PLANNING BOARD ORDINANCE
TOWN OF GORHAM
PLANNING BOARD ORDINANCE
Permanent Ordinance passed 4/2/74
Amended 11/10/87
Article I Establishment
Pursuant to M.R.S.A. Constitution and VIII-A and 30 M.R.S.A., Section 1917, there is hereby created a Planning Board for the Town of Gorham for which purpose it shall serve to act as an Advisory Board to the Town Council in matters relating to the Town's planned development and general land use.
Article II Appointment, Tenure, Qualification and Vacancy
The Planning Board shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the Town Council and who shall serve without pay and who shall be representatives of the Town at large. The initial members shall be appointed three for 3 years, two for 2 years and two for 1 year and thereafter each member shall be appointed for three years, or until a successor is appointed.
Members appointed shall be residents of the Town.
A vacancy may occur by reason of resignation, death, giving up residency or failure to attend at least 75% of all meetings during the previous twelve months. The Chairman of the Board shall immediately notify the Town Council in writing of any vacancy when it occurs.
Article III Organization and Rules
Upon appointment of the members of the Planning Board, the members shall meet and elect a chairman and a vice-chairman and such other officers as they may determine to serve for a period of one year or until a successor is elected, and a member may succeed himself in office if so elected. The Planning Board shall hold a regular monthly meeting and other meetings as it deems necessary from time to time. All records shall be deemed public after acceptance by the Planning Board and may be inspected at the office of the Code Enforcement Officer during regular business hours.
On any and all voting matters pertaining to recommended adoption or amendments to the Comprehensive Plan or to proposed adoption or amendments to the Land Use Code, an affirmative vote of a majority of all the members of the Board (4 votes) shall be necessary for its passage and only after a public hearing has been conducted on the matter. All other voting matters shall be decided by a majority vote of those present and voting.
Article IV Powers and Duties
The Planning Board shall maintain a Comprehensive Plan for the Town as defined by Title 30 M.R.S.A., Section 4961. A Comprehensive Plan or amendments as recommended by the Planning Board shall be submitted to the Town Council for adoption in the form of an Ordinance.
The Planning Board shall exercise such powers and perform such other functions as are authorized and provided for under the Town’s ordinances and the Laws of the State pertaining to zoning, sub-divisions and land-use throughout the Town.
The Planning Board shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be necessary for the administration of its affairs on behalf of the Town, and may obtain goods and services necessary for its proper functions within the limits of its budget as approved by the Town Council.
The Planning Board shall cooperate fully with other individuals and private or governmental agencies.
Article V Savings Provision
The present Planning Board shall continue in existence and continue its functions until the Planning Board is organized in accordance with this Ordinance, and the Town’s present Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Ordinance shall continue in full force until such time as any Ordinance or amendments to the present Plan or Ordinance is adopted.
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