Planning Commission Staff Report
Title
SUBJECT: Planning Commission - Definition, Powers and Duties
ACTION
Information only.
SUMMARY
Annual Introduction of Planning Commission to Community and New Commission Members.
Body
The Planning Commission of the City of Merced was created under authority of Title 7 of California State Government Code Conservation and Planning Law, Sections 2.20.020 and 2.20.030 which have established the powers and duties of jurisdictional planning commissions. This Planning Commission is a 7-person Commission appointed by the City Council. The Commission approves or recommends the approval of certain land use decisions to the City Council.
According to the City of Merced Municipal Code:
The Planning Commission generally has the power to initiate studies, to prepare plans and recommendations on subjects related to a comprehensive planning program and to serve in an advisory capacity on planning matters to the City Council, to other governmental agencies and officials, and to the public. Specifically, The City of Merced Planning Commission is the administrator of the City’s Zoning Ordinance (Title 20 of the City of Merced Municipal Code) and has the power to do the following:
A. Recommend to the City Council after holding a public hearing, the adoption, amendment, approval, or repeal of any matter pertaining to
a. annexation
b. land subdivision
c. development
d. planning
e. zoning
f. general plan
g. master plan
h. specific plan
i. or any part the above
j. including all necessary environmental review accompanying anything above for the physical development of the City
B. Reviewing appeals filed from site plan review committee decisions on site plan review permit applications and development services director decisions on discretionary permit applications.
C. Exercise such functions with respect to those matters as may be prescribed by the City Council by Ordinance or Resolution.