Chapter 2.18
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.18.010 Members – Appointment and terms.
2.18.015 Membership – Residency restrictions.
2.18.020 Members – Removal, resignation and vacancies.
2.18.030 Authority, powers and duties.
2.18.010 Members – Appointment and terms.
The City Planning Commission is established and granted that authority expressed and necessarily implied by the provisions of this title. The Planning Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council for four-year terms. Positions and their expiration dates shall be assigned as follows: Positions No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 terms expire on December 31st of even years, beginning December 31, 2016. Positions No. 5, 6 and 7 terms expire on December 31st of even years, beginning December 31, 2018. Members may be removed by the Mayor with approval by the City Council upon finding of circumstances preventing or interfering with their attendance at meetings or full performance of Planning Commission functions. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms in the same manner as appointments are made. (Ord. 1954 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2016; Ord. 1738 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1726 § 1, 2012)
2.18.015 Membership – Residency restrictions.
Planning Commissioners shall be residents of the City of Ferndale, unless no qualified residents submit applications for vacant positions. If the Mayor determines that no qualified residents have applied for vacant positions, the Mayor is authorized to consider, and to submit to the City Council, applications from residents within the Ferndale Urban Growth Area. However, in no case shall more than two Planning Commissioners reside outside of the Ferndale City limits. (Ord. 1738 § 1, 2012)
2.18.020 Members – Removal, resignation and vacancies.
Members may be removed by the Mayor with approval of the City Council upon a finding of circumstances preventing or interfering with their attendance at meetings or full performance of their Commission functions. Members may resign to serve on other boards or for other good reason, including transferring residency outside of the City and Urban Growth Area, by providing 30 days’ advance written notice to the Mayor. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms in the same manner as appointments are made. Planning Commissioners who move outside of the City limits and into the unincorporated Urban Growth Area will automatically vacate their seats, but may apply for the vacant position if no qualified City resident applies for the vacancy, pursuant to FMC 2.18.015. (Ord. 1738 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1726 § 1, 2012)
2.18.030 Authority, powers and duties.
A. The Planning Commission is vested with the authority to conduct research, undertake studies, find facts, submit reports and recommendations, and perform other planning functions requested by the City Council.
B. The Planning Commission may, within amounts appropriated to it by the City Council, employ such employees and expert consultants as are deemed necessary for its functions.
C. The Planning Commission shall perform such functions as are assigned by this title, other ordinances of the City, and laws of the state.
D. The Planning Commission shall elect its own chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine it requires.
E. The Planning Commission may hold at least one regular meeting in each month when there is business to transact and shall adopt rules for transaction of its business.
F. The Planning Commission shall keep a public record of its meetings, resolutions, findings and determinations.
G. The Planning Commission shall cause to be made a verbatim record of its proceedings either by tape recording or other means to be kept available for transcription in the event of a subsequent appeal of final decisions by the City that were based on the official record, or portion of the official record, established at the Planning Commission hearing.
H. Applications for Planning Commission action shall be filed in accordance with the process and requirements set forth in FMC 14.09.080. (Ord. 1738 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1726 § 1, 2012)
2.18.040 Rules and meetings.
The Commission may establish rules for transaction of its business. The meetings and other sessions of each Commission shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 42.30 RCW. At meetings of the Commission, a majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of the majority of the members of a quorum may constitute a decision or recommendation of the Commission. (Ord. 1738 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1726 § 1, 2012)