In order to guide and accomplish a coordinated and harmonious development of the municipality which will, in accordance with existing and future needs, best promote the public health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development, the Batesburg-Leesville Planning Commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission, is hereby created and established as authorized by Act 487, South Carolina Acts of 1967, as amended.

(Ord. of xx-xx-xxxx)

The commission shall consist of nine (9) members to be appointed by Mayor and Town Council. The members shall serve staggered terms of four (4) years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Town Council who shall also have the authority to remove any member for cause, on written charges, after a public hearing. Members shall receive such compensation as determined by Council and may be reimbursed for actual expense incurred in connection with their official duties.

(Ord. of xx-xx-xxxx)

The Commission shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. The term of officers shall be one (1) year with eligibility for re-election. It shall appoint a secretary, who may be an officer or an employee of the Town Council or of the commission. The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a record of its recommendations, transactions, findings and determinations; and shall meet at the call of the chairperson and at such times as the chairperson or commission may determine. All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public except as otherwise permitted by state law and all records of the commission shall be a public record. The commission may appoint such employees and staff as it may deem necessary for its work and may make expenditures for salaries of any employee and staff, contracts with consultants, and for the purchase of required equipment and supplies. The expenditures of the commission, exclusive of gifts, shall be within the amounts appropriated for such purposes by the Town Council.

(Ord. of xx-xx-xxxx)

The Commission shall have such powers and duties as provided by law. In general, the commission shall have the power and responsibility to:

(1)

Prepare and revise periodically a comprehensive plan and program for the development of its jurisdiction.

(2)

Prepare and recommend for adoption to the appropriate governing authority or authorities as a means for implementing the plan and program:

a.

Zoning ordinances or resolutions, and maps and appropriate revisions thereof for its jurisdiction;

b.

Regulations for the subdivision of land and appropriate revisions thereof within its jurisdiction, and to administer the regulations that may be adopted;

c.

An official map and appropriate revision thereof showing the exact location of existing or proposed public building sites, together with regulations to control the erection of buildings or other structures or changes in land use within such rights-of-way, building sites or open spaces within its political jurisdiction or a specified portion thereof; and

d.

A capital program for its jurisdiction based on the comprehensive plan and the capital improvements necessary to implement the plan. The capital program shall include an annual capital budget based on estimates of the cost of proposed projects and the means of financing them. The Commission shall submit the capital program, including the budget, to the Town Council.

(3)

Establish principles and policies for guiding action in the development of the area.

(4)

Prepare and recommend to the Town Council for adoption ordinances promoting orderly development in accordance with the comprehensive plan, other than those previously mentioned.

(5)

Determine whether specific proposed developments conform to the principles and requirements of the comprehensive plan for the growth and improvement of the area.

(6)

Review and recommend to the Town Council any needed changes in the Zoning Ordinance and the map of the town, as well as other codes, ordinances, and controls related to the municipality's development.

(7)

Keeping the Town Council and the general public informed and advised as to these matters.

(Ord. of xx-xx-xxxx)