The Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council, shall appoint a Planning and Zoning Commission consisting of five members, plus one alternate, one of whom may be a member of the Town Council, who shall serve concurrent with his/her Town Council term.

The terms of members who are not also members of the Town Council shall be three years, or until their successors are appointed. Appointed members shall live, work, be a property owner, or be a business owner within the Town limits of Leonardtown.

Any member of the Planning and Zoning Commission may be removed from office by the Town Council for neglect of duties, malfeasance, physical incapacity or a change of residence or work location such that the person no longer lives or works within the Town limits. Neglect of duties shall include failure to attend at least 75% of the Planning and Zoning Commission's regularly scheduled meetings during any twelve-month period. If the Town Council removes any member of the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to the expiration of his/her appointed term, the reasons for the removal shall be issued in a written report to the member removed.

If a member is removed or resigns from the Commission prior to the expiration of his/her term of office, the Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council, shall appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of the term.

The Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council, shall appoint a Chair and Vice Chair from its appointed membership. Terms shall be for one year with eligibility for reappointment.

The Commission shall meet at least once each month. However, if there is insufficient business in any month, the Chair may cancel the meeting. Three members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. If neither the Chair nor Vice-Chair is present at a meeting, the remaining members shall elect a temporary Chair for that particular meeting.

The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a record of its recommendations, decisions, findings and determinations, which record shall be a public record.

Final approval authority on subdivision of land and site plans. Any appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission's decision may only be taken to the Circuit Court of St. Mary's County, Maryland.

Waivers, modifications. The Planning and Zoning Commission may waive or modify provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations,[1] Road Ordinance[2] or any other ordinances over which it has authority, on a case-by-case basis. The Commission may allow waivers or modifications only when it finds that such waiver or modification of a standard does not harm the environment or violate the spirit of Leonardtown's Development Regulations.

Approval authority on interpretation of the Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Ordinance, Road Ordinance, Stormwater Management Regulations; exterior architectural plans. Any appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission's decision must be taken to the Town Council. Appeals of the Town Council's decisions may only be taken to the Circuit Court of St Mary's County, Maryland.

Recommendation to the Town Council required. Rules and regulations governing the development of land within the Town can only be adopted or modified by the Town Council. However, prior to final action by the Town Council, the Planning Commission must review and make recommendations to the Council on any adoption or amendment to the following: