1. Make studies of the area within the planning jurisdiction and surrounding areas;

2. Determine objectives to be sought in the development of the study area;

3. Prepare plans for achieving these objectives;

4. Develop and recommend policies, ordinances, administrative procedures, and other means for carrying out plans in a coordinated and efficient manner;

5. Advise the governing bodies concerning means for carrying out plans or amending plans;

6. Accept, receive and disburse funds, grants, and services made available by the Federal government or the State government used in the furtherance of departmental functions;

7. Administer zoning and subdivision regulations and other related land use controls;

8. Exercise any functions in the administration and enforcement of various means for carrying out plans that the governing bodies may direct;

9. Develop, approve, and implement design guidelines;

10. Develop, approve, and implement administrative procedures and guidelines to execute the provisions of this Ordinance; and

11. Perform any other related duties that the governing body may direct.

1. Applications for major site plan review;

2. Applications for major preliminary plat review;

3. Applications for minor and major certificates of appropriateness;

4. Applications for special use permits;

5. Amendments to adopted land use plans;

6. Amendments to the text of this Ordinance;

7. Applications for zoning map change;

8. Applications for street closing;

9. Applications for street renamings;

10. Applications for annexations;

11. Applications for statutory development agreement;

12. Applications for historic district/landmark designation; and

13. Applications for vested rights determinations requiring a public hearing pursuant to Sec. 3.20, Vested Rights, and NCGS 160D-108.

1. Interpretation of this Ordinance;

2. Applications for Sign Permits;

3. Applications for subdivision review pursuant to Sec. 3.6, Subdivision Review;

4. Applications for site plans pursuant to Sec. 3.7, Site Plan Review;

5. Applications for common and way-finding signage plans;

6. Applications for home occupation permits;

7. Administrative certificates of appropriateness;

8. Petitions for demolition by neglect investigations;

9. Applications for street withdrawal;

10. Applications for vested rights determinations not requiring a public hearing pursuant to Sec. 3.20, Vested Rights;

11. Applications for architectural review;

12. Applications for temporary use permits;

13. Applications for vested rights determinations not requiring a public hearing pursuant to Sec. 3.20, Vested Rights, and NCGS 160D-108; and

14. Applications for floodplain development permits.