Boards and Commissions

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

Current Planning & Zoning Commission Members

Commission Member Name Place Number Term Expires

Becky Campbell 1 10-1-13

Earl Fowlkes - Chair 2 10-1-12

Jeannie Turley - Vice Chair 3 10-1-13

Patty Biggers 4 10-1-12

Troy Jones 5 10-1-13

Phylis Hatley 6 10-1-12

Herbert Reeves 7 10-1-13

A Planning and Zoning Commission herein referred to as "Commission" was formed in order to accomplish the following purposes:

To identify community needs and to advise the city council of hte short range effect of these needs on the total devlopment of the city;
To recommend achievable community goals for long-range planning and development of the city;
To recommend achievable plans, programs, and policies that will aid the entire community in achieving defined goals; and
To help the public understand the plans, programs, and policies adopted by the city council so that concerned citizens can conduct private activities in harmony with these plans, programs, and policies.

Membership and Appointment

The Commission shall be composed of seven (7) qualified electors of the city. The city council will consider for appointment to the commission only those persons who have demonstrated their civic interest, general knowledge of the community, independent judgment, interest in planning and zoning and an availability to prepare for and attend meetings. In addition, all appointees shall have resided in the city for at least two (2) years prior to apoointment. It is the intent of the city council that members shall, by reason of diversity of their individual occupation, constitute a commission which is broadly representative of the community. A member of the commission shall not serve simultaneously as a member of the board of adjustment.

Terms of Office

The members of the commission shall be identified by place numbers one (1) through seven (7). Members in the odd-numbered places shall serve two year terms expiring on October 1st of odd-numbered years and even-numbered places on October 1st of even-numbered years. Commission members may be appointed to succeed themselves. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms. Newly appointed members shall be installed a tthe first regular commission meeting after their appointment.

Organization

The commission shall hold an organizational meeting in October of each year and shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. The commission shall meet regularly and shall designate the time and place of its meetings. The commission shall adopt its own rules and procedures and shall keep a record of its proceedings consistnent with the provisions if this article and the requirements of law.

Any member of the commission who misses three consecutive meetings without commission approval shall be deemed to have vacated his/her commission membership. The city council, upon receiving certificationof three consecutive absences, shall fill the vacany for the expired term. The commission shall enter into its minutes a statement either approving or disapproving a given members' absence. Six disapproved absences in any twelve (12) month period shall be deemed as grounds for removal from said commission by the city council.

Duties and Powers

The commission is hereby charged with the duty and invested with the authority to:

Inspect property and premises at reasonable hours where required in the discharge of its responsibilities under the laws of the State of Texas and the city.
Formulate and recommend to the city council for its adoption a city plan for the orderly growth and development of the city and it environs, and from time to time recommend such changes in the plan as it finds will facilitate the movement of people and goods, and the health, recreation, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the city.
Formulate a zoning plan as may be deemed best to carry out the goals of the city plan and hold public hearings and make recommendations to the city council relation to the careation, implementation and amendment of zoning regulations and districts as provided in Chapter 211 of the Texas Local Government Code and city charter.
Exercise al lthe powers of a commission as to approval or disapproval of plans, plats, or replat and vacation of plans, plats, and replats as set out in Chapter 212 of the Texas Local Government Code and the city charter.
Study and recommend the location, extension and planning of public rights-of-ways, parks, or other public places, and the vacating or closing of same.
Study and recommend the general design and location of public buildings, bridges, viaducts, street fixtures, and other structures and appurtenances.
Study and recommend the general design, alteration, location or relocation of works of art which are, or may become, property of the city.
Initiate, in the name of the city, for consideration at public hearings, all proposals:
Formulate and recommend to the city council for its adoption policies and regulations consistent with the adopted city plan governing the location and/or operation of utilities, public facilities and services owned or under the control of the city.
Each October, submit a progress report to the city council summarizing its activities, major accomplishments for the past year, and a proposed work program for the coming year. The report shall contain for the contain for the year attendance records of all members and the identify of commission officers.
Prepare and recommend to the city council a five year capital improvement plan.
Prepare and recommend to the city council a city annexation policy and udpate same periodically.
At the direction of the city council, study, hold public hearings, and submit reports on any topics pertianing to planning, zoning, and development tha tth ecouncil deems appropriate.
Conduct an ongoing assessment program pertaining to the planning, zoning, and development ordinance of the city, recommending to the city council all necessary changes and update to said ordinance.

