BY-LAWS of ARLINGTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

Revised and Adopted November 5, 2002

ARTICLE I - PURPOSE

1. The Planning Commission was established on March 3, 1956, by resolution of the Arlington County Board.
2. The Planning Commission’s purpose is to promote the orderly development of the locality and its environs and to advise the County Board on that subject.
3. The Planning Commission is governed by the Code of Virginia.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERS

1. Commissioners are appointed by the Arlington County Board for a designated period not to exceed four years per appointment.  All Commissioners must be residents of the county and must also be qualified by knowledge and experience to make decisions on questions of community growth and development. In addition, at least one half of the members so appointed must be owners of real property.

2. The Charter adopted on June 23, 1956, provided for nine voting members, with the County Manager and Superintendent of Schools serving as ex-officio members.  A revised Charter was adopted on August 17, 1957.  Membership was increased to the statutory limit of 15 on January 21, 1967, and then reduced to 14 on January 6, 1968.  Membership was again reduced to 13 on July 8, 1970, and to 12 on February 13, 1971. It was increased to 13 on January 24, 1976, and increased once more to 15 on February 5, 1977. An exerpt from the October 2, 2004 County Board Meeting Minutes reads as follows:  on motion by Mr. Fisette, seconded by Mr. Tejada and carried by a vote of 5 to 0, the voting recorded as follows:  Ms. Favola - Aye, Mr. Fisette - Aye, Mr. Ferguson - Aye, Mr. Tejada - Aye, and Mr. Zimmerman - Aye, the Board increased the membership of the Planning Commission from 12 to a total number of 13 members.

3. The County Board may reappoint commissioners for another term.  However, vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term only.  Members may be removed for malfeasance in office.

ARTICLE III - OFFICERS

1. There will be two officers: chair and vice chair.
2. Elections will be held at the first official Commission meeting after January 1 of each year.  The newly elected officers will take office at the same meeting.
3. The Vice Chair will preside in the absence of the Chair.  In the absence of both, the members will elect an acting Chair from among those present.
4. If the Chair vacates the office before completing his or her term, the Vice Chair will assume the office and serve the remainder of the term.  A new Vice Chair will then be elected at the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS

1. The Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting every two months and may schedule one or more optional meetings or work sessions with the Planning Staff each month.  However, holding optional meetings or work sessions is left to the discretion of the Chair and may be cancelled when, in his or her opinion, the Commission’s work does not require them.
2. The Chair may call special meetings, as circumstances require.  After submitting a written request to the Chair, a minimum of two members may also call special meetings.  Notice of a special meeting shall be given in accordance with 15.1-439 of the Code of Virginia.
3. The Commission shall prepare and adopt an annual schedule of regular meetings after the County Board adopts its annual schedule.  This schedule must be coordinated with the County Board’s so referrals of reports and plans can be expedited.
4. No meeting, whether scheduled or special, shall be an official meeting of the Commission nor shall any action taken at any meeting be an official action of the Commission unless a quorum is present. 
5. A quorum is defined as a majority of the members of the Planning Commission who are entitled to vote.  In the absence of a quorum at a scheduled or special meeting, the members present may still conduct business and then report the findings to the Commission for action.
6. No action of the Planning Commission will be valid unless authorized by a majority vote of those present and voting.
7. The right of the permanent or acting Chair to vote, if he or she so desires, shall not be questioned.
8. No member shall vote on a subject in which he or she has a financial interest or other conflict.  The State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act applies to all appointed Planning Commissioners.
9. In case of major differences of opinion among members, the minority shall have the right to file a separate report to accompany the majority recommendation or action.

ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES

1. The Site Plan Review Committee is responsible for reviewing all site plans and major site plan amendments.  The SPRC advises the Planning Commission by identifying issues in regard to a specific plan and noting necessary conditions concerning those plans, while also providing a public forum for reviewing and commenting on specific site plans.
2. The Long Range Planning Committee is responsible for commenting on and reviewing recommendations about tasks and processes related to land use, urban design, long range plans, the Comprehensive Plan, and the General Land Use Plan.
3. The Zoning Ordinance Review Committee is responsible for reviewing all proposed zoning ordinance amendments prior to consideration by the Planning Commission and for providing a public forum for citizens to review and comment on particular zoning issues.
4. The Planning Commission may create additional committees as it deems necessary.
5. A committee of the Commission may draw upon one or more citizens who are qualified to help with particular assignments.  A qualified citizen who is approved for that purpose by the Commission may chair such subcommittees.

ARTICLE VI - RECORDS

1. A record of the transactions shall be kept of all meetings of any type.  After approval by the Commission, these records shall be entered in the Commission’s Book of Minutes as a public record.  When a scheduled meeting is held and a quorum is not present, the transactions shall form a report only and shall be filed with the other Commission material.
2. All voting of the members shall be recorded by name.

ARTICLE VII - PUBLICITY

1. No release to the public media shall be made unless it has the Commission’s approval or unless the Commission has authorized the Chair to make an appropriate release to the public.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

1. These Rules and Bylaws may be added to, amended, or revised at any meeting of the Planning Commission by a majority of a quorum of the Planning Commission, provided that notice of any proposed amendment is given to each member in writing at least two weeks prior to an official meeting.

ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

1. In all matters of parliamentary procedure not specifically governed by these Bylaws or otherwise required by law, the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall apply.