Sebastopol Municipal Code Ch. 2.24 Planning Commission

A Planning Commission is hereby created and established. The term “Commission” as used herein shall mean and refer to such Planning Commission. (Ord. 1141, 2022)

A. The Commission shall consist of five members.

B. The members of the Commission shall be from among residents of the City of Sebastopol or shall be the owner of a business within the City of Sebastopol and a resident of one of the following school districts: Twin Hills, Sebastopol Union, and Gravenstein Union, and up to one person who is not in one of the above categories, but who is a resident of the area served by one of the following school districts: Twin Hills, Sebastopol Union, and Gravenstein Union, may also be appointed. Members shall be appointed by a majority of the members of the City Council. A majority of the members the Planning Commission shall be residents from within the City limits at all times.

C. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council, and may be terminated without cause, by a majority of the City Council.

D. Members shall not serve for more than four years unless reappointed by the City Council.

E. In the event new Commissioners are appointed by reason of any increase in the number of the Commission, they shall serve for such period of time as to provide for as close to equal a number of Commissioners being selected each year as possible.

F. Final determination of the length of the term of new members shall be determined by the City Council.

G. All terms of office shall commence on January 1st of the year of appointment, or as soon thereafter as apportionment is made. (Ord. 1141, 2022)

Any member of the Commission who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Commission shall be considered automatically removed and a vacancy shall be deemed to have occurred unless a showing of good cause is presented to the City Council. The City Council shall be the sole judge as to whether or not good cause is shown. (Ord. 1141, 2022)

The Commission shall meet at regular stated times and places and all meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public as required by law. The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and for the proper conduct of its meetings and the discharge of its powers and duties. In the event of a lack of quorum at any regular or adjourned meeting, the Commission may act as “a committee of the whole” and hear any matters before the Commission. No action may be taken, but recommendations may be made to the next regular or adjourned meeting of the Commission. (Ord. 1141, 2022)

The Commission shall elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman from among the appointed members who shall serve for a term of one year. (Ord. 1141, 2022)

A quorum at any regular or special meeting of the Commission shall consist of a majority of the members of the Commission. No action of the Commission shall be valid without the affirmative vote of three members of the Commission. (Ord. 1141, 2022)

The Commission shall have the following duties:

A. To recommend special studies and amendments to the General Plan.

B. To perform such duties and functions as prescribed by law.

C. To perform such other functions and duties with respect to zoning and other matters as prescribed by City ordinance or as may be directed by the City Council.

D. To act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on public park regulatory issues, improvement needs, and on public park development projects; and to serve as a forum for members of the public to voice their comments regarding such matters. (Ord. 1141, 2022)

The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation except such expenses as are authorized by law and the City Council. (Ord. 1141, 2022)

During the continuation of the effectiveness of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall govern. If there is any conflict between the provisions of this chapter and any provisions of the Sebastopol Municipal Code, or any City ordinance, resolution or policy, the provisions of this chapter shall control. If there are any conflicts between the provisions of this chapter and any provisions of State or Federal law in effect during the same time as this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall be null and void. (Ord. 1141, 2022)