Chapter 10.40
PLANNING BOARD
Sections:
10.40.010 Purpose.
10.40.020 Planning board.
10.40.030 Coordinated report – Citizens economic development commission.
10.40.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the creation of a planning board pursuant to Chapter 35A.63 RCW, and provide for its membership, organization, operation, and expenses. The planning board shall generally serve in an advisory capacity to the city in regional and local planning and specifically assist in the development of the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance and their successive review and amendment from time to time. The board shall have the additional duties specifically set forth in this chapter and such ad hoc duties as the city council may from time to time assign to it. [Ord. 2342, 1983; Ord. 2170 § 2, 1980].
10.40.020 Planning board.
A. Appointment. There is created the planning board, consisting of seven members. Each member shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council.
1. Members of the board must be residents of the city of Edmonds.
2. Although the city of Edmonds is not divided into political or geographical wards, it is the intent of this section that said board membership shall maintain a reasonable balance of geographical distribution throughout the city of Edmonds.
3. It is the intent of this section to maintain a diversified representation of occupations and experience on the planning board. To this end each appointee shall be considered for board membership according to his/her field of experience, among other factors.
4. An alternative member shall be appointed to serve in the event any regular member is absent or disqualified for any reason. In the event a regular member is absent or disqualified for any reason, the alternate shall have all the powers of a regular member, including the right to vote on board decisions. The alternate shall be subject to the same attendance requirements as regular board members. In the event that a regular position on the board shall be declared vacant, the alternate shall be deemed to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.
B. Term. In order to provide for continuity of membership, members shall be assigned a position number. The initial term of each position shall expire as set forth below, with subsequent terms being for four years each, and until the successor is appointed and confirmed:
Position One - 1982 Position Five - 1984
Position Two - 1982 Position Six - 1984
Position Three - 1983 Position Seven - 1985
Position Four - 1983 Alternate - 1985
C. Powers and Duties. The planning board shall serve in an advisory capacity to the mayor and the city council in the following matters:
1. The board shall advise on all amendments to the comprehensive plan contained in ECDC Title 15 (except fees). This includes reviewing all elements of the plan on a periodic basis and reporting to the mayor and city council on the need for changes in the plan. It also includes holding public hearings and making recommendations to the mayor and city council on proposed changes to the plan, to the text of the zoning regulations, and also to the zoning map in the case of rezones, as provided in ECDC Title 20. Review of and recommendations for the plan may be prepared as a whole or in successive parts.
2. The board shall advise the mayor and city council on all parking matters that involve an amendment or other modification to any city ordinance or code section within the jurisdiction of the board.
3. The board shall serve as an ongoing park board and advise the mayor and city council on all matters relating to the acquisition and development of all city parks and recreation facilities.
4. The board shall do research and investigation on specific projects assigned to it by the mayor and city council. The board will analyze data collected, arrange for public participation, and organize its findings. The board will then present its findings to the mayor and city council detailing a summary of pertinent data, public contribution, alternatives available, and may, if appropriate, recommend a course of action, giving reasons for such recommendation.
5. The board shall have such other powers and duties as contained in Chapter 35A.63 RCW, as may be amended from time to time, that are not otherwise specifically delegated to the hearing examiner or other specific staff or agency of the city.
D. Operation.
1. The city planning division shall provide regular staff services to the planning board. Other city departments shall provide staff services as requested by the planning board.
2. The city council shall establish an annual budget for planning board operations for services in addition to regular staff services. Should the planning board and planning staff determine that a particular project requires services in addition to those normally provided by the city staff, then an estimate of needs detailing the type of assistance and funding required shall be presented to the city council for approval before that project is undertaken.
3. Four members of the board shall be the minimum number necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided, that the vote of not less than three members shall be necessary to take action on any particular item before it.
4. The board shall hold regular meetings on the second and/or fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Edmonds city council chambers. Cancellation of a regular meeting, or a different location for a regular meeting, shall be announced at the last regular meeting preceding the affected meeting, if possible, otherwise the change will be advertised in the regular manner.
5. The city council shall meet periodically with the planning board at a city council meeting in order to review and update planning board agendas. The intent of this section is to stimulate continuing communication between mayor, city council and the planning board in an effort to identify and solve the problems facing the city of Edmonds. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the manner in which items are placed on a planning board agenda nor the topics that may be considered by the planning board.
6. The board shall adopt rules of procedure and rules governing election and duties of officers of the board; provided, however, said rules shall pertain only to the internal procedures of the members and said rules and procedures may be questioned only by members of the board and do not give standing to question said procedures to nonmembers or other parties. [Ord. 3421 § 1, 2002; Ord. 3094 § 1, 1996; Ord. 2659, 1988; Ord. 2656 § 4, 1988; Ord. 2433, 1984; Ord. 2342, 1983; Ord. 2196 § 1, 1981; Ord. 2170 § 3, 1980].
10.40.030 Coordinated report – Citizens economic development commission.1
In addition to its other duties, the planning board shall review and consider strategies for economic development in conjunction with the citizens economic development commission. Such strategies shall be designed to improve commercial viability, tourism development and activity within the city of Edmonds. The planning board and citizens economic development commission shall report to the city council on or about its first meeting in December 2009 regarding its joint recommendations. This duty shall sunset on December 31, 2010. [Ord. 3735 § 2, 2009].
The provisions in the ordinance codified in this section shall automatically expire and sunset on December 31, 2010, unless sooner repealed or amended by act of the Edmonds city council.