The Planning Commission Members
Pat Kearney - Chairperson
Michael Harbison - Vice Chairperson
Uffe Moller - Planning Commissioner
Nancy Marthens - Planning Commissioner
Don Dye- Planning Commissioner

 

Meeting Dates: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month
Time: 6:30pm
Place: Lawndale City Hall Council Chambers
Address: 14717 Burin Avenue, Lawndale CA 90260

Planning Commission Agendas are available the Thursday before a meeting at Lawndale City Hall in the Community Development Dept. & the City Hall Foyer.

State law requires that every city have a planning agency to carry out the city's land use policies.  The City Council created the Planning Commission in 1959 by ordinance.  That ordinance and all subsequent revisions later became Chapter 2.40 of the Lawndale Municipal Code, which contains all City policies specific only to the Planning Commission.  The Planning Commission stands alone among the appointed bodies in being the only one with regulatory powers, and the only one whose duties are partially specified in state laws.  Because of the significance of their duties, planning commissioners are required to annually file statements declaring their economic interests while in office.

The Planning Commission consists of five members, and regularly meets twice a month.  Commissioners receive a small stipend for each meeting attended.  The Director of Community Development serves as the staff representative to the commission.

Section 2.40.070 of the municipal code describes the duties of the commission as follows:

"The planning commission shall have the power, except as otherwise provided by law, to:

A.    Recommend to the proper office plans for the regulation of the future growth, development and beautification of the city in respect to its public and private buildings and works, streets, parks, grounds and vacant lots;

B.    Recommend to the proper office of the city plans consistent with the future growth and development of the city, in order to secure sanitation, proper service of all public utilities, shipping and transportation facilities;

C.    Make recommendations to any public authorities or persons with reference to the location of any proposed buildings, structures or works;

D.    Recommend to the council approval, conditional approval or disapproval of tentative maps of proposed subdivisions of land. The council designates the planning commission as its advisory agency with respect to the design and improvement of proposed subdivisions. Every such map or plat shall, prior to its final approval or disapproval by the council, be submitted to the commission for action thereon;

E.     Do such other things as shall be necessary to carry out the provisions of this code and the provisions of the Conservation and Planning Act of the state, amendments or any act substituted therefor;

F.     Adopt such bylaws as it may deem necessary to provide for:

1.    The time and place of meeting,

2.    The time and method of electing officers,

3.    Such other matters relative to the organization of the commission and methods of administration of its duties as are not otherwise provided for by statute or ordinance;

G.    Act as the local authority on all matters pertaining to traffic within the city, with the exception of those matters which by law are required to be considered and determined by the city council or any matter appealed to the city council. Any decision made by the commission regarding a traffic issue may be appealed to the city council in the manner specified by Lawndale Municipal Code Chapter 17.12."