Chapter 2.16
PLANNING AGENCY

Sections:

2.16.010    Created – Powers and duties.

2.16.020    Planning staff – Members.

2.16.030    Planning coordinator – Powers and duties.

2.16.040    Planning commission – Powers and duties – Terms – Appointment – Meetings.

2.16.050    Designation of member as secretary.

2.16.060    Quorum required for transaction of business.

2.16.070    Report of transactions and expenditures.

2.16.010 Created – Powers and duties.

A. Created. Pursuant to Chapter 35A.63 RCW, there is created a planning agency consisting of planning staff and a planning commission.

B. Powers and Duties. The planning agency is authorized and responsible for the following:

1. Review and updating of the comprehensive plan for the city; and

2. Administration of land use regulations of the city; and

3. Development of new land use regulations or revisions of existing land use regulations for consideration by the city council; and

4. Preparation of reports and recommendations on land use applications including subdivisions, variances, conditional uses, shoreline permits and other related permits and environmental review; and

5. Other related duties as requested by the mayor and council. (Ord. 516 § 2, 1996).

2.16.020 Planning staff – Members.

The planning staff shall consist of at least a planning coordinator, building inspector/permit administrator, public works director and planning agency clerk. (Ord. 516 § 3, 1996).

2.16.030 Planning coordinator – Powers and duties.

A. Appointment. A planning coordinator shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. The planning coordinator may be an employee of the city or a consultant under contract with the city.

B. Power and Duties.

1. Conduct and/or coordinate all activities contained in TMC 2.16.010(B); and

2. Cause the preparation of a report to be submitted to the planning commission that includes recommendation on all applications or proposed land use regulations; and

3. Cause the preparation and conveyance of a report to the council that includes findings of fact and recommendation of the planning commission on any land use application or proposed regulation which requires city council action as currently provided by ordinance; and

4. Cause the preparation of an annual report to the city council regarding planning agency activity. (Ord. 516 § 4, 1996).

2.16.040 Planning commission – Powers and duties – Terms – Appointment – Meetings.

The planning commission is hereby formed and shall consist of five members.

A. Powers and Duties. The planning commission shall act as an advisory body to the city council in matters of planning and land use regulation.

B. Terms. Initially, there shall be one one-year term, two two-year terms, and two three-year terms. After the initial terms have expired each subsequent appointment shall consist of a three-year term resulting in the expiration of no more than two in any given year.

C. Appointment. All members of the planning commission shall be appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council.

D. Meetings. The planning commission shall hold at least one general meeting in each month and shall develop and adopt bylaws that outline the procedures and policies for conducting said meetings, giving due consideration to governing ordinances and statutes. (Ord. 516 § 5, 1996).

2.16.050 Designation of member as secretary.

The planning commission may designate one of its members to act as secretary without salary, or if requested by the commission, the mayor shall designate a member of the paid staff of the city to serve as such secretary, who shall serve without additional compensation. (Ord. 133 § 5, 1963).

2.16.060 Quorum required for transaction of business.

A majority of the membership of the planning commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present when those present constitute a quorum, at any regular or special meeting of the planning commission, shall be deemed and taken as the action of the commission. (Ord. 133 § 6, 1963).

2.16.070 Report of transactions and expenditures.

The planning commission, at or before its regular meeting in February of each year, shall make a full report in writing to the city council of its transactions and expenditures, if any, for the preceding year, with such general recommendations as to matters covered by its prescribed duties and authority as may to it seem proper. (Ord. 133 § 7, 1963).