Chapter 5 — ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

An Environmental Review Committee (ERC) is hereby established to act in a technical advisory capacity for the Planning Agency.

The Environmental Review Committee shall consist of membership as determined by the Community Development Director, who shall serve as the committee chairperson unless otherwise designated by the Director.

When the Community Development Director deems it applicable, members of the Development Review Committee, as specified in Section 82.0405, representatives of affected agencies, departments, or expert technical advisors may also serve as members of the Environmental Review Committee.

In addition, the Planning Commission Chair, or other Commission member designated by the chair, shall attend and observe each meeting of the Environmental Review Committee. The Planning Commissioner may require that a project be referred to the Planning Commission for action at a public hearing.

The Environmental Review Committee (ERC) shall act on all projects referred to it by the Planning Agency. The ERC shall review and make recommendations to the Planning Agency regarding environmental concerns in accordance with the provisions of the Development Code. The Environmental Review Committee shall also consider the adequacy of an EIR which is being reviewed by the Committee, including the identification of any significant adverse effects, possible mitigation measures and alternatives to the proposed project.

The Environmental Review Committee shall meet when needed, as determined by the Community Development Director and using the following procedures.

(a) Meetings Open to the Public

Environmental Review Committee meetings shall be open to the public, and any applicant, property owner, developer, subdivider, official of any agency, department, organization, or other person interested in a development project may attend any such meeting and present any appropriate testimony.

(b) Notification

The applicant, developer, subdivider, the engineer, or other applicant-designated representative shall be notified of the date, time, and place of such meeting by written notification placed in the U.S. Mail at least 10 days prior to the first Environmental Review Committee meeting at which the development project is to be considered. Notice shall also be given to any individual group, association or organization that has requested in writing notification of meetings and hearings regarding the specific project or that has caused themselves to be properly placed on a mailing list of all ERC agendas.

(c) Recommendation by Report

Offices, officers, departments, and agencies shall submit to the Environmental Review Committee their

recommendations relative to the development projects or subdivisions being discussed at each meeting. Whenever possible, these reports should be in such detail that all interested parties will be properly informed in detail as to the recommended requirements, map revisions, proposed conditions of approval, and any proposed environmental determination or action.