Torrance Municipal Code Art. 5 Appeals; Procedures

(Amended by O-1661; O-3528)

Except as otherwise provided in this Code, if any application for any permit or consent of any City body or official having such authority is denied or approved by any City body or official and no other body is designated in the Code to hear an appeal, the applicant, or any interested person adversely affected, upon payment of an appeal fee, the City Manager, or any member of the City Council may personally serve the City Clerk with a written notice of appeal to the City Council from such decision within fifteen (15) days after such decision.

(Amended by O-3416)

a) The notice of appeal shall contain the following information in addition to the information given by the applicant thereon or reasonably required by the City Clerk therefor:

1. The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.

2. The type of permit desired or action requested.

3. The date on which said permit was issued or refused or the decision was made and the name of the City officer, body, or department taking such action.

4. The grounds on which the appeal is taken.

b) A fee for filing an appeal shall be charged as provided by resolution of the City Council.

a) Upon receipt of the notice of appeal, and the appeal fee, the City Clerk shall notify the concerned City officials, bodies or departments that an appeal has been filed and shall transmit a copy of the appeal documents to such officials, bodies or departments.

b) The concerned City officials, bodies or departments shall prepare the necessary reports for the City Council, provide public notices, posting, mailing or advertising in the same manner as provided for the original hearing or decision making process, request the appeal be placed on the agenda for hearing before the City Council within thirty (30) days of receipt of the said notice of appeal, and notify the applicant in writing of the time, date and place of the hearing not less than five (5) days before the Council hearing.

The Council shall hold a hearing at the time set therefor as provided in Section 11.5.3. The Council may summon witnesses and hear evidence relating to such application, but the rules of evidence shall not apply. The Council may continue the hearing from time to time. At the conclusion thereof, the Council shall grant or deny such application or make such modifications of the decision or action appealed from with reference thereto as it may deem fit. The order of the Council shall be immediately final and conclusive, and no applicant, and no application for the same purpose may be made for one (1) year after the date of such order.