Big Bear Lake Municipal Code Ch. 2.12 Planning Commission

A. Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3, Government Code Sections 65100, et seq., there is created a city planning commission for the city, which is known as the planning commission of the city of Big Bear Lake, and which may be referred to as the "planning commission." Its functions shall be as set forth in Section 65101 of the California Government Code, which functions are set forth as follows:

1. It shall develop and maintain a general plan;

2. It shall develop such specific plans as may be necessary or desirable;

3. It shall periodically review the capital improvement program of the city;

4. It shall perform other functions as the city council may order.

B. All of the foregoing functions shall be performed in an advisory capacity to the city council, expect as specifically delegated to the planning commission by the city council.

(Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996: Ord. 11 § 1, 1981)

A. The planning commission consists of five members appointed by the mayor with approval of the city council.

B. All members of the planning commission, for at least thirty (30) days prior to filing an application seeking appointment and during the term of their office shall be legally registered voters and residents of the city.

(Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996: Ord. 91-194, 1991; Ord. 89-176 § 5, 1989: Ord. 88-161 § 18, 1988: Ord. 11 § 2, 1981)

(Ord. No. 2025-521, § 6, 6-11-2025)

A. Proof of Residency Affidavit for Planning Commission Applicant. In order to ensure a planning commissioner primarily resides in the city, the applicant must provide to the city clerk the affidavit set forth in Section 1.12.060 of this Code. Planning commission applicants are required to file said affidavit with the city clerk upon application submittal. The city clerk shall review and verify that the affidavit is complete and shall also verify with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters that the applicant is registered to vote at their declared primary residence as set forth in Section 1.12.070.

B. Annual Verification of Residency—Planning Commissioners. To ensure that planning commissioners continue to meet the residency requirements set forth in Section 2.12.020 of this Code throughout their entire term in office, each planning commissioner's primary residency must be verified annually for each year in office. For this purpose, each planning commissioner then remaining in office shall submit to the city clerk an affidavit of continuing primary residency at those times and on those terms as set forth in Section 1.12.080 of this Code. The city clerk shall also verify with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters that the planning commissioner remains validly registered to vote at their declared primary residence in the driver's license or affidavit.

C. Failure to Provide Documents. Failure to provide any of the above-required documents or the registrar of voters' inability to verify that the planning commission applicant or sitting planning commissioner is registered to vote at their declared primary residence shall disqualify a planning commissioner applicant or sitting planning commissioner from meeting the residency requirements set forth in Section 2.12.020 of this Code. Willfully submitting false, forged, or altered documents shall also disqualify a planning commission applicant or sitting planning commissioner and constitute a misdemeanor violation in addition to any other legal remedy available to enforce a similar fraudulent act.

D. Transparency. The city clerk shall maintain at the city's website a record of planning commission applicants and planning commissioner names, and all required supporting documents, consistent with applicable confidentiality laws, of all planning commission applicants and planning commissioners who have been certified to meet the residency requirements, and shall make said record and documents available for inspection at the city clerk's office during normal business hours. Any confidential information shall be redacted before the public record is made available for inspection, in accordance with the California Public Records Act or as otherwise required by law. The city clerk shall update the city's website to reflect planning commissioner verifications submitted in accordance with this section.

(Ord. No. 2025-521, § 7, 6-11-2025)

A. The term of office of each planning commissioner shall be for four years, ending June 30 of the applicable fourth year. The terms of two of the planning commissioners shall expire on June 30, 2003, and every fourth year thereafter; and the terms of three of the planning commissioners shall expire June 30, 2005, and every fourth year thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each planning commissioner shall continue to serve until his/her successor appointee takes office.

B. Notwithstanding any provision in any ordinance heretofore enacted by the city council to the contrary, the terms of three planning commissioners who have assumed office in 2001 prior to the date of this amending ordinance shall expire June 30, 2005. The terms of the other incumbent planning commissioners shall be extended to and expire on June 30, 2003.

