Chapter 2.45
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.45.070 Uniform fee schedule.
2.45.080 Community development advisory committee.
2.45.010 Established.
The planning and zoning commission of the town is hereby established. In the event that the members of the planning and zoning commission are not duly appointed or the commission is otherwise not fully constituted, as provided below, the town council may appoint a hearing officer to serve as the town’s “planning agency,” as contemplated by A.R.S. 9-461(4) et seq. (Ord. 20-01 § 1, 2020; prior code § 3-4-1)
2.45.020 Membership.
A. The planning and zoning commission shall be composed of a total of five members, who shall be residents of the town. The members of the commission shall be appointed by the mayor and council subject to the approval of the council. One member shall be appointed from the membership of the board of adjustment and appeals as a liaison member without voting rights, and five members shall be appointed at large. Appointments to the commission shall be for a period of four years. The terms of members shall be staggered so that the terms of no more than three members shall expire in any one year. In the event of death or resignation of a member, the vacancy may be filled for the unexpired term. The terms of all members shall extend until their successors are qualified; provided, however, three successive unexcused or unexplained absences from any regular or special meeting shall be grounds for termination at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority without the necessity of a hearing or notice, and such action shall be final.
B. All members shall serve without pay. Members of the commission may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with their duties upon authorization or ratification by the commission and approval of such expenditures by the council. (Ord. 18-08 § 1, 2018; Ord. 08-11, 2008; Ord. 07-01, 2007; prior code § 3-4-2)
2.45.030 Officers.
The commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its own members, who shall serve for a two-year term and until their successors are elected and qualified. The chairman shall preside at all meetings and exercise the usual rights, duties and prerogatives of the head of any similar organization. The chairman shall have the power to administer oaths and to take evidence. The vice-chairman shall perform the duties of the chairman in the absence or disability of the chairman. Vacancies created by any cause shall be filled for the unexpired term by a new election. (Ord. 84-14, 1985; prior code § 3-4-3)
2.45.040 Duties.
It should be the duty of said commission to formulate, create and recommend for adoption any lawful plan to the governing body for the present and future growth of the town pertaining to the use of land and building for any purpose, together with all incidental activities usually associated therewith and commonly known as “planning and zoning”; to make or cause to be made a continuous study of the best present and future use to which land and buildings shall be put within the town and in cooperation with adjacent areas; to recommend to the governing body revisions in such plans which, in the opinion of the commission, are for the best interest of the citizens of the town; and to promulgate rules of procedure for the enforcement of rules so promulgated by the commission and approved by the governing body. (Prior code § 3-4-4)
2.45.050 Meetings.
The commission shall provide in its rules for its meetings; provided, that special meetings may be called by the chairman or in his absence the vice-chairman. In addition, any three members of the commission may make a written request to the chairman for a special meeting, and in the event such meeting is not called, such members may call such special meeting in such manner and form as may be provided in the commission rules. (Ord. 18-08 § 2, 2018; prior code § 3-4-5)
2.45.060 Proceedings.
A. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall pass an issue. In this connection, the minutes of the meetings shall reflect the “ayes” and “nos” cast on a particular measure and shall reflect the vote of each member present.
B. A member who has a conflict of interest as defined in the state statutes in any matter before the commission shall make such conflict of interest known in the official records of the commission and shall refrain from participating in any manner in any proceedings regarding such matter. (Ord. 84-14, 1985; prior code § 3-4-6)
2.45.070 Uniform fee schedule.
The commission shall be authorized to establish a uniform schedule of fees for services with all receipts to be paid into the general fund of the town. Such fee schedules shall become effective upon approval by the council. (Prior code § 3-4-7)
2.45.080 Community development advisory committee.
A. Committee Created. There is hereby created a community development advisory committee under the direction of the planning and zoning commission.
B. Membership. The community development advisory committee shall be composed of persons who are residents of the town. The number of members and their method of appointment shall be determined by the mayor and council, upon advice from the planning and zoning commission, from time to time, as they see fit, by resolution.
C. Officers. The committee shall select its chairman, vice-chairman and recorder from among its members who shall serve for one year. The chairman shall preside at all meetings and exercise all the usual rights, duties and prerogatives of the head of any similar organization. The vice-chairman shall perform the duties of the chairman in the absence or disability of the chairman. The recorder shall be responsible for recording and transcribing evidence taken by the committee in performance of its duties and for keeping minutes of the meetings.
D. Duties. The community development advisory committee shall:
1. Assist the planning and zoning commission, residents and town council in developing and understanding town problems, conditions and attitudes.
2. Provide organized and representative citizen input into decisions relating to neighborhood and town community development issues.
3. Provide citizen input into studies relating to neighborhood and town needs, which may include:
a. Questions of growth.
b. Questions of change.
c. Questions of neighborhood safety and appearance.
d. Needs for facilities, public improvements, transit service.
4. Formulate town policies which relate to community development planning.
5. Review proposed community development expenditure plans.
6. Act as a conduit for neighborhood expression of needs, conduct neighborhood meetings on neighborhood problems and establish and participate in review committees of projects.
7. Perform any other planning task which is under the purview of the planning and zoning commission.
E. Meetings. The committee shall meet quarterly; provided, that special meetings may be called by the chairman or, in his absence, the vice-chairman. (Prior code § 3-4-8)