HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. PC Bylaws2
2. The Commission will hold one public comment period for Non -Agenda items and
agenda items listed under “Other Business” and “Consent Calendar.” Individuals wishing to
address the Planning Commission on Non -Agenda items or items listed under “Other Business”
or the “Consent Calendar” shall approach the podium. Each person speaking shall be limited to
four (4) minutes.
3. Language was added that would allow the Commission to default to the City’s
meeting rules in the Downey Municipal Code for any matters not addressed in the By-Laws.
If the Resolution presented herein is approved by the Planning Commission, the Resolution will
be presented to the City Council for approval.
CONCLUSION
Staff is recommending that the Planning Commission adopt the proposed Resolution
recommending that the City Council adopt the proposed changes to the Planning Commission By-
Laws.
EXHIBITS
A. Resolution – “Redline” showing changes to By-Laws
B. Resolution – “Clean” showing changes incorporated
PC Agenda Page 2
RESOLUTION NO. 20-3122
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
UPDATING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 904 OF THE DOWNEY CITY CHARTER
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Downey does hereby adopt the
following rules and regulations pursuant to Section 904 of the Downey City Charter:
DOWNEY PLANNING COMMISSION BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
MEMBERS
Section 1. The Officers of the Planning Commission shall consist of a Chairman and
Vice-Chairman, and all Commissioners shall be appointed members from their respective Council
districts.
Section 2. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the Planning
Commission and shall have the duties normally conferred by parliamentary usage on such an officer.
The Chairman shall have the privilege of discussing all matters before the Planning Commission and
to vote thereon.
Section 3. The Vice-Chairman shall act for the Chairman in his absence.
Section 4. In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the members
present at such meeting may elect a Chairman pro-tem who shall serve only for the duration of the
meeting in which he is appointed and shall have all powers of the Chairman for that meeting.
Section 5. The Secretary to the Commission shall be the Secretary of the Planning
Division or that person designated by the City Manager, and is not a member of the Planning
Commission. The Secretary shall keep minutes of Planning Commission proceedings and
transactions, prepare the agenda of regular and special meetings, arrange proper and legal notice of
hearings, attend to correspondence, and perform such other duties for the Planning Commission as
are normally carried out by a Secretary.
ARTICLE II
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be elected by and from the members
of the Planning Commission. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be held at the second
meeting of January of each year with the newly elected officers to take their seats on the first
regular meeting in February.
Section 2. The terms of office for Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be for one year,
and thereafter until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
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Resolution No. ________20-3122
Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 2
Section 3. Vacancies in offices shall be filled immediately by regular election procedure, but for
the unexpired term only.
ARTICLE III
MEETINGS
Section 1. MEETING TIMES
The regular meetings of the Planning Commission of the City of Downey shall be on the first
and third Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m., in the City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue,
Downey, California, provided that whenever the time for holding any of the meetings falls on a
holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next business day unless otherwise ordered by the
Commission.
Section 2. AGENDA
A. A written agenda shall be prepared for each regular and adjourned regular meeting of the
Commission.
B. The agenda must contain a brief general description of each item of business to be
transacted or discussed at that meeting.
C. Each agenda shall contain a clear statement of the time and location of the meeting as well
as a statement that reports and documents relating to each agenda item are on file in the
office of the Director of Community Development and are available for public inspection.
D. The agenda shall be posted not less than 72 hours in advance of the regular or adjourned
regular meeting to which it relates.
E. The agenda shall be posted in a location freely accessible to the public on the City Hall
Bulletin Board, Downey Public Library and Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior
Center. The person posting the agenda shall complete and sign a certificate of posting.
F. In addition to other notice requirements, the call and notice of a special meeting shall be
posted at the locations specified in subparagraph E. Where feasible, an agenda shall
be prepared for the special meeting in accordance with the procedures described in this
paragraph.
G. Emergency meetings pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.5 and other applicable
law can be held without complying with the agenda requirements of this paragraph.
H. The Commission shall not take any action on any item which does not appear on the posted
agenda except as follows in accordance with the Governmental Code Section 54956.5
1. Emergency Situation
An emergency situation is defined as a work stoppage or other activity which severely impairs
public health, safety, or both. Before proceeding to act upon an emergency item not appearing on the
agenda, the Commission must, by a majority vote, determine that an emergency situation exists and
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Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 3
that prompt action is required by the Commission. The Commission shall include in the minutes of its
meeting the facts upon which it relied in finding the existence of an emergency situation.
