Chapter 2.105 — PLANNING COMMISSION

Pasadena Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · Pasadena

2.105.010 - Short title.¶

This chapter shall be known as the "Planning Commission Ordinance."

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

2.105.020 - Establishment.¶

There is created and established a commission of the city to be known as the "planning commission" and hereinafter called "commission."

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

2.105.030 - Membership—Appointment and terms.¶

The commission shall consist of 9 members, who shall be appointed as follows:

Each of the 7 councilmembers and the mayor shall nominate 1 member for a total of 8 members.

The mayor shall nominate the remaining 1 member from persons recommended by the 7 councilmembers.

All nominations are subject to ratification by the city council.

Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, and shall serve no more than 2 consecutive terms. A term of less than 1 year shall not be considered a full term. Terms expire on June 30th of the applicable years. A member shall continue in office for the term for which he/she was appointed or until his/her successor is appointed. No member who has served 2 consecutive terms shall be eligible for reappointment to the commission prior to the passage of a 2-year interval.

If a member ceases to reside in the city prior to the expiration of a term, the member may complete the term only upon approval by the city council pursuant to Section 2.45.020.

Any member of the commission may be removed by the city council at its pleasure.

(Ord. 6820 §§ 35, 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

2.105.040 - Qualifications.¶

All members shall be residents of the city; provided, however, that a person appointed by a councilmember need not reside in said councilmember's district.

Members should possess or be willing to acquire in-depth knowledge of the community, the operation and interrelationship of various community organizations and city departments.

Members should be familiar with the revised zoning code and the city's comprehensive general plan.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7378, § 34, 8-2-2021)

2.105.050 - Absences and vacancies.¶

In the event a member has 3 consecutive unexcused absences from meetings of the commission, the city council may declare the office of such member vacant. The staff to the committee shall advise the administrative assistant to the mayor of any such member with 3 consecutive unexcused absences. The chair of the commission may excuse absences.

Vacancies, whether scheduled or unscheduled, shall be filled by the person who nominated the member to the vacant office, or by his/her successor, in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.105.030.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7378, § 3, 8-2-2021)

2.105.060 - Election of officers.¶

At the first meeting of the commission, and thereafter at its first meeting of each subsequent year, the members shall elect a chair and a vice chair. In the absence or incapacity of the chair and vice chair, the commission may designate a temporary chair.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7378, § 4, 8-2-2021)

2.105.070 - Meetings—Records.¶

The commission shall meet at least once a month. All its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and shall be open to the public except as provided by law. Special meetings may be called by the chair or a majority of the commission.

A quorum shall be a majority of the commission seats filled by the city council. A seat is deemed to be filled after a nominee has been sworn in by the city clerk. No action of the commission shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least three members.

The commission shall keep a record, which shall be available for public inspection, of all of its resolutions, proceedings, and other actions.

(Ord. 6675 § 2 (part), 1996; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

2.105.080 - Rules and regulations.¶

The commission shall adopt and amend, by the affirmative vote of 5 members, rules and regulations for the conduct of the commission's business consistent with this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall be submitted to the city council and shall not become effective until approved and ordered filed by the council.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

2.105.090 - Annual report.¶

The commission shall submit an annual report and workplan to the city council no later than September 1st of each year. Attendance records of members shall be included as part of the annual report.

(Ord. 6930 § 15, 2003: Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

2.105.100 - Disclosure requirements.¶

Members of the commission shall be required to file annual statements of economic interest pursuant to the city's conflict of interest code.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

2.105.110 - Purpose and functions.¶

The purpose of the commission is to advise the council on the preparation and review of the general plan, as well as the adoption or implementation of programs under the plan, including the creation of districts and zones, modification to and

administration of zoning regulations, review of the capital improvements program, and review of other programs and projects which affect city development.

The commission's function is to:

Prepare and adopt a comprehensive long-term general plan for the physical development of the city and of any land outside its boundaries which, in the commission's judgment, bears relation to its planning. Such plan shall be known as the general plan and shall include elements as may be required by law and such additional elements which in the commission's judgment relate to the physical development of the city. The commission shall conduct an annual review of the general plan and make recommendation to the council regarding any necessary additions, deletions or amendments. A report on this review shall be included in the commission's annual report;

Recommend to the officers of the city reasonable and practical means for putting into effect the general plan or any part thereof in order that it will serve as a pattern and guide for the orderly physical growth and development of the city;

Consult with and advise public officials and agencies, public utility companies, civic, educational, professional and other organizations and citizens generally about carrying out the general plan;

Initiate, consider and make recommendations to the city council regarding each of the following matters:

The acquisition, establishment, opening, widening, narrowing, straightening, abandoning, vacating or sale of any public right-of-way, publicly owned open space, airport or heliport, public building site, or other public way, including proposed freeways, or other public property,

The location of any bridge, viaduct, subway, tunnel or elevated structure for the use of pedestrians or vehicular traffic or any public building,

The creation of districts or zones or the acquisition of property for off-street parking,

The creation of districts or zones, in accordance with the general plan, for the purpose of regulating the use of lands, density of population, the height, bulk, location or use of buildings therein, or the size of yards, open spaces or setbacks adjacent to buildings, or the changing, amending or altering of any such zones, districts or regulations;

Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Charter, ordinances of the city or state law.

No ordinance, order or resolution shall be adopted by the city council ordering or involving any of the matters enumerated in paragraphs 1 through 4 of this section unless and until such ordinance, order or resolution shall first have been submitted to the commission for report and recommendation. The commission shall report and make recommendation to the council upon the matter within the time specified by the council or, if not specified, in a timely manner. Upon request by the commission, additional time for report and recommendation may be granted by the council. If the commission does not report and recommend within the period specified by the council, or otherwise within a reasonable time, the council may thereafter proceed to act upon the matter without such report and recommendation after first making the finding that the commission failed to act within a reasonable time period. Zoning matters shall be governed by the provisions of Title 17, known as the revised zoning ordinance of the city of Pasadena.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

2.105.120 - Board of zoning appeals.¶

There shall be and there is created a board of zoning appeals composed of 5 members of the commission to be designated by the chairman. The board of zoning appeals shall have the power to hear appeals from decisions on applications for use permits, variances and exceptions in accordance with the provisions of the revised zoning ordinance of the city. The commission may prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the functions and duties of the board of zoning appeals. Three members shall constitute a quorum. No action taken shall be valid unless it receives the affirmative vote of 3 members of the board.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

2.105.125 - Compensation.¶

Notwithstanding Section 2.45.040, each member of the commission shall receive $50.00 for each meeting of the commission which he/she attends.

(Ord. 6268 § 3, 1988)

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