The commission shall make, adopt, and may publish a master plan of the municipality, and of the unincorporated area of the county, for the purpose of bringing about a coordinated physical development in accordance with the present and future needs of such area. The master plan shall be developed so as to conserve the natural resources of the area, to insure efficient expenditure of public funds, and to promote the health, safety, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the people of the area and the state. Such master plan may include, among other things, studies and recommendations relative to the location, character, and the extent of highways, railroads, bus, streetcar and other transportation routes, bridges, public buildings, schools, parks, parkways, airports, forests, wildlife refuges, dams and projects affecting the conservation of natural resources, and studies and recommendations for an annual budget and long-range financial program for public improvements. The commission may also perform in the area any additional urban planning which is needed, including but not limited to surveys, land use studies, urban renewal plans, technical services, and other planning work. The commission may adopt the master plan in whole or part, and subsequently amend or extend the adopted plan or portions thereof. Before the adoption, amendment, or extension of the plan or portions thereof, the commission shall hold at least one public hearing thereon. Such hearing may be adjourned from time to time. The adoption of the plan or portions thereof shall be by resolution carried by not less than the majority of the full membership of the commission including the ex officio members thereof. Before such master plan or part thereof shall have the status of an official plan, it shall be submitted to and shall have the approval of the council insofar as such plan affects the area within the city limits of the municipality and shall have the approval of the board of county commissioners, insofar as such plan affects the unincorporated area of the county, as the case may be. The council and/or board may approve the plan in whole or in part, or return the plan or any portion thereof to the commission for further consideration. Any part so approved shall immediately become in full force and effect as to the area covered by the approved portion of such plan. Should the council or board fail to act upon such plan within forty-five (45) days from the date of its submission by the commission, such plan shall be deemed to be approved by said council or board. After the adoption of the master plan, or part thereof, an attested copy shall be certified by the commission and by the approving authority and shall be certified to the county clerk of such county for safekeeping and as a public record, and certified to the clerks of such incorporated areas as may be covered or affected by the plan.

Added by Laws 1955, p. 166, § 7, emerg. eff. June 3, 1955. Amended by Laws 1957, p. 141, § 3; Laws 1980, c. 54, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1980.