2. "Subsequent Need" Item
The Commission may act upon an item not appearing on the agenda if it finds, by a two -
thirds vote or by a unanimous vote if less than two-thirds but more than a quorum of its members are
present, that the need to take action on the non-agenda item is required because the need to act
arose after the posting of the agenda. If such a determination is to be made, a statement of facts
upon which the determination is based shall be included in the minutes supporting the action taken.
3. Held Over Item
Items not appearing on the posted agenda may be acted upon at a meeting if:
(a) the item appeared on a properly posted agenda for a previous meeting; and
(b) the previous meeting occurred not more than five calendar days prior to the date
of the meeting at which the item is proposed to be considered; and
(c) the item was continued from the previous meeting to the meeting at which action
is proposed to be taken.
Section 3. Special Meetings may be called at any time by the Chairman or by a majority
of the Planning Commission by appropriate notice to the members of the Commission and to the
media. The call and notice of the meeting shall provide the time, place and date of such meeting
and the business to be transacted. The Secretary shall post an agenda of the Special Meeting at
least 24 hours prior to said meeting.
Section 4. If, for any reason, the business to be considered at any regular or adjourned
regular, special or adjourned special meeting cannot then be completed, the Commission may at
such meeting designate the time for an adjourned meeting to consider any matter than can properly
be considered at such meeting, and the notice of an adjourned meeting shall be posted in the
manner required by Article III, Section 1 and 2 of these By-Laws. With respect to members not
present, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to employ such reasonable means as may be necessary
to notify the absent members.
Section 5. All meetings of the Commission shall be public meetings open to the public at
all times, except as otherwise required by State law under declared state of emergencies, and all
persons shall be permitted to attend such meetings. The provisions of this Section sha ll not apply to
those matters that occur in closed sessions as outlined by the Brown Act.
Section 6. Appearance of a Commissioner before the Planning Commission. After a
Commissioner has disqualified him or herself as a result of a potential conflict of interest, he or she
may appear before the Commission during the hearing on the matter and present testimony
regarding the matter, provided it is done in the following manner:
A. Appears in the same manner as a member of the general public may appear, solely to
represent him or herself in a manner relating to his or her personal interest. The official's
"personal interests" would include, but not limited to, an interest in real property wholly
owned by the official or his facility, a business wholly owned by the official or his family or
a business entity which the official controls.
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Resolution No. ________20-3122
Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 4
B. When the Commissioner appears before the Planning Commission as a member of the
general public, the testimony given should address how the decision will affect his
personal interest. The Commissioner should not present testimony in a manner as acting
as a representative of other persons in the community and should not bring forth matters
beyond these personal interests.
C. The Commissioner may have a representative speak on his or her behalf; once again the
testimony given should be limited to how the decision relates to the public official's
personal interest.
ARTICLE IV
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1. The order of business for regular meetings shall be:
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. FLAG SALUTE
3. ROLL CALL
4. PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
5. PRESENTATIONS
6. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. 9:30 RECESS
9.8. NON-AGENDA/CONSENT CALENDAR/OTHER BUSINESS PUBLIC COMMENTS
10.9. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS --ITEMS IN THIS SECTION WILL BE VOTED ON IN ONE
MOTION UNLESS A COMMISSIONER OR CITIZEN REQUESTS SEPARATE ACTIONS. ANYONE
WISHING TO DISCUSS A CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY THE
CHAIRMAN, STATE NAME, ADDRESS AND AGENDA ITEM NUMBER. FURTHER, ANY CONSENT
CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE
COMMISSION FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS.
A. MINUTES
11.10. OTHER BUSINESS
12.11. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
13.12. ADJOURNMENT
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance
to participate in this meeting, you should contact the Planning Division office at (562)
PC Agenda Page 6
Resolution No. ________20-3122
Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 5
904-7154 (voice) of the California Relay Service Notification 48 hours prior to the
meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility
to this meeting. Supporting data for items included in this agenda is available for
public review and inspection in the office of the Planning Division during regular
workday hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and in the City Library during
regular hours and on the City website at http://www.downeyca.org.
Section 2. The order of business for special meetings shall be:
1. Roll Call
2. Hearings and Cases, if any
3. Other Special Business
4. Oral Communications
5. Adjournment
Section 3. The order of business of any meeting may be changed by the Chairman with
the approval of a majority of a quorum of the Commission.
