Chapter 17.114 — CONCEPTUAL REVIEW

Capitola Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Capitola

Chapter 17.114
CONCEPTUAL REVIEW
Sections:
17.114.010 Purpose.
17.114.020 When required–Eligibility.
17.114.030 Review authority.
17.114.040 Application submittal requirements.
17.114.050 Application review.
17.114.060 Environmental review.
17.114.070 Permit Streamlining Act.
17.114.080 Noticed public meeting.
17.114.090 Nonbinding input.
17.114.010 Purpose.
This chapter describes the process for conceptual review of a proposed project. Conceptual review allows an
applicant to receive preliminary nonbinding
input from the planning commission and/or city
council on a proposed project prior to city action on a formal permit application. (Ord.
1043
§ 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.114.020 When required – Eligibility.
A. Planned
Development Projects. Conceptual review is required for proposed planned

development projects in accordance with Chapter

17.36 (Planned

Development Zoning District).
B. Other Projects. Conceptual review is not required for projects other than a planned
development project, but may be requested by an

applicant.Conceptual review is intended for complex or controversial
projects that would benefit from preliminary input prior to city action on a permit application. An
applicant
may also request conceptual review to receive input on policy interpretations and sensitive
community issues that would benefit from early input from the planning commission. (Ord.
1043
§ 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.114.030 Review authority.
A. Planned
Development Projects. Both the planning commission and the city council
shall provide input on a conceptual review application for a planned
development project.
B. Other Projects.
1. For a project other than a planned
development project that requires planning commission
approval, the planning commission shall provide input on the conceptual review application.
2. For projects other than a planned
development project that require both planning commission and city council approval, the planning
commission shall provide input on the conceptual review application;
the city council may also provide input on the application upon the applicant’s request. (Ord.
1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)

17.114.040 Application submittal requirements.

A. All Projects.
1. An
applicant requesting conceptual review shall file an application with the community
development department on an official city application form.
2. Applications shall be filed with all required fees, information, and materials as specified by the community
development department. Application fees for conceptual review are subject to the requirements
specified in Section
17.112.030 (Application fees).
B. Planned
Development Projects. In
addition to application materials required by subsection (A)(1) of this section, conceptual review applications for planned
development projects shall
also include the
following:
1. A statement describing the proposed project and how it complies with the findings required for the approval of a planned
development project in Section
17.36.080(G) (Findings).
2. Project plans, diagrams, and graphics as needed to illustrate the overall
development concept, including proposed
land uses,
buildings,circulation, open space, and any other significant elements
in the
project. (Ord.
1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.114.050 Application review.
A. Completeness Review. The community
development department shall review each conceptual review application for completeness and accuracy. The department may request additional information if
necessary for consideration of the planning commission and/or city council.
B. Staff Report. The community
development department shall prepare a staff report describing the proposed project and including, where appropriate, an analysis of project compliance with applicable city
policies and regulations. Staff reports shall be furnished to the
applicant at the same time as they are provided to the
review authority before consideration of the application. (Ord.
1043 §
2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.114.060 Environmental review.
Conceptual review applications are not defined as a project pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and as such are not subject to environmental review process as required by

CEQA.
(Ord.
1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.114.070 Permit Streamlining Act.
Conceptual review applications are not subject to the requirements of the California Permit Streamlining Act (Act). An application that receives conceptual review shall not be considered complete pursuant
to the requirements of the Act unless and until the director has received an application for approval of a
development project, reviewed it, and determined it to be complete under Chapter

17.112 (Permit
Application and Review). (Ord.
1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.114.080 Noticed public meeting.
A. Noticed Public Meeting Required. The planning commission or city council (“review authority”) shall consider a conceptual review application at a public meeting noticed in accordance with Section
17.148.020 (Notice of hearing).
B. Information Received. At the meeting the
review authority shall receive information from staff and the
applicant and receive public comment on the proposed project.
C. Preliminary Input. The
review authority shall provide the
applicant with preliminary input on the proposed project, including the project compliance with applicable city policies and regulations.
D. Input on Planned
Development Projects. For planned
development projects, the
review authority shall provide preliminary input on project compliance with findings required for the approval of
a planned
development project in Section
17.36.080(G) (Findings). (Ord.
1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)

17.114.090 Nonbinding input.

Review authority input on the conceptual review application shall not be construed as a recommendation for city approval or denial of the project. Any recommendation that results from conceptual review is advisory only and shall not be binding on either the applicant or the city. (Ord. 1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)

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