20.220.010 Planning Commission.
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A. Establishment. Pursuant to Article XI, Section 11 of the Washington State Constitution and Section 8.01 of the City Charter, a Vancouver planning commission shall be established and maintained consisting of seven residents of the city or Vancouver Urban Growth Area to be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council.
B. Representative membership. In selecting members for appointment to the planning commission, the mayor and city council shall seek to provide representation to a wide variety of neighborhoods, businesses and other interests concerned with the land use, development and quality of life in Vancouver. No more than one member of the planning commission may represent the unincorporated urban growth area intended to annex and develop as a part of the city of Vancouver.
C. Authority and responsibilities.
1. The planning commission shall have such powers and perform such duties as are prescribed by Chapter 35.63 RCW, other applicable state law, and the city code. The planning commission shall review and make recommendations to city council on planned developments greater than 25 acres in size, amendments to the comprehensive land use plan, amendments to the zoning map of 25 acres or greater in size, and implementing standards and regulations that are generally legislative in nature.
2. The planning commission is specifically responsible for the following:
a. Formal review of actions listed under Chapters 20.210 and 20.285 VMC, and review of SEPA appeals filed pursuant to such actions.
b. Informal or advisory review of studies, analysis or reports related to land use matters as directed by city council.
c. Other duties related to land use matters as directed by city council, provided they are not inconsistent with state law.
D. Terms. Except as provided in this section, the term of office for each member shall be four years, running from January 1st to December 31st. No member may serve more than three consecutive terms. Any vacancy that is not a result of the expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Members may be removed by the mayor with the concurrence of city council, for misconduct or neglect of duties or for three consecutive unexcused absences.
E. Organization.
1. In December of each year, the planning commission shall elect a chair, vice-chair and such other officers as the planning commission determines it requires. The term of office for each officer shall run until the subsequent election; provided, that vacancies caused by resignation or removal shall be filled for the remaining term of office.
2. The planning commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business.
3. The planning commission may appoint standing or special committees to which it may assign specific responsibilities, provided that such committee(s) shall make no recommendations except to the planning commission.
F. Meetings. The planning commission shall establish regular monthly or twice-monthly meetings dates pursuant to Chapter 42.30 RCW; provided, that, if no matters are pending, a regular meeting may be canceled. Special meetings of the planning commission may be called pursuant to the provisions of state law.
G. Actions. All actions of the planning commission shall be determined by a majority vote in a meeting at which a quorum is present. A majority of total appointed membership of the planning commission shall constitute a quorum. (Ord. M-3931 § 5, 11/02/2009; Ord. M-3840 § 9, 08/06/2007; Ord. M-3691 § 1, 02/28/2005)