3.2 Planning Commission3.2.1 Creation
The Durham Planning Commission was created by the Durham Board of County Commissioners and the Durham City Council on July 1, 1988 in accordance with the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement on City-County Planning. The Commission is composed of a Planning Committee and a Zoning Committee.
3.2.2 Membership
The Durham Planning Commission shall consist of fourteen members. Seven members shall be appointed by the City Council. Six of the seven City appointees shall represent specific districts within the corporate limits of the City. Boundaries of the districts shall be defined on an officially adopted map. Seven of the members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Durham Board of County Commissioners. Four of these seven county appointees shall represent districts defined on an officially adopted map, and three shall reside within the Durham corporate limits. All members shall have equal rights regardless of whether the matters at issue are located inside or outside of the corporate limits. Members shall be appointed for three year terms. Members may continue to serve until their successors have been appointed. Vacancies occurring for reasons other than the expiration of terms shall be filled by the appointing authority as they occur for the period of the unexpired term.
3.2.3 Organization and Meetings
The members of the Durham Planning Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and shall create and fill other offices as the members may find necessary. The Commission shall adopt rules of procedure. The Commission shall hold at least four meetings per year at such times as the Commission shall determine. The Chairperson, in consultation with the Vice Chairperson, shall appoint seven members to serve on the Zoning Committee and seven members to serve on the Planning Committee. Members shall not serve on both committees simultaneously. Each committee shall establish a regular meeting schedule. All meetings shall be open to the public and shall conform to the North Carolina Open Meetings Law, NCGS Chapter 143, Article 33C.
3.2.4 Compensation of Members
The members of the Durham Planning Commission may be compensated for their services in such amounts as from time to time shall be determined by the Governing Bodies.
3.2.5 Powers and Duties
| A. | The duties of the Planning Commission shall be to: | 1. | Determine land use objectives and make land use studies and recommendations. |
| 2. | Review and recommend plans, policies, ordinances, ordinance amendments, and administrative procedures. | |
| 3. | Review and recommend policies for encouraging public participation in all planning activities. | |
| 4. | Perform related duties as directed by the Governing Bodies. | |
| B. | The duties of the Zoning Committee of the Planning Commission shall be to hold public hearings and make recommendations on rezoning petitions and amendments to development ordinances. | |
| C. | The duties of the Planning Committee of the Planning Commission shall be to review and make recommendations on planning reports, small area plans, comprehensive plans, greenway and open space plans, housing programs and plans, revitalization plans, transportation plans, environmental reports, work programs, and capital improvement programs. |
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To reach Durham City/County Planning call 919-560-4137 or fax us at 919-560-4641