Chapter 17.115
PLANNING COMMISSION

Sections:

17.115.010    Title.

17.115.020    Application.

17.115.030    Purpose.

17.115.040    Authority.

17.115.050    Created – Membership – Appointment – Tenure – Compensation.

17.115.060    Organization – Meetings – Rules and records.

17.115.070    Quorum.

17.115.080    Powers and duties – Statutory authority.

17.115.090    Powers and duties – Designated.

17.115.100    Recommendation to city council.

17.115.010 Title.

This chapter shall be called “Planning Commission.” (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).

17.115.020 Application.

The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to all actions of the planning commission as defined herein. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).

17.115.030 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish the planning commission for proposed developmental action as specified in this title. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).

17.115.040 Authority.

This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority set forth in chapters 35.63 and 35A.63 RCW allowing the creation of a planning commission and other applicable laws and regulations. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).

17.115.050 Created – Membership – Appointment – Tenure – Compensation.

The commission shall consist of seven in number, who shall be selected as follows:

A. The seven members shall be selected and appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council.

B. The term of office of the seven commissioners first appointed shall be designated from one to six years in such manner as to provide that the fewest possible terms will expire in any one year. Thereafter the term of office for each appointed member shall be six years. The terms of the first seven members appointed shall be fixed and designated by the mayor at the time of the appointment.

C. Vacancies occurring otherwise then through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term.

D. The members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations and they shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).

17.115.060 Organization – Meetings – Rules and records.

The commission shall elect its own chair and create and fill such other offices as it may determine it requires. Planning commission meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act and the time and date of each meeting shall be published in advance of the meeting. It shall adopt rules for transaction of business and shall keep a written record of its meetings, regulations, transactions, findings and determinations, which records shall be a public record. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).

17.115.070 Quorum.

A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present at any regular or special meeting of the commission shall be taken as the action of the commission. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).

17.115.080 Powers and duties – Statutory authority.

The planning commission shall have the powers and perform the duties specified in chapter 35.63 RCW, including amendments enacted after the effective date of the ordinance. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).

17.115.090 Powers and duties – Designated.

A. The commission may act as the research and fact finding agency of the municipality. To that end it may make such surveys, analyses, researches and reports as are generally authorized or requested by the council.

B. The commission shall review proposed development projects for compliance with ordinances and plans for the physical development of the city, in such measure as is reasonably necessary or requisite in the interest of the general public and as further specified in the zoning and subdivision codes.

C. The commission shall make recommendations to the council on adopting area-wide rezoning and development code text changes and subdivision ordinances.

D. The commission shall make recommendations to the council on the adoption of a comprehensive plan and amendments to the plan.

E. The commission shall make recommendations to the council as specified in BMC 17.115.100. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).

17.115.100 Recommendation to city council.

A. The city council shall refer to the planning commission for its recommendation and report on:

1. All recommendations as required by the city zoning ordinance;

2. Adoption of the comprehensive plan and any amendments to the plan.

B. The commission shall make its written recommendation within 30 days subsequent to the date it has completed its public hearing or public meeting as required by ordinance. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).