Chapter 10.74
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
10.74.010 Planning agency identified.
10.74.020 Membership – Appointment and removal.
10.74.040 Comprehensive plan – Responsibilities.
10.74.060 Meetings – Quorum – Voting.
10.74.010 Planning agency identified.
(1) The planning agency as authorized by Chapter 35A.63 RCW shall be known as the “city of Wenatchee planning commission.”
(2) Planning, administration and enforcement functions of the department of community development including those persons within said department as assigned by the director shall have general administrative responsibility for all planning, administration and enforcement within the city.
(3) The Wenatchee planning commission, whose membership, powers and duties shall be as set forth in WCC 10.74.020 and 10.74.030. (Ord. 2010-03 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2006-17 § 1; Ord. 98-26 § 1)
10.74.020 Membership – Appointment and removal.
(1) The planning commission shall be composed of seven members appointed by a majority vote of the city council without regard to political affiliation. At least six members shall be residents of the city. One member may reside outside the city so long as they are a majority interest owner of a business physically located within the city of Wenatchee.
(2) Members of the planning commission shall serve without compensation.
(3) The term of each planning commissioner shall be for a period of four years. Members are eligible to serve three consecutive terms, to a maximum of 14 years.
(4) Commissioners shall be expected to attend at least 80 percent of all scheduled planning commission meetings in any 12-month period unless there is a prearranged absence. The city council may waive the 80 percent attendance requirement; however, at least 60 percent of all meetings shall be attended. A planning commission member may be removed by a majority vote of the city council for failure to meet the attendance requirements or, after public hearing, for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
(5) Any vacancy upon the planning commission shall be filled by majority vote of the city council for the unexpired term of the position.
(6) The current members of the planning commission, upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, shall remain in office for the balance of their term. (Ord. 2014-06; Ord. 2011-09 § 1; Ord. 2010-03 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2006-17 § 1; Ord. 98-26 § 2)
10.74.030 Powers and duties.
(1) The planning commission shall be the principal planning advisory body for all matters relating to land use comprehensive planning and zoning. Unless assigned to a hearing examiner as authorized by ordinance, all public hearings required pursuant to Chapter 35A.63 or 36.70A RCW (Growth Management Act) relating to the adoption or amendment of the zoning code, adoption or amendment of the zoning map, or adoption or amendment of regulations for the subdivision of land shall be held by the planning commission.
(2) The planning commission shall review the comprehensive plan of the city 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 planning commission shall make periodic reports to the city council regarding the orderly and coordinating development within the city.
(3) The planning commission shall review land use ordinances and regulations within the city and make periodic recommendations to the mayor and city council.
(4) The planning commission shall recommend, establish priorities for and review studies of geographic subareas within the city.
(5) The planning commission shall be encouraged to maintain liaison with regional and other municipal planning agencies.
(6) All city boards, committees and commissions shall coordinate planning activities as they relate to land use or the city comprehensive plan with the planning commission.
(7) The planning commission shall hold public hearings in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities as it deems necessary or as required by ordinance.
(8) The planning commission shall have such other powers and duties as heretofore have been or hereinafter may be conferred upon the planning commission by city ordinances or as directed by the city council pursuant to resolution, the performance of such duties and exercise of such authority subject to the limitations as expressed in said enactment.
(9) The planning commission shall provide regular communication to the city council relating to major activities, future work plans and any policy direction as requested by the council. (Ord. 2010-03 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2006-17 § 1; Ord. 98-26 § 3)
10.74.040 Comprehensive plan – Responsibilities.
The planning commission shall have the responsibility of monitoring the development of the city in relation to the adopted comprehensive plan. Where development or absence of development indicates a condition, problem, element of expansion or other significant events not anticipated by the comprehensive plan, the planning commission shall notify the city council and, at the direction of the city council, shall study the subject. If after study the planning commission determines that an amendment, refinement or clarification of the comprehensive plan is advisable, the planning commission shall hold a public hearing with notice of time, place and subject to be published in the manner as provided by law. Following the public hearing, the planning commission may recommend to the city council an amendment of the comprehensive plan. (Ord. 2010-03 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2006-17 § 1; Ord. 98-26 § 4)
10.74.050 Organization.
The planning commission shall elect from its members a chairperson and create and fill such other offices as it determines are necessary. The planning commission shall adopt its own bylaws and rules for the transaction of business. The department of community development shall support the planning commission by keeping minutes of meetings, resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations. (Ord. 2010-03 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2006-17 § 1; Ord. 98-26 § 5)
10.74.060 Meetings – Quorum – Voting.
The planning commission shall hold at least one regular monthly meeting as established by the bylaws of the commission. Should a regular meeting day fall on an official holiday, the meeting shall be held on the following business day. Special meetings of the planning commission may be called at any time by the chairperson, director of the department of community development or by any three members of the planning commission upon notification to all members not less than 24 hours in advance and in compliance with all applicable state laws relating to open public meetings.
A quorum of the planning commission shall consist of not less than four members. All matters before the planning commission shall be decided by an affirmative vote of majority of the quorum present. (Ord. 2010-03 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2006-17 § 1; Ord. 98-26 § 6)