Planning Commission Seeks Volunteer Commissioner

The Planning Commission has a potential vacancy to begin January 1, 2025.

If you are interested, please submit a resume and letter of interest to the City. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

 

What does the Planning Commission do?

The Planning Commission helps uphold the long-term vision of the City of Marine. Guided by the comprehensive plan and zoning code, Commissioners review requests from property owners who wish to take small exceptions to the code through a variance or conditional use permit. The Commission also reviews and updates the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance.

Specific tasks:

• Consider case-by-case requests for exceptions to the city code such as variances, conditional use permits, interim use permits and other matters relating to buildings, use of property or proposed development. Commissioners talk with property owners making requests, visit the site, consult the City’s zoning ordinance, and ultimately make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the request. The Commission’s review ensures that any variations from the code remain consistent with the City’s long-term goals.

• Review and update the City’s comprehensive plan (“comp plan”) every 10 years. If conditions have changed and amendments or additions are needed, make relevant recommendations to City Council.

• Create additions to the code at the request of City Council. Recent examples include new ordinances for short-term rentals and cellular infrastructure.

• Review the zoning ordinance at the Council’s request to ensure consistency with current state laws and needs of the City.

• Work with the Planning Commission’s planning consultant to accomplish tasks, reviewing deliverables, offering feedback, and meeting deadlines to keep tasks on schedule and on budget.

 

Time Commitment and Work Required

Attend meetings regularly. Regular monthly meetings occur the last Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 pm. There is no meeting in December. Absence from three consecutive monthly meetings, or four in a year, constitutes a vacancy if so declared by the City Council. 

In addition to attending monthly meetings:

• New commissioners must take time to learn the zoning code and comprehensive plan, at least to the point of being able to look up and understand rules that apply to properties throughout the City.

• There are occasional workshops and additional commission meetings.

• Commissioners work on special projects, compile the information needed for variance or permit recommendations, review meeting minutes and read materials for upcoming meetings.

• Site visits are conducted outside of the regular meeting time.

 

Those applying for Planning Commission should plan on serving a three-year term, although the City Council may appoint you to a shorter term depending on the commission's needs. Commissioners who wish to serve more than one term will be eligible for reappointment, and there is no limit on the number of terms served.