Chapter 2.16
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.16.010 Commission established.
2.16.050 Eligibility of commission members.
2.16.060 Appointment of commission members.
2.16.070 Terms of appointments.
2.16.080 Removals and vacancies.
2.16.130 Agenda/order of business.
2.16.150 Expenditures and budget.
Prior legislation: Ord. 1848.
2.16.010 Commission established.
Pursuant to Chapter 35A.63 RCW, a planning commission is established. The official name of this commission shall be the Centralia planning commission. The word “commission,” whenever used in this chapter, shall be deemed to mean the planning commission. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.020 Purpose and intent.
The purpose and intent of the commission shall extend to and encompass making recommendations to the city council relative to the orderly physical development and growth of the community. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.030 Primary duties.
The commission shall have the following major functions:
A. The commission shall formulate and recommend to the city council goals related to the comprehensive plan and development regulations for the city in a structured framework providing both time and measurement criteria.
B. The commission shall assess existing land use development policies for the purpose of recommending to the city council such modifications as may be appropriate to achieve land use and development goals established by the city council.
C. The commission shall formulate and recommend to the city council new land use and development regulations, plans, policies and strategies for the purpose of assuring achievement of the comprehensive plan goals approved by the city council.
D. The commission shall have an advisory role with the city council, and provide a connection to the general public on land use and development regulation issues. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.040 General duties.
In addition to the commission’s major functions specified above, the commission shall, consistent with established city council policy, have the following duties:
A. The commission shall prepare and submit recommendations to staff and city council on a broad range of matters generally related to comprehensive planning and formulation of development regulations.
B. The commission shall provide guidance and recommendations to staff and assist in formulating, refining and developing land use policies and development strategies.
C. The commission shall develop and recommend to the city council plans and programs for the purpose of maintaining compliance of the city’s comprehensive land use plan and development regulations as required under the Washington State Growth Management Act and the State Environmental Policy Act.
D. Prepare and recommend for the adoption by the city council regulations, amendments, extensions, or additions to such regulations or plans for the physical development of the city in the interest of health, safety, morals, or general welfare including but not limited to the following:
1. The use of buildings and land for residential, commercial, retail, industrial, public facilities and other purposes;
2. The height, number of stories, size, construction, and design of buildings and other structures;
3. The size of yards, courts, and other open spaces on a lot or tract;
4. The setback of buildings along highways, city streets, parks, or public water frontages;
5. The creation and maintenance of a long range transportation and street plan;
6. The creation and maintenance of a critical areas ordinance, shoreline master program and other environmental protection requirements.
E. Review and provide recommendations to the city council on all plats, plans of subdivisions, planned unit developments, dedications of land, and creating and vacating of rights-of-way and easements situated within the boundaries of the city and designated urban growth areas.
F. Review and provide recommendations to the city council on the city’s comprehensive plan land use map and all maps associated with elements of the comprehensive plan.
G. Review and provide recommendations to the city council on the city’s zoning map, proposed zone changes and zoning recommendations for annexation requests.
H. The commission shall work with the park board and other boards and commissions to review and provide recommendations to the city council on the synergistic impact of development proposals.
I. The commission shall work with staff as a research and fact-finding group for the city on issues related to comprehensive land use planning.
J. The commission shall serve as a central body for the dissemination of information related to general land use planning and community development.
K. The commission shall perform such other duties and provide such additional information, assistance and advice to the city council as the city council may request or direct. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.050 Eligibility of commission members.
The commission shall consist of seven regular members and two alternate members. Members shall be selected without regard to political affiliation and shall serve without compensation; and shall be selected from a broad spectrum of the public. All members of the commission shall be residents of the city of Centralia, except that at the discretion of the city council as many as two of the seven members may be residents of the city’s designated urban growth area. (Ord. 2284 § 1, 2012: Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.060 Appointment of commission members.
Commission members will be appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the city council. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.070 Terms of appointments.
