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Leonard City Zoning Code

SECTION 35

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

§ 35.1 Organization and Appointment.

There is hereby created a Planning and Zoning Commission which shall be organized, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council and function as follows:
35.1.1. 
Membership:
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consist of five (5) members who are residents of the City of Leonard or its extraterritorial jurisdiction, however the majority shall be residents of the City of Leonard, each to serve for a term of two (2) years and removable for cause by the appointing authority upon written charges and after public hearing. Appointees shall fill positions which shall be designated by place numbers (e.g., place 1, place 2, etc.). Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of any member whose place becomes vacant for any cause in the same manner as the original appointment was made. The Mayor and City Council may appoint two (2) alternate members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, one from the City of Leonard and one from the extraterritorial jurisdiction, who shall serve in the absence of one or more of the regular members when requested to do so by the chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
35.1.2. 
Terms:
The terms of members filling places 1, 3, and 5 shall expire on June 30 of each odd-numbered year and the terms of members filling places 2 and 4 shall expire on June 30 of each even-numbered year. Commission members may be appointed by the City council to successive terms. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms, but no members shall be appointed for a term in excess of two (2) years. Newly appointed members shall be installed at the first regular commission meeting after their appointment.
35.1.3. 
Organization:
The commission shall hold an organizational meeting in July of each year. The commission shall meet on-call and shall designate the time and place of its meetings. The commission shall adopt its own rules of procedure and keep a record of its proceedings consistent when [with] the provisions of this ordinance and the requirements of law. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall elect a chairman from its own membership at its annual organizational meeting.
35.1.4. 
Quorum and Compensation:
A quorum for the conduct of business shall consist of three members and/or alternate members of commission. The Chairperson counts towards the establishment of a quorum but can only vote when necessary to break a tie. The members shall serve without compensation, except for reimbursement of authorized expenses attendant to the performance of their duties.
(Ordinance 091096 adopted 9/13/16)

§ 35.2 Duties and Authority.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is hereby charged with the duty and invested with the authority to:
35.2.1. 
Formulate and recommend to the City Council for its adoption a city plan for the orderly growth and development of the city and its environs and from time to time recommend such changes in the plan as it finds will facilitate the movement of people and goods, and the health, recreation, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the city.
35.2.2. 
Formulate a zoning plan as may be deemed best to carry out the goals of the city plan; hold public hearings and make recommendations to the City Council relating to the creation, amendment, and implementation of zoning regulations and districts as authorized under state law.
35.2.3. 
Exercise all powers of a commission as to approval or disapproval of plans, zoning requests, plats, or replats as authorized under state law.
35.2.4. 
Study and recommend the location, extension, and planning of public rights-of-way, parks, or other public places, and on the vacating or closing of same.
35.2.5. 
Study and make recommendations regarding the general design and location of public buildings, bridges, viaducts, street fixtures, and other structures and appurtenances.
35.2.6. 
Initiate, in the name of the city, proposals for the opening, vacating, or closing of public rights-of-way, parks, or other public places and for the change of zoning district boundaries on the area-wide basis.
35.2.7. 
Formulate and recommend to the City Council for its adoption policies and regulations consistent with the adopted city plan governing the location and/or operation of utilities, public facilities, and services owned or under the control of the city.
35.2.8. 
Make regular reports to the City Council. In lieu of specific written reports, the minutes of meetings can constitute reports to the City Council for purposes of considering zoning changes and other actions of the Commission. Annual reports shall be given each May summarizing is activities for the past year and a proposed work program for the coming year.
35.2.9. 
Hold public meetings and hearings as necessary in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.
(Ordinance 091096 adopted 9/13/16)