Chapter 2.16
PLANNING COMMISSION*
Sections:
2.16.010 Authority--Membership--Qualifications.
2.16.030 Vacancies in unexpired terms--Removal from office--Selection on nonpartisan basis.
2.16.050 City council referrals to commission--Generally.
2.16.060 City council referrals to commission--Subdivision plans and street dedications.
2.16.090 Annual report to city council.
* For statutory provisions concerning planning commissions, see RCW Ch. 35A.63.
2.16.010 Authority--Membership--Qualifications.
A. Pursuant to the authority of RCW Chapter 35A.63, there is created a planning commission consisting of five members who shall be selected as follows: the five members shall be appointed by the mayor, and confirmed by the council.
B. 1. No less than three members shall possess at the time of their appointment and maintain during their service the qualifications required pursuant to RCW 35A.12.030 as to eligibility to hold elective office.
2. Up to two members may serve who are qualified electors residing within the boundaries of the Elma School District.
C. The position of any member who fails to or no longer possesses the qualifications set forth in subsection B shall become automatically vacant and the mayor and council shall proceed to appointment of a successor for the remainder of the term. (Ord. 1011 §1, 2000: Ord. 990 §1, 1998: Ord. 881 §1, 1991: Ord. 732 §1, 1981: Ord. 668 §1, 1978: Ord. 404 §1(part), 1958).
2.16.020 Term of office.
The term of office of the five members appointed by the mayor shall be six years except as provided herein. The clerk-treasurer shall assign numbers to each of the positions upon the planning commission, with the position being the first to expire bearing the number "1" and each position thereafter being sequentially numbered upon the same basis. The individuals who are appointed and confirmed to a position upon the planning commission and accept said position shall continue in office until their resignation, removal or completion of the term of office; provided, that in the event that they are not removed pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16.030, and their term has been completed, they shall continue to serve until such time as their successor has been appointed, confirmed and qualified; provided, further, that Position No. 5 shall have a term of one year only, commencing on the first day of July of each calendar year and terminating upon the first day of July of the succeeding year. (Ord. 990 §3, 1998: Ord. 732 §2, 1981: Ord. 668 §2, 1978: Ord. 404 §1(part), 1958).
2.16.030 Vacancies in unexpired terms--Removal from office--Selection on nonpartisan basis.
Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired terms. Members may be removed, after public hearing, by the mayor, with the approval of the city council, for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. The members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations, and they shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 404 §1(part), 1958).
2.16.040 Powers and duties.
The planning commission shall have all of the powers and perform each and all of the duties specified by or arising by implication from RCW Ch. 35A.63, together with any other duties or authority which may hereafter be conferred upon them by the laws of the state or by action of the city council. The performance of such duties and the exercise of such authority shall be subject to each and all the limitations expressed in such legislative enactments. (Ord. 720 §1, 1980: Ord. 404 §2, 1958).
2.16.050 City council referrals to commission--Generally.
The city council may refer to the planning commission, for its recommendation and report, any ordinance, resolution or other proposal relating to any of the matters and subjects referred to in RCW Ch. 35A.63 or such other matters as may be deemed appropriate by the council, and the commission shall promptly report to the council thereon, making such recommendations and giving such counsel as it may deem proper in the premises. (Ord. 720 §2, 1980: Ord. 404 §3, 1958).
2.16.060 City council referrals to commission--Subdivision plans and street dedications.
All plats or plans of subdivisions of land within the city or proposed additions, as well as dedications of streets and alleys, filed with the city shall be provided to the planning commission for its comment. Such comments as it deems appropriate to make shall be provided to the decision maker, whether the hearing examiner or mayor and council, at the earliest possible date; provided, that the receipt of any such comments shall not be a condition precedent to the issuance of a decision by the decision maker. (Ord. 956 §1, 1996: Ord. 404 §4, 1958).
2.16.070 Secretary.
The planning commission may designate one of its members to act as secretary without salary, or if requested by the commission the mayor shall designate a member of the paid staff of the town to serve as such secretary, who shall serve without additional compensation. (Ord. 404 §5, 1958).
2.16.075 Meetings.
In addition to any other meetings which may be called in the proper manner by the chair of the planning commission or by the majority of the planning commission, the planning commission’s regularly scheduled meetings shall be held on such date and time as may be established by resolution of the commission. The meetings shall be held in the city council chambers, city hall. These meetings shall be deemed to be regular business meetings of the planning commission at which any action allowed by law may be taken. (Ord. 990 §3[4], 1999: Ord. 956 §2, 1996: Ord. 904 §1, 1993: Ord. 720 §3, 1980).
2.16.080 Quorum.
A majority of the membership of the planning commission, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present, when those present constitute a quorum, at any regular or special meeting of the planning commission shall be deemed and taken as the action of the commission. (Ord. 956 §3, 1996: Ord. 404 §6, 1958).
2.16.090 Annual report to city council.
The planning commission, at or before its first regular meeting in February of each year, shall make a full report, in writing, to the city council of its transactions and expenditures, if any, for the preceding year, with such general recommendations regarding matters covered by its prescribed duties and authority as may to it seem proper. (Ord. 404 §7, 1958).