Meetings and Quorum

A quorum for the conduct of business shall consist of four (4) members of the commission. The members of the commission shall regularly attend meetings, public hearings, and work sessions of the commission and shall serve without compensation, except for reimbursement of authorized expenses attendant to the performance of their duties. The members shall comply with the statutory time limits and public notice requirements and all meetings of the commission shall be held in compliance with teh Texas Open Meetings Act.

Membership and Appointment Purpose

The Planning and Zoning Commission shall be composed of seven (7) qualified electors of the city. The city council will consider for appointment to the commission only those persons who have demonstrated their civic interest, general knowledge of the community, independent judgment, interest in planning and zoning and an availability to prepare for and attend meetings. In addition, all appointees shall have resided in the city for at least three (3) years prior to appointment. It is the intent of the city council that members shall, by reason of diversity of their individual occupation, constitute a commission which is broadly representative of the community.

The members of the commission shall be identified by place numbers one (1) through seven (7). Upon initial appointment members in the odd-numbered places shall be appointed to serve terms expiring October 1, of odd numbered years, and members appointed to the even number places shall serve terms expiring October 1, of even numbered years. The terms of office for said members shall be two (2) years beginning on October 1st of the year of appointment. Commission members may be appointed to succeed themselves. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms. Newly appointed members shall be installed at the first regular commission meeting after their appointment.

The purpose and object of the Planning and Zoning Commission is to act as an advisory board to the Council in matters designated by ordinance and state law. The Commission shall advise the Council on matters relating to zoning, platting, site planning/land use, public improvements, civic improvements, city planning, and other matters relating to City improvements as the Commission and the Council may deem beneficial to the City.

Meetings

The Planning & Zoning Commission meets at 6:30 pm on the third Tuesday of the month, as necessary.

Commission Member Information

Commission Member Name

Place Number

Term Expires

Becky Campbell 1 2011

Earl Fowlkes - Chair 2 2010

Jeannie Turley - Vice Chair 3 2011

Theresa Riley 4 2010

Troy Jones 5 2011

Phylis Hatley 6 2010

Herbert Reeves 7 2011

A planning and zoning commission is hereby created in order to accomplish the following purposes:

(1) To identify community needs and to advise the city council of the short range effect of these needs on the total development of the city;

(2) To recommend achievable community goals for long-range planning and development of the city;

(3) To recommend achievable plans, programs and policies that will aid the entire community in achieving defined goals; and

(4) To help the public understand the plans, programs and polices adopted by the city council so that concerned citizens can conduct private activities in harmony with these plans, programs and policies.

(1987 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 11, Section 7A)

(b) Membership and Appointment.

(1) The planning and zoning commission shall be composed of seven (7) qualified electors of the city. The city council will consider for appointment to the commission only those persons who have demonstrated their civic interest, general knowledge of the community, independent judgment, interest in planning and zoning and an availability to prepare for and attend meetings. In addition, all appointees shall have resided in the city for at least three (3) years prior to appointment. It is the intent of the city council that members shall, by reason of diversity of their individual occupation, constitute a commission which is broadly representative of the community. A member of the planning and zoning commission shall not serve simultaneously as a member of the board of adjustment. (Ordinance 896, sec. 1, adopted 10/14/08)

(2) Upon passage of this article, the city council shall immediately appoint members of the planning and zoning commission. Upon appointment of the new members, all previous appointments to the planning and zoning commission shall become null and void.

