Chapter 62
PLANNING*

------------

Cross references: Any zoning ordinance saved from repeal, § 1-11(10); administration, ch. 2; buildings and building regulations, ch. 22; environment, ch. 42; floods, ch. 50; signs, ch. 66; streets, sidewalks and other public places, ch. 74; utilities, ch. 86; zoning, app. A; subdivisions, app. B.

State law references: Regional development centers, O.C.G.A. § 50-8-30 et seq.

------------

Article I. In General

Sec. 62-1. Comprehensive plan.

Secs. 62-2? 62-30. Reserved.

Article II. Planning and Zoning Commission

Sec. 62-31. Created and established.

Sec. 62-32. Membership.

Sec. 62-33. Conflict of interest.

Sec. 62-34. Organization; rules; staff; finances.

ARTICLE I.
IN GENERAL

Sec. 62-1. Comprehensive plan.

The Comprehensive Plan for the City of Pooler, Georgia is adopted.

(Mo. of 12-6-1993)

State law references: Coordinated and comprehensive planning by counties and municipalities, O.C.G.A. § 36-70-1 et seq.

Secs. 62-2? 62-30. Reserved.

ARTICLE II.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION*

------------

Cross references: Administration, ch. 2.

State law references: Conflicts of interest in zoning actions, O.C.G.A. § 36-67A-1 et seq.; coordinated and comprehensive planning by counties and municipalities, O.C.G.A. § 36-70-1 et seq.; authority to adopt plans and exercise zoning powers, Ga. Const. art. IX, § II, ¶ IV.

------------

Sec. 62-31. Created and established.

In order to guide and accomplish a coordinated and harmonious development of the city which will, in accordance with existing and future needs, best promote the public health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development, the City of Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission, referred to in this article as the planning and zoning commission, is created and established.

(Code 1976, § 15-1)

Sec. 62-32. Membership.

(a) The planning and zoning commission shall consist of seven members, who shall be residents of the city, appointed by the aldermanic board. The terms of office of the members of the planning and zoning commission shall be for four years, except that in the appointment of the first planning and zoning commission, the first member shall be appointed for a term of one year, the second member shall be appointed for a term of two years, the third member shall be appointed for a term of three years, and the remaining members shall be appointed for terms of four years each. Any vacancy in the membership of the planning and zoning commission shall be filled for the unexpired term by the aldermanic board, which shall also have the authority to remove any member for cause, on written charges, after a public hearing. All members of the planning and zoning commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with their official duties.

(b) The planning and zoning commission shall include an alternate member, who shall be a resident of the city and appointed by the aldermanic board for a four-year term. The alternate member of the planning and zoning commission shall only serve when one of the members of the planning and zoning commission is absent and shall only be entitled to vote or to participate in the planning and zoning commission business and discussion when one of the members of the planning and zoning commission is absent.

(Code 1976, § 15-2; Ord. of 2-15-1999, § I)

Sec. 62-33. Conflict of interest.

(a) Prohibited. No member of the planning and zoning commission shall benefit monetarily or otherwise, either directly nor indirectly, from a decision of the planning and zoning commission. No member of the planning and zoning commission shall engage in a conflict of interest whereby any member will have an interest in the final decision, determination or judgment of the planning and zoning commission causing a conflict between the personal interest of the member and the best interest of the citizens of the city. All members of the planning and zoning commission are prohibited from benefiting or engaging in a conflict of interest pertaining to any matter which is presented before or decided by the planning and zoning commission.

(b) Removal from office. When, in the opinion of the aldermanic board, any member of the planning and zoning commission is benefitting or engaging in a conflict of interest regarding matters presented to or decided by the planning and zoning commission, such aldermanic board shall promptly remove the suspected member from service on the planning and zoning commission and relieve the suspected member from all official duties connected therewith, ex parte.

(Code 1976, § 15-2.1)

Sec. 62-34. Organization; rules; staff; finances.

(a) The planning and zoning commission shall elect its chairman from among its members. The term of the chairman shall be one year with eligibility for reelection. The planning and zoning commission shall appoint a secretary, who may be an officer or employee of the city. The planning and zoning commission shall make its own rules of procedure and determine its times of meeting. All meetings of the planning and zoning commission at which official action is taken shall be open to the public and all records of the planning and zoning commission shall be a public record.

(b) The planning and zoning commission may appoint such employees and staff as it may deem necessary for its work, and may contract with the state planning agency and city planners and other consultants for such services as it may require. The expenditures of the planning and zoning commission, exclusive of gifts, shall be within the amounts appropriated for the purpose by the aldermanic board.

(Code 1976, § 15-3)