Chapter 2.24
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.24.010 Created – Membership – Appointment – Tenure – Compensation.
2.24.020 Organization – Meetings – Rules and records.
2.24.040 Powers and duties – Statutory authority.
2.24.050 Powers and duties – Designated.
2.24.060 Recommendations to city council.
Prior legislation: Ords. 480, 535, 598, 676 and 720.
2.24.010 Created – Membership – Appointment – Tenure – Compensation.
Pursuant to authority conferred by Chapter 35.63 RCW, there is created a planning commission. The commission shall consist of five in number, who shall be selected and serve as follows:
(1) The membership of the commission shall be comprised as follows:
(a) Two members from the public as selected and appointed in accordance with subsection (3) of this section.
(b) One member from the economic development commission, who shall be the chair; if the chair is unable to attend, the chair shall appoint either the chair pro-tem or another commissioner to attend in their place.
(c) One member from the historic preservation and landmarks commission, who shall be the chair; if the chair is unable to attend, the chair shall appoint either the chair pro-tem or another commissioner to attend in their place.
(d) One member from the Concrete chamber of commerce, who shall be the president; if the president is unable to attend, the president shall appoint either the vice-president or another member to attend in their place.
(e) The respective chairs and president shall be the responsible parties for ensuring that a member from their group is in attendance at all meetings of the commission and that all members attending are knowledgeable on the current proceedings of the commission. The respective chair shall notify the town clerk treasurer, town planner, or other assigned town staff of who will be attending each meeting, at least five business days prior to the scheduled meeting.
(2) Voting members shall be the two members as chosen under subsection (1)(a) of this section, the chair of the economic development commission, the chair of the historic preservation and landmarks commission and the president of the Concrete chamber of commerce. If the voting member is unable to attend a meeting where voting may occur, they may vote by proxy of the commission member selected to attend in their place. If voting by proxy, the chair shall state this when notifying the town clerk treasurer, town planner or other assigned staff of which commission member shall be attending the meeting.
(3) A committee composed of the mayor and two council members will review applications or letters of interest. The committee will then submit the top two (or more, depending on number of applicants and vacant positions, as determined by the committee) names of the proposed appointee(s) to the full council for final action. A priority list shall also be provided by the committee, which shall include the names of all applicants.
(4) The term of office of the two commissioners now appointed shall be designated from two to three years in such manner as to provide that the fewest possible terms will expire in any one year. Thereafter the term of office for each appointed member shall be two years. The term of office of the two commission chair members shall run concurrent with their respective appointments on said commissions. The term of office for the Concrete chamber president shall run concurrent with their respective role at the chamber. Each planning commission position shall be numbered with even numbered positions expiring on December 31st of even numbered years and odd numbered positions expiring on December 31st of odd numbered years.
(5) Appointed position vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term. If a vacancy of the chair position on any commission should occur, the chair pro-tem of that commission shall serve as the voting member, following the voting requirements stated under subsection (2) of this section.
(6) The members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations, and they shall serve without compensation.
(7) Members may be removed, after public hearing, by the current appointing official or officials, with the approval of the council, for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
In addition to the full voting members of the planning commission, a nonvoting student member may also be appointed. The student member’s term would be one year and run coincident to the school year. Appointment of the student representative would be made in consultation with the town planner and school district staff. [Ord. 864, 2023; Ord. 844, 2022; Ord. 734, 2014]
2.24.020 Organization – Meetings – Rules and records.
The commission shall elect its own chair and vice chair. The commission shall meet at Town Hall, and all such meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. It shall adopt rules of procedure for transaction of business and shall keep a written record of its meetings, regulations, transactions, findings and determinations, which records shall be a public record. [Ord. 734, 2014]
2.24.030 Quorum.
A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present at any regular or special meeting of the commission shall be taken as the action of the commission. [Ord. 734, 2014]
2.24.040 Powers and duties – Statutory authority.
The planning commission shall have the powers and perform the duties specified in Chapter 35.63 RCW. [Ord. 734, 2014]
2.24.050 Powers and duties – Designated.
(1) The commission shall make recommendations to the council at the council’s direction.
(2) At the direction of council, the commission may act as the research and fact finding agency of the municipality. To that end it may make such surveys, analyses, researches and reports as are generally authorized or requested by the council.
(3) The commission shall make recommendations to the council on adopting zoning and subdivision ordinances.
(4) The commission shall make recommendations to the council on the adoption of a comprehensive plan and amendments to the plan. [Ord. 734, 2014]
2.24.060 Recommendations to city council.
The town council shall refer to the planning commission for its recommendation and report on:
(1) Any proposed full subdivisions within the town’s boundaries or proposed additions;
(2) Any proposed rezone or contract rezone within the town’s boundaries or proposed additions;
(3) All recommendations as required by the town’s development regulations;
(4) Adoption of the comprehensive plan and any amendments to the plan;
(5) Other planning and land use issues, which may be assigned by the mayor or town council or as required by law. [Ord. 734, 2014]