Alturas Municipal Code Div. 3 Site Plan Requirements

All development projects, except Single Family Residential development projects, require Site Plan Approval processed pursuant to Section 28.52.030 unless the review is waived by the Director pursuant to Section 28.42.020.

(Ord. No. 503, 12-16-2014)

Site Plan review may be waived by the Director when the project involves:

A. Interior alterations not materially changing the character or use of the property; or

B. Minor or temporary exterior alterations not materially changing the character or use of the property (including Temporary Storage Yards and Special Event Permits); or

C. A Sign Permit that will not cause significant alterations to or change the character of the exterior of the property; or

D. A Variance to the Development Regulations where it can be seen with certainty that approval of the Variance would not substantially change the character or use of the property.

(Ord. No. 503, 12-16-2014)

A. Building Permits. Site Plans show not only the layout of the site, but also illustrate how the project will look in profile through the use of elevation drawings, color and material boards and other illustrations. They also provide the basis upon which landscape, lighting, parking and signage proposals can be evaluated. Therefore, they are critical to the approval of new development, and substantial renovations.

B. Use Permits and Variances. Site plans provide visual information to help evaluate how well a project will fit into the community by helping to confirm the visual impacts of a project, and whether or not it meets the Site Planning and Development Standards of this Article. It also helps inform Use Permit and Variance process by helping to suggest mitigation measures, maintenance standards, and other conditions that should be included in Use Permit and Variance approvals.

C. Maintenance Agreements. Since Site Plan approvals are not recorded documents, conditions of their approval do not "run with the land" as they do with Use Permits and Variances. Instead, conditions in a Site Plan are considered met once the building permit is signed off and a Certificate of Occupancy is approved. Therefore, any conditions that need to remain exactly as they were approved or need ongoing maintenance must be recorded in a Maintenance Agreement to ensure they are carried forward into the future.

(Ord. No. 503, 12-16-2014)