Chapter 2.15
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.15.010 Created – Purpose.
2.15.020 Membership.
2.15.030 Meetings – Rules.
2.15.040 Staff support.
2.15.050 Duties and responsibilities.
2.15.060 Superseded provisions.
2.15.010 Created – Purpose.
There is created the Planning Commission. The purpose of the Planning Commission is to provide guidance and direction for Covington’s future growth through continued review and improvement to the City’s comprehensive land use plan, zoning code, shoreline management, environmental protection and related land use documents. (Ord. 28-97 § 1)
2.15.020 Membership.
(1) Qualifications. Members of the Planning Commission shall be selected from individuals who have an interest in environmental affairs, planning, land use, and residential and commercial development as evidenced by training, experience, interest or actions. An intent of the selection process shall be to evenly represent the areas of interest as stated herein. Membership in the Planning Commission shall be limited to residents within the City; provided, however, at any given time the commission may consist of a maximum of two members who reside outside the City, but within a three-mile radius of the City limits of Covington. No member shall serve longer than two consecutive terms.
(2) Number of Members – Terms. The Planning Commission shall consist of seven members. To allow the staggering of terms for the initial commission, positions shall be numbers one through seven through a random drawing. The initial terms of positions one, two and three shall be for two years. The initial terms of positions four, five, six and seven shall be four years. Subsequent terms shall be for a term of four years. Terms shall expire the thirty-first day of August.
(3) Appointment. Members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the City Council. Members shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the City Council. Commissioners shall be selected without respect to political affiliations and shall serve without compensation.
(4) Removal. Members of the commission may be removed by the mayor, with the concurrence of the City Council, for neglect of duty, conflict of interest, malfeasance in office, or other just cause, or for unexcused absence from more than three consecutive regular meetings. Failure to qualify as to residency within a three-mile radius of the City limits of Covington shall constitute a forfeiture of office. The decision of the City Council regarding membership on the Planning Commission shall be final and there shall be no appeal therefrom. Members finding themselves unable to attend regular meetings are expected to tender their resignation.
(5) Vacancies. Vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired terms in the same manner as for appointments as provided in this chapter.
(6) Conflicts of Interest. Members of the Planning Commission shall fully comply with Chapter 42.23 RCW, Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers, Chapter 42.36 RCW, Appearance of Fairness, and such other rules and regulations as may be adopted from time to time by the City Council regulating the conduct of any person holding appointive office within the City. (Ord. 25-01 § 1; Ord. 28-97 § 2)
2.15.030 Meetings – Rules.
(1) The Planning Commission shall organize and elect from its members a chair, who shall preside at all meetings of the commission, and a vice chair. A majority of the commission members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and a majority vote of those present shall be necessary to carry any proposition.
(2) The commission shall determine a regular meeting schedule (time, place and frequency), as necessary, but no less frequent than once every two months. All meetings shall be open to the public.
(3) The commission shall adopt such rules and regulations are necessary for the conduct of its business and shall keep a taped record of its proceedings and such written notes as the commission may from time to time direct. The taped record and any written notes shall be a public record. (Ord. 28-97 § 3)
2.15.040 Staff support.
Administrative staff support to the Planning Commission shall be provided by the City Manager or designee. (Ord. 28-97 § 4)
2.15.050 Duties and responsibilities.
(1) The Planning Commission shall direct the preparation of a comprehensive plan and development regulations in compliance with Chapters 35A.63 and 36.70A RCW. This includes establishing procedures providing for early and continuous public participation in the development and amendment of the comprehensive land use plan for the City and the development regulations implementing the plan and make recommendations concerning these matters to the City Council.
(2) The Planning Commission shall review land use management, shoreline management and environmental protection ordinances and regulations of the City and make recommendations regarding them to the City Council.
(3) The Planning Commission shall review potential annexations to the City as requested by the City Council, and make recommendations concerning them.
(4) Where design review is required by land use ordinances of the City, the Planning Commission shall perform such design review unless that review is delegated to some other appointed body or staff.
(5) The Planning Commission shall recommend, establish priorities for, and review studies of geographic sub-areas in the City.
(6) The Planning Commission shall submit written periodic reports to the City Council setting forth its progress in completing its work program for the current fiscal year. The chairperson of the Planning Commission or designee is encouraged to regularly present updates to the City Council at the first regular City Council meeting or study session after each Planning Commission meeting.
(7) The Planning Commission may hold public hearings in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities as it deems necessary. (Ord. 23-02 § 1; Ord. 28-97 § 5)
2.15.060 Superseded provisions.
The ordinance codified in this chapter supersedes and replaces any reference to “Planning Commission” as defined in KCC Title 21A which was adopted by reference in City of Covington Ordinance No. 17-97, in KCC Title 20 which was adopted by reference in City of Covington Ordinance No. 18-97, or in other King County Codes adopted by reference. The term “Planning Commission” as referenced in those ordinances shall be uniformly construed and interpreted to mean the City of Covington Planning Commission created in this chapter. (Ord. 28-97 § 6)