Chapter 2.48
PLANNING COMMISSION1
Sections:
2.48.010 Created – Appointment of members.
2.48.030 Vacancy filling – Removal – Compensation.
2.48.040 Powers and limitations.
2.48.070 Referrals from city council.
2.48.080 Review of subdivisions and dedications.
2.48.090 Expenditure of funds.
2.48.100 Review of comprehensive plan.
2.48.010 Created – Appointment of members.
Pursuant to the authority conferred by Chapter 35A.63 RCW, there is created a city planning commission, consisting of seven members who shall be designated and appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
2.48.020 Term of office.
The term of office of the seven members appointed by the city council shall be four years; provided, that the existing members shall serve out their terms of office, and the terms of office for members appointed pursuant to this chapter shall commence upon the appointment of members to fill the vacancies of existing members as they occur. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
2.48.030 Vacancy filling – Removal – Compensation.
Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired terms. Members may be removed after public hearing by the city council for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Any commission member who is absent for three successive regular meetings of the commission may be removed as a member. The mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council, shall appoint citizens to fill vacancies occurring on the commission. The members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations and they shall serve without compensation. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
2.48.040 Powers and limitations.
The commission shall have all of the powers and perform each and all of the duties specified by Chapter 35.63 RCW, together with any other duties or authority which may be conferred upon them by the laws of the state of Washington, the performance of such duties and the exercise of such authority to be subject to each and all of the limitations expressed in such legislative enactment or enactments. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
2.48.050 Secretary.
The commission may designate one of its members to act as secretary without salary, or, if requested by the commission, the city manager may designate a member of the paid staff of the city to serve as such secretary, who shall so serve subject to established employee rules. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
2.48.060 Quorum.
The presence of four members of the commission shall be required to effect a quorum of the commission at meetings thereof. An affirmative vote of at least four members shall be required to pass any motion on the floor. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
2.48.070 Referrals from city council.
The city council may refer to the commission for its recommendation and report on any ordinance, resolution, or other proposal relating to any of the matters and subjects referred to in Chapter 35A.63 RCW and the commission shall promptly report to the city council thereon, making such recommendations and giving such counsel as it may deem proper in the circumstances. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
2.48.080 Review of subdivisions and dedications.
All plats or plans of subdivisions of land within the city or proposed additions, as well as dedications of streets and alleys, offered to the city council for acceptance shall first be submitted to the commission for its recommendation and report, except short plats and boundary line adjustments. Such report shall be made to the city council in a timely manner or at such reasonable date as the city council shall direct. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
2.48.090 Expenditure of funds.
The commission, in exercising its duties, may direct the expenditures of funds for appropriate activities such as mapping, public hearings, environmental consultants, etc. The city planner or other designated city staff shall cause the directives of the commission to be carried out. The budget for the city planning division shall reflect anticipated expenditures of the commission. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
2.48.100 Review of comprehensive plan.
The commission shall be, and the same hereby is, required and directed to review the comprehensive plan for the city and to prepare amendments thereto as shall be deemed necessary and in the best interest of the citizens of the city or as directed by the city council. Such amendments shall be in compliance with the requirements of the Growth Management Act of 1990, as amended by subsequent legislation. [Ord. 520B, 1993.]
Code reviser’s note: For statutory provisions on the creation of city planning commissions, see RCW 35.63.020 and 35.63.030; for provisions authorizing code cities to provide by ordinance for a planning agency, see RCW 35A.63.020.