Article 24 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE APPROVAL

Sections:

• § 38-180. Specific Purposes.

• § 38-181. Applicability.

• § 38-182. Development Review Committee.

• § 38-183. Initiation.

• § 38-184. Submittal Requirements.

• § 38-185. Duties of Community Development Director.

• § 38-186. Duties of Development Review Committee.

The specific purposes of Development Plan Review are to:

• A. Determine if an application is complete enough to be placed on a public hearing agenda.

B. Identify potential problems of compliance with the General Plan or this ordinance early in the review process so they can be resolved before Planning Commission or Community Development Director hearings. (Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022; Ord. 3472 § 1, 2012)

C. Familiarize department representatives on the Development Review Committee with proposed projects and provide an opportunity for an exchange of views on project characteristics and conditions of development approval.

D. Allow Committee members to discuss potentially significant environmental impacts, the nature of mitigation measures, and the need for background studies to be submitted with the application. (Ord. 3424 § 1, 2009)

A. Basic Requirement. Development Plan Review shall be required for all applications that would benefit from such review, as determined by the Chief of Planning, Engineering and Environmental Compliance or the Planning Commission. Qualifying applications include, but are not limited to, new development, Use Permits, Variances, Subdivisions, Lot Line Adjustments, or Encroachments.

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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B. Waiver. The Chief of Planning, Engineering and Environmental Compliance may waive initial or final Development Review Committee review upon determining that neither the applicant nor City staff would benefit from such review due to minimal impact of a project. (Ord. 3430 § 2, 2009; Ord. 3424 § 1, 2009)

A. Establishment and Composition. A Development Review Committee (DRC) is hereby established. The DRC shall be composed of the following persons or their representatives:

1. The Community Development Director, who shall act as Chair; (Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022)

2. The Engineering and Maintenance Director;

3. The Fire Chief;

4. The Chief of Inspection Services/Building Official;

5. The Police Chief; and

6. The City Attorney. (Ord. 3472 § 1, 2012)

The DRC may include representatives of other City departments of other public agencies, at the invitation of the Chair or any other DRC member.

B. Meetings. DRC meetings shall be scheduled during business hours at the time and place convenient to the DRC. (Ord. 3424 § 1, 2009)

Development Plan Review shall be initiated by the Chief of Planning, Engineering and Environmental Compliance upon receipt of an application for a qualifying project. (Ord. 3430 § 3, 2009)

There shall be no separate submittal requirements for Development Plan Review. Instead, the application shall include submittal requirements for the primary application (Use Permit, Variance, Architectural Review, etc.), as determined by the Chief of Planning, Engineering and Environmental Compliance. (Ord. 3430 § 4, 2009)

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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Upon receipt of a development review application, the Community Development Director shall set a time and place for a DRC meeting and transmit notice of the meeting and one copy of all required plans and materials to each member of the DRC. (Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022; Ord. 3472 § 1, 2012; Ord. 3424 § 1, 2009)

A. The DRC shall be responsible for formulating Conditions of Approval and other recommendations on all projects other than minor projects approved over the counter by the Community Development Department. (Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022)

B. Where an application must be approved by the Planning Commission or Community Development Director at public hearing, the DRC shall conduct an initial review and submit its conditions and recommendations to the Planning Commission or Community Development Director prior to the hearings. The DRC shall then conduct a final review of the project plans following action by the Planning Commission or Community Development Director prior to issuance of a building permit. (Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022; Ord. 3472 § 1, 2012)

• C. Required Conditions. The DRC shall ensure that the following exist or will be provided:

  1. Necessary street improvements to control and provide for traffic movement arising from the development;

  2. Safe pedestrian movement on or adjoining the property;

  3. Safe and sanitary control of surface drainage on or adjoining the property; and

  4. Attractive and sanitary provisions for refuse storage and disposal.

D. The Chief Building Inspector shall withhold final approval and acceptance of, and final clearance of, public utility connections to any structure until final DRC approval is granted and all of the applicable conditions of DRC approval are met.

E. Deferred Improvements. If, because of special or unusual circumstances, an applicant believes that the construction of improvements required by the DRC should be deferred, the applicant may apply to the DRC for the deferment of construction. Upon receipt of the application, the DRC shall determine whether deferment of construction is warranted and may grant up to one year for completion of required improvements. A one-year extension may be granted for hardship. If a deferment is granted, the applicant shall furnish a performance bond, cash deposit, or similar guarantee acceptable to the City, to insure that the work will be performed.

F. Building Permit Issuance. No building permits shall be issued until final plans of projects subject to review by the DRC have been submitted to and approved by members of the DRC.

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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G. Occupancy. No Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued until all improvements required by the Development Review Committee have been constructed or satisfactory guarantee furnished for their construction.

• H. Appeal. The decisions of the DRC may be appealed by the applicant to the Planning Commission. (Ord. 3424 § 1, 2009)