Chapter 2.36
PLANNING COMMISSION*

Sections:

2.36.010    Establishment of Commission.

2.36.020    Membership and Criteria for Appointment.

2.36.030    Appointment Process.

2.36.040    Termination of Members.

2.36.050    Bylaws, Policies, Rules and Procedures.

2.36.060    Duties, Responsibilities and Authority.

*    For statutory provisions on local planning commissions, see Government Code §§ 40605 and 65100 et seq.

2.36.010 Establishment of Commission.

There is created and established the Planning Commission of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. (Ord. 91-19 § 3, 1991; Ord. 77-27 § 1(d), 1977; Ord. 65 N.S.; Code 1975 § 290).

2.36.020 Membership and Criteria for Appointment.

A. The Planning Commission shall consist of five members, each of whom shall be appointed to serve a four-year term.

B. In establishing these criteria for appointment, the City Council seeks to insure that Planning Commission appointees both support and will advocate for the enhancement and preservation of Carmel-by-the-Sea as “primarily, essentially and predominately a residential City....” With this being the City Council’s intention:

1. All members of the Planning Commission shall be residents and electors of the City and have particular interest in, and familiarity with, planning matters.

2. If possible, membership of the Planning Commission shall include at least one member who is a licensed architect, a building designer, or is associated with the building trades or construction. (Ord. 2000-06 § 1, 2000; Ord. 93-8 § 1, 1993; Ord. 91-19 § 3, 1991; Ord. 77-27 § 1(d), 1977; Code 1975 § 291 et seq.).

2.36.030 Appointment Process.

A. Members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed in accordance with City policy adopted by resolution of the City Council.

B. Terms of members shall be staggered so that no more than two terms shall expire in any one year. Appointments shall be, where possible, made prior to the beginning of the term of office, in order that the new member(s) shall be able to become familiar with the functions of the commission prior to being seated. Terms of office for new members shall begin at the commencement of the first regular meeting in the month of October of the appropriate year. Terms of office for outgoing members shall end simultaneously. The newly appointed members shall be sworn in by the City Clerk.

C. In the event an appointment cannot be made in a timely manner, the City Council, with the consent of the incumbent, may extend the incumbent’s term for up to 90 days. (Ord. 93-8 § 1, 1993; Ord. 91-19 § 3, 1991; Ord. 89-3 § 3, 1989; Ord. 77-27, 1(d), 1977; Code 1975 § 291.1).

2.36.040 Termination of Members.

A member of the Planning Commission shall be terminated only under the following circumstances:

A. The member ceases to be a resident or an elector of the City.

B. The member is ill or absent from the City and unable to attend three consecutive regular commission meetings, but fails to so notify either the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, or the Director of the Department of Community Planning and Building.

C. The member, when neither ill nor absent from the City, fails to attend three consecutive regular commission meetings.

D. The member is terminated by a majority vote of the City Council. (Ord. 93-8 § 1, 1993; Ord. 91-19 § 3, 1991; Ord. 77-27 § 1(d), 1977; Code 1975 § 291.2).

2.36.050 Bylaws, Policies, Rules and Procedures.

The Planning Commission shall adopt or maintain bylaws, policies, rules, and procedures governing parliamentary actions, election of officers and formation of committees. The bylaws shall be filed with the City Clerk. (Ord. 91-19 § 3, 1991; Ord. 77-27 § 1(d), 1977; Code 1975 §§ 291.3, 291.4).

2.36.060 Duties, Responsibilities and Authority.

The Planning Commission shall have the duties, responsibilities and authority provided for by the planning laws of the State of California, as supplemented by this code. (Ord. 77-27 § 1(d), 1977; Code 1975 § 291.5).