Chapter 2.20
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.20.040 Selection—Vacancies—Removal.
2.20.060 Meetings—Offices—Notice—Rules.
2.20.070 General powers—Duties.
2.20.080 Public improvements—Recommendation and report.
2.20.100 Comprehensive plan—Preparation.
2.20.110 Comprehensive plan—Amendment and adoption.
2.20.120 Comprehensive plan—Implementation.
2.20.150 Special property uses.
2.20.180 Other duties and responsibilities.
2.20.010 Created.
A planning commission is created and established which shall be a citizen advisory board with the duty of making recommendations to the council, mayor and other city departments on the city’s broad planning goals and policies and on such plans for the development of the city as its present and future needs may require. When so directed by the mayor or council, the planning commission shall make recommendations on matters relating to the city’s physical development and redevelopment. (Ord. 1736-90 § 1, 1990)
2.20.020 Membership.
The commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the mayor with the approval of the council. Additionally, two individuals may be appointed by the mayor with the approval of council to serve in the capacity of alternates. Alternates shall serve in the absence of members when so asked by the commission chairperson and when serving shall have the same powers and responsibilities as duly appointed commission members. (Ord. 1736-90 § 2, 1990)
2.20.030 Term of office.
The term of the commission members and alternates shall be in accordance with Section 5.2 of the Charter of the city. The present appointive members shall remain in office for the balance of their presently existing terms subject to the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1736-90 § 3, 1990)
2.20.040 Selection—Vacancies—Removal.
Vacancies occurring otherwise than by expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment was made as set forth in Section 5.2 of the city charter. Members, including alternates, may be removed by the mayor, with approval of the majority of the city council, for neglect of duty, malfeasance or misfeasance in office, or when such appointee misses three successive regular meetings. Members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations, shall serve without compensation, and the appointees shall constitute a cross section of the community representing different interests, geographical areas, trades, professions and activities. (Ord. 1736-90 § 4, 1990)
2.20.050 Expenses.
The planning commission is a duly created and an approved commission for the purpose of reimbursement of expenses which expenses are incurred in the performance of the commission’s duties pursuant to Chapter 2.76. (Ord. 1736-90 § 5, 1990)
2.20.060 Meetings—Offices—Notice—Rules.
The planning commission shall elect its own chairperson and may create and fill such offices as it determines it requires. The planning commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month for not less than nine months in each year. Regular meetings shall be open to the public and shall be scheduled for a regular time and place. Notice of time, place and purpose of any special meetings shall be given as provided by law. The planning commission may hold executive sessions, from which the public is excluded, in accordance with state law. The planning commission shall adopt rules for transaction of business and shall keep a written record of its meetings. (Ord. 1736-90 § 6, 1990)
2.20.070 General powers—Duties.
In addition to other powers and duties set forth elsewhere in this chapter and provided by state law, the planning commission shall be given the powers and duties hereinafter set forth:
A. To recommend to the mayor and council programs for public works and civic improvements;
B. To publish and distribute copies of status reports of activities of the planning commission which may include plans and official recommendations made by the commission in the regular exercise of its duties, as set forth in this chapter;
C. To consult and advise with public officials and agencies, public utility and service providers, civic, educational, professional and other organizations and citizens in relation to its plans and recommendations prepared by it;
D. To request all public officials to furnish, within a reasonable time, such available information to assist in formulating the commission’s plans and recommendations;
E. To exercise such authority as may be necessary to enable it to fulfill its functions, promote planning and carry out the purposes of this chapter;
F. To conduct, upon request by the mayor or council, an investigation and submit a report, plan, map or recommendation in connection with any matter relating to the physical development of the city. (Ord. 1736-90 § 7, 1990)
2.20.080 Public improvements—Recommendation and report.
The mayor or council may request a report and recommendation by the planning commission concerning any street, park, public way, public building or structure to be constructed, dedicated or vacated. Recommendation of the commission shall be advisory only. (Ord. 1736-90 § 8, 1990)
2.20.090 Annexations.
The mayor or council may at any time request that the planning commission hold public hearings on and adopt a land use plan for any area which might reasonably be expected to be annexed to the city at some future time, as provided in state law. The planning commission shall also, at the time of presenting the land use plan for the area to the council, make a recommendation whether or not, in their judgment, such annexation would be in the best interest of the city and the persons in the area to be annexed. (Ord. 1736-90 § 9, 1990)
2.20.100 Comprehensive plan—Preparation.
A. The planning commission shall prepare a comprehensive plan for guiding the orderly and coordinated physical development of the city. Such plan may consist of maps, reports, descriptive text covering objectives, principles and standards, and such other material as may be required to present clearly the plan and the programs that may be a part of it. Notwithstanding the language herein, the comprehensive plan shall comply with requirements of state law.
