DUTIES: As established by the City Charter, the Planning Commission has the responsibility of making recommendations to the Council on issues of land use and development, including zoning and subdivision regulations. The Commission advises the Council on amendment of the City's General Plan, on specific plans for future physical development, and on the Capital Improvement Program. They also act as an appellate body for those persons dissatisfied with the Planning Director's decisions on the aforementioned issues.

RELATIONSHIPS: The City Council is the final decision-making body. The Commission is primarily an advisory body to the City Council, although certain permits are granted at the Commission level, without requiring Council approval. In addition, the Planning Commission acts as a conduit for public input to the Council.

QUALIFICATIONS: The Commission consists of seven members who are appointed to four-year terms. Commissioners must be registered voters in the City of San Jose at all times during their term of office and they must have been citizens of the United States and residents of San Jose for at least one year prior to their term. A background in urban planning, architecture, law or other related areas would be helpful.

MEETINGS : The Planning Commission typically meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month at 6:30 P.M., contact staff for location. Commissioners spend 4-6 hours each month preparing for each regular meeting. In addition, Commissioners spend 16-20 hours a month in Commission Meetings, study sessions, community meetings, meetings with staff, and in visiting and evaluating the physical location of each proposed development.

BENEFITS: Compensation for Planning Commissioners is $250 per month. Commissioners may also be reimbursed for some expenses incurred on City business.

POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974 AS AMENDED: The Conflicts of Interest section of the Political Reform Act applies to the Planning Commission and Planning Commissioners are required to file Form 700 and to disclose investments, interests in real property, sources of income, including loans, gifts and honoraria, and business positions.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS: Following posting of a Notice of Vacancy, all applications received by the deadline will be submitted to the Mayor and Council members who, in turn, will notify the City Clerk as to whom they would like to interview. Applicants receiving four or more such indications of interest will be asked to appear during a regularly-scheduled Council meeting and will be interviewed by the Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council then cast written ballots which are read into the record by the City Clerk. Applicants receiving six or more votes, or the highest number of votes over six, will be appointed to serve on the Commission.

ATTENDANCE: Commissioners are expected to attend all Commission meetings. San Jose City Charter requires that a Commissioner who misses five consecutive regular meetings is deemed to have resigned from the Commission, unless that Commissioner is excused by Resolution of the Council.

For further information, contact the Commission Staff at 408-535-3555.