Chapter 2.60
PLANNING COMMISSION

Sections:

2.60.010    Establishment of planning commission.

2.60.020    Membership.

2.60.030    Bylaws and procedures.

2.60.040    Duties and responsibilities.

2.60.050    Comprehensive plan responsibilities.

2.60.010 Establishment of planning commission.

The City council hereby establishes the City of Sammamish planning commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the City council in order to carry out the duties and responsibilities described herein. (Ord. O2003-122 § 1)

2.60.020 Membership.

(1) Number of Members.

(a) The planning commission shall consist of seven members.

(b) The current terms for all positions on the commission shall be staggered as shown in Attachment B.

(c) Following the completion of each new term established by subsection (1)(b) of this section, the term for each position shall thereafter be four years and shall commence on February 1st.

(d) Implementation. The City council, prior to the final council meeting of 2007, shall assign a new term for each planning commission member in accordance with the time limits established by subsection (b) of this section and shall designate each position by a number, one through seven.

(2) Appointment. Each councilmember shall nominate one initial member of the planning commission who shall be subject to confirmation by the City council. Members of the planning commission must reside within the City limits of the City of Sammamish. Planning commission members shall be selected without respect to political affiliation and shall serve without compensation. Planning commission members shall be subject to confirmation by the City council.

(3) Term Limit. No person shall serve more than two consecutive terms, provided a person appointed to fill an unexpired term of less than two years shall be eligible to serve two successive four-year terms in addition to the unexpired term; and provided further, a person who is ineligible to serve for having served two consecutive terms may again serve after two years have elapsed from the end of the second such term.

(4) Removal. The planning commission chairperson, or acting chairperson, shall report inadequate performance of duties of a member to the City council. Members may be removed, after a hearing, by a majority vote of the entire council for reasons including inefficiency, neglect of duty, four or more consecutive unexcused absences, conflict of interest, or malfeasance in office. Notice of the charge and of the hearing shall be given by mail directed to the residence of the member at least 10 days before the date of the council hearing.

(Ord. O2011-311 § 2; Ord. O2007-220 §§ 1, 2; Ord. O2005-179 § 1; Ord. O2003-122 § 2)

2.60.030 Bylaws and procedures.

(1) The planning commission shall elect from among its members a chair who shall preside at all meetings and a vice chair who shall preside in the absence of the chair. A majority of the planning commission members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and a majority vote of members present shall be necessary to carry any motion. The commission may adopt such other bylaws and procedures as are necessary for the conduct of its business.

(2) Meeting Schedule. The planning commission shall establish a regular meeting schedule, including time, place, and frequency of meetings as necessary, but no less frequent than once a month. The commission may, from time to time, provide for special meetings in accordance with Chapter 42.30 RCW. All meetings shall be open to the public, in accordance with Chapter 42.30 RCW, the Open Public Meetings Act.

(3) Staffing. Staff provided to the commission shall be advisory.

(4) Documentation. The commission shall adopt procedures to insure minutes of the meetings are recorded and open to the public. (Ord. O2003-122 § 3)

2.60.040 Duties and responsibilities.

(1) The planning commission shall periodically review the comprehensive plan of the City including any subarea plans that have been considered, and other planning documents, to determine if the City’s plans, goals, policies, land use ordinances, and regulations are promoting orderly and coordinated development within the City. The commission shall make recommendations concerning these matters to the City council.

(2) The planning commission shall review and make recommendations to the City council relating to the City’s land use ordinances and regulations.

(3) The planning commission shall maintain liaison with the planning agencies of other eastside municipalities and regional planning agencies.

(4) The planning commission may hold public hearings in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities as it deems necessary.

(5) The planning commission shall have such other duties and powers as may be conferred upon the commission by City ordinances or as directed by council resolution.

(6) The planning commission shall provide at least monthly communications to the City council highlighting major activities, future work plans, any changes in work plans and any policy direction requested. (Ord. O2003-122 § 4)

2.60.050 Comprehensive plan responsibilities.

The planning commission is charged with the responsibility of monitoring the development of the City in relation to the comprehensive plan. Where development or absence of development indicates a condition, a problem, a new element of expansion, unforeseen and not anticipated by the plan, the commission shall notify the City council and, at the direction of a majority of the City council, shall study the subject; and if the commission determines that an amendment, refinement, or clarification of the plan is advisable, a public hearing shall be held, with notice of the time, place, and subject and published in the manner provided by law. Following the hearing the commission may, at a regular meeting, recommend an amendment of the plan to the council. (Ord. O2003-122 § 5)