Sec. 12.101 Creation and Duties
The planning and zoning (P and Z) committee was created by the City of Oak Leaf Tuesday, April 17, 1984 in regular session. It is required to follow Texas municipal law and procedures. The committee is responsible for:
(1) providing information as requested by the city council.
(2) drafting and recommending ordinances to the city council.
(3) drafting zoning requirements for inclusion in proposed ordinances.
(4) ensuring that city ordinances and zoning regulations are enforced.
(5) recommending the types of permits required and their associated fees.
(6) preparing an annual report that includes goals, a summary of achievements, significant activities, problem areas, and future plans.
(7) working with the building inspector to enforce the ordinances of Oak Leaf.
Sec. 12.102 Subdivision Plats
Article 974a of Vernon’s Annotated Texas Civil Statutes requires that any plat of a subdivision within the corporate limits of any city or within five miles of the corporate limits be approved by the city council on recommendation by the planning and zoning committee. The division of a tract of land into two or more tracts for the purpose of laying out any subdivision is covered by the requirements of this article.
Sec. 12.103 Zoning
(a) For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, and the protection and preservation of places and areas, or the general welfare of the city, under recommendation by planning and zoning committee, the city council are empowered by Article 1011a et seq.
(b) The planning and zoning committee must follow the Texas municipal law and procedures.
(c) The planning and zoning committee will work closely with the building inspector who shall be responsible for the approval of:
(1) permits associated with building construction, fence erection, and swimming pool installation.
(2) any other item requiring permits.
(Ordinance 9306 of 11/16/93)
Sec. 12.104 Membership
(a) The committee shall consist of not less than four (4) nor more than ten (10) members. Members must be residents of Oak Leaf and registered voters in Ellis County. Members are recommended to the city by the planning and zoning committee and appointed to a one year term by the mayor, with consent from the council. Any member who is not able to attend a meeting shall advise the P and Z secretary or chairperson in advance of the meeting. Members with more than three (3) unexcused absences in a calendar year shall be informed by letter that states the attendance policy. An additional unexcused absence in the same calendar year could result in the P and Z committee taking action to remove that individual from membership on the P and Z committee. (Ordinance 9306 of 11/16/93; Ordinance adopting Code)
(b) The city secretary shall:
(1) be responsible for qualifying each applicant in areas that include delinquent taxes, voter registration, residency, and creditable record of attendance and performance in any previous board/committee service.
(2) solicit applicants for membership and submit them to the council.
(3) prepare certificates of appointment.
(4) administer the oath of membership to the appointees at the beginning of their first meeting or at the secretary’s office.
Alternately, the mayor may administer the oath to the appointees in an open meeting of the city council.
(Ordinance 9306 of 11/16/93)
Sec. 12.105 Chairperson
At the first meeting of each year, a chairperson and an alternate chairperson shall be elected from and by the committee members. In the absence of the chair person, the alternate shall assume the responsibilities of the chairperson. (Ordinance 9306 of 11/5/98)
Sec. 12.106 P and Z Secretary
The P and Z committee shall be provided with a secretary. This person may be the city secretary, a volunteer obtained by the city secretary, or hired by the city secretary and approved by the city council.
Sec. 12.107 Meetings
(a) The P and Z secretary shall:
(1) prepare a calendar of actions to be performed by the city secretary and council to accomplish the appointment of members each year.
(2) prepare and publish an agenda for each meeting (the agenda shall be approved by the chairperson).
(3) take and prepare meeting minutes.
(4) monitor the attendance of members. perform other tasks deemed necessary by the committee and approved by the chairperson.
(b) The planning and zoning committee shall hold meetings on an as needed basis as determined by the city council and/or the planning and zoning chairman. The time and place for the meetings shall be determined by the committee and approved by the city council. Meeting activities shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.
(Ordinance 9306 of 11/16/93)
