Planning Commission
Planning And Development Department
611 Walker
Houston, TX 77002
Contact: Marlene Gafrick
Phone: (713) 837-7708 Fax: (713) 837-7708
Email: Marlene.gafrick@cityofhouston.net
Updated as of: 9/9/2010
LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CREATION AND OPERATION(City)
City of Houston, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 33, Article II, Sections 33-14 through 33-25. Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 211 & 212.
GENERAL POWER AND DUTIES
1. To exercise all powers of a planning commission anticipated in Chapters 212 of the Texas Local Government Code, specifically, the approval of subdivision and development plats in the City and its ETJ.
2. To adopt a comprehensive plan in conformance with the provisions of the Texas Local Government Code Section 211.004, and recommend it to City Council for its approval.
3. Approve and recommend to City Council Annual Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan.
4. Conduct hearings, grant variances or waivers and make recommendations to City Council under the provisions of various City land use ordinances.
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
Every other Thursday, 2:30 p.m; City Hall Annex Council Chambers, 900 Bagby, Public Level. Commission by vote adopts annual meeting schedule each fall for following year and publishes it in newspaper.
COMPOSITION
TOTAL: 26 members, 21 voting members, 5 non voting members serving ex officio.
Planning Director, Public Works Director, Convention & Entertainment Facilities Director and representative of Metro serve as ex-officios.
Immediate past chair of Planning Commission serves as ex-officio, or if unable to serve Mayor appoints someone who has served for more than five years.
NOTE: May expand to twenty-seven members depending on population growth within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction in Waller County and Liberty County.
21 Voting Positions:
Positions 1 through 14: Residents and qualified voters of the City, appointed by the Mayor confirmed by City Council
Position 15: Member of Harris County Commissioners Court and alternate.
Position 16: Member of Montgomery County Commissioners Court and alternate.
Position 17: Member of Fort Bend County Commissioners Court and alternate.
Positions 18 & 19: Residents of the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Positions 20 & 21: Residents and qualified voters of the City.
5 Non Voting Positions, serving ex officio:
Position 22: Director of Planning and Development Department.
Position 23: Director or representative of Public Works.
Position 24: Representative of Metro.
Position 25: Past chairman of Planning Commission.
Position 26: Director of Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department.
QUORUM: Eleven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
TERM: All appointments will be for two-year staggered terms. Each commissioner shall continue to act after the end of his or her term until a successor is appointed and confirmed.
CHAIRPERSON: The chairperson of the commission shall be selected from the commission and elected by a majority of the entire commission for a term of one year. An individual may serve for not more than six consecutive years as chairperson.
COMPENSATION: The members of the commission, in the performance of their duties as such, shall serve without compensation.
Note: Chapter 33 also recognizes the Commission as a zoning commission under Chapter 211 of the Texas Local Government Code, but the Commission does not exercise these powers. County Engineer may serve as alternate to elected official.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Entity is NOT included in the financial reporting for the City of Houston.
MEMBER LIST