ARTICLE V
HEARINGS
Section 1. In order to expedite the hearings on any petition, application, or appeal, the
time for such hearings shall be set by the Secretary at the time of the filing of the petition, application
or appeal, and the Secretary shall cause notice thereof to be given as required by the applicable law.
All hearings shall be set for 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified by the Chairman or the
Commission.
Section 2. The procedure for public hearings shall conform as nearly as possible to the
following outline:
1. Chairman declares the public hearing open and with the consent of a quorum of the
Commission.
2. Planning Division presents the case and factual information of land use and zoning in
the area.
3. Chairman calls on applicant and those favoring the application. Each person
speaking shall state for the record his or her name and addres s.
4. Chairman calls on those protesting the application. Each person speaking shall state
for the record his or her name and address.
5. Chairman gives applicant time for rebuttal of protests.
6. Chairman asks for Planning Division recommendation.
7. Chairman declares the public hearing closed when members of the Planning
Commission indicate they have heard all pertinent testimony. After the public hearing is
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PC Bylaws - Page 6
closed, no additional substantive testimony may be given, however, the Commission
may clarify information which has been received into the public record by directing
questions to its staff or the public, provided further that such clarifications are made at
the same meeting and immediately following the closure of the public hearing.
8. Planning Commission takes action.
Section 3.
1. On the Planning Commission agenda we will note, that at 9:30 p.m. the Planning
Commission mayshall recess the regular meeting. At this time Staff will evaluate the
agenda to see what items remain, to see if any new items will be heard beyond 10:30.
If it is determined that the remaining items on the agenda will go beyond the 10:30 time
period, Staff will confer with the various applicants as to the urgency of the items to be
heard that "evening and will then give this information to the Chairman. The
Commission will then determine which items need to be considered this evening and
those items that could be continued to another meeting.
2. Upon the Chairman receiving information of those Planning Commission items that
will go beyond the 10:30 time period, the Chairman of the Planning Commission
maywill take those requested items to be continued, out of sequence with the action to
continue those items to the designated scheduled meeting date and shall be placed
first on the agenda.
3. At the discretion of the Planning Commission, the Themeeting may be recessed at
9:30 p.m. recess will be adhered to as closely as possible, however, Iif there is a
hearing in process, that hearing will be taken and the items 1 & 2 above maywill be
conducted by Staff and the Commission will proceed accordingly.
4. A hearing before the Planning Commission, which for any reason cannot be
completed at the time and place originally advertised, may be continued to a later date
and an announcement of the time, place, and date of such continued hearing shall
constitute sufficient notice to all parties concerned.
Section 4. In addition to hearings required by law, the Planning Commission may, at its
discretion, hold public hearings on any matters when the Commiss ion decides that such hearings
will be in the public interest.
Section 5.
1. During Public Hearings, all interested parties will be allowed to address the
Commission. The applicant shall speak after the staff report and shall have the
opportunity for rebuttal. The applicant shall not be limited by the three (3) minute time
limit, but shall not be repetitious or digress from the issues before the Commission. The
Chairperson shall request persons wishing to address the Commission on a Public
Hearing item to approach the podium. In the interest of facilitating the business of the
Commission, all persons addressing the Commission shall be limited to three (3) minutes
unless such time is extended by a quorum of the Commission for good cause. The
Commission may establish a maximum period of time for public testimony before or
during the hearing.
2. The Commission will hold one accept public comment period for concerning Non-
Agenda items and agenda items listed under “Other Business” and “Consent Calendar at
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Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 7
the time the item is considered by the Commission. Individuals wishing to address the
Planning Commission on Non-Agenda items or items listed on “Other Business” or the
“Consent Calendar” an agenda item shall approach the podium at the time the title of the
item is announced by the Chairperson. Each person speaking shall be limited to fourthree
(43) minutes per agenda item.
3. At the time that the “Consent Calendar” is considered by the Commission,
members of the public may address the Commission on any item on th e Consent
Calendar. Each person shall be limited to three (3) minutes. Once all public comments
on Consent Calendar items are made, the Commission shall determine which items, if
any, shall be removed from the Consent Calendar. All items that had been re moved will
be considered by the Commission after the Consent Calendar is approved. The
Commission may, but is not required, to allow additional public comment on items
removed from the Consent Calendar.
