The planning and zoning commission of the city is hereby created.

(Code 1967, § 29-46; Code 1987, § 20-76; Ord. No. 453, § 1, 4-3-1963)

The planning and zoning commission shall consist of five members and one alternate, who shall be appointed by the city council. Any interested person may be appointed to the commission, but those who are city residents or business owners that own real property inside the city limits will receive special consideration. The mayor and city clerk shall serve as ex officio members of the commission. The alternate shall be present at all commission meetings. The alternate has the same powers as members, with the exception that the alternate is only able to vote if there is not a quorum of members present or if at least one member/officer is not in attendance at a commission meeting.

(Code 1967, § 29-47; Code 1987, § 20-77; Ord. No. 453, § 2, 4-3-1963; Ord. No. 874, § 2, 1-16-2007; Ord. No. 885, § 2, 7-10-2008; Ord. No. 902, § 2, 3-8-2011; Ord. No. 923, § 2, 3-12-2013)

The three-year terms of office for the appointive members of the planning and zoning commission shall begin to run from the date of such members' appointment.

(Code 1967, § 29-48; Code 1987, § 20-78; Ord. No. 453, § 2, 4-3-1963)

The planning and zoning commission shall have the power and shall be required to:

(1)

Amend, extend and add to the existing comprehensive plan for the physical development of the city;

(2)

Exercise control over the platting and subdividing of land within the city;

(3)

Recommend or disapprove proposed changes in the future land use map adopted in section 44-31;

(4)

Recommend or disapprove changes in the land use plan adopted by the city;

(5)

Make and adopt plans for the clearance and rebuilding of slum districts and blighted areas within the city;

(6)

Promote public interest in and understanding of the comprehensive plan and of planning, zoning and slum clearance.

(Code 1967, § 29-50; Code 1987, § 20-80; Ord. No. 460, § 12.03, 7-16-1963; Ord. No. 771, § 5, 4-8-1997)

The planning and zoning commission shall have the power to:

(1)

Require information which shall be furnished within a reasonable time from the other departments of the city government in relation to its work;

(2)

Confer with city planners and other consultants for such services as may be required and approved by the city council, within its budget appropriation;

(3)

Request additional assistance for special survey work of the zoning director;

(4)

Enter upon any lands in the performance of its functions and make examinations and surveys and place and maintain necessary monuments and markers thereon;

(5)

Make and adopt plans for the replanning, improvement and redevelopment of neighborhoods;

(6)

Make and adopt a plan for the replanning, reconstruction or redevelopment of any area or district which may be destroyed in whole or in part or seriously damaged by fire, earthquake, flood or other disaster;

(7)

To review requests for variances concerning the strict application of the Code relating to yard size, lot size and coverage, parking requirements, etc., but not uses specifically or impliedly prohibited. A variance may be granted by the city council only after the commission sets forth its findings regarding the basis for such variance. Special conditions may be attached to the granting of a variance.

(Code 1967, § 29-51; Code 1987, § 20-81; Ord. No. 460, § 12.03, 7-16-1963; Ord. No. 771, § 6, 4-8-1997)

The members of the planning and zoning commission shall meet as soon as practicable after all members are appointed. At its organizational meeting, the appointive members shall elect from among the members' number a chairperson and a vice-chairperson, who shall serve for such periods of time as may be prescribed by the commission.

(Code 1967, § 29-52; Code 1987, § 20-82; Ord. No. 453, § 3, 4-3-1963)

The city clerk may be selected as the clerk of the planning and zoning commission.

(Code 1967, § 29-53; Code 1987, § 20-83; Ord. No. 453, § 3, 4-3-1963)

The planning and zoning commission shall make and adopt its own rules of procedure, included in which shall be the time of regular meetings and the manner in which special meetings shall be called and held.

(Code 1967, § 29-54; Code 1987, § 20-84; Ord. No. 453, § 3, 4-3-1963)

All meetings of the planning and zoning commission shall be open to the public.

(Code 1967, § 29-55; Code 1987, § 20-85; Ord. No. 453, § 3, 4-3-1963)

Comprehensive minutes of each meeting of the planning and zoning commission shall be kept by the clerk of the commission.

(Code 1967, § 29-56; Code 1987, § 20-86; Ord. No. 453, § 3, 4-3-1963)

A quorum of the members of the planning and zoning commission for the transaction of business shall consist of not less than three appointed members.

(Code 1967, § 29-57; Code 1987, § 20-87; Ord. No. 453, § 3, 4-3-1963; Ord. No. 670, § 2, 4-4-1989)