Terms shall be for four years. Terms shall be staggered providing for expiration of term of two positions per year for three years and three positions in the fourth year on a rotation basis. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.080 Removals and vacancies.
The mayor and the commission may accept written resignations when a member is unable to complete their appointment. If the mayor determines that grounds for the removal of a commission member exists, the mayor may remove said member of the commission at any time, subject to the confirmation of the removal by a majority of the city council. The commission, by majority vote, may recommend to the city council removal of an appointed member upon such grounds as:
A. Unexcused absences from three consecutive meetings, including both regular and special meetings; or
B. Six absences, excused or unexcused, occurring within a twelve-month period.
The council, by majority vote, may remove any appointed member of the commission and declare the position vacant. All vacancies shall be filled in the manner used for regular appointments to a commission. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.090 Meetings.
The commission shall fix day, time and place of its regularly scheduled monthly meeting during the occasion of the first meeting of the year. The commission shall conduct at least one regular meeting each month; provided, that if no issues over which the commission has jurisdiction are pending upon its calendar, a meeting may be canceled. The commission shall hold at least one meeting per month during ten calendar months each year. On the call of the chairperson, special meetings may be held from time to time as necessary or desirable. Notice of any such special meeting shall be issued as required by state law. All meetings shall be open public meetings as required by state law; provided, however, that when appropriate and allowable by state law, executive sessions may be declared for the purpose of considering those items which are recognized by state law as appropriate subject matter for closed executive sessions. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.100 Officers.
The officers of the commission shall consist of a chairperson and a vice chairperson, elected from the appointed members of the commission. In lieu of a secretary, members of the city staff shall be designated for the position and purpose. The election of officers shall take place once each year during the occasion of the first meeting of the year. The term of office for each officer shall run until the next subsequent election; provided, however, that any officer may be removed at any time by a vote of the majority of the commission entered on record. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.110 Duties of officers.
A. Chairperson. The chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the commission and may exercise all the powers usually incident to the office, retaining as a member of the commission, however, the full right to have his/her own vote recorded in all deliberations of the commission.
B. Vice Chairperson. The chairperson being absent, the vice chairperson shall preside as temporary chairperson for the meeting.
C. Secretary. The secretary, a designated city staff member, shall keep a record of all meetings of the commission and those records shall remain the property of the city of Centralia.
D. Staff Liaison. A staff member appointed by the city manager shall perform as liaison to the commission, including acting as liaison for the chairperson, as requested, to facilitate communications to the city manager and city council. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.120 Quorum.
A majority of the membership of the commission, being not less than four members, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by the commission, at any regular or special meeting of the commission, shall require a majority of the commission members present to be deemed and taken as an action of the commission; except, however, where the decision is quasi-judicial in nature, it shall require a majority of four of the seven members of the commission to forward a recommendation approving or denying to the city council. (Ord. 2284 § 2, 2012: Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.130 Agenda/order of business.
An agenda shall be prepared by the chairperson and secretary to the commission for each meeting and distributed by the secretary, along with the minutes of the preceding meeting and any supportive documents or reports, to the members of the commission at least three days prior to the next meeting date. Any member of the commission may recommend that additional items be added to the agenda with chair approval at least three days prior to the meeting, or by approval of a majority of those members present at the meeting. The regular order of business shall be as follows:
A. Call to order.
B. Roll call.
C. Approval of agenda.
D. Approval of minutes of previous meetings.
E. Announcements, reports and comments.
F. Citizen public comments.
G. Presentations.
H. Unfinished business.
I. New business.
J. Staff reports.
K. Adjournment. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.140 Rules of order.
When necessary and appropriate the chairperson shall maintain order by utilizing Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).
2.16.150 Expenditures and budget.
The expenditures of the commission, exclusive of donations, shall be limited to appropriations. All services requiring appropriations shall be submitted through the budget of the city of Centralia, community development department; provided, however, that the services of outside consultants may be obtained for a temporary period of time when specifically authorized by the city council. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 2004).