B. The comprehensive plan shall include the following elements:
1. A land use plan which designates the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of uses of land such as: agricultural, housing, commerce, industry, recreational, educational, public buildings and land, and other categories of public and private land, and delineates neighborhood and/or community units and includes standards of population density;
2. A transportation plan which defines the general location, alignment and extent of proposed and existing highways, parkways, walkways, trails, public transportation, transportation demand management, and major and secondary arterials, all correlated with the land use element of the comprehensive plan;
3. A housing element recognizing the vitality and character of established neighborhoods defining housing conditions and needs and indicating standard requirements for approved housing conditions, design, and supply;
4. A capital facilities plan which looks at future and existing needs, locations and financing of capital improvements and relates those improvements to land uses;
5. A park and recreational plan defining a system of parks and public sites for recreation, natural open space reservations, parkways, beaches, playgrounds, etc.;
6. A public utilities plan defining systems for water, power, sewage, drainage, refuse disposal, and other utilities, including easements, right-of-way, and location of facilities required by the system;
7. An economic development element.
C. The comprehensive plan may also include the following elements:
1. A public building design plan defining the general location, design and arrangements of civic and community centers, public schools, libraries, police and fire stations, public works buildings, and other public buildings;
2. A development plan defining areas of blight or areas of incompatible land uses that are leading to blight and including reports programming the elimination of blight, its spread, and/or its cause and the conservation of all areas of the city;
3. Subarea plans, such as, but not limited to, neighborhood plans, each of which is consistent with the comprehensive plan:
4. Conservation and solar energy plan;
5. Such other elements as are essential or desirable to coordinate public services, to complete programs for physical, social and economic development of the city and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare. (Ord. 1736-90 § 10, 1990)
2.20.110 Comprehensive plan—Amendment and adoption.
The comprehensive plan, any element thereto, or any portion thereof may be amended to meet changing conditions. Before approving or recommending a comprehensive plan or any amendment, element, extension, deletion, or addition thereto or any official control, the planning commission shall conduct at least one public hearing on the subject. Following the public hearing the planning commission may alter, modify, approve, or disapprove the plan, or any portion, as its judgment dictates. The initial plan, subsequent elements, extension, addition, or amendments, or official controls, after approval by the planning commission shall be transmitted to the city council by a written recommendation. In reviewing the recommendation of the planning commission, the city council shall have the authority to approve, disapprove or modify the proposal in whole or in part, or remand the portions of the proposal about which it has concerns to the planning commission for further consideration. The council shall then give effect to their decision through the formal adoption of a resolution, or other means, which will render the comprehensive plan, element, addition, extension, amendment, or official control, the expressed intent and policy of the city. (Ord. 2011-94 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1736-90 § 11, 1990)
2.20.120 Comprehensive plan—Implementation.
A. Unless otherwise required by state law, to implement the objective and intent of the comprehensive plan, the council may, after review of the planning commission, adopt or retain such regulatory codes as are needed and restrict the location and use of buildings, structures and land for residential, trade, industry and other purposes; the height, number of stories, size, construction and design of buildings and other structures; the size of yards, courts and other open spaces on the lot or tract; the density of population; the setback of buildings along streets, highways, parks or public water frontage; and the subdivision and development of land.
B. The planning commission may recommend and encourage to the council the adoption of official controls, regulations, or other measures for the purpose of creating a more desirable and aesthetic living area, for the purpose of maintaining and developing safer and more desirable housing, for the purpose of beautifying and making more attractive public ways, buildings and areas. (Ord. 1736-90 § 12, 1990)
2.20.130 Shoreline permits.
The planning commission shall hold public hearings and make recommendations to the city council on 1) the following shoreline permits exceeding twenty-five acres in size; and 2) on all shoreline permits for utility facilities other than the following: water supply distribution and storage facilities, sanitary sewage (and storm drainage when in a combined system) transmission and treatment facilities, and storm water drainage systems. (Ord. 1736-90 § 13, 1990)
2.20.140 Rezones.
The planning commission shall hold public hearings and make recommendations to city council on rezone requests:
A. Exceeding three acres in size;
B. Area-wide rezones;
C. Planned residential developments of more than fifty units that are not associated with a subdivision or short plat;
D. All proposals for the planned development overlay zone. (Ord. 1736-90 § 14, 1990)
2.20.150 Special property uses.
The planning commission shall hold public hearings and make recommendations to city council on the following special property use applications:
A. Airfields, helipads, seaplane terminals and landing facilities;
B. Special property uses proposed as part of a development which requires other review processes involving the planning commission, such as a rezone or general plan amendment. (Ord. 1736-90 § 15, 1990)
2.20.160 Appeals.
Repealed by Ord. 3617-18. (Ord. 1736-90 § 16, 1990)
2.20.170 Design review.
Repealed by Ord. 3617-18. (Ord. 1736-90 § 17, 1990)
2.20.180 Other duties and responsibilities.
Any duties and responsibilities which by other acts are imposed upon a planning commission shall, unless repealed elsewhere in this chapter, be performed by the planning commission after the effective date of the ordinance codified herein. (Ord. 1736-90 § 18, 1990)
2.20.190 Committees.
The chairperson is authorized to establish standing committees and ad hoc committees which are advisory to the commission for the purpose of reviewing nonquasi-judicial matters. (Ord. 1736-90 § 19, 1990)