Chapter 23.08
PLANNING COMMISSION*
Sections:
23.08.040 Terms – Beginning – Termination.
23.08.050 Removal from office.
23.08.060 Members – Requirements.
23.08.100 Repealed.
23.08.120 Repealed.
* For statutory provisions for planning commissions, see Chapter 35.63 RCW.
Planning administrator, see Chapter 2.18 FMC.
23.08.010 Creation.
There is created in the city an administrative body to be known and hereafter designated as the Fircrest planning commission. (Ord. 622 § 1, 1970).
23.08.020 Appointment.
The planning commission shall consist of five members, who shall be registered voters residing within the city. All members of the planning commission shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. (Ord. 742 § 1, 1980; Ord. 622 § 2, 1970).
23.08.030 Terms – Vacancies.
The members of the planning commission shall be appointed and serve for a term of six years, except that of the members appointed at this date, one shall serve until June 15, 1981, one until June 15, 1982, one until June 15, 1983, one until June 15, 1984, and one until June 15, 1985. Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term. (Ord. 742 § 2, 1980; Ord. 622 § 3, 1970).
23.08.040 Terms – Beginning – Termination.
All appointments to the planning commission shall be made and acted upon at the first regular council meeting in June of each year, and all terms of office shall begin on June 16th of the year of appointment and terminate on June 15th of the last year of the term. (Ord. 622 § 4, 1970).
23.08.050 Removal from office.
Members of the planning commission may be removed from their membership by the appointing official with the approval of the council, for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. Prior to any such action being taken, written notice shall be sent to the member involved at least 10 days in advance of the hearing date, advising him that his removal from membership is contemplated, setting forth the grounds on which such action is based, and advising him that he may demand a public hearing before the council. No member shall be removed until after such a hearing has either been held or waived by the member, either expressly or through his failure to demand such hearing. (Ord. 622 § 5, 1970).
23.08.060 Members – Requirements.
All members of the planning commission shall serve without compensation, and shall be selected without regard to age, sex, race or political affiliation. All members shall be required to take an oath of office. (Ord. 622 § 6, 1970).
23.08.070 Officers.
The planning commission shall each year elect its own chairman or presiding officer to hold such position for a term of one year, and may, in addition, create and fill such other offices, for such terms as it may determine. (Ord. 622 § 7, 1970).
23.08.080 Rules of business.
The planning commission may adopt rules for the transaction of its business which are consistent with the provisions of this chapter or the laws of the state of Washington relating to planning commissions. (Ord. 622 § 8, 1970).
23.08.090 Meetings.
The planning commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month, and may hold additional meetings as it may determine. It shall keep regular minutes and records of its proceedings. A regular meeting may be cancelled by the chair, or in the chair’s absence the vice-chair, if there are no business items scheduled or if there is a lack of a quorum. Notice of cancellation shall be provided to commission members, any applicant who has an item pending at the meeting and any parties of record. Additional notice shall be posted on the bulletin board at City Hall. Notice shall be provided at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date. (Ord. 1489 § 1, 2009; Ord. 622 § 9, 1970).
23.08.100 Budget – Request for appropriations.
Repealed by Ord. 1489. (Ord. 622 § 10, 1970).
23.08.110 Powers and duties.
The planning commission shall have the following powers and duties; namely:
(a) It shall act as a research and fact-finding agency for the city, as requested or required by the city council. It may, within the scope of its powers and duties, make inquiries, investigations and surveys, assemble and analyze data obtained, formulate plans, cooperate and act with other planning commissions or public agencies, and make such reports and recommendations to the city council with respect to such activities.
(b) It may participate in the activities of regional planning commissions to the extent permitted by the laws of the state of Washington.
(c) It shall study, promulgate, develop and update coordinated plans, including the comprehensive plan, for the physical development of the city as deemed necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the community; and to such end it may make recommendations to the city council regarding the regulation of and restrictions on the use of land, the location, construction and use of buildings, and other related matters which are or might properly be incorporated into city ordinances dealing with zoning, building, plats and subdivisions, parks and annexation.
All regulations shall be worked out as parts of a comprehensive plan which the commission shall prepare for the physical and other generally advantageous development of the municipality and shall be designed, among other things, to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the municipality; to lessen traffic congestion and accidents; to secure safety from fire; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to promote a coordinated development of the unbuilt areas; to encourage the formation of neighborhood or community units; to secure an appropriate allotment of land area in new developments for all the requirements of community life; to conserve and restore natural beauty and other natural resources; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage and other public uses and requirements.
(d) It shall have the power generally to do all things necessary to accomplish the powers and duties hereinabove outlined and set forth, which shall include the right to employ persons and to purchase materials or supplies within the framework of its budget and appropriations. (Ord. 1639 § 1, 2019; Ord. 798 § 1, 1984; Ord. 622 § 11, 1970).
23.08.120 Variance hearings.
Repealed by Ord. 1489. (Ord. 622 § 12, 1970).