§ 22.4. Action by the planning commission.

22.4.1.

Commission. A planning commission was established by previous version of this chapter, and other ordinances of the city and remains authorized under this chapter. Existing commission members shall continue in their current terms unaffected by the adoption of this chapter. The planning commission of the City of Cartersville consists of seven (7) members appointed by the mayor and city council for staggered terms as provided for in section 17-27 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Cartersville, Georgia.

22.4.2.

Members. Each commission member shall receive compensation for their service as established by the mayor and city council, and shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred while representing the commission. Appointments shall be made by resolution of the mayor and city council. Any vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the initial appointment. Members shall be removable for cause by the mayor and city council upon written charges and after a public hearing; provided, however, that any member who fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings, without cause, may be removed without a public hearing. The commission may adopt such by-laws as it deems necessary to provide for the orderly conduct of its business. The commission previously appointed by the mayor and city council shall continue to serve without change as if appointed under this chapter. Members shall continue to serve after the expiration of their term, until their successor has been appointed or themselves reappointed.

22.4.3.

Public hearing. The planning commission shall hold a public hearing on each application for an amendment pursuant to this article in accordance with a schedule adopted by the commission. As to each application, the planning commission shall make a recommendation for approval, approval with conditions, or denial. A tie vote on any motion shall equate to denial. The planning commission may grant the applicant's request to withdraw without prejudice at its hearing.

22.4.4.

Tabling application. The planning commission shall have the power to table incomplete applications, or to seek more time for further information to be submitted. The action by the planning commission to table the application shall include a statement of the date and time of the next meeting at which the application will be considered, which statement shall constitute public notice of the hearing on the application; and no further notice, such as that required by section 22.3, is required. The application can be tabled for up to three (3) months at a time to obtain necessary information or for other reasons of the planning commission. The application can be tabled more than once if necessary, extending the duration the application remains on the table.

22.4.5.

Report. A written report or summary of the planning commission's recommendation shall be prepared by the zoning staff, and shall be a public record. The planning commission's action may recommend amendments or conditions to the applicant's request which would reduce the land area for which the application is made, change the district requested and recommend conditions of rezoning which may be deemed advisable so that the purpose of this chapter will, if applicable, be served, and health, public safety and general welfare secured.

22.4.6.

Quorum. A quorum of the planning commission shall consist of four (4) members.

22.4.7.

Meetings. Meetings of the commission shall be held at the call of the chair or in his absence the vice chair and at such other times as the board may determine. The chair, or in his absence, the vice chair, may administer oaths to witnesses. All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public

22.4.8.

Minutes. The commission shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question, or if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed in the office of the commission and may be a public record.

22.4.9.

Majority. A majority of the members of the commission present (provided a quorum is present) shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision or determination of the zoning administrator, or to decide in favor of the applicant on any matter upon which it is required to pass under this chapter or to affect any variation of this chapter.