Chapter 2.50
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.50.010 Created – Membership.
2.50.030 Compensation – Removal.
2.50.035 Commissioner attendance.
2.50.037 Commission selection process.
2.50.040 Secretary designated – Compensation.
2.50.060 Powers and duties – Generally.
2.50.070 Duties – Recommendations and reports.
2.50.072 Conflict of interest.
2.50.080 Annual report to council required.
2.50.085 Ex parte communication.
2.50.010 Created – Membership.
In accordance with Washington law, there is created a city planning commission consisting of seven members whose positions shall be designated numerically Positions 1 through 7, respectively. The mayor shall appoint the members of the planning commission, and the initial terms of the planning commission members shall expire on December 31st of the year indicated:
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Position 1 |
2025 |
|
Position 2 |
2025 |
|
Position 3 |
2026 |
|
Position 4 |
2026 |
|
Position 5 |
2027 |
|
Position 6 |
2027 |
|
Position 7 |
2028 |
Subsequent expiration years will follow chronologically for the length of office term as set forth in EMC 2.50.020. The city council shall review the planning commission recommendation pursuant to EMC 2.50.037, Commission selection process, and confirm the mayor’s appointment of the planning commission members. Members of the planning commission shall reside within the city limits of Entiat or urban growth area as depicted by the official zoning map of Entiat. (Ord. 864 § 1, 2023; Ord. 809 § 1, 2019; Ord. 634, 2005; Ord. 599 § 1, 2003)
2.50.020 Term of office.
Following the expiration of the initial term of each position on the planning commission, terms shall be for four years. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019; Ord. 634, 2005; Ord. 599 § 1, 2003)
2.50.030 Compensation – Removal.
Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired terms. Members may be removed 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. 809 § 1, 2019; Ord. 634, 2005; Ord. 599 § 1, 2003)
2.50.035 Commissioner attendance.
Any commissioner anticipating being absent from any planning commission meeting shall notify the city at least 24 hours in advance. The city shall document the notice in the minutes of the planning commission meeting and provide immediate written notice to the mayor when any commissioner fails to attend three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings or five regularly scheduled meetings in a calendar year, without excused absence. Mayor shall provide written notice to council for final approval of planning commissioner removal at next regularly scheduled council meeting. If approved by council, the mayor shall provide notice of his/her written decision to the planning commission secretary, chairperson, and the removed planning commission member within 15 days following receipt of the written notice from the secretary. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019)
2.50.037 Commission selection process.
Staff shall advertise in the paper of record of available planning commissioner opening with a minimum of 30-day publication notice. Interested individual(s) shall submit a letter of interest to the city identifying their place of residence, qualifications and reason for wanting to be on Entiat’s planning commission.
After the expiration of notification of publication, staff shall bring forward the letter(s) of interest and invite interested individual(s) to the next regularly scheduled planning commission meeting to be interviewed by planning commissioners. After interview(s), the planning commissioners shall recommend a selection of new planning commissioner(s) to mayor for consideration for appointment or provide a recommendation for re-advertisement for additional candidates. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019)
2.50.040 Secretary designated – Compensation.
The planning commission may designate one of its members to act as secretary, or if requested by the commission, the mayor shall designate a member of the paid staff of the city to serve as secretary. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019; Ord. 634, 2005; Ord. 599 § 1, 2003)
2.50.042 Meetings.
(1) Regular meetings of the city planning commission shall be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Entiat Public Library meeting room, or at such other location as the planning commission may, from time to time, direct. All planning commission meetings shall be subject to the state of Washington Open Public Meetings Act.
(2) Special meetings of the planning commission may be called and conducted pursuant to the provisions of the state of Washington Open Public Meetings Act.
(3) During the first quarter of each year, the city council and planning commission shall hold a joint public meeting for the purpose of reviewing community-wide planning-related issues and the annual work plan of the planning commission. (Ord. 868 § 1, 2023; Ord. 809 § 1, 2019)
2.50.050 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 action of the commission. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019; Ord. 634, 2005; Ord. 599 § 1, 2003)
2.50.052 Voting.
The minutes of each planning commission meeting shall record by roll call the votes of each planning commission member whether for or against a proposal or an abstention. Abstention votes require an explanation.
The chairperson shall request an explanation from any planning commissioner refusing to vote or abstaining from voting on any matter and the explanation, if any is provided, shall be recorded in the minutes of the planning commission meeting.
Unless otherwise provided by law, a vote of the planning commission may be to recommend approval with or without condition(s), or denial or revisions to the application or proposal. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019)
2.50.060 Powers and duties – Generally.
The planning commission shall have all the powers and perform each and all of the duties specified by Chapter 35A.63 RCW, together with any other duties or authority which may hereafter be conferred upon them by the laws of the state of Washington, the performance of such duties and the exercise of such authority to be subject to each and all the limitations expressed in such legislative enactment or enactments. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019; Ord. 634, 2005; Ord. 599 § 1, 2003)
2.50.070 Duties – Recommendations and reports.
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 Chapter 35A.63 RCW and any other laws of the state of Washington, 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. 809 § 1, 2019; Ord. 634, 2005; Ord. 599 § 1, 2003)
2.50.072 Conflict of interest.
Planning commission members shall declare a conflict of interest and abstain from participating in a hearing or deliberations on a request when:
(1) The planning commission member or a family member by blood, marriage or domestic partnership is involved in any matter upon which a planning commission recommendation is sought;
(2) The planning commission member has a business or financial interest in the property involved in the request, or has a business or financial interest in the applicant’s company, agency, or association; and/or
(3) The planning commission member has: (a) an Appearance of Fairness Act conflict of interest with respect to any quasi-judicial matter, or (b) a common law or statutory ethical or financial conflict of interest under Washington State law. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019)
2.50.080 Annual report to council required.
The planning commission, within the first quarter of the 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 as to matters covered by its prescribed duties and authority as may seem proper to it. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019; Ord. 634, 2005; Ord. 599 § 1, 2003)
2.50.085 Ex parte communication.
Planning commission members shall avoid ex parte communications with applicants and opponents on quasi-judicial matters pending before the planning commission. To the extent ex parte communications occur, each planning commission member shall state on the record of each planning commission meeting and/or hearing when the matter is considered the substance of the ex parte communication and confirm that the planning commission member can fairly and impartially consider the request.
In the event the planning commissioner is unable to state that he or she can consider impartially the pending request, the planning commission member shall so state on the record of the planning commission meeting or hearing and shall not partake in voting on the matter of hand, nor attempt to influence the vote by any actions or comments. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019)
2.50.090 Amendments.
The provisions of this chapter may be reviewed annually by the planning commission and any recommendations for amendment of the provisions of this chapter will be considered and forwarded to the city council for approval. (Ord. 809 § 1, 2019)