§ 2.3. Local planning boards.

2.3.1

Establishment. Pursuant to G.S. §§ 153A-321 and 160A-361, the County of Lee, the Town of Broadway and the City of Sanford shall each maintain a separate planning board. Within each jurisdiction, each respective board shall execute all powers and duties as set forth in G.S. §§ 153A-321 and 160A-361 and herein.

2.3.2

Powers and duties. Each planning board shall provide an advisory function to their respective governing body and assist in making decisions pertaining to amendments to the comprehensive plan and this ordinance, and applications for development approval. In no event is the board authorized to render a final decision approving, denying or conditionally approving a change in the zoning ordinance, or to render a final decision on an application for development approval. The board shall have the following powers and duties:

• The preparation of a comprehensive plan or other long-range planning document for the respective jurisdiction;

• To prepare or cause to be prepared amendments to such plan and elements thereof and to submit the amendments for the respective jurisdiction;

• To initiate, hear, review and make recommendations to the respective governing body on applications for amendments to the text of this ordinance or the official zoning map;

• To hear, review and recommend approval or disapproval of applications for preliminary subdivision plat approval, in accordance with the rules and regulations established herein; and

• To adopt bylaws, policies, procedures and regulations for the conduct of its meetings, the consideration of applications for development approval, and for any other purposes deemed necessary for the functioning of the board provided, however, that bylaws, policies, procedures and regulations shall be consistent with this ordinance before taking effect.

2.3.3

Membership and appointments for Lee County.

2.3.3.1

The Lee County Planning Board shall consist of seven regular members and two alternate members who shall be appointed by the board of commissioners to serve three-year terms. Each member shall be eligible to serve two consecutive terms.

2.3.3.2

Alternate members shall serve in the absence of a regular member and shall have the same powers and duties as a regular member while serving in this capacity. Alternate members shall be designated as either "first alternate" or "second alternate" with the first alternate always being the first candidate to step in for an absent regular member.

2.3.3.3

The board shall annually elect a chair and a vice-chair by a majority vote of the board. The chairperson shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the planning board and the duties normally conferred by parliamentary usage on such officers. The vice-chairperson shall preside in the absence of the chairperson and shall have the same powers and duties as that of the chair.

2.3.4

Membership and appointments for the Town of Broadway.

2.3.4.1

Appointment and membership within the Town of Broadway Planning Board shall be in accordance with sections 151.01 through 151.03 of the Town of Broadway Code of Ordinances.

2.3.4.2

The board shall annually elect one of its members as chairperson and another as vice-chairperson. Election of officers shall be in accordance with section 151.04 of the Town of Broadway Code of Ordinances.

2.3.4.3

The conduct of meetings of the planning board shall be in accordance with section 151.05 of the Town of Broadway Code of Ordinances.

2.3.5

Membership and appointments for the City of Sanford.

2.3.5.1

Appointment and membership within the City of Sanford Planning Board shall be in accordance with sections 2-232 and 2-233 of the City of Sanford Code of Ordinances.

2.3.5.2

The board shall annually elect one of its members as chairperson and another as vice-chairperson. Election of officers shall be in accordance with section 2-234 of the City of Sanford Code of Ordinances.

2.3.6

Staff.

2.3.6.1

The department of community development shall serve as the professional staff for each of the boards. The department of community development shall appoint a recording secretary to serve the boards. The secretary shall keep minutes of all proceedings of the commission, which minutes shall be a summary of all proceedings before the boards, attested to by a majority of the members of the commission voting. In addition, the secretary shall maintain all records of the meetings, hearings and proceedings, the correspondence of the boards.

(Ord. of 9-19-2005)