Hillsborough Municipal Code Ch. 16.16 Subdivision Approval Process

A. The subdivision approval process is outlined below in general terms. Of necessity, there are many details and requirements not listed here, the omission of which shall not be interpreted as making them inapplicable. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require or commit the city council or the town to approve any application, map, environmental assessment, or other document or to limit the city council or the town in any way except as otherwise required by law or to supersede or vary the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Subdivision Map Act, or any other applicable law.

B. The subdivision approval process in summary consists of the following steps:

Step 1: Conceptual review is conducted as set forth in Sections 16.16.020 through 16.16.060, if applicable.

Step 2: The applicant submits a tentative map application to the city engineer. The applicant also submits to the director of building and planning a final environmental information form and any studies or additional environmental information required.

Step 3: The city engineer prepares a staff report.

Step 4: The initial study and environmental assessment are conducted and the most appropriate CEQA document relating to the proposed application will be prepared as directed by the director of building and planning.

Step 5: The Architecture and Design Review Board holds a public hearing to review the design of the subdivision and any design-related issues.

Step 6: The city council holds a public hearing and considers the environmental assessment document prepared for compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and will either adopt, approve, or reject the document. If the CEQA document is approved or adopted, the city council will then hold a public hearing and consider the tentative map application. This hearing may be noticed and held at the same time as the certification and adoption of the CEQA document, but the actions of the council are separate. The tentative map application will not be considered without approval or certification of the environmental compliance document.

Step 7: The city council reviews the final map and the required subdivision improvements.

Step 8: The city council approved, denies or conditionally approves the application based on the findings outlined in the State Subdivision Map Act.

Step 9: The applicant submits the final map application to the city engineer with all other required documents, bonds, and security instruments.

(Ord. No. 696, 7-11-2011)

In addition to the subdivision approval process required under the Subdivision Map Act and outlined in Section 16.16.060, subdivisions shall be subject to a conceptual review prior to submission of a tentative map. The conceptual review requires review of a conceptual plan together with the preliminary environmental analysis and is intended to facilitate optimum subdivision design, reduce unproductive effort by all concerned, and bring about a better result for applicants, the town residents, and the city council. The early conceptual review also aids in the identification of potential environmental issues, preparation of an environmental assessment, and preparation of an acceptable proposed tentative map.

(Ord. No. 696, 7-11-2011)

A conceptual plan consists of the applicant's proposal for potentially subdividing the property in question, indicating possible numbers and boundaries of lots, possible improvements on the lots (including, but not limited to, retaining walls, grading quantities, location of proposed building pads and any other slope-related features), possible ways in which public services may be provided, possible access locations, and possible ways of dealing with the major physical characteristics of the property in question, all indicated in relatively preliminary conceptual terms.

(Ord. No. 696, 7-11-2011)

The preliminary environmental analysis is the town's preliminary review of the conceptual plan and the environmental information form submitted by the applicant and other environmental issues identified during the conceptual review process.

(Ord. No. 696, 7-11-2011)

A conceptual plan and conceptual review shall be required for all subdivisions.

(Ord. No. 696, 7-11-2011)

A. The following documents and fee shall be filed with the planning department to begin the preliminary review process:

1. Completed and signed conceptual plan application on the proper form.

2. Conceptual plan application fee in the amount set from time to time by resolution of the city council.

3. A current title guaranty report or letter by a title company verifying applicant's ownership as required by Section 16.20.020 E. If the applicant is not the current owner of the property, a consent letter from the property owner approving the application is required.

4. Completed environmental information form.

5. Completed conceptual plan, with the prescribed attachments, consistent with the application requirements.

6. Any additional information specific to the site that is required by the city engineer or the director of building and planning.

7. Proof of legality of the existing lot/s.

8. The conceptual review fee in effect at the time the application is submitted.

B. The city council shall hold a public hearing, noticed per Chapter 1.20 Type A notice, and review the preliminary environmental analysis prepared by the planning staff, the report of the city engineer, and the conceptual plan prepared and presented by the applicant.

C. After receiving the staff reports and public testimony at the hearing, the city council shall provide preliminary comments to the applicant regarding issues relating to the subdivision's design, including, but not limited to, the number, location, and configuration of the lots, the location of buildable sites on the lots, the access to the lots, the handling of any significant topographical or geologic features, the treatment of trees and other vegetation in the subdivision, concerns identified by the public, and any other relevant comments.

(Ord. No. 696, 7-11-2011)