1628 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 539

expenditure of public funds; to make adequate provisions
for traffic; to secure safety from fire, panic, and other dan-
gers; to prevent the overcrowding of land and to avoid un-
due concentration of population; to provide adequate light
and air; and to make adequate provision for public utili-
ties, water, sewage disposal, parks, and other public
requirements.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

176. There shall be a planning and zoning commission
which shall consist of five members. Four members of the
commission shall be appointed by the mayor with the ad-
vice and consent of the board of aldermen. One alderman
appointed by the board of aldermen shall serve as an ex
officio member of the commission. The members of the
planning commission and of the zoning commission of the
city at the time this charter becomes effective shall serve
as members of the planning and zoning commission until
the expiration of their present terms of office. The first ap-
pointment made to the commission under the provisions of
this charter shall be a member of the board of aldermen ap-
pointed by the board of aldermen as above provided. All
members of the planning and zoning commission appointed
under the provisions of this charter shall serve for terms of
four years. The commission shall appoint one of its mem-
bers as chairman. The compensation of the members of the
commission shall be determined by the board of aldermen
except that the aldermen ALDERMAN shall receive no
additional compensation for his services.

VACANCIES

177. If the member of the board of aldermen serving on
the planning and zoning commission ceases to be a member
of the board of aldermen before the expiration of his term
on the planning and zoning commission, the board of alder-
men shall appoint another alderman to serve on the plan-
ning and zoning commission for the remainder of the un-
expired term. Vacancies among the other four members of
the commission shall be filled by the mayor with the advice
and consent of the board of aldermen for the remainder of
the unexpired term.

DUTIES

178. The planning and zoning commission shall have
the power and shall be required: