(a)

There is hereby created and established for the city a zoning commission to be composed of five members. The present members of the existing zoning commission shall serve until the expiration of their present terms of office, unless sooner replaced as herein provided. The members shall:

• Be resident citizens or Lytle taxpayers;

• Have resided in the city for one year or have been Lytle taxpayers for one year prior to appointment; and

• During their term, continue to be Lytle residents or Lytle taxpayers.

The city council will consider for appointment to the commission only those persons who have demonstrated their civic interest, general knowledge of the community, ability to work with others, independent judgment, interest in the planning and development of the city, and availability to prepare for and attend meetings.

(b)

Commission members shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties when approved by the city council.

(c)

Each member position on the zoning commission shall be aligned with a city council district. The city council member elected to the city council place corresponding to the commission member's number shall be responsible for nominating a person to serve in such place on the commission. The nomination by a particular council member shall be subject to approval of a majority of the city council, so that the composite board shall be appointed by the city council. The appointment shall be for two-year terms unless sooner replaced as herein provided.

(d)

If a board member is absent for three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings, or if a board member is absent for 25 percent of the regularly scheduled meetings within a 12-month period, the position shall be declared vacant. In accordance with the appointment procedure, the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the city council within 30 days after the vacancy occurs.

(e)

Members shall serve at the pleasure of city council. Any member of the zoning commission may be removed from office at any time by a majority vote of the city council without any reason given therefor.

(Code 1978, §§ 20.1500, 20.1501; Ord. No. 422, § 1, 11-12-2019)

The zoning commission shall elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary from its membership. It shall provide for its own rules of procedure, consistent with the provisions of Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 1011f. It shall have all of those duties and powers with respect to zoning provided by state law and this Code.

(Code 1978, § 20.1502)

In addition to its advisory zoning powers under established law, such zoning commission shall be charged with the following duties:

(1)

To review all preliminary subdivision plats or replats (and final plats or replats at the special request of the city council) and make prompt recommendations with respect thereto in writing to the city council. In the performance of this function, the commission shall meet privately, informally and speedily and solely as an aid to the city council in its performance of the power conferred on the city council by Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 974a.

(2)

To make and recommend for adoption a master plan, as a whole or in parts, as a guide to the future development and redevelopment of the city, and to exercise its functions both as a zoning commission and in connection with the review of subdivision plats or replats in the light of such master plan, as well as in the light of the city's comprehensive zoning ordinance and good planning practice.

(Code 1978, § 20.1503)

(a)

No application for the rezoning of any lot, lots or block of land situated in the city shall be received or filed with the zoning commission of the city and no hearing had thereon, if, within six months prior thereto, an application was received or filed on the same lot, lots or block of land. This time restriction shall apply whether said zoning application is withdrawn before or after action by the zoning commission and whether or not final hearing and action has been taken by the city council. This time shall not apply if the city has initiated the prior application.

(b)

This article confers additional rights on the property owners in the city and therefore shall be retroactive.

(Code 1978, § 20.1504; Ord. No. 119, 2-10-1987)

No vacant land shall be occupied or used except for agricultural uses, until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the city.

(Code 1978, §§ 20.1700, 20.1701)

No premises shall be used and no buildings hereafter erected or structurally altered shall be used, occupied or changed in use, until a certificate of occupancy and compliance shall have been issued.

(Code 1978, § 20.1702)

Certificates of occupancy and compliance shall be applied for coincident with the application for a building permit and shall be issued within ten days after the erection or structural alterations of such buildings shall have been completed in conformity with the provisions of these regulations. A record of all certificates shall be kept on file in the city offices.

(Code 1978, § 20.1703)

No permit for excavation for any building shall be issued before application has been made for a certificate of occupancy and compliance.

(Code 1978, § 20.1704)

A certificate of occupancy shall be required for all nonconforming uses. Application for a certificate of occupancy for nonconforming uses shall be filed within 12 months from the effective date of this Code with the city.

(Code 1978, § 20.1705)