Chapter 17.06 — RESPONSIBILITIES

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the responsibilities of the individuals, departments and committees responsible for reviewing, processing and approving land divisions in Madera County.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

The responsibilities of the board of supervisors under this title shall include the following: consider and approve, conditionally approve or disapprove appeals as provided in the California Subdivision Map Act and this title.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

The planning commission is designated as the advisory agency to make a recommend to approve, conditionally approve or disapprove tentative tract maps and associated development and limited design variations as provided by the California Subdivision Map Act and this title.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

The resource management agency includes the planning department, engineering and general services department, environmental health department, roads department, and fire marshal's office (department of fire prevention for development). The resource management agency director may authorize changes in the scope of responsibilities in the member departments that are included in resource management agency that may result in some changes in the responsibilities of those member departments as set forth in this title.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

A.

Membership. The subdivision committee is a staff level meeting to discuss technical matters relating to preliminary maps, tentative maps, and any associated development and limited design variations. It shall be composed of the planning director, the environmental health director, the fire marshal, the county engineer, the roads commissioner, the county assessor or their designated representatives. The planning director or his/her designated representative shall act as chair of the committee. In the absence of both, the committee shall elect a temporary chairperson. By acting as chairperson, a member shall not be disqualified to vote.

B.

Powers and Duties of the Committee. The subdivision committee shall have the following powers and duties:

Adopt rules for its proceedings;

Conduct meetings scheduled as needed and conduct special meetings at such times and in accordance with such procedures as the committee may determine;

Review, discuss, and make recommendations on all matters which pertain to preliminary maps, tentative maps, and any associated development variations;

Approve, conditionally approve, or deny limited exceptions and limited design variations;

Review, discuss, and make recommendations on matters pertaining to the standards for subdivisions generally;

Provide the subdivider and the head of any county department or other public agency a reasonable opportunity to present any relevant matter to the committee;

As permitted by law, require the subdivider to furnish additional information and documents and make recommendations with respect to the form of the map deemed necessary for proper consideration of the tentative map and any action or recommendation which may appear necessary with respect thereto;

Forward its recommendations to the planning commission in a timely manner after review by the committee has been completed. Such recommendations shall be accompanied by any written report.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

A.

The subdivision/parcel map committee, chaired by the planning director is designated as the advisory agency to approve, conditionally approve or disapprove parcel maps, parcel map waivers, lotline adjustments, and associated development and limited design variations as provided by the California Subdivision Map Act and this title.

B.

It shall be the responsibility of the planning director to manage the planning department in carrying out the responsibilities imposed on it by this title and to carry out other responsibilities imposed on the director by this title.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

A.

It shall be the responsibility of the planning department to recommend to the subdivision committee approval, conditional approval or disapproval of any tentative map in relation to design and land use. The department's recommendations shall address, among other matters, the following:

Compliance with the general plan, any applicable specific plan or community plan, and the Madera County zoning ordinance;

Concept of development;

Lot size, design and suitability for intended use;

Street alignment and width;

Dedication of land and/or fees for public purposes;

Necessary zone changes;

Open space;

Adequacy of any lot use feasibility study;

Potential safety and crime risks associated with circulation, street lighting and location of lots to recreation and school facilities in consultation with the sheriff's department;

Mitigation measures applicable to the land division as specified in any applicable environmental document prepared pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

B.

It shall be the responsibility of the planning department to recommend to planning director approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of any tentative parcel map, parcel map waivers, lot line adjustments and associated development, and limited design variations.

C.

It shall be the responsibility of the planning department to recommend approval, conditional approval or disapproval of any tentative tract map in relation to the need for open space, park and recreation facilities, and dedication of land for park and recreation facilities or payment of in-lieu fees (as per Sections 15.03.060 and 15.03.030).

(Ord. No. 658, § 1 (Exh. A), 8-14-12; Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

A.

It shall be the responsibility of the engineering department to recommend to the subdivision review committee approval, conditional approval or disapproval of any tentative subdivision map in relation to improvement facilities. The department's recommendations shall address, among other matters, the following:

Adequacy of all tentative map survey, if submitted;

Adequacy of any lot use feasibility study;

Proposed drainage and flood control improvements (e.g., location and sizes of drainage channels and easements, sumps and ponding areas);

Methods of erosion control;

Adequacy of preliminary flood hazard study;

Adequacy of the geological hazard report and recommended mitigation measures; and

Adequacy of preliminary soil report, along with any recommendations for correction of any soil or geologic hazards report and mitigation measures.

