Berkeley Municipal Code Ch. 3.28 Planning Commission

*For subdivision responsibilities, see Title 21 of this code.

For zoning duties, see Title 23 of this code.

A City Planning Commission is established. The Planning Commission shall consist of nine members. Appointments to the commission shall be made by councilmembers, and vacancies on the commission shall be filled by councilmembers in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.04.030 through 2.04.130 of this code, enacted as Ordinance 4780-NS by the voters of the City. (Ord. 4797-NS § 1 (part), 1975; Ord. 4443-NS (part), 1969; Ord. 3115-NS (part), 1950; Ord. 2898-NS § 1, 1947)

Subject to the approval of the council in each case, the commission may designate one of its members to act as a liaison representative to any other board, commission or committee of the City. The functions of such liaison representatives are:

A. To attend meetings of such other board, commission or committee;

B. Advise this commission of the background, attitudes and reasons behind the actions of such other board, commission or committee; and

C. On request of any member of such other board, commission or committee, to advise such other board, commission or committee of policy, procedures and decisions of this commission that may bear upon matters under discussion by such other board, commission or committee.

Such liaison representative shall have no power to vote. (Ord. 4145-NS (part), 1966; Ord. 2898-NS § 1.4, 1947)

A. The commission shall elect one of its members president and one of its members vice-president, who shall hold office for one year and until their successors are elected unless their terms as members of the commission expire sooner. An officer or employee of the City designated by the City Manager shall serve as secretary of the commission.

B. The commission shall establish a regular time and place of meeting and shall hold at least one regular meeting each month. Special meetings may be called by the president, or by a majority of the members of the commission upon written notice delivered personally or by mail to each member at least twenty-four hours prior to such meeting.

C. The commission may make and alter rules governing its organization and procedures which are not inconsistent with this chapter or any other applicable ordinance of the City.

D. A majority of the members appointed to the commission shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members appointed is required to take any action.

E. The commission shall keep an accurate record of its proceedings and transactions and shall submit an annual report to the City Council with a copy to the City Manager. (Ord. 5370-NS § 1, 1981; Ord. 4797-NS § 1 (part), 1975; Ord. 2898-NS § 2.2, 1947)

The powers and functions of the City Planning Commission shall be as follows:

A. To hold hearings on all zoning matters as prescribed in the zoning ordinance;

B. To conduct such other hearings as are provided by law and in accordance with its own rules and regulations;

C. To report its decisions and recommendations in writing to the City Council;

D. To consider, formulate and propose surveys, maps and plans designed to provide for, regulate and direct the future growth, development and beautification of the City in order to secure to the City and its inhabitants better sanitation, adequate and suitable parks and open spaces, harbor development, better transportation facilities, improved public service of all kinds, proper location of public buildings, and to secure a permanent and comprehensive plan for the most economic, healthful and harmonious growth of the City;

E. To prepare and recommend the adoption of a comprehensive long-term general master plan for the physical development of the City, to include among other things, land use plan, a streets and highways plan, a recreation plan, a transportation plan, a transit plan, a public services and facilities plan, and a community design plan as said plans are defined in the Planning Act of the state of California;

F. To make, in its advisory capacity, any and all recommendations to the City Council relating to the above matters, including changes or amendments to the master plan or any portion thereof.

G. To establish a Design Review Subcommittee with the following membership: at least one architect, one landscape architect and one member of the Planning Commission, one member of said commission to serve as chairperson, and staff assistance to be provided by the City urban design planner. The function of the subcommittee shall be to review projects to construct, alter or repair buildings in the civic center area pursuant to Municipal Code Chapter 6.12, to advise the Planning Commission on the design and site development of structures on public property pursuant to Municipal Code Chapter 3.12, and to advise staff or other City commissions on design and site development as requested. (Ord. 5140-NS § 1, 1979; Ord. 2898-NS § 3, 1947)

All plans, plots, divisions, subdivisions or replots of land, building lots and the streets, alleys or other portions of the same intended to be dedicated to public use, or for the use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting thereon or adjacent thereto, and located within the City limits, shall be submitted to the City Planning Commission, and the commission shall report thereon in writing to the council before action by the council. (Ord. 2898-NS § 3.1, 1947)