4.3. The Commission will accept public comments on non-agenda items during the
“Non-Agenda Public Comment” portion of the meeting. Persons addressing the Planning
Commission on Non-Agenda items under item 2 above may only address the
Commission on items not on the agenda but pertaining to the subject matter under the
jurisdiction of the Commission. A determination of whether an item is appropriate for
discussion shall be made by the Chairperson with the consent of a quorum of the
Commission. Persons addressing the Commission during the “Non-Agenda Public
Cmment” period of the meeting shall be limited to three (3) minutes, unless the time is
extended by the Chairperson with the consent of a quorum of the Commission.
r
ARTICLE VI
QUORUM
Section 1. Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the conduct
of business, and the vote of a majority of the members at a meeting where a quorum is present shall
determine the act of decision or other law except where three votes are required by applicable
ordinance.
Section 2. In the event of the lack of quorum at a meeting, the Chairman or Vice-
Chairman, or Commission SecretaryChairman Pro-tem, in that order, shall adjourn the meeting to
another time, place, and date, and such adjournment shall serve as sufficient notice thereof to all
matters whether present at such meeting or not. With respect to members not present, it shall be the
duty of the Secretary to employ such reasonable means as may be necessary to notify the absent
members. The Secretary may adjourn a meeting where no Commissioners are present, provided that
if the meeting is adjourned to a time other than the next regular meeting, notice of the meeting shall
be given as if the meeting were a special meeting.
Section 3. The Chairman and every member of the Commission present shall vote upon
every issue unless abstaining for a reason given; provided, that when a hearing has been held on an
issue and testimony has been taken, no member not present at such hearing shall vote upon such
issue unless he has first read a transcript or heard a t ape recording of the testimony and
proceedings during the hearing.
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ARTICLE VII
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern in the conduct of Commission Meetings
in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws or
any applicable statute or ordinance of the City.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS AND SUSPENSIONS
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting by an
affirmative vote of not less than three mem bers of the Planning Commission.
Section 2. The Planning Commission may suspend any of these By-Law provisions only
for the duration of the meeting at which time they are suspended by a unanimous vote of all
members present at such meeting, unless local or state law prohibits suspension of these By-law
provisions.
ARTICLE IX
COMMISSION AUTHORITY
Section 1. Any matters not addressed in these By-Laws shall be governed by the
Downey City Council meeting rules contained in the Downey Municipal Code, as they may be
amended from time to time. Failure of the Commission to follow the procedures established by this
Resolution shall not invalidate or otherwise affect any action of the Commission.
Section 2. These By-Laws in no way modify, amend or suspend the Commission's or
individual Commissioner's obligations pursuant to the Political Reform Act, Open Meeting Law or
other applicable statute of statewide concern. These By-Laws shall be construed to remain
consistent with such statutes, as they may be amend ed from time to time.
SECTION 3. Planning Commission Resolution No. 20-312212-2804 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect on the effective date of of Ordinance No. 20-
1437 following approval by the Downey City Council.
APPROVED by the Planning Commission this 2nd17th day of FebruaryJune, 20220
Miguel Duarte, Chairman
City Downey Planning Commission
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Resolution No. ________20-3122
Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 9
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof held on the 2nd17th day of February
June, 20220 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Owens, Spathopoulos, Frometa and Duarte
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Dominguez
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
DowneyCity Planning Commission
Approved by the Downey City Council during its regular meeting held on the ____14th day of
___________July, 20220, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Blanca Pacheco, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Maria Alicia Duarte, CMC
City Clerk
PC Agenda Page 11
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
UPDATING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 904 OF THE DOWNEY CITY CHARTER
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Downey does hereby adopt the
following rules and regulations pursuant to Section 904 of the Downey City Charter:
DOWNEY PLANNING COMMISSION BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
MEMBERS
Section 1. The Officers of the Planning Commission shall consist of a Chairman and
Vice-Chairman, and all Commissioners shall be appointed members from their respective Council
districts.
Section 2. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the Planning
Commission and shall have the duties normally conferred by parliamentary usage on such an officer.
The Chairman shall have the privilege of discussing all matters before the Planning Commission and
to vote thereon.
Section 3. The Vice-Chairman shall act for the Chairman in his absence.
Section 4. In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the members
present at such meeting may elect a Chairman pro-tem who shall serve only for the duration of the
meeting in which he is appointed and shall have all powers of the Chairman for that meeting.
