Chapter 2.24
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.24.030 Organization – Meetings.
2.24.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to reduce the number of members of the planning commission and to provide the town with a permanent advisory body to consider and recommend to the council such measures as will encourage generally advantageous development of the town. (Ord. 1464 § 1, 2011)
2.24.020 Commission.
A. The planning commission shall consist of five members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the town council.
B. Four of the five planning commission members shall be residents and qualified voters of the town. Members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations. To the extent reasonably possible, membership on the commission should be balanced to provide representation to a variety of residence neighborhoods, occupations and similar classifications.
C. One of the five planning commission members shall be a resident of San Juan Island and a qualified voter of San Juan County, but shall not be a resident of Friday Harbor.
D. Members shall be appointed to staggered six-year terms arranged so that a term expires each year.
E. Members shall serve without compensation.
F. Vacancies occurring during a term of office shall be filled for the unexpired term. Members may be removed, after public hearing, by the mayor with approval of the council, for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misfeasance or malfeasance in office. Unexcused absence from three consecutive meetings shall be grounds for removal. (Ord. 1464 § 2, 2011)
2.24.030 Organization – Meetings.
Pursuant to RCW 35.63.040, the commission shall organize itself, create its own offices and adopt rules for the transaction of its business. The commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month for not less than nine months in each year. The commission shall keep a written record of its meetings, resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations, which record shall be a public record. (Ord. 1464 § 3, 2011)
2.24.040 Expenditures.
The commission is authorized to make such expenditures as may be required to accomplish its work, provided such expenditures are within the amounts appropriated for the purpose by the council. (Ord. 1464 § 4, 2011)
2.24.050 Powers and duties.
A. The commission shall act as the research and fact-finding agency of the town with respect to growth, development, and land use. To that end it may make surveys, analyses, researches and reports as may be appropriate and within available funds.
B. The commission shall have a continuing duty to review the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan, and any supplements or amendments thereto which have been or may be adopted. A formal review of the plan and its supplements, and recommendations to the town council for changes, shall be made as required by state law.
C. The commission shall recommend adoption, as appropriate, of supplements to the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan. Such supplements may include, without limitation, a traffic and transportation plan, a recreation plan, a shoreline management plan, a town beautification plan, a plan to meet special needs of a segment of the community, an economic development plan and a capital improvement plan.
D. The commission shall annually review the permanent and seasonal population projections, rates of land absorption, supply of available land, and housing supply for consistency with the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan and to reflect trends in population growth and demand for public services.
E. The commission shall annually review the Port of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan for consistency with the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan and shall communicate the results of that analysis to the port commission and the town council.
F. The commission shall annually review the average response time of San Juan County fire protection district No. 3 to determine if the level of service provided meets or exceeds the level of service stated in the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan and shall communicate the results of that analysis to the district No. 3 fire chief and the town council.
G. The commission shall annually review the average response time of the emergency medical services to determine if the level of service provided meets or exceeds the level of service stated in the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan and shall communicate the results of that analysis to the director of emergency medical services and the town council.
H. The commission shall annually review the staffing level of the San Juan County sheriff as applied to calls within the corporate boundary to determine if the level of service provided meets or exceeds the level of service stated in the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan and shall communicate the results of that analysis to the sheriff and the town council.
I. The commission shall annually review the San Juan Island park and recreation district comprehensive plan for consistency with the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan and shall communicate the results of that analysis to the San Juan Island park and recreation director and the town council.
J. The commission shall annually review the level of service and any operating or comprehensive plan prepared by the San Juan Island school district for consistency with the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan and shall communicate the results of that analysis to the San Juan Island school district superintendent and the town council.
K. Upon request of the town council the commission shall review any plan, permit application, or other matter not otherwise enumerated in this chapter.
L. Upon completion of its review of any matter referred to it, the commission shall submit its recommendations, if any, together with copies of any research, studies, or findings related thereto, to the town council. (Ord. 1464 § 5, 2011)
2.24.060 Public hearings.
A. The commission shall hold a public hearing to provide a basis for its recommendations in each of the following matters:
1. Any amendments to the town of Friday Harbor comprehensive plan.
2. Any matter for which the town council specifically requests the commission to hold a public hearing.
B. When a public hearing is required, or authorized, the time and date shall be established in accordance with Ordinance No. 1052 as amended from time to time. (Ord. 1776 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1657 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1464 § 6, 2011)