The Council hereby undertakes to carry on comprehensive study and planning as a continuing guide for land use and development legislation within the city. For this purpose, the Council has adopted a Comprehensive Guide Plan for the city, and designates an advisory planning agency to aid in the planning.

(1989 Code, § 11.05) (Ord. 129, eff. 4-24-1976)

   A Planning Commission composed of seven members is hereby established and continued as a planning agency advisory to the Council. Any vacancy in an office of Planning Commissioner, by expiration of his or her term, resignation or removal shall be filled by appointment of the Mayor and confirmed by a majority vote of the Council. Upon appointment, each Commissioner shall serve for a term of two years or until a successor has been appointed. Each Commissioner shall be a resident of the city and shall subscribe to the appropriate oath of office. No Commissioner shall take part in the consideration of any matter wherein he or she is the applicant, petitioner or appellant, nor in the consideration of any application, petition or appeal wherein his or her interest might reasonably be expected to affect his or her impartiality. The Planning Commission shall annually elect its Chairperson and by majority vote may adopt rules of parliamentary procedure for the conduct of the Commission meetings. The meetings of the Commission shall be held at least once a month and shall be open to the public. The City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer shall serve as Secretary to the Planning Commission and in that capacity shall prepare the minutes of the meetings of the Commission and shall maintain the files and records of same.

(1989 Code, § 11.10)

   (A)   Planning.

      (1)   Comprehensive planning.

         (a)   The Commission shall, from time to time, upon its own motion or upon direction of the Council, review the Comprehensive Plan and by a majority vote of all members of the Commission recommend appropriate amendments to the Council.

         (b)   Before recommending any such amendments to the Council, the Commission shall hold at least one public hearing to consider the proposed amendment. The Secretary to the Commission shall publish notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing once in the official newspaper of the city at least ten days before the date of the hearing. Furthermore, the Secretary shall transmit copies of the proposed amendment to the Council prior to the publication of the notice of hearing.

         (c)   Following the review and recommendation by the Commission, the Council shall consider the proposed amendment and may, by resolution of a majority of its members, amend the Comprehensive Guide Plan.

      (2)   Coordination with other agencies. In the performance of its planning activities, the Commission shall consult with other departments and agencies of the city to ensure conformity with and to assist in a development of the Comprehensive Municipal Plan. Furthermore, the Commission shall take due cognizance of the planning activities of adjacent units of government and other affected public agencies.

   (B)   Platting. Before dividing any tract of land into two or more lots or parcels, an owner or subdivider shall, unless a variance is authorized, proceed under the provisions of the subdivision regulations provisions of the city code, codified in Chapter 152.

   (C)   Rezoning applications. The Commission shall hear and review all applications for amendments to this zoning chapter, hereinafter referred to as planning and zoning applications. The Secretary of the Planning Commission shall maintain permanent files and records for each application to the Commission. The record for each application shall consist of a written application on a form provided by the city, the minutes of the Commission upon the hearing of the application and the written recommendation of the Planning Commission.

   (D)   Plan approval. Every person, before commencing the construction or major alteration of a structure (except single-family detached dwellings), shall submit information as set out herein.

   (E)   Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

      (1)   The Council shall serve as the Board of Adjustments and Appeals and shall hear applications for variances as provided for in this chapter.

      (2)   The rules of parliamentary procedure governing the conduct of Planning Commission meetings shall also govern the conduct of the meetings of the Council when acting as the Board of Adjustments and Appeals. The Secretary of the Planning Commission shall maintain permanent files and records for each application, petition or appeal to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals and shall place in the file the record pertaining to each proceeding which shall consist of the written application, petition or appeal; a copy of the minutes of the hearing of the Board; and a copy of the written recommendation of the Board.

(1989 Code, § 11.11)