§ 305.07. Planning commission.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 462.354, subdivision 1, there is created and continued a City Planning Commission.

Subd. 2. Commission form. Except in cases in which the Planning Commission is authorized by this Code or other applicable law to render a final decision, the Planning Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council. Staff services for the Commission shall be furnished by the Community Development Department of the City.

Subd. 3. Composition of the commission. The Commission consists of seven (7) members appointed by the Council to serve for terms of three (3) years, with terms of members to be staggered so that as nearly equal number of terms as possible shall expire each year. Terms begin on the first day of February.

Subd. 4. Powers and duties of the commission. The Planning Commission shall undertake the duties given by Minnesota Statutes, sections 462.351 to 462.354. The Planning Commission shall deliberate and make recommendations, or final decisions as applicable, on:

(a)

Proposed amendments to the zoning code or map;

(b)

Land development applications requiring site plan approval, interim use permits, conditional use permits or variances from the land development regulations of the City; and

(c)

Such other matters relating to planning and development within the City, as may be referred to it by the Council.

Subd. 5. General objectives of the commission. The Planning Commission shall, as necessary, perform the following functions on behalf of the City:

(a)

Subject planning decisions to citizens' examination and influence through technical advisory subcommittees which may study and recommend courses of action on special planning matters;

(b)

Act as an advocate of various beneficial planning projects, as directed by the Council, to stimulate interest and acceptance of planning within the City; and

(c)

Act as a coordinator of planning activities within the City by working with public, quasi-public and private planning groups to coordinate the total planning efforts of the City and other governmental units.

Subd. 6. Additional powers and duties. The Council may assign additional duties and responsibilities to the Planning Commission to assist the Commission in effectively carrying out the Commission's objectives, powers and duties.

(Amended, Bill No. 2015-17)