§ 10-46. General powers and duties.

(a)

Officers and adopted rules of procedure. From and after the time when the planning commission shall have organized and selected its officers and shall have adopted its rules of procedure, the planning commission shall have all the powers, duties, responsibilities and jurisdiction set forth in S.C. Code 1976, tit. 6, ch. 29.

(b)

Authority and function. In general, the planning commission shall have the power to do the following:

(1)

Prepare and revise periodically a comprehensive plan and program for the development and redevelopment of the town.

(2)

Prepare and recommend for adoption to the town council as a means for implementing the plan and program the following:

a.

Zoning regulations to include zoning district maps and appropriate revisions thereof for its jurisdiction.

b.

Regulations for the subdivisions or development of land and appropriate revisions thereof within its jurisdiction and to administer the regulations that may be adopted.

c.

An official map and appropriate revision thereof showing the exact location of existing or proposed streets, highway and utility rights-of-way, building sites, together with regulations to control the erection of buildings or other structures or changes in land use within the rights-of-way, building sites, or open spaces within its political jurisdiction or specified portion thereof.

d.

A capital improvements program for its jurisdiction based on the comprehensive plan. Such a capital improvements program shall include an annual budget based on estimates of the cost of proposed projects and the means of financing them. The commission shall submit the capital improvements program, including the capital budget, to the governing authority for authorities as directed.

e.

A landscaping regulation setting forth required planting, tree preservation, and other aesthetic considerations for land and structures.

f.

A regulation setting forth procedures for management of environmentally sensitive areas including, but not limited to floodplains.

g.

Policies or procedures to facilitate implementation of all planning elements within the comprehensive plan.

h.

Principles and policies for guiding development of the area.

i.

Prepare and recommend to the town council for adoption of regulations, other than those previously mentioned, promoting orderly development in accordance with the comprehensive plan.

j.

Determine whether specific proposed developments conform to the principles and requirements of the comprehensive plan for the growth and improvement of the area.

k.

Reviewing and recommending to the town council any needed changes in the zoning regulations and the map of the town, as well as the subdivision regulations, the official map and other codes, regulations and controls related to the town's development.

(Code 1998, § 5-4-4)