Commerce Municipal Code Div. 1 General Provisions

This Division 1 establishes the regulations for the effective and efficient implementation of the Commerce zoning ordinance (Title 19 of the Municipal Code). This Division 1 contains the procedures for discretionary review of development applications, criteria for acceptance of applications for discretionary actions, and general standards for processing of applications. The provisions of this Division 1, used in combination with the provisions of subsequent Divisions 2 through 14, provide for a system of development review that is open to the public and responsive to the needs of the community.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

Table 19.39.020A outlines the types of review procedures in effect in Commerce.

Table 19.39.020A Hearing Bodies and Responsibilities

Notes: (a) All decisions of the community development director may be appealed to the planning commission.

(b) All decisions of the cultural resource management commission and planning commission may be appealed to the city council. (c) Site plan review and special event permits are heard before the planning commission as scheduled matters. No public hearing is required. (d) No public hearing is required.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000.

A. The city council, planning commission, and cultural resource management commission shall serve as hearing bodies in the City of Commerce.

B. The city council shall be established as set forth in Chapter 2.08 of the Commerce Municipal Code.

C. The planning commission shall be established as set forth in Chapter 2.16 of the Commerce Municipal Code.

D. The cultural resource management commission shall be comprised of all members of the planning commission, established as set forth in Chapter 2.16 of the Municipal Code.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

A. City Council. The city council shall act as the final arbiter to interpret and to ensure enforcement of the provisions of this Title 19, subject to the rules of conduct and responsibilities established by city ordinances. The city council shall be responsible for conducting the public hearings set forth in Table 19.39.020A.

B. Planning Commission.

1. The planning commission's responsibilities and duties with respect to the implementation and interpretation of this Title 19 shall be as follows:

a. Those responsibilities and duties described in the state planning, zoning, and development laws contained in Section 65100 et seq., of the California Government Code.

b. Such duties as may be designated by the city council.

2. The planning commission shall be responsible for conducting the public hearings set forth in Table 19.39.020A.

C. Cultural Resource Management Commission.

1. The responsibilities and duties of the cultural resource management commission with respect to the implementation and interpretation of this Title 19 shall be as follows:

a. Consider the opinion of professionals, published documents, newspapers, preservation organizations, museums, civic clubs, heritage groups, licensed architects, attorneys, urban planning professionals, affected property and business owners, and city residents in its review and deliberations of development proposals subject to public hearings.

b. Prepare an inventory of potential landmarks and historic districts.

c. Recommend to the city council the designation of individual properties as landmarks or districts.

d. Review public and private projects involving historical resources.

e. Review and approve/disapprove landmark alteration permits.

f. Review environmental impact reports, environmental assessments, and applications that affect the city's historical resources.

g. Recommend acquisition, restrictions, and negotiations of historical property contracts for preservation.

h. Recommend acceptance of dedications for public areas, maintenance, designation, and easement of historical resources.

i. Seek to increase public awareness with information programs and activities on historical resources.

j. Recommend the use of grants related to historical resources.

k. Evaluate and comment on land use decisions.

l. Keep minutes of meetings.

m. Perform such other duties as designated by the city council or as needed to achieve its goals and purposes.

2. The cultural resource management commission shall be responsible for conducting the public hearings set forth in Table 19.39.020A.

D. Community Development Director. The community development director shall have the authority to approve certain discretionary permits, as set forth in Table 19.39.020A. The director may designate a city staff member to act on his behalf. Thus, in this Chapter 39, the term "community development director" shall mean the director or his designee, where such reference is made to a review, discretionary action, or approval.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).