Article 2 — Administrative Adjustments

The purpose of an administrative adjustment is to provide action on projects that are routine in nature but may require an interpretation of established policies and standards set forth in the zoning ordinance. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7213.1)

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 17.42, the city planner or his/her designee shall have the authority to grant administrative adjustments to development standards contained within this title.

B. Upon written request, the city planner may approve, conditionally approve or deny without notice minor adjustments to the following development standards; building and landscaping setbacks, site area, lot width, building height, parking.

C. Any administrative adjustment shall be limited to no more than twenty percent of a required development standard. In making the adjustment, the city planner shall make a finding that the adjustment is consistent with the criteria listed in Section 17.02.170. With respect to adjustments to building setbacks and building height, the adjustment shall also be approved by the fire chief and chief building official or his/her designee prior to granting said administrative adjustment. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 2011-09 §§ 3, 4, 2011: Ord. 9605 § 30 (part), 1996: prior code § 7213.2)

The city planner shall record the decision in writing and shall recite therein the basis for same. The city planner may approve and/or modify an application in whole or in part, with or without conditions, only if all the following criteria are met:

A. That there are special circumstances applicable to the property, including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, creating a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship;

B. That granting of the administrative adjustment is necessary to provide consistency with properties in the same vicinity and land use designation or development standards within which the administrative adjustment is sought;

C. That granting the administrative adjustment will not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or injurious to the property or improvements in such vicinity and land use designation or development standards in which the property is located;

D. That granting the administrative adjustment will not be inconsistent with the goals and policies of the general plan. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 9605 § 30, 1996: prior code § 7213.3)

No later than January 31st, the city planner shall report to the planning commission a summary of the administrative adjustment applications that have been processed and approved during the proceeding calendar year. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 9605 § 30 (part), 1996: prior code § 7213.4)