§ 2-281. Established; membership.

There is hereby established a City of Sanford Appearance Commission ("commission") under the authority of N.C.G.S. ch. 160A, art. 19, pt. 7.

The commission shall consist of not less than seven nor more than 15 members appointed by the board of aldermen. All members shall reside within the planning and zoning jurisdiction of the city. A majority of the members of the commission shall have demonstrated special interest, experience or education in horticulture, architecture, landscape design, city planning or closely related fields. The commission may appoint advisory bodies and committees as appropriate.

Members of the commission may be reimbursed for actual expenses incidental to the performance of their duties within the limits of any funds available to the commission, but shall serve without pay unless otherwise provided in this ordinance. Membership of the commission is declared to be an office that may be held concurrently with any other elective or appointive office pursuant to Art. VI, Sec. 9, of the North Carolina Constitution. Members of the commission shall serve terms of three years. Terms shall be staggered. A member may be reappointed by the board of aldermen for no more than two consecutive full terms. The power and duties of the commission shall be as follows:

(1)

To initiate, promote and assist in the implementation of programs of general community beautification in the city.

(2)

To seek to coordinate the activities of individuals, agencies and organizations, public and private, whose plans, activities and programs bear upon the appearance of the city.

(3)

To provide leadership and guidance in matters of area or community design and appearance to individuals, and to public and private organizations and agencies.

(4)

To make studies of the visual characteristics and problems of the city, including surveys and inventories of an appropriate nature, and to recommend standards and policies of design for the entire area, any portion or neighborhood thereof, or any project to be under taken.

(5)

To prepare both general and specific plans for the improved appearance of the city. These plans may include the entire area or part thereof, and may include private as well as public property. The plans shall set forth desirable standards and goals for the aesthetic enhancement of the city or any part thereof within its area of planning and zoning jurisdiction, including public ways and areas, open spaces, and public and private buildings and projects.

(6)

To participate, in any way deemed appropriate by the board of aldermen of the city and specified in this division establishing the commission, in the implementation of its plans.

(7)

Recommend to the board of aldermen areas to be designated as "scenic corridors" and develop and recommend ordinances and guidelines for facilitation of "scenic corridors".

(8)

Conduct an educational program with respect to visual quality and aesthetic characteristics within its jurisdiction.

(9)

To request from the proper officials of any public agency or body, including agencies of the state and its political subdivisions, its plans for public buildings, facilities, or projects to be located within the city area of planning and zoning jurisdiction.

(10)

To review these plans and to make recommendations regarding their aesthetic suitability to the appropriate agency or to the community development department or board of aldermen. All plans shall be reviewed by the commission in a prompt and expeditious manner, and all recommendations of the commission with regard to any public project shall be made in writing. Copies of the recommendations shall be transmitted promptly to the board of aldermen and to the community development department.

(11)

To formulate and recommend to the city community development department or board of aldermen the adoption or amendment of ordinances (including the zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and other local ordinances regulating the use of property) that will, in the opinion of the commission, serve to enhance the appearances of the city and its surrounding areas.

(12)

To direct the attention of city or officials to needed enforcement of any ordinance that may in any way affect the appearance of the city.

(13)

Reserved.

(14)

To seek voluntary adherence to the standards and policies of its plans.

(15)

To enter, in the performance of its official duties and at reasonable times, upon private lands and make examinations or surveys.

(16)

To promote public interest in and an understanding of its recommendations, studies, and plans, and to that end to prepare, publish and distribute to the public such studies and reports as will, in the opinion of the commission, advance the cause of improved city appearance.

(17)

To conduct public meetings and hearings, giving reasonable notice to the public thereof.

(Ord. No. 1997-17, 5-20-1997)