Chowchilla Municipal Code Ch. 2.24 Planning Commission

The planning commission exists by virtue of the Government Code of the State of California section 65101 and the order of the city council of the City of Chowchilla. The commission will follow the Brown Act of the Government Code of the state of California for conducting all meetings, and Robert's Rules of Order will be utilized for guidance on procedure under the direction of the chair.

(Ord. 431-06 § 1 (part), 2006: prior code § 2-29)

(Ord. No. 502-20, § 1, 10-27-2020)

The planning commission shall consist of five members who must be residents of the city and who shall be appointed by the city council. Those applicants demonstrating the experience, knowledge, civic-mindedness and/or community involvement deemed by the city council to be of sufficient merit, and without direct financial conflict of interest, to best serve the interests of the commission/committee shall be given preference. Should applications be received that are insufficient to satisfy appointments meeting the preferred qualifications, the city council reserves the option to appoint members without regard to such preferred qualifications. Preferred qualifications are guidelines for the city council and not definitive or controlling as to final action on appointments by the city council.

All members of the planning commission shall serve without compensation.

(Ord. 431-06 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 338-82 § 3 (part), 1982)

(Ord. No. 502-20, § 2, 10-27-2020)

Upon appointment, members of the planning commission shall serve for a term of four years calculated from January 1 of the year of appointment, or until their successors are appointed. All vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms of the members whose office is vacant in the same manner as such members received original appointment. If a vacancy should occur other than by expiration of a term, it shall be filled by the city council's appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. The city administrator shall serve as an ex-officio ad hoc non-voting member with an unlimited term. The city administrator or designee shall attend each planning commission meeting; if the city administrator elects a designee to attend in his or her place, the city administrator's obligation to attend the planning commission meeting under Section 2.08.080 shall be satisfied by the attendance of designee.

Each January at its first meeting, the planning commission members shall elect from its membership a chair and vice chair. The officers shall hold office for the calendar year in which they are elected and until their successors are elected and sworn into office.

Planning commission members are expected to attend all scheduled meetings. The city council desires the benefit of the full planning commission's judgment. Whenever possible, members should notify the city administrator/city clerk or designated person within twenty-four hours of a scheduled meeting if unable to attend a meeting. If a member of the planning commission is absent without cause and does not meet the attendance requirements as specified, his/her position becomes vacant automatically. Members must not miss three consecutive regular meetings, or twenty-five percent of all meetings during the calendar year. The secretary for the planning commission shall immediately notify the city clerk's office of the attendance violation, who will report this information to the council. A planning commission member may be relieved of his/her responsibilities for lack of attendance by majority vote of the city council.

The planning commission shall hold regular meetings at least once each month. Meeting schedule, location, date and time shall be established and amended upon submission to and approval by the city council by resolution.

At least once each year, the planning commission shall meet jointly with the city council for the purpose of reviewing goals and visions of the city and the council, purpose and commitment of the commission, and address any issues of concern.

(Ord. 431-06 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 338-82 § 3 (part), 1982)

(Ord. No. 502-20, § 3, 10-27-2020)

The planning commission is to review matters related to planning and development, e.g., to consider land use matters such as zone changes, conditional use permits, variances, subdivisions and general plan amendments.

(Ord. 431-06 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 338-82 § 3 (part), 1982)

(Ord. No. 502-20, § 4, 10-27-2020)

A. It shall be one of the functions of the city planning commission to make and recommend a general plan for the development of the city and the city's sphere of influence in accordance with Government Code sections 65350, 65353, and 65354. Such plan may include maps showing the general location, character and extent of streets, waterways, waterfronts, playgrounds, parks, aviation fields and other public grounds, the location of public buildings and other public property, the location and extent of public utilities and terminals and the relocation, widening, narrowing or abandoning of public streets and grounds. The commission may from time to time amend such general plan.

