Zoneomics Logo
search icon

Strafford City Zoning Code

ARTICLE III

Administrative Mechanisms

Section 400.075 Powers and Duties of The Planning and Zoning Commission.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
The Planning and Zoning Commission may:
1. 
Make studies and recommend to the Board of Aldermen plans, goals and objectives relating to the growth, development, and redevelopment of the City.
2. 
Develop and recommend to the Board of Aldermen policies, ordinances, administrative procedures, and other means for carrying out plans in a coordinated and efficient manner.
3. 
Prepare and submit to the Board of Aldermen recommendations for regulations governing the subdivision of land within the City, including, among other things, requirements for the coordinated development of the municipality. Other recommendations may be; for the coordination of streets within subdivisions with other existing or planned streets or with other features of the City Plan or official map of the City; for adequate open spaces for traffic, recreation, light and air; and for a distribution of population and traffic. The Commission shall further make recommendations as to requirements of the extent and manner of installation of all utility facilities; and recommended manner of enforcement. All recommendations shall be in conformity with Chapter 89, RSMo., and not conflict with this Code or any other ordinance of the City.
4. 
Make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen concerning proposed preliminary plat approvals, conditional use permits, and proposed Zoning Map changes as provided by Article IV, Sections 400.195 and 400.200 and Article V, Section 400.275.
5. 
Make recommendations regarding the approval or disapproval of plats for land subdivision.
B. 
The Planning and Zoning Commission may adopt rules and regulations governing the procedures and operations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter.
C. 
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall make an annual report to the Board of Aldermen covering investigations, transactions and recommendations, and other reports relative thereto as it may deem proper or as required by the Board of Aldermen.

Section 400.080 Appointment and Terms of Planning and Zoning Commission.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
There shall be a Planning and Zoning Commission consisting of not less than seven (7) members nor more than fifteen (15) members. The Mayor, by May first (1st) of each year, shall decide whether he or she will hold a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the year beginning May first (1st) and ending April thirtieth (30th). The Board of Aldermen shall decide by May first (1st) each year which Board of Aldermen representative shall sit on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the year beginning May first (1st) and ending April thirtieth (30th). The remaining members shall be citizens of the City of Strafford and shall serve without compensation.
B. 
Citizen members of Planning and Zoning Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Board of Aldermen for a term of four (4) years and until their successors are appointed. Any vacancy in the citizen members shall be made by appointment, as aforesaid, at the time such vacancy occurs for the duration of the unexpired term.
C. 
Citizen members of Planning and Zoning Commission shall be an inhabitant and a resident of the City at the time and for at least one (1) year preceding his appointment.
D. 
The Board of Aldermen may remove from office any citizen member for cause stated in writing after a public hearing.

Section 400.085 Meetings of The Planning and Zoning Commission.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall establish a regular meeting schedule and shall meet frequently enough so that it can take action in conformance with Article IV, Section 400.250 (Applications to be Processed Expeditiously).
B. 
Since the Planning and Zoning Commission has only advisory authority, it need not conduct its meetings strictly in accordance with the quasi-judicial procedures set forth in Articles IV, VI and VII. However, it shall conduct its meeting so as to obtain necessary information and to promote the full and free exchange of ideas.
C. 
Minutes shall be kept of all proceedings.
D. 
All Planning and Zoning Commission meetings shall be open to the public, and whenever feasible the agenda for each Commission meeting shall be made available in advance of the meeting.
E. 
Whenever the Planning and Zoning Commission is called upon to make recommendations concerning a preliminary plat approval request, conditional use permit request, land use change (zoning) or a minor subdivision amendment proposal, the planning staff shall post on or near the subject property one (1) or more notices that are sufficiently conspicuous in terms of size, location, and content to provide reasonable adequate notice to potentially interested persons of the matter that will appear on the Commission's agenda at a specified date and time. Such notice(s) shall be posted at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which the matter is to be considered.

Section 400.090 Quorum and Voting.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
A quorum for the Planning and Zoning Commission shall consist of a majority of the Commission membership (excluding vacant seats). A quorum is necessary for the Commission to take official action.
B. 
A motion shall be passed by the "aye" votes of a majority of the quorum.

Section 400.095 Planning and Zoning Commission Officers.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
Annually, at its first (1st) meeting in May, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall elect from its citizen members a Chairman and Secretary, who shall be eligible for re-election, and shall adopt rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the transaction of business.

Section 400.100 Advisory Committees.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
From time to time, the Board of Aldermen may appoint one (1) or more individuals to help the Planning and Zoning Commission carry out planning responsibilities with respect to a particular subject area. By way of illustration, without limitation, the Board may appoint advisory committees to consider the thoroughfare plan, bikeway plan, housing plans, economic development plans, etc.
B. 
Members of such advisory committees shall sit as non-voting members of the Planning and Zoning Commission when such issues are being considered and lend their talents, energies, and expertise to the Planning and Zoning Commission. However, all formal recommendations to the Board of Aldermen shall be made by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
C. 
Nothing in this Section shall prevent the Board of Aldermen from establishing independent advisory groups, committees, or commissions to make recommendations on any issue directly to the Board of Aldermen.

