§ 36.600

This Division describes the authority and responsibilities of City staff and official bodies in the administration of this Zoning Code, in addition to the Council.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

The functions of a Planning Agency shall be performed by the South Pasadena City Council, Planning Commission, Director, and Community Development Department, in compliance with State law (Government Code Section 65100 et seq.).

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1; Ord. No. 2394 § 4 (Exh. A), 2025.)

The South Pasadena City Council, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Council, shall perform the duties and functions identified in this Zoning Code in matters related to the City’s planning process.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

A. Establishment. The Planning Commission, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Commission, is hereby established, in compliance with the provisions of State law (Government Code Section 65100 et seq.).

B. Composition and appointment. The Commission shall consist of seven adult members, all to be appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the Council. To the greatest extent feasible, members shall represent the following professions/occupations:

1. At minimum three who are state-licensed architects or retired from that status.

2. Two who are urban planners, historic preservation professionals, urban designers, landscape architects or retired from that status.

3. Two who have demonstrated special interest, competence, experience, or knowledge in planning, community development and/or urban design.

C. Eligibility for membership. Eligibility for Commission service shall be consistent with SPMC 2.24.

• D. Repealed by Ordinance No. 2394.

• E. Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.

1. The Commission shall, at its first regular meeting after January 1st of each year, elect a Chairperson from among its appointed members to serve for a term of one year.

2. The person selected as Chairperson shall serve no more than two consecutive one-year terms as Chairperson. A Chairperson may be reelected as Chairperson after at least a 12-month vacancy from that position.

3. The Commission shall also select a Vice Chairperson from the membership of the Commission.

• F. Monthly meetings. The Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month, unless determined otherwise by the Commission.

G. Quorum. Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. No action of the Commission shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least three members.

H. Rules for transaction of business and records. The Commission shall:

1. Adopt its own rules for transaction of business; and

2. Keep a public record of all of its determinations, findings, recommendations, resolutions, and transactions.

• I. Compensation.

1. Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

2. It shall be the duty of the Commissioners to inform themselves on matters affecting the functions and duties of the Commission, and to that end, when authorized by the Commission, may attend planning conferences, meetings of planning executives, hearings on planning legislation, or matters affecting their work. Their reasonable expenses incidental to their attendance at these planning related gatherings shall be charges upon the funds allocated to the Commission.

J. Expenses of Commission to be provided in annual budget. The Council shall annually, in the preparation of the City budget, make proper provision for the necessary expenses of the Commission in an amount that shall be determined each year by the Council upon the advice and recommendations of the Commission.

• K. Repealed by Ordinance No. 2394.

• L. Repealed by Ordinance No. 2394.

• M. Powers and duties.

1. The Commission shall act as a consulting and advisory board to the Council and shall make investigations and recommendations in an advisory capacity, either upon its own initiative or upon the request of the Council, of matters pertaining to:

a. Beautification of the City;

• b. Civic center;

• c. Parks and boulevards;

• d. Subdivisions;

• e. Zoning; and

f. Other subjects dealing with the orderly and consistent physical development of the City.

2. The Commission shall have the authority to perform the duties and functions identified in the Municipal Code or by State Law;

3. The Commission shall also have all the powers and duties of a board of zoning adjustment.

N. Annual report to the Council. The Commission shall render annually to the Council a full written report of its work during the preceding 12 months, on a date provided by the Director.

O. Cooperation of City officers and employees. All officers and employees of the City shall cooperate fully with and render all reasonable assistance to the Commission.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1; Ord. No. 2394 § 4 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. No. 2412 § 4 (Exh. A), 2026.)

A. Appointment. The South Pasadena Director of Planning and Building, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Director, shall be appointed by the City Manager.

B. Duties and authority. The Director shall:

1. Have the responsibility to perform all of the functions designated by State law (Government Code Section 65103 (Planning Agency Functions));

2. Have the responsibility and authority to take action on applications for all administrative approvals issued by the Department;

3. Perform other responsibilities assigned by the City Manager; and

4. Perform the duties and functions identified in this Zoning Code, including the initial review of land use applications, in compliance with State law (Government Code Sections 65901 et seq.), Section 36.400.020 (Authority for Land Use and Zoning Decisions), Table 4-1 (Review Authority), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the South Pasadena Environmental Review Guidelines.

C. Delegation and supervision. The Director may delegate the responsibilities of the Director to assigned Department staff under the supervision of the Director. When the Director designates a Department staff person, the staff person shall perform the duties assigned by the Director in addition to those listed in Subsection B above, as appropriate to the personnel title of the designee.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

Division 36.610. Appeals

Sections:

36.610.010 Purpose of Division.

36.610.020 Council or Commission Member Review.

36.610.030 Who May File an Appeal.

36.610.040 Appeal Subjects and Jurisdiction.

36.610.050 Appeal Filing, Processing, and Decisions.