The planning and zoning commission shall be composed of five members. The members shall be resident citizens, taxpayers and qualified voters of the city, all [of] whom shall be appointed by the mayor and subject to confirmation by the city council. During the two years after the adoption of this article (ordinance adopted October 9, 2006), three members shall serve two-year terms and two members shall serve one-year terms. The mayor shall assign the length of the initial term for each member, subject to confirmation by the city council. After the initial terms are served, all new or returning members shall serve for a term of two-years, resulting in two-year staggered terms. All vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as provided for the original appointments. All expired terms shall be filled for terms as provided for the original appointments and in the same manner. Members of the commission may be removed by the mayor, with the consent of the city council, after public hearing and for cause assigned in writing. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation.

The planning and zoning commission shall have the power and it shall be its duty to make and recommend for adoption a master plan, as a whole or in parts, for the future development and redevelopment of the municipality and its environs and [it[ shall have [the] power and it shall be its duty to prepare a comprehensive plan and ordinance for zoning the city, in accordance with the Texas Local Government Code. The commission shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance or state law.

Zoning is the legal and administrative process whereby the city protects itself against indiscriminate land uses. The power to zone is conferred upon Texas cities to promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the public, and to protect and preserve places and areas of historical, cultural, or architectural importance and significance. When the owner of any property in the city wishes to use it in a manner that is prohibited by the current zoning, said owner or their representative must apply to request the zoning be changed. A filing fee in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be required for each change of zoning request, prior to the consideration of said request by the planning and zoning commission. The change of zoning request fee shall be nonrefundable.