Section 5. The Secretary to the Commission shall be the Secretary of the Planning
Division or that person designated by the City Manager, and is not a member of the Planning
Commission. The Secretary shall keep minutes of Planning Commission proceedings and
transactions, prepare the agenda of regular and special meetings, arrange proper and legal notice of
hearings, attend to correspondence, and perform such other duties for the Planning Commission as
are normally carried out by a Secretary.
ARTICLE II
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be elected by and from the members
of the Planning Commission. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be held at the second
meeting of January of each year with the newly elected officers to take their seats on the first
regular meeting in February.
Section 2. The terms of office for Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be for one year,
and thereafter until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
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Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 2
Section 3. Vacancies in offices shall be filled immediately by regular election procedure, but for
the unexpired term only.
ARTICLE III
MEETINGS
Section 1. MEETING TIMES
The regular meetings of the Planning Commission of the City of Downey shall be on the first
and third Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m., in the City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue,
Downey, California, provided that whenever the time for holding any of the meetings falls on a
holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next business day unless otherwise ordered by the
Commission.
Section 2. AGENDA
A.A written agenda shall be prepared for each regular and adjourned regular meeting of the
Commission.
B.The agenda must contain a brief general description of each item o f business to be
transacted or discussed at that meeting.
C.Each agenda shall contain a clear statement of the time and location of the meeting as well
as a statement that reports and documents relating to each agenda item are on file in the
office of the Director of Community Development and are available for public inspection.
D.The agenda shall be posted not less than 72 hours in advance of the regular or adjourned
regular meeting to which it relates.
E.The agenda shall be posted in a location freely acc essible to the public on the City Hall
Bulletin Board, Downey Public Library and Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior
Center. The person posting the agenda shall complete and sign a certificate of posting.
F.In addition to other notice requirements, the c all and notice of a special meeting shall be
posted at the locations specified in subparagraph E. Where feasible, an agenda shall
be prepared for the special meeting in accordance with the procedures described in this
paragraph.
G.Emergency meetings pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.5 and other applicable
law can be held without complying with the agenda requirements of this paragraph.
H.The Commission shall not take any action on any item which does not appear on the posted
agenda except as follows in accordance with the Governmental Code Section 54956.5
1.Emergency Situation
An emergency situation is defined as a work stoppage or other activity which severely impairs
public health, safety, or both. Before proceeding to act upon an emergency item not appearing on the
agenda, the Commission must, by a majority vote, determine that an emergency situation exists and
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Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 3
that prompt action is required by the Commission. The Commission shall include in the minutes of its
meeting the facts upon which it relied in finding the existence of an emergency situation.
2."Subsequent Need" Item
The Commission may act upon an item not appearing on the agenda if it finds, by a two -
thirds vote or by a unanimous vote if less than two-thirds but more than a quorum of its members are
present, that the need to take action on the non-agenda item is required because the need to act
arose after the posting of the agenda. If such a determination is to be made, a statement of facts
upon which the determination is based shall be included in the minutes supporting the action taken.
3.Held Over Item
Items not appearing on the posted agenda may be acted upon at a meeting if:
(a) the item appeared on a properly posted agenda for a previous meeting; and
(b) the previous meeting occurred not more than five calendar days prior to the date
of the meeting at which the item is proposed to be considered; and
(c) the item was continued from the previous meeting to the meeting at which action
is proposed to be taken.
Section 3. Special Meetings may be called at any time by the Chairman or by a majority
of the Planning Commission by appropriate notice to the members of the Commission and to the
media. The call and notice of the meeting shall provide the time, place and date of such meeting
and the business to be transacted. The Secretary shall post an agenda of the Special Meeting at
least 24 hours prior to said meeting.
Section 4. If, for any reason, the business to be considered at any regular or adjourned
regular, special or adjourned special meeting cannot then be completed, the Commission may at
such meeting designate the time for an adjourned meeting to consider any matter than can properly
be considered at such meeting, and the notice of an adjourned meeting shall be posted in the
manner required by Article III, Section 1 and 2 of these By-Laws. With respect to members not
present, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to employ such reasonable means as may be necessary
to notify the absent members.
Section 5. All meetings of the Commission shall be public meetings open to the public at
all times, except as otherwise required by State law under declared state of emergencies, and all
persons shall be permitted to attend such meetings. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to
those matters that occur in closed sessions as outlined by the Brown Act.
