The Planning Commission ("Commission") of the City of New Hope is established in accordance with Title 11, Chapter 52 of the Code of Alabama (1975), as amended. The Planning Commission shall exercise the authority granted by the Code of Alabama, and the Zoning Ordinance.

The Planning Commission shall have the following powers and duties under the Zoning Ordinance:

A.

To make and adopt a Comprehensive Master Plan for the physical development of the City, and from time to time to amend, extend, revise, or add to the plan, in accordance with Alabama Code § 11-52-1 (1975) et seq.

B.

To advise the City Council on implementation of the Comprehensive Master Plan.

C.

To review and advise the City Council on Zoning amendments and text amendments, for compliance with the Comprehensive Master Plan.

D.

To adopt Subdivision Regulations governing the subdivision of land within the jurisdiction of the City, in accordance with Alabama Code § 11-52-31 (1975) et seq.

E.

To review and approve or disapprove subdivision plats in accordance with Alabama Code § 11-52-32 (1975).

F.

To agree with subdivision applicants upon use, height, area, or bulk requirements or restrictions governing buildings and premises within a proposed subdivision, provided the requirements or restrictions do not authorize the violation of the then effective Zoning Ordinance of the City.

G.

To propose Zoning amendments and text amendments to the City Council.

H.

To review site plans at the request of the Building Official, and to advise the Building Official whether, in the opinion of the Planning Commission, a proposed building, excavation, alteration or construction is consistent with the purposes, goals and intent of the Comprehensive Master Plan and the standards for the applicable Zoning District as set out in this Ordinance.

I.

Other duties as authorized by the Code of Alabama (1975), as amended, and as assigned by this and other ordinances of the City.

The Planning Commission shall consist of nine members as follows:

A.

The Mayor; or his/her designee;

B.

An Administrative Official of the City, appointed by the Mayor;

C.

A member of the City Council, to be selected by the City Council as a member ex officio; and

D.

Six members, appointed by the Mayor.

A.

The term of the Administrative Official selected by the Mayor shall terminate with the term of the Mayor selecting the member.

B.

The term of the ex officio member and the Mayor shall correspond to their respective official tenures.

C.

The term of each official member shall be six (6) years or until the successor takes office.

Vacancies occurring on the Planning Commission shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Mayor in the case of members appointed by the Mayor, or by the City Council in the case of a member selected by the City Council.

All members of the Planning Commission shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with their official duties.

All members of the Planning Commission shall abide by the applicable conflict of interest laws of the State of Alabama. (Alabama Code § 36-25-1 (1975) et seq.)

All members of the Planning Commission shall represent various aspects of the community including but not limited to education, labor, agriculture, industry, commerce and citizens at large. The appointed members shall hold no other municipal office, except, that one of the appointed members may be a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. At least four (4) of the members appointed by the Mayor shall be qualified voters of the City of New Hope.

A.

Rules. The Planning Commission shall adopt rules of procedure necessary to its governance and the conduct of its affairs, in keeping with the applicable provisions of the Code of Alabama and this Zoning Ordinance.

B.

Planning Commission Appointments. The Planning Commission shall elect its chairman from among the appointed members and create and fill such other of its offices as it may determine. The term of office of the chairman shall be one year, with eligibility for reelection.

C.

Meetings. The Planning Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month, and may hold additional meetings as called by the chairman. All meetings shall be open to the public, as required by law.

D.

Records. The Planning Commission shall keep a public record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations.

Members other than the member selected by the Council may, after a public hearing, be removed by the Mayor for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. The Council may for like cause remove the member or members selected by it. The Mayor or the Council, as the case may be, shall file a written statement of reasons for such removal.