The board of county commissioners of any county proceeding under sections 303.01 to 303.25 of the Revised Code, shall create and establish a county rural zoning commission. The commission shall be composed of five members who reside in the unincorporated area of the county to be zoned, to be appointed by the board. The board of county commissioners may appoint two alternate members to the county rural zoning commission, for terms to be determined by the board of county commissioners. An alternate member shall take the place of an absent regular member at any meeting of the county rural zoning commission, according to procedures prescribed by resolution by the board of county commissioners. An alternate member shall meet the same appointment criteria as a regular member. When attending a meeting on behalf of an absent member, the alternate member may vote on any matter on which the absent member is authorized to vote. The terms of the regular members shall be of such length and so arranged that the term of one member will expire each year. Where there is a county or regional planning commission the board of county commissioners may appoint qualified members of such commission who reside in the unincorporated area of the county to serve on the county rural zoning commission. Each regular or alternate member shall serve until the member's successor is appointed and qualified. Members of the zoning commission shall be removable for nonperformance of duty, misconduct in office, or other cause by the board, upon written charges being filed with the board, after a public hearing has been held regarding such charges, and after a copy of the charges has been served upon the member so charged at least ten days prior to the hearing, either personally, by registered mail, or by leaving such copy at the member's usual place of residence. The member shall be given an opportunity to be heard and answer such charges. Vacancies shall be filled by the board and shall be for the unexpired term.

Effective Date: 07-22-1998.