[Amended 2-9-2009 by Ord. No. 142]
A.
The Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council,
shall appoint a Planning and Zoning Commission consisting of five
members, plus one alternate, one of whom may be a member of the Town
Council, who shall serve concurrent with his/her Town Council term.
B.
The terms of members who are not also members of the
Town Council shall be three years, or until their successors are appointed.
Appointed members shall live, work, be a property owner, or be a business
owner within the Town limits of Leonardtown.
[Amended 5-9-2011 by Ord. No. 149]
A.
Any member of the Planning and Zoning Commission may
be removed from office by the Town Council for neglect of duties,
malfeasance, physical incapacity or a change of residence or work
location such that the person no longer lives or works within the
Town limits. Neglect of duties shall include failure to attend at
least 75% of the Planning and Zoning Commission's regularly scheduled
meetings during any twelve-month period. If the Town Council removes
any member of the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to the expiration
of his/her appointed term, the reasons for the removal shall be issued
in a written report to the member removed.
B.
If a member is removed or resigns from the Commission
prior to the expiration of his/her term of office, the Mayor, with
the approval of the Town Council, shall appoint a replacement to fill
the remainder of the term.
A.
The Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council,
shall appoint a Chair and Vice Chair from its appointed membership.
Terms shall be for one year with eligibility for reappointment.
[Amended 5-9-2011 by Ord. No. 149]
B.
The Commission shall meet at least once each month.
However, if there is insufficient business in any month, the Chair
may cancel the meeting. Three members shall constitute a quorum for
the conduct of business. If neither the Chair nor Vice-Chair is present
at a meeting, the remaining members shall elect a temporary Chair
for that particular meeting.
C.
The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction
of business and shall keep a record of its recommendations, decisions,
findings and determinations, which record shall be a public record.
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall be
responsible for the following:
A.
Final approval authority on subdivision of land and
site plans. Any appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission's decision
may only be taken to the Circuit Court of St. Mary's County, Maryland.
B.
Waivers, modifications. The Planning and Zoning Commission
may waive or modify provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision
Regulations,[1] Road Ordinance[2] or any other ordinances over which it has authority, on
a case-by-case basis. The Commission may allow waivers or modifications
only when it finds that such waiver or modification of a standard
does not harm the environment or violate the spirit of Leonardtown's
Development Regulations.
C.
Approval authority on interpretation of the Subdivision
Regulations, Zoning Ordinance, Road Ordinance, Stormwater Management
Regulations; exterior architectural plans. Any appeal of the Planning
and Zoning Commission's decision must be taken to the Town Council.
Appeals of the Town Council's decisions may only be taken to the Circuit
Court of St Mary's County, Maryland.
D.
Recommendation to the Town Council required. Rules
and regulations governing the development of land within the Town
can only be adopted or modified by the Town Council. However, prior
to final action by the Town Council, the Planning Commission must
review and make recommendations to the Council on any adoption or
amendment to the following:
