties.
The Planning Commission shall have the power and duty, except as otherwise provided by law, to:
A. Prepare and recommend to the City Council, a comprehensive long-term general plan for the physical development of the city, including all segments of the City, and of any land outside its boundaries which in the Planning Commission’s judgment bears relation to its planning.
B. Investigate and make recommendations to the City Council upon reasonable and practical means for putting into effect the general plan or a part thereof, in order that it will serve as a pattern and guide for the orderly physical growth and development of the City, and as a basis for the efficient expenditure of funds relating to the subjects of the general plan.
C. Render an annual report to the City Council on the status of the plan and progress in its application.
D. Endeavor to promote public interest in an understanding of the general plan, and regulations relating to it.
E. Consult and advise with public officials and agencies, public utility companies, civic, educational, professional and other organizations, and citizens generally with relation to carrying out the general plan.
F. Review proposals for major public works submitted to it by departments of the City, and report to such departments with respect to conformity thereof with the general plan.
G. Review proposals for acquisition of property for street, park or other public purposes and report to the appropriate City department as to conformity thereof with the general plan.
H. Make recommendations to the City Council with respect to a specific plan or regulation or any amendment to a specific plan or regulation, and report to the City Council upon any change or addition proposed with respect thereto.
I. Hold a public hearing on any proposed zoning ordinance or amendment to zoning ordinance which changes any property from one zone to another or imposes or removes regulations with respect thereto, and render its decision thereon in the form of a written recommendation to the City Council. Such recommendation shall include the reasons for this recommendation and shall be transmitted to the City Council in such form and manner as may be specified by the City Manager.
J. Hear and decide applications for conditional uses or other permits provided for by the zoning ordinance, where criteria are provided by such zoning ordinance for determining such matters, subject to appeal to the City Council.
K. Hear and decide applications for exceptions or variances from the terms of the zoning ordinance, subject to appeal to the City Council.
L. Hear and decide applications for tentative maps of proposed subdivisions of land and approve, deny or conditionally approve such tentative maps, subject to appeal to the City Council. The Council finds and declares that this is declaratory of and confirms existing practice.
M. Have and exercise all of the powers, duties, rights, privileges and authorities of a City Planning Commission, all as provided for by the law of the State of California, and by the provisions of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code, as the law or municipal code now exists and as the same may from time to time be hereafter amended. (Ord. 88-2, 1/14/88; Ord. 89-23, 11/14/89)
2.26.060 Records.
The Planning Commission shall cause proper records to be kept of all its official acts and proceedings, and shall make reports to the City Council as provided for in the State Planning Law or as provided by the City Council. (Ord. 88-2, 1/14/88)
2.26.070 Organization.
The Commission shall elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair from among its members, each for a term of one (1) year, at its first regular meeting after January 31st of each year. The Commission may also appoint such other officers as may be necessary for the administration of its business, at the same time and for like terms. The officers shall enter in the duties of their office at the first regular meeting after appointment. The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of its business and shall keep a record of all its minutes, resolutions, actions, findings and determinations. (Ord. 88-2, 1/14/88; Ord. 06-10 § 1, 11/28/06; Ord. 15-10 § 1 (Exh. A), 11/24/15)
2.26.080 Compensation and Expenses.
Each member of the Planning Commission shall receive compensation, at a rate established from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Each meeting of the Planning Commission attended by such member is not to exceed a total compensation amount, established from time to time by resolution of the City Council, in any one month. Such compensation shall be paid on the first payroll payment date following the end of each calendar month. The Chairman or Vice-Chairman or other appointed officer of the Planning Commission shall submit to the City Clerk at the end of each calendar month a statement showing the number of meetings of the Planning Commission attended by each member during such month. No additional compensation shall be paid for expenses incurred by the members of the Planning Commission in the performance of their duties, except that City Council may from time to time authorize, in advance, expenditures for attendance at seminars, institutes, or other meetings which the City Council finds to be beneficial to the Commissioners in the performance of their duties, and in the best interest of the City. Claims for such expenses shall be filed with the City Manager and shall be subject to audit and approval by the City Council. (Ord. 88-2, 1/14/88; Ord. 89-23, 11/14/89; Ord. 91-31, 7/9/91; Ord. 96-20, 5/14/96; Ord. 04-4 § 1, 4/27/04)