Chapter 17.34 — PLANNING AUTHORITIES

This chapter lays out the basic roles, responsibilities, and functions of all planning authorities, including the City Council, Planning Commission, Community Development Director, and Zoning Administrator.

(Ord. 19-1 § 3)

The powers and responsibilities of the City Council include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A. Adopt design guidelines for specific areas of the City for review pursuant to Chapter 17.37 , Design Review.

• B. Consider and adopt, reject, or modify Development Agreements, following a public hearing and recommended action by the Planning Commission, pursuant to Chapter 17.43 , Development Agreements.

• C. Consider and adopt, reject or modify proposed amendments to the General Plan, Zoning Code, Zoning Map, development agreements, specific plans, and environmental documents related to any of the foregoing, pursuant to Chapter 17.44 , Amendments to the General Plan, Zoning Code, and Zoning Map.

• D. Hear and decide appeals from decisions of the Planning Commission pursuant to Section 17.35.130 , Appeals.

• E. Establish, by resolution, a Municipal Fee Schedule listing fees, charges, and deposits for various applications and services provided, pursuant to this title.

• (Ord. 19-1 § 3)

The powers and responsibilities of the Planning Commission include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A. Annually review progress towards implementation of the General Plan and make recommendations to the City Council based on any new legislation, development trends, or changing economic, social, and environmental conditions.

• B. Approve, modify, or deny Conditional Use Permits and Variances, pursuant to Chapter 17.38 , Use Permits, and Chapter 17.41 , Variances.

• C. Make recommendations to the City Council on development agreements, pursuant to Chapter 17.43 , Development Agreements.

• D. Make recommendations to City Council on proposed amendments to the General Plan, Zoning Code, and Zoning Map, specific plans, and environmental documents related to any of the foregoing, pursuant to Chapter 17.44 , Amendments to the General Plan, Zoning Code, and Zoning Map.

• E. Hear and decide appeals from decisions of the Zoning Administrator or Community Development Director, pursuant to Section 17.35.130 , Appeals.

• F. Hear and decide proposals to revoke permits, pursuant to Section 17.35.120 , Revocation of Permits.

• G. Make environmental determinations on any approvals that are subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to State law.

• H. Such other powers and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the City Council. (Ord. 19-1 § 3)

The powers and responsibilities of the Community Development Director ("the Director"), or designee, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A. Perform all of the functions designated by State law, including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. Annual report related to implementation of the General Plan in compliance with Government Code Section 65400 ;

  2. Review of public works projects for conformity to the General Plan in compliance with Government Code Section 65401 ; and

  3. Review of acquisition of property for conformity to the General Plan in compliance with Government Code Section 65402 .

• B. Maintain and administer the Zoning Code, including the processing of applications, abatements, and other enforcement actions.

• C. Prepare rules and procedures necessary for conducting the Director's business. They may include the administrative details of hearings officiated by the Director (e.g., scheduling, rules of procedure, and recordkeeping). These rules and procedures must be approved by City Council resolution, following review and recommendation by the Planning Commission.

• D. Issue administrative regulations for the submission and review of applications subject to the requirements of Government Code Section 65950 , Deadlines for Project Approval Conformance; Extensions.

• E. Issue a Zoning Clearance pursuant to Chapter 17.36 , Zoning Clearance.

• F. Approve, modify, or deny Temporary Use Permits, pursuant to Chapter 17.39 , Temporary Use Permits.

• G. Approve, modify, or deny a Modification, pursuant to Chapter 17.40 , Modifications.

• H. Approve, modify, or deny requests for Reasonable Accommodation for land use projects, pursuant to Chapter 17.42 , Reasonable Accommodation.

• I. Conduct Design Review and approve, modify, or deny land use projects pursuant to Chapter 17.37 , Design Review.

• J. Determine whether a project is subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act and notify the applicant if any additional information is necessary to conduct the review.

• K. Make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council on all applications, appeals, and other matters upon which they have the authority and the responsibility to act under this title.

• L. Investigate and report to the Planning Commission on permit violations when the City has initiated revocation procedures, pursuant to Section 17.35.120 , Revocation of Permits.

• M. Serve as Zoning Administrator or designate a member of Planning Division staff to serve as Zoning Administrator, pursuant to Section 17.34.050 , Zoning Administrator.

• N. Delegate administrative functions to members of the Planning Division.

• O. Such other powers and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the City Council. (Ord. 19-1 § 3)

The powers and responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator, or designee, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A. Approve, modify, or deny Minor Use Permits, pursuant to Chapter 17.38 , Use Permits.

• B. Approve, modify, or deny requests for extensions for land use projects, pursuant to Section 17.35.100 , Expiration and Extension.

• C. Decide requests for Minor Revisions to Approved Permits, pursuant to Section 17.35.110 , Revisions to an Approved Permit.

• D. Refer items to the Planning Commission where, in his or her opinion, the public interest would be better served by a Planning Commission public hearing and action.

• E. Interpret the Zoning Code as needed for members of the public and other City Departments.

• F. Make General Plan consistency findings such as for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

• G. Such other powers and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the Director. (Ord. 19-1 § 3)

When a proposed project requires more than one permit with more than one approving authority, all project permits shall be processed concurrently, and final action shall be taken by the highest-level designated approving authority for all requested permits. (Ord. 19-1 § 3; Ord. 25-7, 7/16/2025)