Chapter 165 – AUTHORITY

Sections:

165.05    User Guide

165.10    City Council

165.25    Planning Commission – Membership

165.30    Planning Commission – Instruction to New Member

165.35    Planning Commission – Rules of Procedure

165.40    Hearing Examiner – Appointment

165.45    Hearing Examiner – Rules of Procedure

165.47    Design Review Board – Membership

165.48    Design Review Board – Rules of Procedure

165.50    Additional Committees, Boards, Commissions, Councils, and Individuals

165.55    Planning and Building Department – General

165.60    Planning and Building Department – Authority

165.65    Planning and Building Department – Operating Procedures

165.70    Planning and Building Department – Development Code Enforcement Officer

165.05 User Guide

This chapter contains information about the following groups and entities:

1.    The City Council.

2.    The Planning Commission.

3.    The Hearing Examiner.

4.    The Department of Community Development.

For the most part, this information involves the appointment, removal and training of members and establishes the general authority of these groups and entities.

(Ord. 4811 § 1, 2022)

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165.10 City Council

The City Council is the legislative body of the City. Its existence, membership, jurisdiction, powers, and authority are derived from RCW Title 35A. The jurisdiction, power and authority of City Council, as these relate to matters included in this code, are recognized in Chapters 150 through 160 KZC.

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165.25 Planning Commission – Membership

The existence, membership, and general powers of the Planning Commission are established in Chapter 3.32 KMC. The jurisdiction, powers and authority of the Planning Commission as these relate to matters covered by this code are established in Chapter 160 KZC.

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165.30 Planning Commission – Instruction to New Member

Within 90 days after becoming a member of the Planning Commission, each new member shall attend a training session given by the Planning Official. This session will cover the following topics:

1.    The responsibilities of the Planning Commission.

2.    The legal basis and framework for land use planning and regulation.

3.    The policy and regulatory enactments of the City related to land use planning and regulation.

4.    The appropriate way to conduct a hearing and the appropriate standards to be applied in formulating findings, conclusions and recommendations.

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165.35 Planning Commission – Rules of Procedure

The Planning Commission shall establish rules of procedure for the efficient and fair conduct of its business consistent with state law and City ordinances. A copy of these rules of procedure is available for inspection and copying in the Planning and Building Department during regular business hours.

(Ord. 4491 § 3, 2015)

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165.40 Hearing Examiner – Appointment

The existence and general powers of the Hearing Examiner are established in the Kirkland Municipal Code. The jurisdiction, powers, and authority of the Hearing Examiner as these relate to matters covered in this code are established in Chapters 145, 150 and 152 KZC.

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165.45 Hearing Examiner – Rules of Procedure

The Hearing Examiner shall establish rules of procedure for the efficient and fair conduct of matters that come before him/her. These rules must be consistent with state law and City ordinances. A copy of these rules of procedure is available for inspection and copying in the Planning and Building Department during regular business hours.

(Ord. 4491 § 3, 2015)

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165.47 Design Review Board – Membership

The existence, membership, and general powers of the Design Review Board are established in Chapter 3.30 KMC. The jurisdiction, powers, and authority of the Design Review Board as these relate to matters covered by this code are established in Chapter 142 KZC.

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165.48 Design Review Board – Rules of Procedure

The Design Review Board shall establish rules of procedure for the efficient and fair conduct of its business consistent with state law and City ordinances. A copy of these rules of procedure is available for inspection and copying in the Planning and Building Department during normal business hours.

(Ord. 4491 § 3, 2015)

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165.50 Additional Committees, Boards, Commissions, Councils, and Individuals

As the need arises, City Council may appoint additional committees, boards, commissions, councils, or individuals and grant to the same specific responsibilities and powers, consistent with state law and City ordinances.

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165.55 Planning and Building Department – General

The Planning and Building Department is responsible for the general administration of this code. The City Manager shall appoint a Director of the Planning and Building Department and shall appoint other staff members as is necessary for the administration of this code.

(Ord. 4491 § 3, 2015)

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165.60 Planning and Building Department – Authority

In addition to the authority granted to the Planning and Building Department and the Planning and Building Director by this code, they shall have whatever additional authority is granted to them by the City Manager consistent with state law and City ordinances.

(Ord. 4491 § 3, 2015)

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165.65 Planning and Building Department – Operating Procedures

The Planning and Building Director may issue application forms, operating procedures, and similar material to facilitate the orderly conduct of the Department’s responsibilities. The Department shall use, follow and enforce these issuances as if they were part of this code.

(Ord. 4491 § 3, 2015)

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165.70 Planning and Building Department – Development Code Enforcement Officer

The Planning and Building Director may appoint one (1) or more Development Code Enforcement Officers. These Enforcement Officers are responsible for enforcing this code and other related ordinances as assigned by the Planning and Building Director. These Enforcement Officers are empowered to file code violation complaints in the court of competent jurisdiction for violations of this code and for violations of other related ordinances as assigned by the Planning and Building Director.

(Ord. 4491 § 3, 2015)

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