Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/20/2015 - Joint with EPB

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RELEVANT LINKS: See LMC information memo Planning Commission Guide. Minn. Stat. § 462.354, subd. t. Minn. Stat. § 462.357, subd. 3. Minn. Stat. § 462.357, subd. 3. Minn. Stat. § 462.354, subd. 2. Minn. Stat. § 462.3595. 2. The planning commission Cities may choose to establish planning commissions to assist in zoning administration, but are not required to do so. (However, if a city has adopted a comprehensive plan, a planning commission is mandatory). Usually, it is a good idea to create a planning commission, because city council officials have multiple budgeting, legislative and administrative duties that they must perform in addition to their land use responsibilities. Planning commissions, on the other hand, are usually composed of people who focus solely on zoning and development and, thus, can devote their full attention. Planning commissions are created by ordinance or charter and may vary in size. City council members may be appointed to serve as commission members. Once formed, planning commissions, with city council consent, may adopt bylaws or their own rules of procedure. The city may provide the planning commission with staff, including legal counsel, as necessary. In many cities all zoning applications for conditional use permits, rezoning and variances are submitted to the planning commission for review. If a planning commission exists, state law requires that the planning commission must review zoning ordinance amendments and amendments to the official map. With limited exceptions, the planning commission's role in reviewing all types of zoning applications is generally advisory. The City Council usually gives the planning commission recommendations great weight in their considerations, but is not bound by them. The planning commission may hold required public hearings on behalf of the city council, such as a hearing for a zoning ordinance amendment. 3. Planning departments Cities may also form a planning department. In cities that chose this option, the planning commission becomes advisory to the planning department while the planning department takes on the role of advising the city council. 4. The city council In many cities the city council makes the final determination on all applications for rezoning, conditional use permits and interim use permits after consulting the zoning administrator, planning commission and City Attorney as needed. However, the Municipal Planning Act allows cities to delegate final decision making authority concerning conditional use permits to a "designated authority" (presumably the Planning Commission). The City Council cannot delegate its authority to grant rezoning applications and interim use permits. League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 1/20/2015 Zoning Guide for Cities Page 24