Article I — BUSINESS PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESSING POLICY

The purpose of this article is to expedite applications of businesses needing county approval for any type of permit, license or entitlement. The program for expediting review of the business shall be referred to as the “Fast Track Program”. (1966 Code, § 20A-100) (Ord. 633, § 1, 1993)

(A) The State of California is rapidly losing business opportunities to other states and, consequently, jobs for its citizens. (B) Businesses seeking to establish operations in California encounter complex and expensive permitting processes. (C) The permit processes can be streamlined and can be expedited without sacrificing environmental review and without sacrificing public input throughout the permit process. (D) A speedy and fair resolution of an application by a business desiring to locate in a particular jurisdiction improves the quality of the jurisdiction’s citizens’ lives by providing increased opportunities for jobs, economic growth and revenue for essential governmental services. (1966 Code, § 20A-101) (Ord. 633, § 2, 1993)

(A) There shall be a Business Application Processing Liaison Officer whose function shall be performed by the Planning Director or his or her designate. The function of this position shall be to serve as a liaison between suitable business applicants and the various county agencies which necessarily review the applications and any ancillary applications. (B) Additional responsibilities of the Liaison Officer shall be to work with other local government agencies in matters of mutual interest in locating or in attracting businesses to the county, reviewing all such applications, dealing with private sector representatives to assist business applicants in establishing businesses in San Benito County. (1966 Code, § 20A-102) (Ord. 633, §§ 3.1, 3.5, 1993)

For each business application in the Fast Track Program, the Liaison Officer shall create a timetable which shall be approved by the Board of Supervisors. The timetable shall include complete identification of the tasks necessary to gain review and a decision on the application. The obligations of both the county and the applicant shall be set forth in the timetable with appropriate times specified. The Liaison Officer shall prepare monthly reports for consideration by the Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting. Any deviation from the approved timetable shall be accounted for and the Board may direct and take whatever action necessary to ensure the expedition of the application or to remove the application from the fast track process. The basis for removal shall be actions or omissions by the business applicant that delay or interfere with the achievement of the timetable. An alteration of the project or any other appropriate reason will justify removal from the Fast Track Program. Placement on the Fast Track Program does not create a vested right for continuance on that program by a business applicant. (1966 Code, § 20A-103) (Ord. 633, § 3.2, 1993)

(A) There shall be a screening process to evaluate business applications. Only those suitable business applications shall be placed in the Fast Track Program. The Board, by written resolution, from time to time, shall develop regulations for the evaluation of applications to determine suitability for the Fast Track Program. (B) The factors to be considered are: (1) The quantity of new jobs to be produced by the applicant, whether those jobs be from an expansion of an existing business or from the establishment of a new business; (2) The desirability of the business, evaluated by standards such as environmental concerns; and (3) Other social or economic factors. (1966 Code, § 20A-104) (Ord. 633, § 3.3, 1993)

The placement on the Fast Track Program shall be made by request of any business applicant. Upon a favorable screening evaluation, the application shall be placed on the Fast Track Program after paying a fast track fee. The fast track fee will be used to pay for the Fast Track Program and shall be set by ordinance enacted from time to time. Initially, the fee shall be the actual cost of reimbursement. (1966 Code, § 20A-105) (Ord. 633, § 3.4, 1993)