Chapter 2.115
PLANNING COMMISSION

Sections:

2.115.010    Planning commission rules and procedures.

2.115.010 Planning commission rules and procedures.

The board of commissioners hereby affirms the continuance of the planning agency and commission in its duties under the Planning Enabling Act, Chapter 36.70 RCW. The board of county commissioners hereby adopts the following rules of composition, organization and operation of the planning commission:

A. The commission shall consist of five numbered member seats with a minimum of one seat from each county commissioner district. The remaining two seats shall serve as “float seats” to fill any district, not to exceed three members from one district.

B. Planning commission members shall be residents of Columbia County and eligible to vote in the county. The selection of planning commission members shall be made from individuals who have an interest in environmental affairs, planning, land use, and residential and commercial development as evidenced by training, work experience, education or general actions. The intent of the selection process shall be to evenly represent the areas stated above. This selection process is applicable to all appointment requests, whether a request is made as a reappointment or a new appointment.

C. Length of term of service shall be four years.

D. Terms shall be staggered so that no more than two member seat terms shall expire in any year. Following the adoption of the ordinance codified in this section, the board of county commissioners shall reappoint, by minute action, the current planning commission members so that their terms, and those of any vacant seats, are consistent with this section. The planning director may recommend a staggered reappointment in the event two or more seats are to expire within one calendar year. Recommendation will be brought to the board of county commissioners, with final reappointment and terms by minute motion.

E. Members shall be appointed by formal minute motion by the county commissioner representing the district from which the seat shall be filled.

F. Vacancies shall be filled to complete the unexpired term of the vacant seat in a manner that keeps the distribution established in subsection (A) of this section. Appointments shall be made from a list submitted by the county commissioner representing the district from which the seat shall be filled.

G. Whenever a member’s seat is expiring, the expiring term shall be advertised to solicit for applications to fill said seat. If the current member requests reappointment, their request shall be presented at the same time new applications are presented to the BOCC. Appointments shall be made from a list submitted by the county commissioner representing the district from which the seat shall be filled.

H. Members may be removed from the planning commission by the chairman of the board of county commissioners with the approval of the board, following an executive session discussion for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misfeasance in office, or malfeasance in office. A public hearing may be requested by the planning commission member. The secretary shall report regularly on the attendance record of members.

I. The Columbia County planning director shall serve as secretary to the planning commission.

J. The board of county commissioners approves the “Planning Commission Rules of Procedure” as iterated in adopted resolution as codified in this section, subject to adoption by the planning commission. [Ord. 2019-01; Ord. 2018-01; Res. 2008-38 § 2.]