The purpose of the County Planning Department is to administer and enforce this chapter. The Department may consist of the County Planning Director, the county planners, the county zoning inspectors and any other employees deemed necessary by the Plan Commission.

(BC Ord. passed 1-22-2003; BC Ord. passed 3-26-2003)

   On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Plan Commission, the Planning Director shall:

   (A)   Perform the administrative duties of the department head of the Plan Department, including the supervision of Planning Department personnel and the preparation of Planning Department budgets;

   (B)   Assist the Plan Commission in the preparation and amendment of the Comprehensive Plan by compiling data on land use and development in the county, researching planning theories and techniques, conducting forums on local planning issues, and rendering written recommendations to the Plan Commission;

   (C)   Administer and enforce this chapter, including the issuance of permits, certificates, notices and orders;

   (D)   Keep and maintain careful and comprehensive records of applications and petitions filed, of permits and certificates issued, of inspections made, of reports and recommendations rendered and of notices and orders issued;

   (E)   Prepare, keep and maintain the official minutes of all meetings, hearings and proceedings of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Plan Commission, and the Plan Commission committees and hearing officers;

   (F)   Make all records kept by the Planning Department available for public inspection, at reasonable hours, subject to any limitation imposed in accordance with I.C. 5-14-3 and this chapter;

   (G)   When requested by the Board of Commissioners, investigate any matter concerning or relevant to land use in the county, and render a written report to the Board of Commissioners on the same;

   (H)   Prepare and submit an annual report of the activities of the Plan Department to the Board of Commissioners, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Plan Commission; and

   (I)   Perform such other duties as may be assigned, from time to time, by the Plan Commission or Commissioners including but not limited to the duties of the planners and inspectors.

(BC Ord. passed 1-22-2003; BC Ord. passed 3-26-2003)

   On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Plan Commission and the Planning Director, the planners shall:

   (A)   Receive all applications for approvals, recommendations, permits, certificates and appeals, and review all such applications for compliance with this chapter;

   (B)   Receive all petitions for zoning amendments and review all such petitions for compliance with the Comprehensive Plan;

   (C)   Prepare a report and recommendation on each application or petition received and forward said report and recommendation to the Planning Director;

   (D)   Provide the public, upon request, with information and materials concerning this chapter and all rules and procedures adopted thereunder, subject to any limitation imposed in accordance with I.C. 5-14-3 and this chapter; and

   (E)   Perform such other duties as may be assigned, from time to time, by the Planning Director.

(BC Ord. passed 1-22-2003; BC Ord. passed 3-26-2003)

   On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Plan Commission, the Planning Director and the planners, the zoning inspectors shall:

   (A)   Inspect structures and land uses for compliance with this chapter;

   (B )   Assist in the review of applications for approvals, recommendations, permits, certificates and appeals;

   (C)   Assist in the review of petitions for zoning amendments;

   (D)   Assist the attorney for the Plan Commission in the enforcement of the this chapter; and

   (E)   Perform such other duties as may be assigned, from time to time, by the Planning Director.

(BC Ord. passed 1-22-2003; BC Ord. passed 3-26-2003)