Porterville Municipal Code Art. VIII Procedure of Compliance with Environmental Quality Act of 1970

A. The term "project" as used in this section shall be defined to include, but shall not be limited to, the following: public works projects, private construction, all construction permits (including building, electrical and plumbing permits), use permits, leases of city property, variances, general plan amendments, changes of zone, parcel maps and subdivisions.

B. The council, or parcel map committee, by resolution shall make a finding as to what projects intended to be carried out in the city of Porterville do not have a significant impact on the environment.

C. All other projects not previously found by the council or parcel map committee, as not having a significant effect on the environment, shall be subject to the following:

1. Said projects shall be tentatively approved by community development director or designee, building inspector, or public works director or designee, if the city official granting tentative approval finds that the project is in accord with the general plan.

2. Upon the granting of tentative approval of a project any permit, license, or other entitlement may be issued subject to the condition that the same may be revoked, rescinded, canceled or set aside by the city council, and the applicant for any permit, license, or other entitlement shall acknowledge in writing that the same is issued or granted conditionally and any exercise of any right or privilege under the provisions of any permit, license, or other entitlement shall be solely at the risk of applicant.

3. The council shall by resolution establish standards and guidelines to enable the community development director or designee, building inspector, or public works director or designee to make a tentative finding that a project is in accord with the general plan.

4. Any project receiving tentative approval under the provisions of subsection B of this section and any project denied tentative approval shall be referred to the city council and the council shall make a finding that said project is or is not in accord with the general plan, and if not, whether said project may have a significant effect on the environment.

5. Any project that is found by the council not to be in accord with the general plan and does have a significant effect on the environment and for which tentative approval has also been granted and for which a conditional permit, license, or other entitlement has been issued then the same shall be canceled, and the applicant shall be informed of said cancellation in writing. (Ord. 1537 § B12, 8-6-1996; Ord. 1614 §§ 2, 3, 4, 9-17-2002)