Coalinga Municipal Code Art. 1 Planning Commission

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Sections 2-3.101 through 2-3.104, codified Ordinance 186, as amended by Ordinance Nos. 312 and 577, effective February 2, 1991, repealed by Ordinance 700, effective February 20, 2005

There is created a Planning Commission of the City, which shall consist of five (5) members living within the corporate limits of the City. The compensation of the members of the Planning Commission shall be set by resolution of the Council.

(§ 2, Ord. 700, eff. February 20, 2005)

Members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the Council. Members shall be appointed for staggered terms, with each member's term to run for four (4) years or until his or her successor has been duly appointed by the Council. Any vacancy occurring on the Planning Commission by reason of death, resignation, removal or disqualification shall promptly be filled by the Council for the unexpired term of such member. The Council may remove any member of the Planning Commission for cause, upon written notice of such removal to the person or persons being removed. Absence of a member from more than three (3) regular meetings during any calendar year without the formal consent of the Planning Commission shall be deemed to constitute resignation of such member and the position shall be deemed vacant.

(§ 2, Ord. 700, eff. February 20, 2005)

(a) At the first regular meeting held in each calendar year, the Planning Commission members shall select from their number a chairman, vice-chairman and such officers and committees as they deem necessary in carrying out the functions of the Planning Commission for the purpose of conducting investigations, studies, surveys and other administrative and official duties as the members deem advisable.

(b) The Planning Commission shall adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of business before the Planning Commission as deem appropriate which rules and regulations may be amended at any time by the Planning Commission at any of its regular meetings. Planning Commission rules and regulations, including amendments, must be given final approval by the Council before they are effective. Meetings shall be noticed and held in accordance with law, including the Ralph M. Brown Act, as amended (Government Code Sections 54950 et seq. Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Minutes shall be taken at the Planning Commission meetings. Reports of official acts of the Planning Commission shall be recorded in the minutes and shall indicate how each member of the Commission voted.

(§ 2, Ord. 700, eff. February 20, 2005)

The Planning Commission shall have the following powers, duties and functions:

(a) The Planning Commission shall have the duty to prepare, periodically review and revise in accordance with the State Planning and Zoning Law (Government Code Sections 65000 et seq.), subject to approval by the Council, a general plan for the physical development of the municipality, including areas outside the boundaries of the City within the City's sphere of influence or, to the extent permitted by law, other areas outside of City boundaries which in the Planning Commission's judgment bear relation to planning of the municipality. The general plan, with accompanying maps, plats, charts, goals, objectives, policies, and other descriptive and explanatory matter, shall show the Planning Commission's recommendations for the physical development, and shall include among other things the following components and elements: land use element, circulation element, housing element, conservation element, open space element, noise element, safety element, recreation and such other elements required by law from time to time or deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission and the Council. In preparation of the general plan, the Planning 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 relationship 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 the 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 Planning Commission may from time to time prepare and recommend to the Council amendments, extensions or additions to the general plan, and may carry any part into greater detail as provided in the State Planning and Zoning Law.

(b) The Planning Commission shall have the duty make, adopt and recommend to the City Council, in accordance with the State Planning and Zoning Law and City Zoning Law (Chapter 2 of Title 9 of the Coalinga Municipal Code) a zoning plan including the text of zoning ordinances, amendments to zoning ordinances and maps representing the Planning Commission's recommendations for the regulation by districts or zones the location, height, number of stories, size of buildings and other structures; the percentage of the lot which may be occupied; building setbacks; the size of front yards, side yards, rear yards, courts, landscape areas and other spaces; the density and distribution of the population; and the location and use of buildings and structures for industrial, commercial, residential development; the location of public parks, preservation of open space or any other purpose to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community.

(c) The Planning Commission shall have the duty, after holding at least one public hearing, to make and recommend for adoption by the Council an ordinance governing and regulating the subdividing of land, and amendments to such ordinance from time to time.

(d) The Planning Commission shall have the power to prepare additional plans and reports dealing with such other subjects as may be requested by the Council or as may, in the Planning Commission's judgment, relate to the physical development of the City, county or region.

The foregoing list of functions and duties of the Planning Commission shall not be construed as all inclusive. The Planning Commission shall have such additional powers and duties, and shall perform such additional functions, as are duly authorized or designated for a Planning Commission under the State Planning and Zoning Law or other laws of the State, under the City Zoning Law, or established by ordinance or resolution of the Council.

(§ 2, Ord. 700, eff. February 20, 2005)

The Council may adopt, reject, modify or accept in part the recommendations of the Planning Commission by majority vote of the members of the Council, except where applicable law requires a greater vote.

(§ 2, Ord. 700, eff. February 20, 2005)

The Planning Commission, its members and City staff, in the performance of their official functions, may enter upon any land at reasonable times to make examinations, inspections and surveys, provided such entry is in accordance with law and such entry, examinations, inspections and surveys do not interfere with use of the land by persons lawfully entitled to the possession thereof.

(§ 2, Ord. 700, eff. February 20, 2005)

If any section, subsection, sentence or clause or phrase of this article is, for any reason held to be unconstitutional, void or unlawful, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this article.

(§ 2, Ord. 700, eff. February 20, 2005)