§ 2-353. Planning commission.

(a)

Adoptions of state rules and regulations. The rules, regulations, and provisions contained in GA. Const. art. IX, § IV, ¶ II, governing the creation, appointment, organization, powers, and duties of municipal and county planning commissions, are hereby adopted as the rules, regulations, and provisions governing the planning commission of the city.

(b)

Composition, appointment, and tenure. The municipal planning commission shall consist of five members appointed by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of city council. Except for the initial appointments, the terms of the members shall be for three years each. Two of the members first appointed shall be appointed for a three-year term, two shall be appointed for a two-year term, and one shall be appointed for a one-year term. Members shall serve until successors are appointed.

(c)

Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for unexpired terms only and in the same manner as for original appointments.

(d)

Removal. Any member of the planning commission may be removed by the mayor or city council for cause after written notice and a public hearing.

(e)

Compensation. All members of the municipal planning commission shall serve without compensation.

(f)

Officers and rules of procedure. The planning commission shall elect one of its members as chairperson who shall serve for one year or until such person is reelected or a successor is elected. A second appointive member shall be elected as vice-chairperson and shall serve for one year or until such person is reelected or a successor is elected. The commission shall appoint a secretary, who may be an officer or employee of the city or of the planning commission. The planning commission shall meet at least once each month at the call of the chairperson and at such other times as the chairperson or commission shall determine; shall adopt rules for the transaction of business; and shall keep a record of its proceedings, which record shall be open to public inspection. Employees and staff may be appointed by the planning commission as necessary.

(g)

Powers and duties. The municipal planning commission shall make careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of existing conditions and probable future developments and prepare plans for physical, social, and economic growth in an effort to promote the public health, safety, morals, convenience, prosperity, or general welfare of the city. In carrying out its objectives, the planning commission shall have the following specific powers and duties:

(1)

To prepare a master plan or parts thereof for the development of the city;

(2)

To prepare and recommend for adoption a zoning ordinance and map for the city;

(3)

To prepare and recommend for adoption regulations for the subdivision of land within the city limits and to administer the regulations that may be adopted;

(4)

To prepare and recommend for adoption a plat or plats of an official map showing the exact location of the boundary lines of existing, proposed, extended, unlined or narrowed streets, public open spaces, or public building sites and provide for the regulation of construction of buildings or other structures within such lines;

(5)

To cooperate with, contract with, or accept funds from federal, state, or local public or quasi-public agencies, and to expend such funds; and

(6)

To exercise all other powers and duties conferred upon municipal planning commissions by GA. Const. art. IX, § II, ¶ IV and by any other provisions of state law.

(Code 1985, § 3-801)