Selma Municipal Code Ch. 1 Planning Commission

Pursuant to an act of the legislature of the state of California, entitled "planning act of 1929", page 1805 and acts amendatory thereto, a planning commission is hereby established for the city, and such commission shall have all the duties and powers defined in said act and amendments thereto and as may be prescribed by other state acts or by this code 1

. (Ord. 496, 3-4-1957)

The planning commission shall consist of seven (7) members to be appointed by the city council. The planning director shall provide technical assistance and serve as secretary to the commission; the city attorney, city manager, and city engineer shall be available for consultation and technical support as needed.

Vacancies for any unexpired term shall be filled by appointment of the city council for the portion of the unexpired term only. Appointments for a new term of office shall be for four (4) years and shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30.

The compensation of each member of the planning commission is hereby fixed at the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting for which the commission member is in attendance. Compensation may be hereafter set by resolution of the city council.

The two (2) most senior members of the planning commission, who do not serve as regular members of the personnel commission, shall serve as the two (2) alternate members of the personnel commission, and shall attend meetings as set forth in Section 2-2-3 of this code. (Ord. 2009-5, 6-1-2009; amd. Ord. 2019-3, 7-15-2019)

(A) The planning commission shall meet at least once a month at such times and places as it may fix by resolution. The commission shall select from its members a chairman and vice chairman who shall serve for one year or until their successors are appointed. In case of the absence of the chairman and vice chairman, the commission shall select a chairman pro tempore.

(B) Special meetings may be called at any time by the chairman or by two (2) members and by written notice served upon each member of the commission at least twenty four (24) hours before the time specified for the proposed meeting. (Ord. 91-10, 9-16-1991)

(C) Four (4) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A five (5) member vote of the commission shall constitute a super majority for those decisions, which by state law requires a super majority. The commission shall cause a proper record to be kept of its proceedings. The community development director shall serve as secretary to the commission. (Ord. 2004-10, 9-7-2004)

The planning commission shall have power, except as otherwise provided by law:

(A) To recommend to the proper officers of the city plans for the regulation of the future growth, development, and beautification of the city in respect to public and private buildings and works, streets, parks, grounds and vacant lots.

(B) To recommend to the proper officers of the city plans consistent with the future growth and development of the city in order to secure to the city and its inhabitants sanitation, proper services of all public utilities and transportation facilities.

(C) To make recommendations to any public authorities or any corporation or individuals of the city with reference to the location of any proposed buildings, structures or work.

(D) To recommend to the proper officers of the city the approval or disapproval of maps or plats of subdivision of lands; however, such maps or plats shall, prior to their final approval or disapproval by the proper officers, be submitted to the commission for its recommendation thereon.

(E) To do and perform any and all other acts and things necessary or proper to carry out the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 212, 12-4-1922)

The planning commission shall make or cause to be made, at the direction of the council, a map of the city or any portion thereof, including adjacent territory lying outside the corporate limits, showing the streets, highways or other natural or artificial features therein; also, the location or relocation proposed for any new public buildings, civic centers, streets, parkways, boulevards, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds or improvements; also any proposed widening, extension, closing or relocation of any street, or any change in the plan of the city that it may deem advisable. The commission may at its discretion, propose such maps and plans as herein set forth for the purpose of making recommendations in connection therewith to the proper officers of the city having charge, superintendence or control of the matters set forth in the recommendations. It shall make suggestions to the council from time to time concerning any of the foregoing matters for action by the council thereon, having due regard for the present conditions and future needs and growth of the city, including the distribution and relative location of public buildings, grounds and open spaces devoted to public use; also the planning and laying out for urban users of private grounds brought into the market from time to time and the division of the city into zones or districts for the purpose of conserving and protecting the public health, comfort and convenience. (Ord. 212, 12-4-1922)

Any officer or department whose duty it is to prepare ordinances or resolutions relating to the location of any public building, or location, extension, widening, enlargement, ornamentation, or parking of any street, alley, parkway, park, playground or other public ground or to the location of any street, or other alteration of the city plan of streets and highways, or the location of any bridge, tunnel, subway, or any surface, underground or elevated railway or public utility or ordinance relating to housing, building restrictions, building conditions or zones, shall, prior to the submission to the council, give notice to the commission of the pendency before the officer or department of the proceedings, with reasons and need of the foregoing matters. (Ord. 212, 12-4-1922)

The council may in making the annual tax levy, and as a part thereof, levy and collect a tax for the purpose of defraying the lawful expenses incurred by the planning commission, not exceeding two (2) mills on the dollar of assessed valuation; provided, however, that no expense of any kind shall be incurred by the commission unless first authorized and approved by the council. (Ord. 212, 12-4-1922)

Members of the commission shall be residents of this city, "provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to current terms of members of the commission". (Ord. 825, 4-20-1981)