Chapter 2.20
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.20.010 Establishment and purpose.
2.20.050 Duties and responsibilities.
2.20.010 Establishment and purpose.
There is created the City of Airway Heights Planning Commission. The purpose of the Planning Commission is to study and make recommendations to the City Council for Airway Heights’ future growth through continued review of the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, zoning code (or development regulations), environmental protection, transportation system, capital improvements and other matters as directed by the City Council. (Ord. C-992 § 1, 2022; Ord. C-485, 2001)
2.20.020 Membership.
A. Qualifications. The membership of the Planning Commission shall consist of individuals who have an interest in planning, land use, transportation, capital infrastructure and building and landscape design as evidenced by training, experience or interest in the City of Airway Heights.
B. Appointment. Members of the Planning Commission shall be nominated by the City Council and confirmed by a majority vote of four members of the City Council. Planning Commissioners shall be selected without respect to political affiliations and shall serve without compensation.
C. Number of Members/Terms. The Planning Commission shall consist of seven members. Members of the Planning Commission shall either be:
1. Residents of Airway Heights; or
2. Residents of or own property in Spokane County, and own a business or are employed within the City of Airway Heights;
3. A minimum of one member shall reside within the City of Airway Heights;
4. Commissioner terms shall be for a four-year period. Terms shall expire on the thirty-first day of January.
D. Removal. Members of the Commission may be removed by the City Council Chair, 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 three regular meetings within a 12-month period. Failure to qualify as to residency, employment or business ownership in the City of Airway Heights shall constitute a forfeiture of office. The decision of the City Council regarding membership on the Planning Commission shall be final and without appeal.
E. Vacancies. Vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as for appointments.
F. 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. No elected official or City employee may be a member of the Planning Commission. (Ord. C-992 § 2, 2022; Ord. C-551, 2003; Ord. C-514, 2002; Ord. C-485, 2001)
2.20.030 Meetings – Rules.
A. The Planning Commission shall every second year organize and elect from its members a chair, who shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and perform such other functions as determined by rule. A vice-chair shall be elected to preside in the absence of the 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.
B. All meetings shall be open to the public. The regular meetings of the Airway Heights Planning Commission shall be held the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, by remote means, or a combination of in-person and remote participation, as provided within a virtual environment, as approved by City resolution. In the event the second Wednesday of a month falls on a legal holiday, the regular meeting for that month shall be held at a time and place agreed upon by the Commission.
C. The Commission shall adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary for the conduct of business and shall keep meeting minutes of its proceedings. (Ord. C-992 § 3, 2022; Ord. C-812 § 1, 2013; Ord. C-494, 2002; Ord. C-485, 2001)
2.20.040 Staff support.
Administrative staff support to the Planning Commission shall be provided by the City Planning Department or that department’s designee. In addition, the Commission, through its chair, may request formal opinions or memorandums from the City Attorney or City Planning Department staff on any pending matter. (Ord. C-992 § 4, 2022; Ord. C-485, 2001)
2.20.050 Duties and responsibilities.
The Planning Commission, as an advisory body to the City Council, shall perform and have the following duties and responsibilities:
A. Assist in the preparation of a Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations in compliance with Chapters 35A.63 and 36.70A RCW including the establishment of procedures for early and continuous public participation in the development and amendment of the Comprehensive Plan and the Development Regulations;
B. Review plans and regulations related to land use management, shoreline management, environmental policy, transportation systems and capital infrastructure planning and development;
C. Upon request from the City Council, review potential annexations to the City;
D. Identify issues and recommend priorities for geographic subareas including park and open space areas in the City;
E. Meet and confer with the Hearing Examiner to review the administration of land use policies and ordinances to enhance the planning and permitting process;
F. Make periodic written and oral reports to the City Council setting forth the progress in completing work;
G. Hold public hearings in the exercise of duties and responsibilities;
H. Submit to the City Council an annual work plan for the following year containing recommendations for the direction of work products. Work plans are filed with the City Council;
I. Perform such other duties and powers as may be conferred by ordinance, resolution or motion of the City Council.
Unless otherwise assumed by the City Council, the Planning Commission shall hold all public hearings required to be held in the course of adoption or amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, the zoning code, adoption or amendment of the zoning map, or adoption or amendment of regulations for the subdivision of land, shoreline management, environmental regulations, and other land use ordinances of the City. (Ord. C-992 § 5, 2022; Ord. C-855 § 1, 2015; Ord. C-485, 2001)