Chapter 2.20
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.20.010 Established – Membership.
2.20.030 Primary functions and duties.
2.20.040 Eligibility and selection of commission members.
2.20.050 Terms of appointments.
2.20.060 Meetings and records.
2.20.090 Staff communications to city council.
2.20.120 Agenda and order of business.
Prior legislation: Ords. 98, 190, 400 and 409.
2.20.010 Established – Membership.
A. The official name of this commission shall be the West Richland planning commission. The word “commission,” whenever used in this chapter, shall be deemed to mean the planning commission. The commission shall be composed of seven members who are residents of the city of West Richland and have resided within the West Richland city limits during the preceding 12-month period or longer.
B. Each appointee shall commit to attending meetings and workshops and to do the necessary preparation for such position. General requirements of participation on the planning commission include:
1. General knowledge of the council’s community priorities;
2. A strong desire to be involved with land use development on behalf of the city of West Richland;
3. Participation in community activities and time availability will also be considered. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 2-02 § 1, 2002].
2.20.020 Purpose and intent.
The purpose and intent of the commission extends to and encompasses making recommendations to the city council and mayor relative to the orderly physical development and growth of the community. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2-02 § 1, 2002].
2.20.030 Primary functions and duties.
A. The commission generally has such authority and may exercise such powers as are set forth at Chapter 35.63 RCW. The commission has the following major functions:
1. Formulates and recommends to the city council goals related to the comprehensive plan and development regulations for the city in a structured framework providing both a time schedule for implementation and measurement criteria to assess effectiveness.
2. Assesses existing land use development policies for the purpose of recommending to city council such modifications as may be appropriate to achieve land use and development goals established by the city council.
3. Formulates and recommends to the city council new land use and development regulations, plans, policies and strategies for the purpose of assuring achievement of the comprehensive plan goals approved by the city council.
4. Serves in an advisory role to the city council and mayor, and provides a connection to the general public on land use and development regulation issues.
B. In addition to the commission’s major functions specified in subsection A of this section, the commission, consistent with established city council policy, performs the following duties:
1. Prepares and submits recommendations to staff and city council on a broad range of matters generally related to comprehensive planning and formulation of development regulations.
2. Provides guidance and recommendations to staff and assists in formulating, refining and developing land use policies and development strategies.
3. Develops and recommends to the city council plans and programs for the purpose of maintaining compliance of the city’s comprehensive land use plan and development regulations as required under the Washington State Growth Management Act, Chapter 36.70A RCW, the State Environmental Policy Act, Chapter 43.21C RCW, and regulations promulgated pursuant to these statutes.
4. Recommends to the city council for adoption new regulations and amendments, extensions, or additions to existing regulations or plans governing the physical development of the city in a manner that protects the health, safety, morals, and/or general welfare of the public, including but not limited to regulations, plans and rules that:
a. Control permissible or restrict impermissible uses of buildings or land for residential, commercial, retail, industrial, public facilities and other related purposes;
b. Control the height, number of stories, size, construction, and design of buildings and other structures;
c. Specify the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces on a lot or tract of land;
d. Specify the setback of buildings along highways, city streets, parks, or public water frontages;
e. Control the creation and maintenance of a long range transportation and street plan;
f. Control the creation and maintenance of a sensitive areas ordinance, shoreline master program and other environmental protection requirements.
5. Reviews and provides recommendations to the city council on all plats, plans of subdivisions, planned unit developments, dedications of land, and proposed ordinances creating and vacating rights-of-way or easements situated within the boundaries of the city.
6. Reviews and provides recommendations to the city council regarding adoption or revision of the city’s comprehensive plan land use map and all maps associated with elements of the comprehensive plan.
7. Reviews and provides recommendations to the city council regarding adoption and/or revision of the city’s zoning map, proposed zone changes and zoning recommendations for annexation requests.
8. Works with the parks and recreation board and the economic development board to review and provide advice to the city council and mayor on the synergistic impact of development proposals.