(c) Terms of Office. The members of the commission shall be identified by place numbers one (1) through seven (7). Upon initial appointment pursuant to this article, members in the odd-numbered places shall be appointed to serve terms expiring October 1, 1995, and members appointed to the even number places shall serve terms expiring October 1, 1996. Thereafter, the terms of office for said members shall be two (2) years beginning on October 1st of the year of appointment. The odd-numbered places shall expire in the odd-numbered years and the even-numbered places shall expire in the even-numbered years. Commission members may be appointed to succeed themselves. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms. Newly appointed members shall be installed at the first regular commission meeting after their appointment.

(d) Organization.

(1) The commission shall hold an organizational meeting in October of each year and shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. The commission shall meet regularly and shall designate the time and place of its meetings. The commission shall adopt its own rules and procedures and shall keep a record of its proceedings consistent with the provisions of this article and the requirements of law.

(2) Any member of the commission who misses three consecutive meetings without commission approval shall be deemed to have vacated his commission membership. The city council, upon receiving certification of three consecutive absences, shall fill the vacancy for the expired term. The commission shall enter into its minutes a statement either approving or disapproving a given members’ absence. Six disapproved absences in any twelve (12) month period shall be deemed as grounds for removal from said commission by the city council.

(e) Duties and Powers. The planning and zoning commission is hereby charged with the duty and invested with the authority to:

(1) Inspect property and premises at reasonable hours where required in the discharge of its responsibilities under the laws of the State of Texas and the city.

(2) Formulate and recommend to the city council for its adoption a city plan for the orderly growth and development of the city and it environs, and from time to time recommend such changes in the plan as it finds will facilitate the movement of people and goods, and the health, recreation, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the city.

(3) Formulate a zoning plan as may be deemed best to carry out the goals of the city plan and hold public hearings and make recommendations to the city council relating to the creation, implementation and amendment of zoning regulations and districts as provided in Chapter 211 of the Texas Local Government Code and the city charter.

(4) Exercise all the powers of a commission as to approval or disapproval of plans, plats or replats and the vacation of plans, plats and replats as set out in Chapter 212 of the Texas Local Government Code and the city charter.

(5) Study and recommend the location, extension and planning of public rights-of-way, parks or other public places, and the vacating or closing of same.

(6) Study and recommend the general design and location of public buildings, bridges, viaducts, street fixtures and other structures and appurtenances.

(7) Study and recommend the design, alteration, location or relocation of works of art which are, or may become, property of the city.

(8) Initiate, in the name of the city, for consideration at public hearings, all proposals:

(A) for the opening, vacating or closing of public rights-of-way, parks or other public places;

(B) for the original zoning of annexed areas; and

(C) for the change of zoning district boundaries on an area-wide basis. No fee shall be required for the filing of any such proposal in the name of the city.

(9) Formulate and recommend to the city council for its adoption policies and regulations consistent with the adopted city plan governing the location and/or operation of utilities, public facilities and services owned or under the control of the city.

(10) Each October, submit a progress report to the city council summarizing its activities, major accomplishments for the past year, and a proposed work program for the coming year. The report shall contain for the year attendance records of all members and the identity of commission officers.

(11) Prepare and recommend to the city council a five year capital improvement plan.

(12) Prepare and recommend to the city council a city annexation policy and update same periodically.

(13) At the direction of the city council, study, hold public hearings and submit reports on any topics pertaining to planning, zoning and development that the council deems appropriate.

(14) Conduct an ongoing assessment program pertaining to the planning, zoning and development ordinances of the city, recommending to the city council all necessary changes and updates to said ordinance.

(f) Meetings and Quorum. A quorum for the conduct of business shall consist of four (4) members of the commission. The members of the commission shall regularly attend meetings, public hearings and work sessions of the commission and shall serve without compensation, except for reimbursement of authorized expenses attendant to the performance of their duties. The members shall comply with all statutory time limits and public notice requirements and all meetings of the commission shall be held in compliance with the Texas Opens Meetings Act.