This is the legal legislative body of the city and, as such, the only body which can adopt or amend ordinances including the ordinance codified in this title. Therefore, it shall be the city council, hereinafter referred to as "council," which hears and passes on applications for amendments, zone changes, conditional use permits, variances and appeals of administrative decisions. The council shall also appoint the planning agency members.

(Ord. 635(part), 1984)

Powers and Duties. The planning agency shall have the authority to conduct public meetings, limited public hearings, and prepare a record thereof, and enter written findings and conclusions, recommendations or decisions specified in this title, the standards set forth in the various land use regulatory codes of the city, or any other applicable program adopted by the city council. The planning agency shall have the power to prescribe rules and regulations concerning procedures for hearings and meetings authorized herein, subject to confirmation of the city council; to issue summons for and compel the appearance of witnesses and to administer oaths and to preserve order. The privilege of cross examination of witnesses shall be accorded all interested parties or their counsel in accordance with rules of the planning agency. The planning agency shall hear and make recommendations to the city council pursuant to Section 17.04.050.1, and, any other matter designated by this code or other city ordinances.

(Ord. 740 §1, 1993: Ord. 635(part), 1984)

The city administrator, referred to herein as the "administrator," shall, as chair of the planning agency, administer and enforce the provisions of this title. It shall be the duty of the administrator to coordinate the administration of this title with present and future planning document having jurisdiction in the city and to see that all structures conform to all provisions of this title. The administrator, the planning agency, and all authorized representatives are empowered to cause any structure or tract of land to be inspected and examined, and to order in writing the remedying of any condition found to exist in violation of any provisions of this title in accordance with the violations and enforcement elements of this title. The administrator and planning agency shall have all powers conferred by this title, and all other ordinances of the city, in order to perform official functions.

It shall be the further duty of the administrator as chief of staff to be certain that no structure is erected, moved, structurally altered or demolished unless a building permit has been obtained under procedures provided in Chapter 17.36.

(Ord. 740 §2, 1993: Ord. 635(part), 1984)

The city attorney shall be the official to act on behalf of the city council to use whatever legal means are necessary to deal with violations of this title. The city attorney shall also advise the agency and the council concerning the legal application of this title, and shall advise the administrator and/or agency, upon request, on interpretation of the terms of this title.

(Ord. 740 §3, 1993: Ord. 635(part), 1984)

A written request for interpretation of any portion of the title, use or nonuse, the zoning map, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this title shall be submitted to the planning agency secretary. Each request shall set forth the specific provision or provisions to be interpreted and the facts of the specific situation giving rise to the request for an interpretation. No fee shall be required.

Nothing in this provision of this title shall impair the administrator to make independent interpretations of the city land use regulations in the normal course of duties.

Rulings and interpretations of the administrator and/or planning agency are subject to appeal to the city council.

(Ord. 740 §4, 1993)

The planning agency may hold joint meetings with one or more city or county planning agencies and/or commissions in any combination. The planning agency of the city of Mabton, subject to the approval of the mayor and ratification of the city council, may enter into cooperative arrangements with one or more municipalities and with any regional planning council for jointly engaging a planning director and such other employees as required to operate a joint planning staff.

(Ord. 740 §5, 1993)