Section 6. Appearance of a Commissioner before the Planning Commission. After a
Commissioner has disqualified him or herself as a result of a potential conflict of interes t, he or she
may appear before the Commission during the hearing on the matter and present testimony
regarding the matter, provided it is done in the following manner:
A.Appears in the same manner as a member of the general public may appear, solely to
represent him or herself in a manner relating to his or her personal interest. The official's
"personal interests" would include, but not limited to, an interest in real property wholly
owned by the official or his facility, a business wholly owned by the off icial or his family or
a business entity which the official controls.
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Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 4
B.When the Commissioner appears before the Planning Commission as a member of the
general public, the testimony given should address how the decision will affect his
personal interest. The Commissioner should not present testimony in a manner as acting
as a representative of other persons in the community and should not bring forth matters
beyond these personal interests.
C.The Commissioner may have a representative speak on his or her behalf; once again the
testimony given should be limited to how the decision relates to the public official's
personal interest.
ARTICLE IV
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1. The order of business for regular meetings shall be:
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.FLAG SALUTE
3.ROLL CALL
4.PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
5.PRESENTATIONS
6.REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
7.PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.NON-AGENDA/CONSENT CALENDAR/OTHER BUSINESS PUBLIC COMMENTS
9.CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS --ITEMS IN THIS SECTION WILL BE VOTED ON IN ONE
MOTION UNLESS A COMMISSIONER REQUESTS SEPARATE ACTIONS. FURTHER, ANY
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE
COMMISSION FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS.
A.MINUTES
10.OTHER BUSINESS
11.STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
12.ADJOURNMENT
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance
to participate in this meeting, you should contact the Planning Division office at (562)
904-7154 (voice) of the California Relay Service Notification 48 hours prior to the
meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility
to this meeting. Supporting data for items included in this agenda is available for
PC Agenda Page 15
Resolution No. ________
Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 5
public review and inspection in the office of the Planning Division during regular
workday hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and in the City Library during
regular hours and on the City website at http://www.downeyca.org.
Section 2. The order of business for special meetings shall be:
1.Roll Call
2.Hearings and Cases, if any
3.Other Business
4.Oral Communications
5.Adjournment
Section 3. The order of business of any meeting may be changed by the Chairman with
the approval of a majority of a quorum of the Commission.
ARTICLE V
HEARINGS
Section 1. In order to expedite the hearings on any petition, application, or appeal, the
time for such hearings shall be set by the Secretary at the time of the filing of the petition, application
or appeal, and the Secretary shall cause notice thereof to be given as required by the applicable law.
All hearings shall be set for 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified by the Chairman or the
Commission.
Section 2. The procedure for public hearings shall conform as nearly as possible to the
following outline:
1.Chairman declares the public hearing open and with the consent of a quorum of the
Commission.
2.Planning Division presents the case and factual information of land use and zoning in
the area.
3.Chairman calls on applicant and those favoring the application. Each person
speaking shall state for the record his or her name and address.
4.Chairman calls on those protesting the application. Each person speaking shall state
for the record his or her name and address.
5.Chairman gives applicant time for rebuttal of protests.
6.Chairman asks for Planning Division recommendation.
7.Chairman declares the public hearing closed when members of the Planning
Commission indicate they have heard all pertinent testimony. After the public hearing is
closed, no additional substantive testimony may be given, however, the Commission
may clarify information which has been received into the public record by directing
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questions to its staff or the public, provided further that such clarifications are made at
the same meeting and immediately following the closure of the public hearing.
8. Planning Commission takes action.
Section 3.
1. On the Planning Commission agenda we will note, that at 9:30 p.m. the Planning
Commission may recess the regular meeting. At this time Staff will evaluate the
agenda to see what items remain, to see if any new items will be heard beyond 10:30.
If it is determined that the remaining items on the agenda will go beyond the 10:30 time
period, Staff will confer with the various applicants as to the urgency of the items to be
heard that "evening and will then give this information to the Chairman. The
Commission will then determine which items need to be considered this evening and
those items that could be continued to another meeting.
2. Upon the Chairman receiving information of those Planning Commission items that
will go beyond the 10:30 time period, the Chairman of the Planning Commission may
take those requested items to be continued, out of sequence with the action to
continue those items to the designated scheduled meeting date and shall be placed
first on the agenda.
3. At the discretion of the Planning Commission, the meeting may be recessed at 9:30
p.m.If there is a hearing in process, that hearing will be taken and the items 1 & 2
above mayl be conducted by Staff and the Commission will proceed accordingly.
