Chapter 17.76
PLANNING COMMISSION

Sections:

17.76.010    Created – Membership – Appointment – Tenure – Compensation.

17.76.020    Organization – Meetings – Rules and records.

17.76.030    Quorum.

17.76.040    Powers and duties – Statutory authority.

17.76.050    Powers and duties – Designated.

17.76.060    Recommendations to city council.

17.76.070    Appeal to city council.

17.76.010 Created – Membership – Appointment – Tenure – Compensation.

Pursuant to authority conferred by chapter 35.63 RCW, there is created a planning commission. The commission shall consist of seven in number, who shall be selected as follows:

A. The seven members shall be selected and appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council.

B. The term of office of the seven commissioners first appointed shall be designated from one to six years in such manner as to provide that the fewest possible terms will expire in any one year. Thereafter the term of office for each appointed member shall be six years. The terms of the first seven members appointed shall be fixed and designated by the mayor at the time of the appointment.

C. Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term.

D. The members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations and they shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 1221 § 11, 1992).

17.76.020 Organization – Meetings – Rules and records.

The commission shall elect its own chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine it requires. The commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month for not less than nine months in each year. It shall adopt rules for transaction of business and shall keep a written record of its meetings, regulations, transactions, findings and determinations, which records shall be a public record. (Ord. 1221 § 11, 1992).

17.76.030 Quorum.

A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present at any regular or special meeting of the commission shall be taken as the action of the commission. (Ord. 1221 § 11, 1992).

17.76.040 Powers and duties – Statutory authority.

The planning commission shall have the powers and perform the duties specified in chapter 35.63 RCW, including amendments enacted after the effective date of the ordinance. (Ord. 1221 § 11, 1992).

17.76.050 Powers and duties – Designated.

A. The commission may act as the research and fact finding agency of the municipality. To that end it may make such surveys, analyses, researches and reports as are generally authorized or requested by the council.

B. The commission shall review proposed development projects for compliance with ordinances and plans for the physical development of the city, in such measure as is reasonably necessary or requisite in the interest of the general public and as further specified in the zoning and subdivision codes.

C. The commission shall make recommendations to the council on adopting zoning and subdivision ordinances.

D. The commission shall make recommendations to the council on the adoption of a comprehensive plan and amendments to the plan.

E. The commission shall make recommendations to the council as specified in BMC 17.76.060. (Ord. 1221 § 11, 1992).

17.76.060 Recommendations to city council.

A. The city council shall refer to the planning commission for its recommendation and report on:

1. Any proposed full subdivisions within the city’s boundaries or proposed additions;

2. Any proposed rezone or contract rezone within the city’s boundaries or proposed additions;

3. All recommendations as required by the city zoning ordinance;

4. Adoption of the comprehensive plan and any amendments to the plan.

B. The commission shall make its written recommendation within 30 days subsequent to the date it has completed its public hearing or public meeting as required by ordinance. (Ord. 1221 § 11, 1992).

17.76.070 Appeal to city council.

In the event any interested party is aggrieved by any decision of the planning commission, said interested party may apply to the Burlington city council to review the planning commission decision. Said request for review shall be made to the city planning director within 15 days of the issuance of the planning commission’s written decision and transmittal of said written decision to all interested parties entitled thereto. Said application shall specify the name, address and telephone number of the interested party, the nature of the interested party’s interest in the planning commission decision, and shall specifically describe the decision from which the appeal is taken. Upon receipt of such application or upon the city council’s own motion, a public hearing regarding the subject matter of the planning commission decision shall be held pursuant to the procedures for city council hearings adopted by administrative rule. If, after conducting said public hearing, the city council determines that a change is necessary in the planning commission’s decision, the council may affirm, modify or disaffirm the planning commission’s decision. (Ord. 1291 § 1, 1995).