Chapter 18.10
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
18.10.010 Establishment and purpose.
18.10.050 Duties and responsibilities.
18.10.010 Establishment and purpose.
There is created the City of Spokane Valley planning commission (hereafter referred to as the “planning commission”). The purpose of the planning commission is to study and make recommendations to the mayor and city council for future planned growth through continued review of the City’s comprehensive land use plan, development regulations, shoreline management, environmental protection, public facilities, capital improvements and other matters as directed by the city council. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).
18.10.020 Membership.
A. Qualifications. The membership of the planning commission shall consist of individuals who have an interest in planning, land use, transportation, capital infrastructure and building and landscape design as evidenced by training, experience or interest in the City.
B. Appointment. Members of the planning commission shall be nominated by the mayor and confirmed by a majority vote of at least four members of the city council. Planning commissioners shall be selected without respect to political affiliations and shall serve without compensation. The mayor, when considering appointments, shall attempt to select residents who represent various interests and locations within the City.
C. Number of Members/Terms. The planning commission shall consist of seven members. All members shall reside within the City. Terms shall be for a three-year period, and shall expire on the thirty-first day of December.
D. Removal. Members of the planning commission may be removed by the mayor, with the concurrence of the city council, for neglect of duty, conflict of interest, malfeasance in office, or other just cause, or for unexcused absence from three consecutive regular meetings. Failure to qualify as to residency shall constitute a forfeiture of office. The decision of the city council regarding membership on the planning commission shall be final and without appeal.
E. Vacancies. Vacancies that occur other than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as for appointments.
F. Conflicts of Interest. Members of the planning commission shall fully comply with Chapter 42.23 RCW, Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers; Chapter 42.36 RCW, Appearance of Fairness; and such other rules and regulations as may be adopted from time to time by the city council regulating the conduct of any person holding appointive office within the City. No elected official or City employee may be a member of the planning commission. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).
18.10.030 Meetings – Rules.
A. The planning commission shall every year organize and elect from its members a chair, who shall preside at all meetings of the planning commission and perform such other functions as determined by rule. A vice chair shall be elected to 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 those present shall be necessary to carry any proposition.
B. The planning commission shall determine a regular meeting schedule (time, place and frequency) and shall hold at least one regular meeting each month not less than nine months in each year; provided, that there are never two consecutive months without a meeting. Provided further, that the planning commission shall not meet on the first regularly scheduled meeting date in any January which follows city council elections. All meetings shall be open to the public.
C. The planning commission shall adopt such rules and procedures as are necessary for the conduct of business, subject to the approval of city council, and shall keep a recording of its proceedings.
D. All hearings before the planning commission shall be conducted in the manner set forth in Appendix B. (Ord. 24-001 § 3, 2024; Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).
18.10.040 Staff support.
Administrative staff support to the planning commission shall be provided by the City’s community development department (hereafter referred to as the “department”). In addition, the planning commission, through its chair, may request formal opinions or memorandums from the city attorney or city manager or designee on any pending matter. (Ord. 17-004 § 3, 2017; Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).
18.10.050 Duties and responsibilities.
The planning commission, as an advisory body to the city council, shall perform and have the following duties and responsibilities:
A. Assist in the preparation of a Comprehensive Plan and development regulations in compliance with Chapters 35A.63 and 36.70A RCW, including the establishment of procedures for early and continuous public participation in the development and amendment of the Comprehensive Plan and the development regulations;
B. Review plans and regulations related to land use management, shoreline management, environmental policy, transportation systems, public facilities and capital infrastructure planning and development;
C. Upon request from the city manager or city council, review potential annexations to the City;
D. Where design review is required by land use ordinances of the City, perform such design review unless that review is delegated to some other appointed body or City staff;
E. Identify issues and recommend priorities for geographic subareas including park and open space areas in the City;
F. Meet and confer with the hearing examiner to review the administration of land use policies and ordinances to enhance the planning and permitting process;
G. Make periodic written and oral reports to the city council addressing work in progress and other significant matters relating to the City;
H. Hold public hearings in the exercise of duties and responsibilities;
I. Perform such other duties and powers as may be conferred by ordinance, resolution or motion of the city council.
Unless otherwise assumed by the city council, the planning commission shall hold all public hearings required to be held in the course of adoption or amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, the development regulations, adoption or amendment of the zoning map, or adoption or amendment of regulations for the subdivision of land, shoreline management, environmental regulations, and other land use ordinances of the City. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).