Sec. 2-165. Membership.
The planning and zoning commission shall consist of five members, who shall be residents of the town, appointed by the town council. The terms of the members shall be for four years, except that in the appointment of the first planning commission under the terms of this division, the first member shall be appointed for a term of one year, the second member shall be appointed for a term of two years, the third member shall be appointed for a term of three years, the fourth member shall be appointed for a term of four years, and the fifth member shall be appointed for a term of three years. Any vacancy in membership shall be filled for the unexpired term by the town council who shall also have the authority to remove any member for cause on written charges, after a public hearing. All members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with their official duties.
(Ord. of 11-13-1976(2), § 1)
Sec. 2-166. Organization, rules, staff, and finances.
(a) The planning and zoning commission shall elect its chairman from among its members. The term of the chairman shall be one year with eligibility for re-election. The planning and zoning commission shall appoint a secretary, who may be an officer or employee of the municipality. The planning and zoning commission shall make its own rules of procedure and determine its time of meeting. All meetings of the planning and zoning commission at which official action is taken shall be open to the public and all records of the planning and zoning commission shall be a public record.
(b) The planning and zoning commission may appoint such employees and staff as it may deem necessary for its work and may contract with the state planning agency and town planners and other consultants for such services as it may require. The expenditures of the planning and zoning commission, exclusive of gifts, shall be within the amounts appropriated for the purpose of the town council.
(Ord. of 11-13-1976(2), § 2)
The Planning & Zoning Commission will be made up of the following residents:
- Amelia Herb (Term 2026), aherb.pz@tallulahfallsga.gov
- Allie Audette (Term 2024, 2025) (2026, 2027, 2028, 2029) aaudette.pz@tallulahfallsga.gov
- David Parker (Term 2024, 2025) (2026, 2027, 2028, 2029) dparker.pz@tallulahfallsga.gov
- Cristi Sheppard (Term 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) (2024, 2025, 2026, 2027), Secretary csheppard.pz@tallulahfallsga.gov
- Ellen Jelly (Term 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028), Chairman ejelly.pz@tallulahfallsga.gov
All terms will begin July 30 and end July 29 of the year following the last year of the term.
Zoning Amendments
Sec. 1901. – Authority to amend.
The governing body may from time to time amend the number, shape, boundary or area of any district, or may amend any regulation pertaining to any district; or may amend any article or section of these regulations. The procedure for amending these regulations shall be as provided in this article.
Sec. 1902. – Initiation of zoning amendments.
A petition to amend the text of these zoning regulations or the official zoning map may be initiated by the governing body, the planning commission, or any person, firm, corporation or agency that owns property involved in a petition for amendment, subject to the provisions established herein.
Sec. 1903. – Frequency of application.
The governing body or the planning commission may at any time file, in its own name, an application for amendment to the text of the zoning regulations or the official zoning map, except that if a zoning decision of the governing body is for the rezoning of property and the amendment to the zoning ordinance and map to accomplish the rezoning is defeated by the governing body, then the same property may not again be considered for rezoning until the expiration of at least six (6) months immediately following the defeat of the rezoning by the governing body.
A property owner or subsequent property owner shall not initiate action for a map amendment, conditional use permit, certificate of appropriateness or variance affecting the same or any portion of property more often than once every twelve (12) months from the date of any previous decision rendered by the governing body; provided, however, that a property owner may petition for the alteration, modification or deletion of conditions of zoning in accordance with the provisions of this article.
A property owner or subsequent property owner shall not initiate action for a text amendment affecting the same or any portion of property more often than once every twelve (12) months from the date of any previous denial rendered by the governing body.
Sec. 1904. – Withdrawal of amendment application.
Any petition for an amendment to the zoning regulations, official zoning map, conditional use approval, or variance may be withdrawn, at the discretion of the person or agency initiating such a request, at any time prior to final action by the governing body upon written notice to the zoning administrative officer. Any required application fees shall be refunded to the applicant only if such application has not been prepared and submitted for advertisement as determined by the zoning administrative officer.
Sec. 1911. – Planning commission recommendation.
Prior to the public hearing held by the governing body, the planning commission shall hold a public hearing on all applications for amendment to the text of the zoning regulations, amendments to the official zoning map, conditional use permit applications, petitions for alteration or extension of conditional zoning, requests for development plan approval within the PUD, Planned Unit Development district, and variances and appeals.
After completing its studies of the particular petition, the planning commission shall submit a recommended action in writing to the governing body. The planning commission may submit any additional report it deems appropriate. The recommendations of the planning commission shall have an advisory effect only and shall not be binding on the governing body. Copies of the planning commission’s recommendations and reports shall be made available to the applicant and other interested parties upon completion and distribution to the governing body and at the public hearing before the governing body.
The planning commission shall have thirty (30) days from the date of the first public hearing within which to submit its recommendation(s). The governing body shall not take action on any of said applications, until it has received the recommendation(s) of the planning commission within the specified time period. If the planning commission fails to submit a recommendation within the time period specified herein, it shall be deemed to have not made a recommendation for or against the application, and the fact that no recommendation was made by the planning commission under such circumstances shall not be construed or interpreted to mean that the planning commission impliedly recommended approval or denial of said application.
(Ord. of 1-6-2022(2), § 1)