Pursuant to § 7-718 of the Village Law, there is hereby established in the Village of Dobbs Ferry a Planning Board which shall consist of five members. All members of the Planning Board shall be residents of the Village. The members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. All members, including alternate members, shall comply with all other requirements of all applicable laws, including training requirements.

The Mayor shall nominate one of the members of the Planning Board to serve as Chairperson, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.

The members of the existing Planning Board in office at the time this chapter takes effect shall continue in office until the end of the terms for which they were appointed. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of five years. The terms of Planning Board members shall always be staggered in such manner as to provide that one member's term expires each year in accordance with the provisions of § 7-718 of New York State Village Law.

The Mayor shall appoint at least one but no more than two alternate Planning Board members, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The terms of the alternate members shall be three years, and no alternate member shall be appointed in the same year as another alternate member, except to fill the unexpired term of a vacancy. The Chairperson of the Planning Board may designate an alternate member to substitute for a regular member when such member is absent or unable to participate because of a conflict of interest on an application or matter before the Planning Board. Any alternate members shall attend all meetings of the Planning Board, shall sit with the regular members during the review of matters before the Board, and shall participate in all actions of the Board up to, but not including, voting on motions, resolutions and actions, unless they are substituting for a regular member.

If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of a term, the Mayor shall appoint a new member for the unexpired term.

To the extent that the provisions of this section are inconsistent with the provisions of the Village Law at § 7-718, the Board of Trustees hereby declares its intent to supersede the provisions of the Village Law pursuant to § 10 et seq. of the Municipal Home Rule Law.

To adopt rules and regulations for its operation and to follow said rules and regulations in the conduct of its official business.

To review and recommend changes to the Vision Plan adopted by the Board of Trustees pursuant to § 7-722 of the Village Law of the State of New York.

To review and recommend proposed amendments to this chapter.

To hear and decide requests for preliminary and final subdivision approval pursuant to Article XIV of this chapter.

To hear and provide recommendations and/or approvals with regard to applications for site plan approval pursuant to Article XII of this chapter.

To hear and decide requests for special permits.

To hear and decide applications for demolition permits, except with regard to historic landmarks, scenic landmarks, or contributing properties within an historic district.

To review development applications for compliance with SEQRA.

To review development applications for compliance with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan.

To refer applications to the Board of Trustees, Zoning Board of Appeals, Architectural and Historic Review Board, and Conservation Advisory Board as required by the provisions of this chapter.

Upon the granting of an approval or making a recommendation, to impose such reasonable conditions and restrictions as are intended to promote the objectives of SEQRA, the Vision Plan, the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, or other relevant law or officially adopted local or regional plan, and as are directly related to and incidental to the proposed use of the property.

To retain, as necessary, counsel, clerks, a secretary and experts, including but not limited to engineers, architects, landscape architects, historic preservationists and planners, to assist it in the conduct of its official business, which shall be paid for by the applicant in accordance with Article XVI.

To submit a report to the Board of Trustees on any matter or class of matters referred to the Planning Board by the Board of Trustees for review and recommendation before final action is taken by the Board of Trustees or other office or officer of the Village having final authority over said matter. The Board of Trustees may stipulate that final action shall not be taken until the Planning Board has submitted its report thereon or has had a reasonable time to submit the report.

To recommend to the Board of Trustees new or modified regulations relating to any subject matter over which the Planning Board has jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter.

To maintain and make available minutes of all of its meetings in accordance with Article 7 of the Public Officers Law and to comply with all applicable public notice and hearing requirements specified in this chapter.

To perform such other tasks as may be necessary in the carrying out of the above powers and duties.