4. A hearing before the Planning Commission, which for any reason cannot be
completed at the time and place originally advertised, may be continued to a later date
and an announcement of the time, place, and date of such continued hearing shall
constitute sufficient notice to all parties concerned.
Section 4. In addition to hearings required by law, the Planning Commission may, at its
discretion, hold public hearings on any matters when the Commission decides that such hearings
will be in the public interest.
Section 5.
1. During Public Hearings, all interested parties will be allowed to address the
Commission. The applicant shall speak after the staff report and shall have the
opportunity for rebuttal. The applicant shall not be limited by the three (3) minute time
limit, but shall not be repetitious or digress from the issues before the Commission. The
Chairperson shall request persons wishing to address the Commission on a Public
Hearing item to approach the podium. In the interest of facilitating the business of the
Commission, all persons addressing the Commission shall be limited to three (3) minutes
unless such time is extended by a quorum of the Commission for good cause. The
Commission may establish a maximum period of time for public testimony before or
during the hearing.
2. The Commission will hold one public comment period for Non-Agenda items and
agenda items listed under “Other Business” and “Consent Calendar . Individuals wishing
to address the Planning Commission on Non-Agenda items or items listed on “Other
Business” or the “Consent Calendar” shall approach the podium. Each person speaking
shall be limited to four (4) minutes.
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3. Persons addressing the Planning Commission on Non-Agenda items under item
2 above may only address the Commission on items not on the agenda but pertaining to
the subject matter under the jurisdiction of the Commission. A determination of whether
an item is appropriate for discussion shall be made by the Chairperson with the consent
of a quorum of the Commission.
r
ARTICLE VI
QUORUM
Section 1. Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the conduct
of business, and the vote of a majority of the members at a meeting where a quorum is present shall
determine the act of decision or other law except where three votes are required by applicable
ordinance.
Section 2. In the event of the lack of quorum at a meeting, the Chairman or Vice -
Chairman, or Commission Secretary, in that order, shall adjourn the meeting to another time, place,
and date, and such adjournment shall serve as sufficient notice thereof to all matters whether
present at such meeting or not. With respect to members not present, it shall be the duty of the
Secretary to employ such reasonable means as may be necessary to notify the absent members.
The Secretary may adjourn a meeting where no Commissioners are present, provided that if the
meeting is adjourned to a time other than the next regular meeting, notice of t he meeting shall be
given as if the meeting were a special meeting.
Section 3. The Chairman and every member of the Commission present shall vote upon
every issue unless abstaining for a reason given; provided, that when a hearing has been held on an
issue and testimony has been taken, no member not present at such hearing shall vote upon such
issue unless he has first read a transcript or heard a tape recording of the testimony and
proceedings during the hearing.
ARTICLE VII
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern in the conduct of Commission Meetings
in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws or
any applicable statute or ordinance of the City.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS AND SUSPENSIONS
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting by an
affirmative vote of not less than three members of the Planning Commission.
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Section 2. The Planning Commission may suspend any of these By-Law provisions only
for the duration of the meeting at which time they are suspended by a unanimous vote of all
members present at such meeting, unless local or state law prohibits suspension of these By-law
provisions.
ARTICLE IX
COMMISSION AUTHORITY
Section 1. Any matters not addressed in these By-Laws shall be governed by the
Downey City Council meeting rules contained in the Downey Municipal Code, as they may be
amended from time to time. Failure of the Commission to follow the procedures established by this
Resolution shall not invalidate or otherwise affect any action of the Commission.
Section 2. These By-Laws in no way modify, amend or suspend the Commission's or
individual Commissioner's obligations pursuant to the Political Reform Act, Open Meeting Law or
other applicable statute of statewide concern. These By-Laws shall be construed to remain
consistent with such statutes, as they may be amended from time to time.
SECTION 3. Planning Commission Resolution No. 20-3122 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect on the effective date of approval by the
Downey City Council.
APPROVED by the Planning Commission this 2nd day of February, 2022
Miguel Duarte, Chairman
Downey Planning Commission
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof held on the 2nd day of February,
2022 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
Downey Planning Commission
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Resolution No. ________
Downey Planning Commission
PC Bylaws - Page 9
Approved by the Downey City Council during its regular meeting held on the ____ day of
___________, 2022, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Blanca Pacheco, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Maria Alicia Duarte, CMC
City Clerk
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