Chapter 17.92 — PLANNING AUTHORITIES

This chapter identifies the bodies, officials, and administrators (i.e., Review Authorities) with designated responsibilities under various chapters of the Zoning Code. Subsequent chapters provide detailed information on procedures, application and permits. When carrying out their assigned duties and responsibilities, all bodies, officials, and administrators shall interpret and apply the provisions of this Zoning Code as minimum requirements adopted to implement the policies, and achieve the objectives, of the General Plan. (Ord. 1722, 6/18/2024)

• A. City Council. The City Council is established in accordance with the Woodland Municipal Code Chapter 2.04 , City Council. The powers and duties of the City Council under this Zoning Code include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Consider and adopt, reject, or modify amendments to the General Plan map and text pursuant to provisions of Chapter 17.104 , Amendments to the General Plan, and of the California Government Code , following a public hearing and recommended action by the Planning Commission.

  2. Consider and adopt, reject, or modify amendments to the Zoning Map and text of this Zoning Code pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 17.108 , Amendments to the Zoning Map and Text, and the California Government Code , following a public hearing and a recommendation from the Planning Commission.

  3. Hear and decide applications for Development Agreements, pursuant to § 17.100.180 , Development Agreements.

  4. Hear and decide on proposals to revoke permits, pursuant to Chapter 17.96.150, Revocation of Permits.

  5. Make environmental determinations on any approvals for which it has authority to grant that are subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State law.

  6. Hear and decide appeals from decisions of the Planning Commission pursuant to § 17.96.160 , Appeals.

  7. Establish by resolution, a Planning Application Fee Schedule listing fees, charges, and deposits for various applications and services provided, pursuant to this Zoning Code.

• B. Planning Commission. The powers and duties of the Planning Commission are established in the Woodland Municipal Code Section 2.28.020 , Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall be the approval authority for planning permits identified in Table 17.100.020-1: Planning/Processes Permits and Review Authority. All discretionary decisions of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council, in compliance § 17.96.160 , Appeals. The Planning Commission shall make recommendations on all legislative entitlement requests to the City Council. The powers and duties of the Planning Commission under this Zoning Code include, but are not limited to the following:

  1. Conduct hearings and make recommendations to the City Council on proposed amendments to the General Plan map and text, pursuant to Chapter 17.104 , Amendments to General Plan.

  2. Conduct hearings and make recommendations to the City Council on proposed amendments to the Zoning Map and text of this Zoning Code, pursuant to Chapter 17.108 , Amendments to Zoning Map and Text, and the California Government Code .

  3. Conduct hearings and make recommendations to the City Council on proposed Development Agreements, pursuant to § 17.100.180 , Development Agreements.

  4. Approve, conditionally approve, modify, or deny Conditional Use Permits and Variances, pursuant to § 17.100.100 , Conditional Use Permit and § 17.100.120 , Variance.

5. Hear and decide on modifications to approved Conditional Use Permits and Variances, pursuant to § 17.96.140 , Modifications to an approved Permit.

   6. Hear and decide on proposals to revoke permits, pursuant to § 17.96.150 , Revocation of Permits.

   7. Hear and decide appeals from decisions of the Director or Zoning Administrator on decisions, determinations, or interpretations made in the enforcement of this Zoning Code and any other decisions that are subject to appeal, pursuant to § 17.96.160 , Appeals.

   8. Make environmental determinations on any approvals it grants that are subject to environmental review under CEQA pursuant to State law.

   9. Review of the annual capital improvement program budget for conformity with the General Plan in compliance with California Government Code § 65401 .

   10. Conduct development review on any approvals it grants that are subject to development review pursuant to § 17.100.040 , Development Review Process.

   11. Undertake a comprehensive historic resources inventory and maintain a historic register.

   12. Establish various criteria, guidelines, and standards to carry out the intent of the Woodland Municipal Code Chapter 15.24 , Historical Landmarks, Districts and Resources.

   13. Recommend to the City Council the designation of historical landmarks and historical districts.

   14. Participate in administrating regulations pertaining to historical landmarks and historical districts.

   15. Recommend to the City Council ways to fund and to otherwise make financially feasible the protection of historical landmarks and historical districts in the City.

   16. Recommend to the City Council the means to implement the historic preservation element of the General Plan and the Woodland Municipal Code Chapter 15.24 , Historical Landmarks, Districts and Resources, by developing information and programs to increase awareness of, preservation of, and use of historical landmarks and historical districts in the City.

   17. Other duties and powers as assigned or directed by the City Council.

• C. Community Development Director. The powers and duties of the Community Development Director (the "Director") under this Zoning Code include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Prepare the annual report related to the implementation of the General Plan in compliance with California Government Code § 65400 .

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

  3. Interpret the Zoning Code to members of the public and other City departments.

  4. Prepare and effect rules and procedures necessary or convenient for the conduct of the Director's business (e.g., scheduling, rules of procedure, and recordkeeping).

  5. Issue administrative regulations for the submission and review of applications subject to the requirements of this Zoning Code and California Government Code § 65950 , time periods for effective approval or disapproval of a project.

6. Review applications for permits and licenses for conformance with this Zoning Code and issue a Zoning Clearance when the proposed use, activity, or building is allowed by right and conforms to all applicable development and use standards pursuant to § 17.100.030 , Zoning Clearance.

   7. Review applications for administrative/ministerial permits and approvals to ensure compliance with all applicable development and use standards established in this Zoning Code.

   8. Review applications for discretionary permits and approvals to determine whether the application is subject to review under the CEQA and notify the applicant if any additional information is necessary to conduct the review.

   9. Make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council on all applications, amendments, appeals, and other matters upon which the Planning Commission and City Council have the authority and duty to act under this Zoning Code.

   10. Conduct development review pursuant to § 17.100.040 , Development Review Process.

   11. Approve, modify, or deny requests for reasonable accommodation for land use projects, pursuant to § 17.100.160 , Reasonable Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities.

   12. Serve as staff to the Planning Commission.

   13. Investigate and report to the Planning Commission on permit violations when the City has initiated revocation procedures.

   14. Delegate administrative and discretionary functions to members of the Planning Division as deemed necessary.

   15. Provide required notice of public hearings.

   16. Serve as or designate a member of the Planning Division staff to serve as Zoning Administrator pursuant to § 17.100.090 , Zoning Administrator Permit.

   17. Review and make determinations regarding nonconforming uses.

   18. Decide requests for minor modifications to approved permits, pursuant to § 17.96.140 , Modification to an Approved Permit.

   19. Make determinations on lot line adjustments and Certificates of Compliance.

   20. Refer items to the Planning Commission where, in the Director's opinion, the public interest would be better served by a Planning Commission public hearing and action.

   21. Other duties and powers as assigned by the City Council or established by legislation.

• D. Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator is a City staff member appointed by the Director with the following powers and duties.

  1. Approve, modify, or deny applications for Zoning Administrator Permits and Variances, pursuant to § 17.100.090 , Zoning Administrator Permit and § 17.100.120 , Variance, including holding administrative public hearings.

  2. Decide requests for modifications to an approved permit, pursuant to § 17.96.140 , Modifications to an Approved Permit.

  3. Approve, modify, or deny requests for extensions for land use projects, pursuant to § 17.96.130 , Expiration and Extension.

  4. Refer items to the Planning Commission where in the Zoning Administrator's opinion, the public interest would be better served by a Planning Commission public hearing or action.

5. Provide required notice and conduct public hearings.

6. Other duties and powers as assigned by the Director. (Ord. 1722, 6/18/2024)