Chapter 2.36
PLANNING COMMISSION AND DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT1
Sections:
2.36.010 Creation – Terms of office – Vacancies.
2.36.030 Planning commission to report to council.
2.36.040 Secretary of the planning commission.
2.36.050 Annual report to council.
2.36.080 Department of community development and planning department, director.
2.36.010 Creation – Terms of office – Vacancies.
A. Pursuant to the authority conferred by Chapter 35A.63 RCW, there is created a city planning commission, consisting of seven members who shall be recommended by the mayor and the city council planning commission liaison member, and confirmed by the city council.
B. The term of office of the seven members shall be four years. The terms of the current members in position five and position six shall end the second Monday of January, 2007; the term of the member in position seven shall end on the second Monday of January, 2010; the terms of the members in positions three, four and one shall end the second Monday of January, 2005; the term of the member in position two shall end the second Monday of January 2008. Members of the planning commission may be appointed from among the residents of the city of Sequim. Not more than three members of the planning commission may be appointed from outside of the city of Sequim; provided, that they reside within the Sequim school district boundaries in Clallam County.
C. Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term as set forth in subsection A of this section. Members may be removed, after public hearing, by the appointing official, with the approval of his or her council or board, for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. If any person or persons on a planning agency concludes that he or she has a conflict of interest or an appearance of fairness problem with respect to a matter pending before the agency so that he or she cannot discharge his or her duties on such an agency, he or she shall disqualify himself or herself from participating in the deliberations and the decision making process with respect to the matter. (Ord. 2011-008 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-030; Ord. 2004-001; Ord. 2001-010; Ord. 95-029 § 2; Ord. 311 § 1, 1974)
2.36.020 Powers and duties.
The planning commission shall have all of the powers and perform each and all of the duties specified by Chapter 35A.63 RCW, as amended, and as set forth or amended by ordinance. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-030; Ord. 311 § 2, 1974)
2.36.021 Hearing examiner.
Any duties allowed to be performed by a hearing examiner pursuant to RCW 35A.63.170 may be assigned to such hearing examiner by the council. The position of hearing examiner may be established by the council by contract or other means. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-030)
2.36.030 Planning commission to report to council.
The city council may refer to the planning commission for its recommendation and report any ordinances, resolutions or other proposals relating to any of the matters and subjects referred to in Chapter 35A.63 RCW, as amended, and the commission shall promptly report to the council thereon, making such recommendations and giving such counsel as it may deem proper in the premises. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-030; Ord. 311 § 3, 1974)
2.36.040 Secretary of the planning commission.
The planning commission may designate one of its members to act as secretary without salary or, if requested by the commission, the city manager shall designate a member of the paid staff of the city to serve as such secretary. (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-030; Ord. 311 § 4, 1974)
2.36.050 Annual report to council.
The planning department, hereafter known as the department of community development, through its director, shall, either separately or in its annual budget documents, report the cost and expenses of the department. (Ord. 2011-017 § 4 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-030; Ord. 311 § 5, 1974)
2.36.080 Department of community development and planning department, director.
The department of community development and its director shall perform all functions and duties of the planning department or its director, respectively as well as those functions and duties specifically designated to be performed by the department of community development or its director, respectively. (Ord. 2011-017 § 4 (Exh. A))
Code reviser’s note: Ordinance 2011-017 provides as follows:
“Section 1. Whenever the term “Planning Department” is used in the Sequim Municipal Code or any ordinance or resolution, it shall in the future be referred to as the “Department of Community Development.”
Section 2. Whenever the term “Planning Director” or “Director” or “Planner” is used in the Sequim Municipal Code or any ordinance or resolution, it shall mean the “Director of the Department of Community Development,” unless the context clearly indicates a person other than the Planning Director is intended.
Section 3. The Director of Community Development shall have all powers of the Planning Director and the Department of Community Development, hereby created, shall have all powers and functions of the Planning Department.”
These name changes will be incorporated into the code as code sections are updated in the future.