The Planning Board shall consist of seven (7) members who shall be appointed by the City Council and who shall serve without pay and who shall be representatives of the City at large. Each member shall be appointed for three (3) years or until a successor is appointed. Members appointed shall be residents of the City. A City Councilor or his/her spouse may not be a member of the Planning Board.

A vacancy may occur by reason of resignation, death, giving up residency or failure to attend at least seventy-five percent (75%) of all meetings during the previous twelve (12) months. The Chair of the Board shall immediately notify the City Council in writing of any vacancy when it occurs.

Members may be removed for cause by the City Council after presentation of written charges and public hearing.

At the first regular meeting of the Board in January of each year, the members shall meet and elect a Chair and Vice Chair and such other officers as it may determine to serve for a period of one (1) year or until a successor is elected, and a member may succeed himself or herself in office if so elected. The Planning Board shall hold a regular monthly meeting and other meetings as it deems necessary from time to time. Any records deemed public records under state law may be inspected at the Planning Department during regular business hours.

On any and all voting matters pertaining to recommended adoption or amendments of the Comprehensive Plan or to proposed adoption or amendment of land use ordinances, an affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the Planning Board shall be necessary for its passage and only after a public hearing has been conducted on the matter. All other voting matters shall be decided by a majority vote of those present and voting and shall require at least three (3) affirmative votes.

The Planning Board shall exercise such powers and perform such duties and other functions as are authorized and provided for under the City's ordinances and the laws of the State of Maine pertaining to zoning, subdivisions and land use throughout the City. Any amendments to the Comprehensive Plan as recommended by the Planning Board shall be submitted to the City Council for adoption.

The Planning Board shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be necessary for the administration of its affairs on behalf of the City, including, without limitation, the adoption of bylaws and the procurement of goods and services necessary for its proper functions.