Section 400.105 Time Limit For Making Recommendations To The Board of Aldermen.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
Within sixty (60) days after submission of an application for an approved use permit, conditional use permit, preliminary plat, sign permit or land use change (zoning) to the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Commission shall recommend approval or disapproval and forward the application to the Board of Aldermen; otherwise the application or request shall be deemed "recommended for approval" by the Commission; except that the Commission, with the consent of the applicant, may extend the sixty (60) day period. The grounds for recommendation for disapproval of any application or request by the Commission shall be made a matter of public record.

Section 400.110 Powers and Duties of Board of Adjustment.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
The Board of Adjustment shall hear and decide:
1. 
Appeals from any order, decision, requirement, or interpretation made by the Administrator, as provided in Article VI, Section 400.300.
2. 
Applications for variances as provided in Article VI, Section 400.305.
3. 
Questions involving interpretations of the Zoning Map, including disputed district boundary lines and lot lines, as provided in Article VI, Section 400.310.
4. 
Any other matter the Board is required to act upon by any other City ordinance.
B. 
The Board of Adjustment may adopt rules and regulations governing its procedures and operations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter.

Section 400.115 Appointment and Terms of Board of Adjustment.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
A Board of Adjustment for the City of Strafford, Missouri shall consist of five (5) members, appointed by the Mayor and approved by a majority of the Board of Aldermen. The term of office of the members of the Board of Adjustment shall be five (5) years, excepting that the membership of the first (1st) Board of Adjustment appointed shall serve respectively: one (1) for one (1) year, one (1) for two (2) years, one (1) for three (3) years, one (1) for four (4) years, and one (1) for five (5) years. Thereafter, members shall be appointed for terms of five (5) years each. Three (3) alternate members may be appointed to serve in the absence of or the disqualification of the regular members.
B. 
All members and alternates may be removed for cause by the appointing authority upon written charges and after a public hearing. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of any member whose position becomes vacant.
C. 
The Board of Adjustment shall adopt rules in accordance with the provisions of any ordinance adopted pursuant to Sections 89.010 to 89.170, RSMo.

Section 400.120 Meetings of The Board of Adjustment.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
Meetings of the Board of Adjustment shall be held at the call of the Chairman and at such other times as the Board of Adjustment may determine.
B. 
The Board of Adjustment shall conduct its meetings in accordance with the quasi-judicial procedures set forth in Articles IV, VI and VII.
C. 
All meetings of the Board of Adjustment shall be open to the public, and whenever feasible the agenda for each Board meeting shall be made available in advance of the meeting.
D. 
The Board of Adjustment shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon question. If a member is absent or fails to vote, the minutes shall reflect such fact. The Board of Adjustment shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed in the office of the City Clerk and shall be public record. All testimony, objections thereto, and rulings thereon shall be taken down by a reporter and plead by the Board of Adjustment for that purpose.

Section 400.125 Quorum.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
A quorum for the Board of Adjustment shall consist of the number of members equal to four-fifths (4/5) of the regular Board membership.
B. 
A member who has withdrawn from the meeting without being excused as provided in Article III, Part 2, Section 400.130 shall be counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

Section 400.130 Voting.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
The concurring vote of four-fifths (4/5) of the regular Board membership shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision, or determination of the Administrator or to decide in favor of the applicant any matter upon which it is required to pass under any ordinance including the granting of any variance. All other actions of the Board of Adjustment shall be taken by majority vote, a quorum being present.

Section 400.135 Board of Adjustment Officers.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
Annually, at the first (1st) regular meeting, the Board of Adjustment shall, by a majority vote of its membership, elect one (1) of its members to serve as Chairman and preside over the Board meetings and one (1) member to serve as Vice Chairman. The persons so designated shall serve in these capacities for terms of one (1) year. Vacancies may be filled for the unexpired terms only by majority vote of the Board membership.
B. 
The City Clerk may administer oaths to witnesses coming before the Board.
C. 
The Chairman and Vice Chairman may take part in all deliberations and vote on all issues.

Section 400.140 The Board of Aldermen.

[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A. 
The Board of Aldermen, in considering preliminary plat approval and conditional use permit applications, acts in a quasi-judicial capacity and, accordingly, is required to observe the procedural requirements set forth in Articles IV, V, VI and VII of this Chapter.
B. 
In considering proposed changes in the text of this Chapter or in the Zoning Map, the Board of Aldermen acts in its legislative capacity and must proceed in accordance with the requirements of Article V.
C. 
Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Chapter, in acting upon preliminary plat approval requests, in considering amendments to this Chapter or the Zoning Map, or conditional use permits, the Board of Aldermen shall follow the regular, voting, and other requirements as set forth in other provisions of the City Code or general law.