Chapter VII, Section I - Planning and Zoning Commission

Sec. 7-1-1.    Planning and Zoning Commissions created.

Pursuant to the authority conferred by Articles 59 and 60, Chapter 139, Colorado Revised Statutes, 1963, there is hereby created a Planning Commission and a Zoning Commission for the Town.  The members of the Planning Commission shall also serve, and are hereby appointed as the Zoning Commission.  (Ord. 290 §1, 1969)

Sec. 7-1-2.    Members of Commission.

The Planning Commission shall consist of five (5) members as follows:  one (1) member of the Town Board selected by the Town Board, who shall be an ex officio member of the Commission and shall serve during his or her respective official tenure.  The other four (4) members shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the Town Board.  The term of each appointed member shall be three (3) years or until his or her successor takes office, except the respective terms of the members first appointed shall be as follows:  one (1) member for a term of one (1) year, two (2) members for terms of two (2) years, and one (1) member for a term of three (3) years.  The respective terms of the members first appointed shall be fixed and designated by the Board at the time of appointment.  (Ord. 383, 1985)

Sec. 7-1-3.    Qualifications of Commission members.

All members of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall be bona fide residents in the Town, and if any member ceases to reside in the Town, his or her membership shall immediately terminate.  All members of said Commissions shall serve as such without compensation and the appointed members shall hold no other municipal office, except that one (1) such appointed member may be a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  (Ord. 290 §3, 1969)

Sec. 7-1-4.    Organization and rules.

Each Commission shall elect its chairman from among the appointed members and create and fill such other of its offices as it may determine.  The term of the chairmen shall be one (1) year, with eligibility for re-election.  Each Commission shall hold at least one (1) regular meeting in each month, and such meetings may be held consecutively on the same date.  Each Commission shall adopt rules for transaction of business and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which record shall be a public record.  (Ord. 290 §4, 1969)

Sec. 7-1-5.    Staff and finances.

Each Commission, jointly or severally, may appoint such employees as it may deem necessary for its work, whose appointment, promotion, demotion and removal shall be subject to the same provisions of law as govern other corresponding civil employees of the Town.  Each Commission may also, with the consent of the Board, contract with Town planners, engineers, architects and other consultants for such services as it may require.  The expenditures of the Commission, exclusive of gifts, shall be within the amounts appropriated for the purpose by the Board which shall provide the funds, equipment and accommodations necessary for the Commission's work.  (Ord. 290 §5, 1969)

Sec. 7-1-6.    Powers of Commissions.

Each Commission shall have all of the powers and perform each and all of the duties specified by said Chapter 139, Article 59 and 60, Colorado Revised Statutes, 1963, together with any other duties or authority which may hereafter be conferred upon them by the laws of the State of Colorado.  The performance of such duties and the exercise of such authority is to be subject to each and all of the limitations expressed in such legislative enactment or enactments.  (Ord. 290 §6, 1969)

Sec. 7-1-7.    Planning Commission; purpose in view.

In the preparation of a master plan, the Planning Commission shall make careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of present conditions and future growth of the municipality with due regard to its relations to neighboring territory.  The plan shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the municipality and its environs, which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development; including, among other things, adequate provision for traffic, the promotion of safety from fire and other dangers, adequate provision for light and air, the promotion of healthful and convenient distribution of population, the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, and the adequate provision of public utilities and other public requirements.  (Ord. 290 §7, 1969)

Sec. 7-1-8.    Zoning Commission; purpose in view.

The Zoning Commission shall prepare its regulations in accordance with a comprehensive plan and designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; to promote health and general welfare; to provide adequate light and air, to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; and to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements.  Such regulation shall be made with reasonable consideration, among other things, as to the character of the district and its particular suitability for particular uses, and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout such municipality.  (Ord. 290 §8, 1969)