9. Acts as a research and fact finding agency for the city on issues related to comprehensive land use planning.
10. Serves as a central body for the dissemination of information related to general land use planning and community development.
11. Considers applications in accordance with WRMC Title 14.
12. Maintains awareness of the council’s adopted strategic focus areas, and provides guidance and recommendations to staff.
13. Performs such other duties and provides such additional information, assistance and advice to the city council and mayor as the city council or mayor may request or direct. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 2-02 § 1, 2002].
2.20.040 Eligibility and selection of commission members.
Members are selected without regard to political affiliation from a broad spectrum of the public and serve without compensation. The selection process shall follow established procedures as set forth in WRMC 2.10.010. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 30-04 § 1, 2004; Ord. 12-03 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2-02 § 1, 2002; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.20.050 Terms of appointments.
Terms of positions shall be for four years. Terms shall be staggered providing for expiration of the terms on a rotating basis. Vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 21-04 § 2, 2004; Ord. 10-04 § 2, 2004; Ord. 2-02 § 1, 2002].
2.20.060 Meetings and records.
The commission shall fix the day, time and place of its regularly scheduled monthly meeting during the occasion of the first meeting of the year. The commission shall conduct at least one regular meeting each month; provided, that if no issues over which the commission has jurisdiction are pending upon its calendar, a meeting may be canceled. In any event, the commission shall hold at least one meeting per month during nine calendar months each year, as specified in RCW 35.63.040. On the call of the chairperson, mayor or staff, special meetings may be held from time to time as necessary or desirable. Notice of any such special meeting shall be issued as required by state law. All meetings shall be open public meetings as required by state law; provided, however, that when appropriate and allowable by state law, executive sessions may be declared for the purpose of considering those items which are recognized by state law as appropriate subject matter for closed executive sessions.
The board shall adopt rules for transaction of business and keep a record of its meetings, resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which record shall be open to public inspection. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-05 § 1, 2005; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.20.070 Attendance.
The attendance of commission members at meetings is required, and may be excused by a majority vote of the commission. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007].
2.20.080 Officers.
The officers of the board shall consist of a chairperson and a vice-chairperson, who are elected from the appointed members of the commission by its members. The chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the commission and may exercise all the powers usually incident to the office. The chairperson, as a member of the board, retains the full right to have his/her own vote recorded in all deliberations of the board. The vice-chairperson shall preside as temporary chairperson for the meeting in the chairperson’s absence. The election of officers shall take place once each year during the occasion of the first meeting of the year. The term of office for each officer will run until the next subsequent election; provided, however, that any officer may be removed at any time by a vote of the majority of the commission entered on record. In the event of a vacancy of the chairperson or vice-chairperson, an election shall be held to fill the officer position for the remainder of the year. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 10-01 § 1, 2001].
2.20.090 Staff communications to city council.
The staff of the community development department, as assigned by the mayor, shall serve to facilitate communication to the city council on planning commission recommendations. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.20.110 Quorum.
A majority of the membership of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by the commission, at any regular or special meeting of the commission, shall require a majority of the commission members present to be deemed a valid action of the commission. However, where the decision is quasi-judicial in nature, it shall require a majority of the members of the commission to take such action. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 21-04 § 3, 2004; Ord. 10-04 § 3, 2004; Ord. 2-02 § 1, 2002].
2.20.120 Agenda and order of business.
An agenda shall be prepared by the chairperson and assigned city staff member for each meeting and distributed along with the minutes of the preceding meeting and any supportive documents or reports to the members of the commission at least three days prior to the next meeting date. Any member of the commission may recommend that additional items be added to the agenda with the chairperson’s approval at least three days prior to the meeting, or by approval of a majority of those members present at the meeting. The regular order of business shall be developed by the chair and approved by the commission. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007].
2.20.130 Rules of order.
When necessary and appropriate the chairperson shall maintain order by utilizing Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2-02 § 1, 2002].