(Ord. 2001-315 § 1, 2001: Ord. 99-295 § 1(part), 1999: Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996: Ord. 11 § 3, 1981)

Any member may be removed by either of the following:

A. A majority vote of the city council; or

B. Automatically, without any required action by either the planning commission or the city council, upon either of the following:

1. Failing to attend three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings. Absences from special meetings shall not be against the member; or

2. Any conviction or other occurrence that creates an automatic vacancy in the office under California Government Code section 1770 et seq. or any other applicable provision of state law.

(Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996: Ord. 11 § 4, 1981)

(Ord. No. 2025-521, § 8, 6-11-2025)

If a vacancy occurs otherwise than by expiration of a term, it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.

(Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996: Ord. 11 § 5, 1981)

The regular members of the planning commission shall receive such compensation as the city council may fix from time to time by resolution.

(Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996: Ord. 91-202 § 1, 1991: Ord. 17, 1981: Ord. 11 § 9, 1981)

The planning commission shall adopt rules for the transactions, resolutions, findings and determinations.

(Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996: Ord. 11 § 6, 1981)

The individual members of the planning commission shall adhere to the code of ethics of the planning commission adopted by the city council on February 8, 1996 and as may be amended from time to time through adoption of a resolution. Failure to adhere to the code may be cause for removal from the planning commission pursuant to Section 2.12.040 of this chapter. The sole penalty for violation of the code of ethics shall be removal from the planning commission pursuant to Section 2.12.040 of this chapter.

(Ord. 99-295 § 1(part), 1999: Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996)

The planning commission shall elect a chair and vice-chair from among the appointed members. The planning director shall serve as secretary to the commission. Officers hold office for one year, or until their successors are elected.

(Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996: Ord. 11 § 7, 1981)

(Ord. No. 2021-493, § 4(Exh. 1), 6-7-2021)

A. The planning commission shall determine the order of business for the conduct of its meetings and shall meet in such regular sessions as its rules or procedures may provide. Special meetings may be called at any time by the chair or by three members of the commission. Three members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The commission shall have all the powers and shall perform all the duties conferred and imposed upon city planning commissions by the applicable provisions of the Government Code of the state of California and, in addition, the commission shall:

1. Prepare, adopt and maintain a long-range comprehensive master plan for the physical growth and development of the city and areas related directly to the city. The master plan shall reflect the future goals of the city after its adoption by the city council and shall represent the city's policy on matters of physical development. It shall guide the general location of future public facilities and improvements, and aid in the encouragement and regulation of private development;

2. Prepare and adopt plans for the construction or clearance, rebuilding and redevelopment of those areas of the city suffering from blighted conditions;

3. Serve as an advisory body to the city council on matters related to the city growth and development and on such other matters as may be requested by the city council;

4. Promote public interest in planning and encourage citizen participation in the implementing of the master plan;

5. Engage in a program of acquainting the public with citizen participation in the implementing of the master plan;

6. The planning commission shall study and make recommendations regarding land use regulations and community development projects to the city council as set forth in Title 16 (Subdivisions) and Title 17 (Land Use) and other applicable sections of this Code.

7. The planning commission shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny land use entitlements in accordance with Title 16 (Subdivision) and Title 17 (Land Use) and other applicable sections of this Code.

B. Prior to approving projects, the planning commission shall be required to make the necessary finding as outlined in state, county and local laws or ordinances.

C. The commission, by its secretary, shall keep and prepare minutes of all commission meetings.

D. The commission shall also determine reasonable rules for the attendance of its members, and shall notify the council when any member of the commission fails to abide by such rules.

(Ord. 96-269 § 2(part), 1996: Ord. 92-208 §§ 1, 2, 1992; Ord. 83-76 § 1, 1983: Ord. 11 § 8, 1981)

(Ord. No. 2021-493, § 4(Exh. 1), 6-7-2021)