Availability of solid waste services and facilities in collaboration with the waste management department.

B.

It shall be the responsibility of the engineering department to recommend to the subdivision/parcel map committee approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of any tentative parcel map or parcel map waiver and associated development and limited design variations.

C.

It shall be the responsibility of the engineering department to review all final maps for compliance with conditions of approval, compliance with the requirements of the California Subdivision Map Act and this title, to approve all improvement plans and/or improvement agreements, and to carry out other responsibilities imposed upon it by this title.

D.

It shall be the responsibility of the engineering department to review and approve improvements in connection with all final maps with respect to the following:

Method of sewage disposal;

Water supply for domestic use;

Water system improvement plans; and

Other factors affecting environmental health.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

A.

It shall be the responsibility of the Madera County roads department to recommend to the subdivision committee approval, conditional approval or disapproval of any tentative tract in relation to the engineering feasibility of street alignments and widths and traffic safety concerns, with particular regard to sight distances, turning maneuvers and intersection traffic controls.

B.

It shall be the responsibility of the roads department to recommend to the subdivision committee approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of any tentative parcel map or parcel map waiver and associated development and limited design variations.

C.

It shall be the responsibility of the roads department to consider the impacts of any land division application with respect to traffic movement and safety, levels of service impacts, circulation impacts, and impacts to the county's road maintenance program. The roads department may require an applicant to generate trip data information and an analysis of potential traffic impacts when deemed necessary by that

department or when one hundred peak hour trips are estimated; however, any such request shall be made prior to the applicable land division application being accepted as complete for processing purposes.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

It shall be the responsibility of the county counsel to approve all subdivision improvement agreements and all necessary documents prior to recordation as to form.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

A.

It shall be the responsibility of the fire department to recommend to the subdivision review committee approval, conditional approval or disapproval of any tentative tract map in relation to fire protection facilities. The department's recommendations shall address, among other matters, the following:

Location and spacing of fire hydrants;

Minimum fire flows necessary to serve the proposed development;

Water system design;

Emergency access roads;

Location of fire and fuel breaks and easements;

Dedication of land and/or fees for fire station sites; and

Special provisions for land divisions in hazardous fire areas.

B.

It shall be the responsibility of the fire department to recommend to the planning director approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of any tentative parcel map or parcel map waiver and associated

development and limited design variations. The department's recommendation shall address, as appropriate.

C.

It shall be the responsibility of the fire department to review and approve fire protection facilities in connection with all final maps.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

A.

It shall be the responsibility of the environmental health department to recommend to the subdivision (parcel map) review committee approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of any tentative tract map in relation to the impact of the proposed subdivision on public health and safety. The department's recommendations shall be based on Madera County environmental health department standards and rules and regulations for land developments and shall address, among other matters, the following:

Proposed method of sewage disposal;

Source, quantity, and quality of the water supply proposed for domestic use;

Factors affecting environmental health;

Adequacy of any acoustical report along with any recommendations for noise attenuation.

B.

It shall be the responsibility of the environmental health department to recommend to the planning director approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of any tentative parcel map or parcel map waiver and associated development and limited design variations. The department's recommendation shall address, as appropriate, the matters listed above.

C.

It shall be the responsibility of the environmental health department to review and approve in connection with all tentative maps with respect to the following:

Method of sewage disposal;

Water supply for domestic use;

Water system improvement plans; and

Other factors affecting environmental health.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).

A.

It shall be the responsibility of the assessor's office to recommend to the subdivision review committee conditions for any tentative tract map in relation to fee title ownership and tax rate boundary issues. The department's recommendations shall address, among other matters, the following:

Service areas or other entities involved in tax rate areas as required by the state board of equalization.

B.

It shall be the responsibility of the assessor's office to recommend to the planning director conditions of any tentative subdivision/parcel map or parcel map waiver and associated development and limited design variations. The department's recommendation shall address, the lack of any information needed for the reproduction and inclusion of resulting parcels on the assessor's map pages and the necessary disclosures of development costs for valuation and reassessment.

C.

It shall be the responsibility of the assessor's office to review and approve in connection with all final maps, the integrity of the final map with regards to ownership and boundary issues after any required changes are made during the review process and that the necessary processes have been completed for any boundary changes prior to approval of the final map.

(Ord. No. 278U, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-7-12).