B. In the preparation of such plan, the commission shall make a careful and comprehensive survey and study of the present conditions and future growth of the city, with due regard to its relation to neighboring territory, and having the general purpose of guiding and providing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the city and environs which will best promote public health, peace, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare, including adequate provision for traffic, adequate protection from fire and other dangers, good civic design and arrangement, and wise and efficient expenditure of public funds. The general plan, with the accompanying maps, diagrams, charts, descriptive matters and reports, shall include such of the following subject matter or portions thereof as are appropriate to the city, county or region and as may be made the basis for the physical development thereof, and may comprise any, all or any combination of the elements specified as follows:

1. Conservation Element. Such plan is for the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. Such element shall also cover the reclamation of land and waters, flood control, prevention and control of the pollution of streams and other waters, regulation of the use of land in stream channels and other areas required for the accomplishment of the conservation plans, prevention, control and correction of the erosion of soils, beaches and shores, and protection of watersheds;

2. Recreation Element. Such element shall show a comprehensive system of recreation areas, including natural reservations, parks, parkways, beaches, playgrounds and other recreation areas, including, when practicable, the location and proposed development thereof;

3. Circulation Element. Such element shall show the general locations and widths of a comprehensive system of major traffic thoroughfares and other traffic ways and authority and conditions of streets. Such element shall include the recommended treatment thereof, building line setbacks, and a system of naming or numbering and house numbering, with recommendations concerning proposed changes;

4. Transportation Element. Such element shall show a comprehensive transportation system, including locations of rights-of-way, terminals, viaducts and grade separations. Such element may also include aviation and related facilities;

5. Transit Element. Such element shall show a proposed system of transit lines, including rapid transit, streetcar, motor coach and trolley coach lines, and related facilities;

6. Public Services and Facilities Element. Such element shall show general plan for sewerage, drainage and utilities, and rights-of-way, easements and facilities therefor;

7. Public Buildings Element. Such element shall show locations and arrangements of civic centers and all other public buildings, including the architecture thereof, and the land and recommended patterns for community design and development;

8. Community Design Element. Such element shall provide standards and principles governing the subdivision of land and recommended patterns for community design and development;

9. Housing Element. Such element shall provide a survey of housing conditions and needs and plans and procedure for improvement of housing standards and for provision of adequate housing.

C. The commission may prepare and recommend, as part of the general plan, other and additional plans and reports dealing with such other subjects as may in its judgment relate to the physical development of the city, county or region, and nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the preparation and adoption of any such subject as a part of the general plan.

(Prior code § 2-34)

(Ord. No. 502-20, § 5, 10-27-2020)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 502-20, § 5, adopted Oct. 27, 2020, changed the title of § 2.24.060 from "Master or general plans—Development—Elements designated" to read as herein set out.

Before recommending a general plan or any part or amendment thereof, as provided in this chapter, the planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing thereof, notice of such hearing shall be pursuant to Government Code section 65090. The planning commission shall also refer the proposed action to entities and follow procedures as outlined in Government Code section 65352. The adoption of such plan or amendment thereof shall be by resolution of the commission carried by the affirmative votes of not less than four members thereof.

(Prior code § 2-35)

(Ord. No. 502-20, § 6, 10-27-2020)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 502-20, § 6, adopted Oct. 27, 2020, changed the title of § 2.24.070 from "Master or general plans—Public hearing required—Method of adoption" to read as herein set out.

Upon receipt of an attested copy of a general plan or any amendment thereof as recommended by the planning commission, the city council shall order a public hearing to be held thereon, with notice pursuant to Government Code section 65090. Upon or after such public hearing, the city council may approve, modify, or disapprove the planning commission's recommendations with majority vote of the total membership of the legislative body or else refer the general plan back to the planning commission if there is substantial modification suggested not previously considered by the planning commission pursuant to Government Code Section 65356.

(Prior code § 2-36)

(Ord. No. 502-20, § 7, 10-27-2020)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 502-20, § 7, adopted Oct. 27, 2020, changed the title of § 2.24.080 from "Master or general plans—City council hearing—Changes or amendments by council" to read as herein set out.

The city planning commission shall approve or disapprove all plats or proposed new subdivisions of land in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act and applicable state law and provisions of the city's zoning or development code. In case of disapproval, the reason therefor shall be stated in the records of the commission. Such plats shall comply with the law relating to the filing of maps of new subdivisions for the purpose of record, and also with the provision and requirements of said Chapters 1, 2 and 3, Title 7 of the Government Code Annotated.

(Prior code § 2-37)

(Ord. No. 502-20, § 8, 10-27-2020)