(a)      (1)      Except as otherwise provided in this article, a planning commission created under this subtitle shall consist of three, five, or seven members.

            (2)      One of the members may be a member of the local legislative body, serving in an ex officio capacity concurrent with the member's official term.

      (b)      (1)      The members of a planning commission shall be appointed by the local legislative body or by the person designated as the appointing power in the ordinance creating the commission.

            (2)      Where there is a single local elected executive, the members of a planning commission shall be appointed by the local executive and confirmed by the local legislative body.

      (c)      Each member of a planning commission is entitled to the compensation that the local legislative body considers appropriate.

      (d)      (1)      The term of each member is 5 years or until the member's successor takes office.

            (2)      The terms of the members of a planning commission shall be staggered.

      (e)      (1)      After a public hearing, the local legislative body may remove the members of a planning commission for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.

            (2)      The local legislative body that removes a member of a planning commission shall file a written statement of reasons for the removal.

      (f)      Vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term by the local legislative body or by the person designated in the ordinance as the appointing power.

      (g)      In a municipal corporation, the local legislative body may designate one alternate member of the commission who may sit on the commission in the absence of any member of the commission. When the alternate is absent, the local legislative body may designate a temporary alternate to sit on the commission.